How Good Was John Stockton?

[Hubert44]

I'm not saying Stockton gets no love at all: he was a first ballot HOF, was picked for the Dream Team, and 10 All-Star Teams. BUT when you read chatter about greatest player of all-time; greatest point guards; best player to never get a ring; how great Steve Nash and J-Kidd were, I think that many fans may overlook just how good Stockton was in terms of statistics and longevity.

He averaged 15 pts. 12 assists per 36 minutes for his career. He shot about 52/38/83 for his career and lead the league in True Shooting Percentage three times. Obviously he was the all-time friggin' leader in assists and steals.

In his last season at age 40, he played all 82 games; per 36 minutes, averaged 14 and 10; and had a 2.3 VORP, .190 WS/48, 21.0 PER making one wonder how long he could've played and continued to be a net positive player.

[76ciology]

Glorified Lonzo Ball

[Hubert44]

Glorified Lonzo Ball

Hey! Stockto, in his rookie year, at age 22, averaged 5 and 5 on 47% shooting. Don't count out 'Zo yet.

[BernteB]

Glorified Lonzo Ball

what's the deal with these smart arse replies? it's been a bit annoying lately (well actually it's always been) that some "funny" guys trying to come up with a one liner for the and1s. it might be funny once, it's not funny if you see such replies under every newly posted thread.

[Hubert44]

Glorified Lonzo Ball

what's the deal with these smart arse replies? it's been a bit annoying lately (well actually it's always been) that some "funny" guys trying to come up with a one liner for the and1s. it might be funny once, it's not funny if you see such replies under every newly posted thread.

It's just attention seeking... see? People will talk about anything before they discuss John Stockton.

[Bologna Smasher]

Poor man's T.J. McConnell at best. He's lucky he produced a phenom in his son David so that the Stockton name will have another chance at credibility among point guards.

[Hubert44]

Poor man's T.J. McConnell at best. He's lucky he produced a phenom in his son David so that the Stockton name will have another chance at credibility among point guards.

OHHH, I think I get it. It's the opposite of the truth, right?

[LuDux1]

Came to this thread to defend Stockton from smart arse replies and he hit me with elbow

[ellobo]

OP basically answered the question.

I watched him play a lot during his career and have also seen a lot of his playoff games recently on NBATV. I even recall watching the draft when he was drafted -- not only hadn't I heard of him, at the time I had never heard of Gonzaga.

I agree he's very underrated among all-time greats. Besides incredible production, efficiency, consistency, durability and longevity, he was also a very good clutch shot maker at the end of games, and a very physical screen setter off the ball (a lot of actions designed to get Karl Malone the ball on the block started with a back screen by Stockton, at the elbow or on the baseline).

[Hubert44]

OP basically answered the question.

I watched him play a lot during his career and have also seen a lot of his playoff games recently on NBATV. I even recall watching the draft the when he was drafted -- not only hadn't I heard of him, at the time I had never heard of Gonzaga.

I agree he's very underrated among all-time greats. Besides incredible production, efficiency, consistency, durability and longevity, he was also a very good clutch shot maker at the end of games, and a very physical screen setter off the ball (a lot of actions designed to get Karl Malone the ball on the block started with a back screen by Stockton, at the elbow or on the baseline).

Thanks! A response that's both insightful and personal (not to mention SINCERE).

[Goudelock]

OP basically answered the question.

I watched him play a lot during his career and have also seen a lot of his playoff games recently on NBATV. I even recall watching the draft the when he was drafted -- not only hadn't I heard of him, at the time I had never heard of Gonzaga.

I agree he's very underrated among all-time greats. Besides incredible production, efficiency, consistency, durability and longevity, he was also a very good clutch shot maker at the end of games, and a very physical screen setter off the ball (a lot of actions designed to get Karl Malone the ball on the block started with a back screen by Stockton, at the elbow or on the baseline).

Thanks! A response that's both insightful and personal (not to mention SINCERE).

To add onto this: despite not being seen as very athletic, nobody could seem to stay in front of him when he had the ball. HIs defense was exceptional too, despite not having the greatest wingspan or size. His one weakness was probably his relatively weak scoring chops. While Stockton was extremely efficient, it seems to be common opinion that the Jazz would've won a title if Stockton had been a more aggressive/threatening scorer next to Malone.

[Baseline Runner]

Stockton is a guy that embodies efficiency. He made the play every time, he made his shots at a high clip, only taking good shots. He defended very well, physical and was known as one of the most dirty players in the league. Like the point guard version of Bill Laimbeer. His passing usually wasn't fancy like Magic Johnson where he made plays out of thin air (magic) but it was clinical, pin point passes exactly where the players wanted and expected them. Basically everything you could want from a point guard.

Problem is he wasn't the type of player that could dominate a game and carry a team on his back like Olajuwon, Jordan, Barkley, KG, Dirk, D Rob, Lebron etc. That is why he is not with those tier of players. I think he is more with the Rodman, Pippen, Mourning, Reggie Miller, Ray Allen tier.

[ellobo]

His passing usually wasn't fancy like Magic Johnson where he made plays out of thin air (magic) but it was clinical, pin point passes exactly where the players wanted and expected them.

See, this is one area I think he is underrated. Rewatching a bunch of his playoff games recently, one thing that stood out was his creativity. He didn't just SEE open teammates and get them the ball, he used his dribble to CREATE openings for teammates. Some of those were obvious penetrate and dish plays, but a lot of them were taking surprising angles to draw the defense and create an opening, and a lot of them were those "out of thin air" plays where he would whip the ball in a surprising direction where it didn't look like anything was there -- until it was.

Yes, he made all the "on time, on target" deliveries, but he was a much more of a creator than I think people generally give him credit for.

[migya]

Stockton is underrated because people don't know what greatness is. Stockton was great at all facets and is a top 25 player alltime at least.

[Rauxcee]

I think he's underrated because nothing about him was flashy. His personality was quiet, he played for the Jazz, he scored efficiently but not a lot, his passes weren't flashy, etc. There are a lot of variables when discussing PG (shoot first, pass first, athletic, tall, etc) and depending on what type of PG you like is how the all time greats get listed. I think Stockton is top 5 PG all time.

His assist record is pretty insane. When you talk about unbeatable NBA records, that has to be one of them. No one is close to him on the list, and no player playing today is going to be close.

[Infinite Llamas]

His durability stands out to me. He just showed up every night and you knew you’d get elite defense and playmaking at the PG position. To me, he is one of the most unique players in NBA history and is easily a top 25 player.

[mcmokken]

[1993Playoffs]

More of a complimentary star, good defender but would be taken advantage of by the bigger faster guards of today,

Couldn't take over a game scoring, didn't have that extra gear, wherever you rank prime curry, cp3, Nash etc he is below those guys due to lack of scoring

[Big Joke Line]

Better than Kidd or Nash. Way underrated particularly is his toughness and dirtiness (I mean this in a good way, strategic elbows to curl a pass around a guy, stepping on a guys foot off the dribble on O and D, etc.).

[HoopsterJones]

#1 all time in the NBA in assists and steals by a wide enough margin. An all time great who was efficient all around player. Sneaky dirty with his elbows and such.