BlzMwt wrote:Eric Bieniemy wrote:Stalwart wrote:Isiah Thomas will forever be a better athlete, better leader, and a more dynamic player than John Stockton.
Most importantly, he's a better winner.
He beat the three best players I've ever seen: Magic, Jordan, and Bird.
What advanced statistic measures winning rings?
Did he beat them by himself?
Nope. It's a team game, but he was their leader and best player.
Jordan didn't win spit without Phil Jackson, Pippen's ascension, and Grant/Rodman, Magic without Worthy, Kareem, and Scott/Cooper, and Bird without McHale, DJ, Parish, and Ainge.
Your point is weak.Detroit wouldn't have given one thought to trading Thomas for Stockton though (if offered).
No denying that Utah on the other hand needed Thomas' moxy and scoring to win some playoff series' that they lost.
They would've at the very least considered a Stockton for Thomas trade (if offered).
Stats be damned.
Stockton easily beats Thomas in stats and longevity, if that's all that you consider, but Thomas was the better leader, possessing more winning intangibles. Thomas' ability to take over games in the playoffs that led to winning rings separates the two.
Thomas on the Jazz wins more in the playoffs. Detroit with Stockton don't win rings. Both teams needed their PG to assist and take over games, and Thomas did the latter so much better than Stockton.