SALT LAKE CITY — A few mornings before he shocked the sports world by resigning during the middle of the 2010-11 season, Jerry Sloan stood on the Sacramento Kings’ court and told a small group of reporters how to defend the pick-and-roll.
One problem players had, Sloan explained, is that they lock their knees and get lost in screens. The animated Utah Jazz coach then threw out his long arms to show how to fight through picks. My right arm was unfortunate to be in the path of his strong, extending arm.
Smack!
My digital recorder shot out of my hand, hit the hardwood floor and exploded into several pieces.