John Stockton was the best PG of all time, possessing calm game-making and accurate shooting techniques throughout. Kobe Bryant named Stockton as the "player he respects the most," and Magic Johnson praised him, calling him "a man worth respecting."
Thing is, Stockton doesn’t get the praise he so deserves. They put about 5 PGs ahead of him. His APG was double digits for 10 straight years and has an nba record of 14.5 average in ‘90. He should’ve won the DPOY as he was a steals king but his era had so many stars. Seriously if Stockton was black, they’d put him up there with Magic without a doubt. Same reason why today some analysts don’t like Jokic.
Na, Magic could do everything that Stockton could do and was faster, higher jumper, bigger and stronger. magice could do a lot of things Stckton couldn't do. When Kareem went down in the finals, Magic started as center and played all 5 positions on his way to finals MVP...as a rookie. He is the only one who has ever done that. Magic is top 3 with Bird and MJ all time. Now, you could say that Stockton technically played the position correctly better than Magic, but you will notice 1 thing with the goats, they really don't care how you think they should play the position. They will play it how they like and play yours if they have to.
@@rogerahier4750 Magic coudn't defend like Stockton, and Stockton was the better passer. You can argue that Magic had better APG on Playoffs games, but if you do the math Stockton had a better assist rate per time played during Playoffs games. It's close, but Stockton is still ahead.
Stockton was basically playing a robot. No flash. Lil emotion. Dribble, pass, and shooting was great. Really smart. Never injured. Indestructible. Straight fundamentals. No mistakes. Guy was a 6'1 robot. Hard to beat someone who makes no mistakes
i know right? these new gen fans always saying the 90's players where bums, carpenters, plumbers. John Stockton can set a pick that can take your head off!
I remember that time in the mid 90's where he had a broken shin bone, and was still playing with a minutes restriction. On the bench he had one of these sleeves that did electrical stimulation on his leg. In today's game, that's a season ending injury.
PG is probably the most loaded position in NBA history, because you don't HAVE to be 6'6, 6'8 to play it. So if you're picking a PG for your all-time starting five, you have MANY skill sets to choose from. If you need a rebounder, Oscar gets the nod. Defender? Take the Glove. Pure passer? Magic. Three pointer maestro? Steph. All around scorer? Isiah's you man. ...But if you want a dude who can do all that in top 5-10 the position, John Stockton is your guy.
I agree with you in that you need to consider the various aspects of the position, and that Stockton's in the top-10 discussion for every aspect, but I'd say Stockton was probably a better passer than Magic, and probably a better defender than Payton. As always with Stockton, he wasn't as flashy as either, but he got the job done. Passing: 16.8 assists per 100 possessions vs 14.5, 4.5 turnovers vs 5.0. Blame Malone if you will, but I'll counter that with Kareem and James Worthy. Defense: 3.5 steals per 100 opponent possessions vs 2.7, same defensive rebounds, defensive win shares 1.6 to 5.8 per season (64.9 total) vs 0.1 to 5.6 per season (48.9 total), Also, I'd take Oscar over Isiah in all around scoring. 2-3 extra points per 36 minutes career, with an even wider gap in their primes, and remember that Oscar played six more minutes per game, on average.
All time leader in steals and assists - by a TON. Set nasty picks and scrapped with the best of them, yet missed only 22 games in 19 seasons despite being 6'1", 170 . He was quiet, humble, tough as hell and principled, but he played in Utah. No wonder he's so underrated, except by his peers.
I think that Jazz team in the 90's is one of if not the greatest NBA team ever that did not to win a championship because they 90's Bulls which probably had the greatest 10 year stretch of any team since the 59-69 Boston Celtics and I still don't understand how the Jazz can choke so badly in 94 (that was their year to win it).
@@ninersnation3298 Lebron leads all-time in turnovers and he's about to surpass Kobe in missed shots as well. Too bad there's not a category for flops else he'd lead that as well.
