Utah Jazz coach 1st in NBA history to net 1,000 wins with same team

"Yeah, a few games," he said. "Unfortunately, it's the losses. Losses stick to your mind."

Nevertheless, Sloan has won. Big. Under him, the Jazz have had only one losing season in the past 20. His teams have made the playoffs 18 times. His mark of 16 straight winning seasons (1988-2004) is second-longest in league history.

Since his first game as a head coach, on Dec. 9, 1988 (a loss to Dallas), he has won two conference titles, seven division titles and at least 50 games a dozen times.

Now he has rebuilt the Jazz into a contender again.

Yet he readily admits feeling insecure about his job.

"I never thought I'd last a week," Sloan said. "I was very serious about that throughout my career. Just a day-to-day thing."

So in beating the Thunder, Sloan had to be happy. Not with the milestone per se, but with the victory. The gift that keeps on giving.

He honestly couldn't care less about banners, ceremonies, headlines and announcements.

But not thrilled to win 1,000 times?

Please.

It's what he lives for.

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E-mail: rock@desnews.com