Post#2 » by kz1m9w » Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:07 pm
I am definitely not a Jazz fan, but I saw this post, it intrigued me and I thought it wouldn’t hurt to chime in.
I think both Payton and Stockton were terrific players (who doesn’t?). And being a fan of a team (the Rockets) that had to battle against those two players, I know which one I always feared the most. It was easily Stockton.
• Sure, Payton had a post-up game that was enviable (and unique for most point guards) and he could run a team and those Sonic squads were formidable. But Stockton was definitely more of an assassin at the end of games. In his hand’s the opposing team was a lot more worried than what Payton might do in a similar situation – Stockton struck fear into fan’s of opposing teams.
• Unlike Payton, Stockton was not going to ever lose composure and make a decision that hurt his team. Payton usually didn’t either, but was prone to do so.
• I don’t know the numbers, but I would guess you could easily prove numerically that Stockton was the better distance shooter. And likely the same for assists.
• I also recognize that Payton had an earned reputation as a great defender. And he was – make no mistake. But Stockton was far underrated in that area in my opinion. Now you may make an argument that he’d pull your jersey, bump you, bite you, slap you and do anything else he could get away with to help his team win, but that’s what all the greats should do. And I always was impressed at how hard he worked to keep his feet in front of an offensive player – textbook style.
• Longevity has to be on Stockton’s side right? Payton’s final years were really tailing off for his productivity. Stockton was a force even up until his retirement.
• Winner. Both were winners, but Stockton has to be considered above Payton there too. Yes, neither got the big ring while running the team (Payton was a role player on that Heat championship team), and both came close. But I think Stockton will easily be remembered as an all-time great over Payton.
I even realize that as a Rockets fan, it might be surprising since the Jazz were a team the Rockets finally conquered on their way to a championship as where the nemesis Sonics got set aside by an upset-minded Nuggets team. Still, if I could pick one based on career productivity, intangibles and leadership, I’d easily take Stockton for my team.
Hope that helps.
