On the other, he had this to say less than two weeks ago, during a preseason road trip to his native Illinois: "I think we have a talented team. But I think they have to go out and prove that, as far as being able to win games, trying to get the homecourt advantage going into the playoffs."

· · · · ·

If Utah does get to the playoffs in 2009, it would mark Sloan's 18th trip there as head coach of the Jazz and 19th including a visit while coaching the Bulls.

How many more that are in the cards beyond that remains to be seen, since Sloan takes things on a season-by-season basis — yet hasn't shown any signs lately of slowing, either.

He merely plows forward, perpetuating the continuity while continuing to pursue the one thing that among all the victories and seasons coached and milestones reached has managed to elude his grasp.

That, of course, would be an NBA championship.

It is, some suspect, what ultimately drives the man who prides himself on shunning change for the mere sake of just that.

"It doesn't seem like he's going to quit anytime soon," Williams said. "It seems like he's going to keep on truckin'."

"Why wouldn't he?" Boozer added. "Especially when he has a group of guys like us. ... We have a team that can get to the title every year, and hopefully this year we can get it for him."

Most NBA coaching wins with one team

1. Jerry Sloan, 995
Utah, 1988-present

2. Red Auerbach, 795
Boston, 1950-66

3. Gregg Popovich, 632
San Antonio, 1996-present

4. Red Holzman, 613
New York, 1967-82

5. John MacLeod, 579
Phoenix, 1973-87

Courtesy: Utah Jazz

Jerry Sloan's all-time record vs. NBA (by opponent)

vs.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
690-464 — .598

NORTHWEST DIVISION
217-143 — .603

Denver
65-30 — .684

Minnesota
54-27 — .667

Oklahoma City
47-40 — .540

Portland
46-41 — .529

Utah
5-5 — .500

PACIFIC DIVISION
258-175 — .596

Golden State
58-29 — .667

L.A. Clippers
66-22 — .750