Here’s a John and Karl story: my boss went fishing with Karl after the season ended. They drove the boss’s four wheel drive deep up a dirt mountain trail. When they were done fishing for the day, Karl tells my boss, “I’m gonna run. I’ll meet you at the bottom“. My boss says: “No, get in the car. It’s like 7 miles to the bottom. I’ll drive you” Karl says “you don’t understand. I have to run. Somewhere in the world, right now, John Stockton is running on a treadmill”
I am not sure why he isn’t praised more. The fact that he holds the assists and steals records all time for the nba and NO ONE is even close to passing him for those records speaks alot. I believe his records in those two categories are set in stone.
Keep in mind he came into the league at age 22 as a backup to an all star point guard named Ricky Green. Didn’t get the starting job until he was 25. He gave all the other guys a 3-5 year head start and still set records that will never be touched. That’s Greatness!
The best pure PG in the history of NBA. He was no joke kids, these PG of today do not hold a candle for Stockton, tough as nails. You knew what he would delivery every single game, no complaining, flopping, low management bs. He was one of a kind!!
@@dhruvadude808 true didn’t think of that. The game has changed and people don’t play tight defense anymore so his steals record will probably stay as well
I was a bulls fan in the 90's too but Stockton was always one of my favorite players to watch because he played the game so differently with a pass first style of play.
What pissant would argue that Stockton wasn't one of the all time great PGs? He's in the discussion for GOAT without doubt. I think his ball IQ was one of the best, but his will and toughness, peripheral vision, and all that puts him in the middle of the discussion. Great players back then. Lots of them.
Stock was a dawg , hard nosed I remember watching the west conference back then and the conferenced was stacked. Utah had an amazing team and would have won 2 championships if it wasnt for .... MJ. Respect to Stock and the Jazz and RIP to Coach Sloan.
I'd say 1 for sure, but both are questionable. The Pacers team that took the Bulls to game 7 would have the advantage over the Jazz that year IMO. That's a ring that goes to Reggie Miller.
Stockton is a advanced metric monster. Going by analytics alone he is a top 10 maybe top 5 all time. Look it up. Even at age 39-40 it was ridiculous. He was top 5 in assists and steals per game at 39 and top 10 in 3 point %
Thamks for highlighting John Stockton. I remember that he made games exciting. He was almost constantly doing something interesting and ingenious - - whether it be penetrating, shooting, passing, stealing or setting screens. He did so much.
Just think about this... Out of the 5 main stats, John Stockton holds the record of 2 of them. He's leading in total steals, which shows that he works really hard on defense, and he's leading in total assists, which shows he works hard on offense and teamplay as well. You couldn't ask for a better point guard on your team.
Stockton was a very tough guy. Not dirty. But really tough and hard working. A great passer and court general. He had talent around and great couching. That does not make him lesser.
The younger players call him dirty because their version of the game is soft, no contact allowed. Stockton's era there was lots of contact on an away from the ball allowed. He wasn't dirty, Dreymond Green is dirty.
John Stockton combined so many aspects of basketball at a high level - John was an expert ball handler and dribbler, he was a great shooter, Stockton was a GREAT passer that leads the NBA in total assists for a career, and Stockton was a great defender that is the leader among all NBA in lifetime steals. Add in that Stockton played high IQ basketball and that he was so clutch and you have one of the greatest point guards and players of all-time. 💯
Always love a good John Stockton video. Pound for pound, there's never been a tougher player in NBA history. His passing and steals records are great; uncontestably great...but they were just natural byproducts of what made him so great. Mentally, physically and emotionally prepared and ready for every possession on both sides of the court in every practice and every game.
i dont know jack shit about the past of NBA and i like to watch old games not knowing the winners. way more passion and entertainment than todays game.
He could have stopped playing 7 years earlier and still has the assists and steals records and in turn he'd have higher per game averages. Most underrated player the league has ever seen.
As a Nuggets fan for 30ish years I remember seeing Stockton many times at old mcnichols area in Denver I remember booing him the entire game whenever he touched the ball....as much as I despised him....I respected him he broke my Nuggets heart more times than I can count...truly a master of the game ❤
I was a teenager when the 98 Finals happened. I remember fearing John Stockton way more than Karl Malone. He was ice cold and would seem to hit everything. Isiah Thomas said it best when he stated that Stockton's biggest weakness was that he didn't shoot more. I totally agree, he was like a heartless machine.
