Frank Layden, the Jazz coach, is a funny man but usually conservative in his predictions.

The Jazz coaches, Frank Layden and Phil Johnson, were impressed.

The Jazz lost the final two games, causing Sloan to miss the playoffs for the first time in eighteen seasons as Jazz coach.

Three days later, against the Los Angeles Lakers, Frank Layden, the Jazz coach, started him at shooting guard.

"I'd have to say he's one of my favorite players," said Jerry Sloan, the longtime Jazz coach, who was with Anderson from 1996 to 1999.

"We wanted to get a little momentum going," said Sloan, the Jazz coach who was noted for defense as a player.

The Jazz coach started the 6-7 slasher and shooter, who finished with 10 points and 4 steals, instead of bringing him off the bench as he has done recently.

He also received used shoes from players, including the former Bull (and current Utah Jazz coach) Jerry Sloan.

There were several skirmishes during the game, which Jerry Sloan, the Jazz coach, took to be a healthy sign.

Not only has Sloan coached an astounding 1,903 games with the Jazz, but the soon-to-be 69-year-old has presided over 196 playoff games as Jazz coach, the equivalent of nearly 2 1/2 regular seasons.