Karl Malone requests prayers for legendary Jazz coach Jerry Sloan
Utah Jazz legend Karl Malone asked for prayers for Hall of Fame head coach Jerry Sloan in his appearance on "NBA Inside Stuff '90s Reunion," which streamed on the league's social media platforms Sunday evening.
"I need to say this because I know that (John) Stockton and I have been talking a lot recently," Malone said, according to Trevor Allen of KSL Sports. "Coach (Jerry) Sloan is not doing well, so I want you guys to pray for Coach Sloan."
Malone didn't specify what was ailing Sloan, but the 76-year-old was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia in April 2016.
Sloan spent most of his 33-year coaching career with the Jazz organization, posting a 1,127-682 record in 23 seasons as their bench boss. He is one of two coaches in NBA history to record 1,000 wins with one club and ranks fourth on the league's all-time list with 1,221 career victories.
Sloan led Utah to 15 straight postseason appearances, including back-to-back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. In 2014, the Jazz honored Sloan with a banner featuring the number 1,223, his combined regular-season and playoff wins at the helm.