Utah Jazz players say future looks bright with Corbin

Mostly, he was proud of how his players finished the season with heads held high while earning positive results.

"It wasn't one win," Corbin said of a coaching highlight. "It was just seeing the group of guys stay together and continue to try to work."

This offseason will be one of reflection for Corbin. He wants to re-watch game tape and re-evaluate everything in hopes of formulating a plan — his plan — for the future.

"He's got some brainstorming to do," Bell said.

Bell likes the direction, though. The veteran guard, who just finished his 11th NBA season, saw growth in Corbin's coaching over the two-month period.

"That was a tough situation he walked into — a team that was already struggling, obviously trading Deron and trying to get our new guys implemented," Bell said. "That would have been a challenge for your most seasoned head coaches. I thought he did a good job trying to navigate it."

The wild ride included restless nights and moments of regret for Corbin as he tried to juggle the injuries, match-ups, minutes, teaching opportunities, increased responsibilities and play-calling duties.

But the experience was invaluable for Corbin.

"I've learned a ton. I've learned a lot about myself. I've learned a lot about my team. I've learned a lot about the staff," he said. "I've learned a lot about managing the game and the feel for the game. The lessons have been tremendous for me, and they will all help me and I will learn from it going forward."

Power forward Paul Millsap was impressed that Corbin kept his cool (even if C.J. Miles smiled and said he caught the coach's wrath a time or two).

"With Ty, he's learning fast," Millsap said. "I haven't seen him crack down under pressure yet, which is odd because being under the type of pressure that he's under you will see a little meltdown.

"But Ty stayed calm throughout the season. He's been motivating us a lot. The future's bright for himself and for our team."

Added Jefferson: "I'm just really looking forward to see how he going to do things next year as far as training from Day 1 in training camp all the way through the preseason and the season."

Guard Ronnie Price said Corbin was "by far the best man to do what he had to do this half of the season."

And players expect Corbin will continue to put his own stamp on the team, even if some of that isn't what Sloan did the past couple of decades.

"The upside for him as a coach is beyond what anybody can imagine. It's going to be great," free-agent-to-be Price said. "He's going to do great things in this league, and I'm excited and hopefully I get a chance to play for him. ...

"I think Ty's a leader by heart," Price added, "and that's what it takes to be a coach."

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