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SALT LAKE CITY -- After the sudden resignation of Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan and assistant coach Phil Johnson, many are asking why now in the middle of a season? Widespread speculation from fans and media outlets alike are questioning whether Deron Williams had something to do with Sloan's early departure.
I think Deron (Williams is) a wonderful player and he tried to do the things we asked him to do, and I don't know what more you can ask.
–Jerry Sloan
It's been suggested that Williams and Sloan frequently butted heads, but Sloan avoided that when asked about his relationship with his star guard.
"I think Deron's a wonderful player and he tried to do the things we asked him to do, and I don't know what more you can ask," Sloan said after the press conference.
When asked whether or not Williams forced him out, Sloan said, "I forced myself out. I don't want to hear the fact that some player forced me out."
"You heard what Jerry and Phil said, they said that was not the case," said Jazz owner Greg Miller. "I can tell you that, with all respect to Deron, he's a great player, but Frank Layden taught me that no player is bigger than the franchise."
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Deron Williams was also asked to weigh in. "Coach Sloan is -- we've had, I don't want say a rocky relationship, but we've had our disagreements over the years, you know, probably no more than any other coach and player have arguments," he said. "We were both competitive, we're both very stubborn, and I think that's where we clashed. One thing we always agreed on is we both wanted to win."
In response to the criticism Williams is receiving on message boards for his perceived part in Sloan's departure, assistant coach Phil Johnson -- also leaving with Sloan -- said, "Just let it play out and not worry about all of that stuff."
E-mail: rzundel@ksl.com
