Playoffs 2000:Even opponents will miss Hornacek

Even opponents will miss Hornacek
Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Utah Jazz will miss his dead-on jumpers. And even opposing fans, as it turns out, will miss the competitive desire of Jeff Hornacek.


	Jeff Hornacek is saying goodbye to the game, and hello to more time with his wife, Stacy, right, and three children.

Unless Hornacek talks himself out of retirement, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard played the final game of his 14-year career Tuesday night.

"This organization has been great to me and my family, and I've had a long career that I never anticipated," Hornacek said after the Jazz were eliminated from the playoffs by the Portland Trail Blazers, 81-79.

The Rose Garden fans, roaring amid flying confetti, took a few moments to salute Hornacek when the public-address announcer said Hornacek had played his final game.

"It's going to be tough not seeing 14 out there," said teammate Karl Malone, who teamed with Hornacek and John Stockton to lead the Jazz to the NBA Finals in 1997 and '98, when they lost to Chicago.

"Next year, it'll be 12," Malone said, referring to the jersey number of Stockton, then his own. "Then, who knows? It'll be 32. All great careers come to an end. We understand that."

Hornacek undoubtedly could play at least another season, but anyone who wonders why he's hanging it up only needed to see his three children near him at the postgame interview table. Hornacek had said a silent hello to them every time he stepped to the free-throw line when he wiped the side of his face before taking a shot.

"It is sad that I won't be out there anymore," he said. "It will give me a chance to spend more time with these guys and my wife."

Hornacek, a former walk-on at Iowa State, played his first six seasons with Phoenix before going to Philadelphia in the Charles Barkley trade. He was traded to Utah in 1994. His best year statistically was his last with the Suns, when he averaged 20.1 points.

Hornacek, who turned 37 earlier this month, went out strong with one of his best seasons. He finished second in the NBA in 3-point shooting (.478) and led the league in free-throw percentage (.950). Only Calvin Murphy (.958, in 1980-81) and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (.956 in 1993-94) had a better year at the line.

"In my opinion, he goes down as one of the best shotmakers of all time," Blazers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "I've been known to play a good game of HORSE, but he'd be the best guy around."

Hornacek was tenacious, resourceful and anything but flashy.

"Unfortunately, people waited until this year to recognize what a great player he is," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said. "It seems they are more preoccupied with who makes the slam dunk."

Hornacek said he wore the blue-collar label with pride.

"I always played as hard as I could to be successful," he said. "The hard work paid off, and I stuck around 14 years."