Isiah could well be correct. For better or worse, I believe John felt his primary function was to get the ball to his teammates in good scoring position. Which it was. But, Isiah felt, not wrongly so, that John could've taken matters into his own hands more often.
@@Amick44 His accuracy was very impressive and his calmness in the clutch was second to none. Numbers don't tell the whole story. I remember the fear in those finals.
Thanks for the great summary of Stockton. Surely, he ranks right up alongside Isaiah Thomas. Similar to Bird and Magic ... they elevated each other's games to the elite status. John most definitely earned his reputation. Great champion.
Thank you Sean for all the great videos and info you share with us, 80s and 90s NBA basketball lovers. Stockton the best PG ever, very underrated. That 90s Jazz team was gold. Greetings from Uruguay. 🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾
@josephpeeler5434 I disagree. Magic is an all-time great, but as point guards go, it is Stockton. A points job is to distribute, put up some points and play tough defense. Alltime assist leader, alltime steal leader and over 13 points a game. Don't get me wrong, magic is iconic and more important in the nbas history, but if I was drafting a pure point guard, it would be Stockton.
He was and still is the purest, best point guard we’ve ever seen . Clean passing , unselfish. Just a proper baller . And yes he could dunk but chose not to . The best
Spot on. Folks don't realize what an incredible shooter he was since he was a pass first PG. But DAMN he could shoot lights out when needed. If he had been a selfish player, his PPG would have been sky high as well. I loved it when Jim Rome was in SLC during the playoff runs and he nicknamed him the Pasty Gangsta...😂😂😂😂
I don’t think you are out of line to say Stockton in the same breath as Isaiah. At the end of the day, Stockton was a more efficient shooter, more prolific passer and had a much longer career. Isaiah had more success at the highest level, had better peak numbers, and ended up leading a team to two titles. Most will put Isaiah on top for the titles, but they should be close I think.
I often hear comparisons putting Nash or Chris Paul over Stockton. I always say the same: this is because you didn't watch him play. For me, of course Magic is the best PG ever, just because he was an alien and he could do literally everything. But, as a pure PG, for me John Stockton has no comparison. No rival. An absolute machine. My favorite player ever. Congrats for the channel from Spain. You have a new subscriber, loved your content!
My best memories from the late 80s on was, watching John play and fight for every ball out there in every game he was in. People discrediting him shall show one player in the last 20 years playing defense like him and being a true facilitator at the same time on offense. Kudos to him, having such a stellar career, finally with the call to the Hof. The Jazz just were unlucky facing the Bulls in the finals.
Thank you very much for this! I have always thought that people didn't give him the respect he truly deserved. He was an absolutely amazing player ❤❤❤❤❤❤
I of course respected Isiah Thomas a lot back in the days, but the smartness of John Stockton made him my pick for best point guard and he definitely derserved his position in the Dream team in 1992.
I hated Stockton, but he was the most efficient player i've ever watched he wasted no movement. Him and Tim Duncan the two most fundamental players ever. He was a True Basketball player, not an Athlete who plays basketball.
Magic Johnson was my favorite player, but I don't think he's the greatest PG of all time. Stockton is. All time assist leader. That's the stat that defines PG.s All time steals leader. Physical and quick enough to keep up on defense. Strong. A very strong man for such a relatively small body. Stockton is the only PG that routinely set screens on big men and laid them out. So let's compare Magic to Stockton. Both good in the clutch. That's even. Stockton, was a better defender by far. Stockton was a better assist man. Magic scored more, but John could go for 30 when he needed to. Stockton was a better shooter and because Stockton got more assists and Magic shot more, the scoring advantage to Magic doesn't mean as much. The only real advantage for Magic was rebounds and Magic was 6 foot 9. Nobody will ever agree with this because Magic was more exciting to watch and had more success, but if you put Magic on the Jazz and Stockton on the Lakers the narrative of who the GOAT PG is gets flipped upside down. I love Magic. He's fun to watch, but the results speak for themselves. John Stockton is the greatest PG of all time. He played the role and did the things that a PG should do better than anyone else.
