BOSTON -- Utah coach Jerry Sloan has been impressed with the way Rasheed Wallace has fit into the Celtics' system so quickly.

"He's a great shooter out there," Sloan said. "You know he can make shots and that puts a lot of pressure on [teams]. You usually have to play him with a big guy because he can go down and play inside. He's a terrific player. He's had a great career and has been really difficult for us to play against him."

Sloan has also been impressed with Rivers' coaching style, teaching defense first and getting the most out of each player.

"I've watched his play, watched his career, and watched his coaching," Sloan said. "He's had a tough break a time or two but he stayed with it, got a good bunch of players and he has done a perfect job [coaching]."

Boston guard Ray Allen said that the feeling is mutual.

"He's got the longest tenure in sports and that's to be commended," Boston guard Ray Allen said. "You have to tip your hat to Jerry Sloan for what he's been able to do in his career and then to be able to bring players in that follow his system and be successful at it is great."

Sloan, who has been coaching the Jazz since 1988, entered the season ranked fourth on the the list of all-time most-winning NBA coaches (1,137-751).