Jazz to retire Dantley's number
Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
Published February 9, 2007 at midnight
Larry Miller called Adrian Dantley himself.
The Utah owner made the offer to the Nuggets assistant Wednesday night. And Thursday, the Jazz announced Dantley's No. 4 jersey will be retired at halftime when the Nuggets visit April 11.
"It's a great honor,'' said Dantley, who averaged 29.6 points with Utah from 1979-80 to 1985-86.
"I knew my jersey would be retired sooner or later. Now, I don't have to have guys around the league giving me a hard time asking, 'Why isn't your jersey up there?' "
Miller has been criticized for the delay in retiring Dantley's jersey. He said on his Thursday radio show clashes Dantley had with management and former coach Frank Layden played a role.
"There was some baggage there," Miller said on 1280 The Zone. "I don't want to try to hide from that. But . . . it would be a fairness issue."
Dantley said his Hall of Fame chances have been helped.
"I feel good because you keep reading things like you've got to have your jersey retired before you get in the Hall of Fame,'' Dantley said.
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