I have a feeling that Stockton playing in Utah may have been an issue because he was playing for a small market team. If he had played for Detroit in the bad boy era or on the Celtics with Larry Bird, the Chief, and McHale there would have been much more exposure to the rest of the country. The epitome of a selfless, hardworking team player who didn’t make mistakes and played hard at both ends of the floor. A mirror image of his coach, Jerry Sloan.
I’ll often have nights of insomnia where no matter what I try, it’s like my brain just won’t shut down. On those nights I often look up the stats of random NBA players I followed when I (40) was younger. The one stat that always stands out to me: games played. It’s kind of pathetic to me that a 6’1, 170ish lbs. point guard playing in a remarkably physical era missed so few games. Meanwhile, some of the biggest stars today are looking to reach 60 games in an 82-game season. It’s a stark reminder of how much things have changed.
In today's game, Stockton's physicality and mental toughness would intimidate almost every PG on the floor. Chris Paul is the only active PG that could even be in the same zip code when it comes to BBall IQ. In his prime years he shot well above 40% on threes, he just didn't take many. Prime Stockton would be the best PG in the game today. The dude could shut The Glove up.
Stockton is on my Top 5 starting lineup. So to me he was the greatest PG of all time. He did was everything every PG should be. Great on defense and played offense perfectly for that position.
The Gen-X'ers and earlier appreciate availability, durability, reliability and consistency... Stock was all of these things. Millennials and Gen-Z appreciate showboating, style, arrogance and unpredictability - so they don't appreciate John Stockton. He was the quintessential Point Guard and Floor General.
Hey, I just missed out on Gen X (really old millennial). Bar none, if I’m making a team, Stockton is my first choice at PG. He’s tough, smart, and consistent. We will be hard pressed to see another like him.
This millennial appreciates all eras. I love the game and appreciate all eras all greats. I was blessed to see Stockton play towards the later part at. One of the highest IQ players ever.
Whats crazy is Greg Anthony won an NCAA title, Played in the NBA, Coached, Raised a Son that plays in the NBA been around the game for 40yrs and testifies to Stocktons greatness... And some kid watching a 3 min Y.T clip Wont get it because he's not tatted up euro stepping and hitting the griddy after ever layup.
He would pull up on the shoulder and look into the future. No one has had better court vision. He could steal and pass the ball as good as anyone to do it and he had great shooting efficiency. In all seriousness, he is the Robin Hood of the NBA.
My former teammate and long time good friend played with John and the Zags… he took me to a Sonic Jazz game and we hung out afterwards a short time in the Jazz locker room to say hi… John’s hands shocked me… I have big hands for my size and can palm a basketball with easy… as we shook hands my hand disappeared into his! Again I was stunned.
I just looked this up. To this day, John Stockton is #1 all time for assists + steals for a career at 19,071. He was so good at that, that the guy in 2nd place has 4,296 less than John. That is fking insane.
It, to me, is intriguing that, when ranking point guards, John is in the discussion but ultimately discounted because those ranked above him do non-point guard things better (or, at least, are subjectively considered to do them better). If you want your point guard to be the floor general - you want John Stockton. There is a reason Dwight Eisenhower was Supreme Commander for Project Overlord instead of Montgomery or Patton.
Living in ut I watched every minute of his career and he was the glue of that jazz Era without Stockton Malone would of just been a 15 and 10 guy for his career.
I may be biased just a bit as a lifelong jazz fan, but I think Stockton is clearly in the top 3 guards all time and I personally have him essentially tied with Magic. Here’s my hot take (yeah I’ll proudly take some heat for this). I think that Malone has a few key choke moments that cost John a ring. As Pippen infamously said “The mailman doesn’t deliver on Sunday” if Stockton had played for a big market team, people would remember him more. Small market teams got even less exposure before the internet as well.
Yeah, Malone lost that for the whole team. Also, when he allowed Jordan to get the steal at the end of '98 game 6. You can say Malone gave that one away, too.
