Utah Jazz: Ranking the 5 Best Players in Franchise History

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The Utah Jazz have a rich history of great players, having produced six Hall of Famers. Although the Jazz have never won an NBA title, they have the fifth-most wins in the Association.

So many great basketball players have played in Salt Lake City, but I have narrowed down my list to the five greatest.

5. Mark Eaton

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Mark Eaton is one of the tallest players the Jazz have ever had, and he currently holds the records for blocks in a season (456) and average blocks per game (3.5).

Although Eaton wasn't a significant offensive contributor, the Jazz relied on him for defense and rebounding.

4. Adrian Dantley

I doubt that many Utah Jazz fans remember Adrian Dantley, who was a scoring phenom throughout the 1980s. 

Dantley shot over 50 percent from the field and averaged 30-plus points in four seasons with the Jazz.

In his career, he scored 29.6 points per game, which is still a franchise record.

3. Pete Maravich

"Pistol Pete" Maravich played much of his career for the New Orleans Jazz and earned three All-Star Game appearances.

When the Jazz moved to Utah, he moved with the team and played the 1979-80 season before retiring shortly after.

Maravich became the first Jazz player to have his number retired in 1985 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame two years later.

He currently holds the all-time scoring record in the NCAA, before the three-point line was invented.

2. John Stockton

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John Stockton played for the Jazz for 18 years and helped Utah to two NBA Finals appearances.

Stockton currently holds the records for career steals and assists, and no, Rajon Rondo isn't even close.

John Stockton was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

1. Karl Malone

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Karl Malone was one of the greatest players in NBA history, ranking second to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career points (36,928) and leading the league in most free throws made and attempted.

He was the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 1997 and 1999 and competed with the USA Olympic basketball team twice (he won gold on both occasions).

The combination of Stockton and Malone was one of the most famed duos in the NBA, and together, the two led the Jazz to two NBA Finals appearances.

Malone was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.