Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan's case proceeded swiftly from crime to punishment Wednesday, but the Jazz are not certain there was a fair trial in between.
   
Sloan was suspended by the NBA for seven games, beginning with Wednesday night's 95-71 win over Portland in the Delta Center, for shoving referee Courtney Kirkland while arguing a call during Tuesday's game in Sacramento, Calif. Longtime assistant coach Phil Johnson will direct the team during the absence of Sloan, who can return to the sidelines for the Jazz's game Feb. 14 against the Washington Wizards.
   
"In the case of coach Sloan making contact with an official, we feel strongly that is out of bounds," said Stu Jackson, the league's senior vice president of basketball operations and chief disciplinarian. "Making contact with an official with intent is going to be met with a severe penalty."