Good video, arguably, Magic Johnson, out shined Stockton in that position and era, but having said that; no doubt if Stockton and Malone had a dominate center, like Kareem or Ewing, they definitely would have been NBA champions.
He is still awfully underrated. One of the best PGs of all time, his effectiveness in scoring and his endurance/stamina are sometimes overlooked in favor of his steal and assist records (which are no less important). No matter what part of his game you look at, he was elite at it.
John was a beast!! I remember those finals against the Bulls - man how I hated him passing the ball ahahah but he was so good...and just to remind y'all - Stockton made it to the real dream team in Barcelona 92 Olympics game. There were no other and never will be a better team as the first Dream Team. In my opinion of course. God Bless y'all
It was said if John wasn't so unselfish he would lead the NBA in scoring if he wanted. He played his position to perfection. He was the General on the floor.
Stockton was fundamentally sound and made the right play time after time which is what a point guard should do. He was not flashy but knew when to pass to the right spots for the players on his team, when to take a shot and how to control the tempo for what his team was trying to do, while staying disciplined. He knew what he could do and could not and stayed within those boundaries. A lot of point guards don't know their limitations and don't understand the game like this guy did
Like larry bird a lot of people dont give him his dues until they watch his film. Everyone thought larry was just a shooter until they watch his tape. Everyone thinks of stockton because of the assist and steals record. But just like larry stockton was a court general both had 360 vision and knew where everyone was at every moment and knew what play to make. Both tough as nails. Yea stockton wasnt known for shooting but man was he clutch when he took those shots when the team needed them or when he had the best look. Also like larry he made his team better and knew how to create opportunities for his teammates. These are attributes i look for when people talk about "best player" I dont look at just great scorer.
Stockton and Malone… one of the great due that didn’t win a championship. T.Duncan was Mr. Fundamentals at the PF position… Stockton was Mr fundamentals at the PG position.
The only reason magic gets the unanimous vote is because hes 6'9. If it came down to who can run a TEAM better from the point guard position, it has to go to stockton. Steals, assists and game management, are really what make a point guard. He had it all.
I would add that market size and the fact that sports media hyped Magic to the rafters and beyond. Had Stockton played in a larger market, more folks would know him and show him the love. Another aspect to his greatness was his ability to get in players' heads. They call him dirty because he could mentally take them out of the game with a hard pick, but continued playing his consistent, methodical style.
Stockton was the best true point guard of all time, and the perfect one for Sloan's system. He was a general on the floor and as the video hit upon he didn't just pass people the ball he put it right where they wanted it. Any pure shooter dreams of having a pg that does that. His toughness and heart are unmatched. As for being "dirty" I prefer to say he knew how to get every edge he could. When you are shorter and slower than most of your competition you have to get an edge.
Your closing statements are spot-on: Stockton had Malone, but pretty much only Malone. As much as I was a fan of the Mailman, one great teammate (Kareem was the best among all of the top-3 PG's, and he was one of so many legendary teammates for Magic) is not enough to win multiple titles (unless you are MJ or Hakeem). Put Stockton on the Showtime Lakers or Bad Boy Pistons and he likely would have won 2-5 titles with such stacked rosters. Sure, Magic was more positionally versatile and a better fit for the Tinseltown culture while Isiah had the killer scoring instinct, but Stockton was superior defensively (Stockton would have made the Pistons EVEN STRONGER Defensively!), had the best shooting range, and would bring out others' scoring even more (Worthy, Byron, Wilkes, Dumars, Aguirre/Dantley, and Laimbeer). Honestly, he willingly became truly pass-first because of the Jazz system and could have scored more had he been on another PG-scoring team. In the 1997 WCF against the Rockets, he showed that he could shoulder more of the shooting burden and thrived!
The Jazz team with Hornacek was the best team ever to not win a championship. People that don't say he's athletic are sorely mistaken, the guy was like iron and as fit as a person can be, fatigue wasn't something that even registered in his body, to work like he did during a game is bordering on the absurd. Being the steals leader is a testament to hard work.
