1996/97: Although keeping the name Jazz the team gets a logo that more closely reflects the sate of Utah featuring purple mountains, and sky blue in the script. The new colors seemed to agree with the Jazz as they dominated the Western Conference with a franchise best record of 64-18, as Karl Malone took home MVP honors. In the playoffs the Jazz would get off to a flying start dominating the Los Angeles Clipper sin 3 straight games. In the second round the Jazz continued to roll easily knocking off the Los Angeles Lakers in 5 games. In the Conference Finals the Jazz got off to a fast start taking the first 2 games against the Houston Rockets. However, as the series shifted to Houston the Rockets evened the series at 2 games apiece as Eddie Johnson hit a dramatic buzzer beater to win Game 4. Back home for Game 5 the Jazz took a 3-2 series lead with a hard fought win at home. Game 6 in Houston would be another battle and appeared to be heading for overtime as John Stockton nailed a 3-point buzzer beater tat launched the Jazz into the NBA Finals. In the NBA Finals the Jazz faced the Chicago Bulls losing the first 2 games at home. However, the Jazz upon arriving at the Delta Center continued their home court dominance by taking Game 3 and 4 to even the series. With a chance to take a series lead in Game 5 the Jazz were beaten by a heroic performance by Michael Jordan playing with a flu like ailment 90-88 Back in Chicago for Game 6 the Jazz battled the Bulls tightly before falling b y 4 points as the Bulls won their 5th title in 7 years. 
1997/98: As the season started the Jazz were forced to play without their playmaker John Stockton who had off-season knee injury. Without Stockton the Jazz would limp along with a record of 11-7. However, upon his return the Jazz reestablished themselves as the power in the West with a league best record of 62-20. In the playoffs the Jazz were tested early by the Houston Rockets who jumped out to a 2-1 series lead. However, the Jazz facing elimination would rally with 2 strong performances to win the series in 5 games. In the second round the Jazz would find things easier as they beat the San Antonio Spurs n 5 games for their 3rd trip to the Western Finals in a row. The Jazz continued to roll in the Conference Finals as they swept the Los Angeles Lakers in 4 straight games to set up a rematch with Chicago Bulls. With home court advantage the Jazz were favored by many to end the Bulls dynasty, as they took Game 1 at the Delta Center. However the Bulls would rally to take Game 2 and jumped out to a 3-1 series lead by taking the first 2 games in Chicago. Facing elimination the Jazz edged the Bulls by 2 points to send the series back to Utah. In Game 6 the Jazz had a late lead, but Michael Jordan playing in his final game with the Bulls single handily led the Bulls to 87-86 win hitting the game winning shot with 2 seconds left.