Utah Jazz: Coach's firing annoys Sloan; Williams to skip Skills event

Jerry Sloan is miffed.

Again.

The morning after an NBA head coach was fired for the seventh time this season — this time former Jazz forward Marc Iavaroni, who got canned by the Memphis Grizzlies — the league's dean of coaches spoke out on what's become a rather recurring subject.

"Some teams have improved, or look like they have improved. But maybe that would have happened if they had kept the guy there," Sloan, who is in his 21st season running the Jazz, said Friday.

"Who's to answer that question? Nobody can.

"When you're not winning in this league, it's tough. You're expected to win. Now, some people have patience; some people don't."

Sloan's "people" reference was to opposing franchise owners in particular.

Iavaroni was the ninth coach in the Grizzlies' 14-season franchise history, and his firing marks the 226th coaching change since Sloan took over in Utah in 1988.

"I don't know how you can have any continuity, as a player, because as soon as one little thing goes wrong, here we go," Sloan said. "And who's going to be next? You know, coaches catch all the flak for it."

Sloan also suggested circumstances in Memphis made it especially tough for Iavaroni — whose firing also leaves Sacramento Kings interim coach Kenny Natt as the only ex-Jazz player currently holding one of the NBA's 30 head-coaching positions — to succeed.

"When you lose a player like Pau Gasol (traded last February to the Los Angeles Lakers)," he said, "that will throw you out of sync for 10 years."

Iavaroni was 33-90 in a season-and-a-half with the Grizzlies, whom the Jazz have beaten seven straight times — including twice this season, and five times under his watch.

SKIPPING SKILLS: Though he suggested his decision is subject to change should he be named a Western Conference reserve for the Feb. 15 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix, Deron Williams isn't planning on defending the Skills Challenge title he won last year in New Orleans.

The Jazz point guard said the NBA has already asked him to participate in the specialty competition again, and though he'd "definitely like to do it" he thinks R&R might be best during All-Star Weekend.

"I've got too many things hurting, so the rest is going to do me good," said Williams, who missed 13 games earlier this season with a sprained left ankle.

Thus, the invite was declined.