John Stockton was the best PG of all time, possessing calm game-making and accurate shooting techniques throughout.
Kobe Bryant named Stockton as the "player he respects the most," and Magic Johnson praised him, calling him "a man worth respecting."
Thing is, Stockton doesn’t get the praise he so deserves. They put about 5 PGs ahead of him. His APG was double digits for 10 straight years and has an nba record of 14.5 average in ‘90. He should’ve won the DPOY as he was a steals king but his era had so many stars. Seriously if Stockton was black, they’d put him up there with Magic without a doubt. Same reason why today some analysts don’t like Jokic.
Na, Magic could do everything that Stockton could do and was faster, higher jumper, bigger and stronger. magice could do a lot of things Stckton couldn't do. When Kareem went down in the finals, Magic started as center and played all 5 positions on his way to finals MVP...as a rookie. He is the only one who has ever done that. Magic is top 3 with Bird and MJ all time.
Now, you could say that Stockton technically played the position correctly better than Magic, but you will notice 1 thing with the goats, they really don't care how you think they should play the position. They will play it how they like and play yours if they have to.
@@rogerahier4750naw 😂
@@rogerahier4750 Magic coudn't defend like Stockton, and Stockton was the better passer. You can argue that Magic had better APG on Playoffs games, but if you do the math Stockton had a better assist rate per time played during Playoffs games. It's close, but Stockton is still ahead.
@rogerahier4750 Stockton was the far superior defender. Main difference again is accolades.
Stockton was basically playing a robot. No flash. Lil emotion. Dribble, pass, and shooting was great. Really smart. Never injured. Indestructible. Straight fundamentals. No mistakes. Guy was a 6'1 robot. Hard to beat someone who makes no mistakes
i know right? these new gen fans always saying the 90's players where bums, carpenters, plumbers. John Stockton can set a pick that can take your head off!
I remember that time in the mid 90's where he had a broken shin bone, and was still playing with a minutes restriction. On the bench he had one of these sleeves that did electrical stimulation on his leg. In today's game, that's a season ending injury.
@@legimlugero John Stockton was a plumber. Those screens were cleaning 7 footers pipes. lol
@@Davivd2 how'd you know? you must have an immense experience in cleaning 7 footers pipes. lolz
I think your assessment is correct. "No mistakes".
PG is probably the most loaded position in NBA history, because you don't HAVE to be 6'6, 6'8 to play it.
So if you're picking a PG for your all-time starting five, you have MANY skill sets to choose from.
If you need a rebounder, Oscar gets the nod.
Defender? Take the Glove.
Pure passer? Magic.
Three pointer maestro? Steph.
All around scorer? Isiah's you man.
...But if you want a dude who can do all that in top 5-10 the position, John Stockton is your guy.
I agree with you in that you need to consider the various aspects of the position, and that Stockton's in the top-10 discussion for every aspect, but I'd say Stockton was probably a better passer than Magic, and probably a better defender than Payton. As always with Stockton, he wasn't as flashy as either, but he got the job done.
Passing: 16.8 assists per 100 possessions vs 14.5, 4.5 turnovers vs 5.0. Blame Malone if you will, but I'll counter that with Kareem and James Worthy.
Defense: 3.5 steals per 100 opponent possessions vs 2.7, same defensive rebounds, defensive win shares 1.6 to 5.8 per season (64.9 total) vs 0.1 to 5.6 per season (48.9 total),
Also, I'd take Oscar over Isiah in all around scoring. 2-3 extra points per 36 minutes career, with an even wider gap in their primes, and remember that Oscar played six more minutes per game, on average.
@@c99kfm Well said. If you watched Stockton, you'd agree.
🏀 John Stockton made everyone who he played with better and more effective, and that's not even debatable 🏀
That is the perfect way to sum up Stockton.
He's in my all time 5 team but not top 5 all time imo
John Stockton was the best pure point guard of all tine!❤
All time leader in steals and assists - by a TON. Set nasty picks and scrapped with the best of them, yet missed only 22 games in 19 seasons despite being 6'1", 170 . He was quiet, humble, tough as hell and principled, but he played in Utah. No wonder he's so underrated, except by his peers.
The average American male stands 5'9". John Stockton is tall.
@@carlt8188 Not compared to NBA basketball players, which is what we're talking about here. Nice try.
I think that Jazz team in the 90's is one of if not the greatest NBA team ever that did not to win a championship because they 90's Bulls which probably had the greatest 10 year stretch of any team since the 59-69 Boston Celtics and I still don't understand how the Jazz can choke so badly in 94 (that was their year to win it).
I don’t think there is ever an NBA player leading career in two categories, assists and steals. Hard to do. Lebron only has the points.
@@ninersnation3298 Lebron leads all-time in turnovers and he's about to surpass Kobe in missed shots as well. Too bad there's not a category for flops else he'd lead that as well.
Here’s a John and Karl story:
my boss went fishing with Karl after the season ended. They drove the boss’s four wheel drive deep up a dirt mountain trail. When they were done fishing for the day, Karl tells my boss, “I’m gonna run. I’ll meet you at the bottom“. My boss says: “No, get in the car. It’s like 7 miles to the bottom. I’ll drive you”
Karl says “you don’t understand. I have to run. Somewhere in the world, right now, John Stockton is running on a treadmill”
Hilarious
Thank you for telling that unique story in the history of NBA legends
I am not sure why he isn’t praised more. The fact that he holds the assists and steals records all time for the nba and NO ONE is even close to passing him for those records speaks alot. I believe his records in those two categories are set in stone.
Keep in mind he came into the league at age 22 as a backup to an all star point guard named Ricky Green. Didn’t get the starting job until he was 25. He gave all the other guys a 3-5 year head start and still set records that will never be touched. That’s Greatness!
@@taylorcpacompany8780 Wow! Even more impressive!
bc his on court teammate was a pedo that couldnt deliver on sunday
Unfortunately, most people put success by how many rings you have.
Because he's white and looks unassuming, that's why he is overlooked. Easy
He's not just a hardcase, he was a genius point guard. One of the greatest players to not win a Chamopnship
The best pure PG in the history of NBA. He was no joke kids, these PG of today do not hold a candle for Stockton, tough as nails. You knew what he would delivery every single game, no complaining, flopping, low management bs. He was one of a kind!!
Stocktons records are like Wilt's they are so far ahead of the rest of the players they are ignored. Dude was the perfect point guard.
Not sure his assist record will ever be broken
@@conorwellman8592 I agree, but also steals and most seasons playing 82 games. Maybe somebody will play again with short shorts though.
Don't forget Lebron's the king in all time TO's and missed FG's (he's only 5 behind Kobe).
@@dhruvadude808 true didn’t think of that. The game has changed and people don’t play tight defense anymore so his steals record will probably stay as well
I own 8 autographed jerseys and there is only one that isn't a Chicago Bull and it is John Stockton. That is how much I respect the man!
Dude. That thing is gonna be worth millions in a few years. I envy you.
@@victork9938 Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, Harper, Grant, Kerr and Kukoc
Stockton was the definition of consistency.
90s Chicago fan. The jazz and Knicks were always a threat
I was a bulls fan in the 90's too but Stockton was always one of my favorite players to watch because he played the game so differently with a pass first style of play.
He was an all time great, he Jordan, Oakley, Bird, Shaq made the
80s ,90s and 2000s fascinating for basketball
Indiana too
Stockton was the best pure PG I've ever seen. He actually could dunk a basketball with ease but never seen him attempt one during a game.
Stock said he dunked once during his rookie season but nobody noticed.
80’s and 90’s was just such a great era of basketball to watch. Loved it.
Stockton was an AMAZING player--All-time leader in BOTH steals and assists!
Exactly right and no one else is close in either stat
By a butt load
And it’s not close in either category
🏀 John Stockton made everyone who he played with better and more effective, and that's not even debatable 🏀
What pissant would argue that Stockton wasn't one of the all time great PGs? He's in the discussion for GOAT without doubt. I think his ball IQ was one of the best, but his will and toughness, peripheral vision, and all that puts him in the middle of the discussion. Great players back then. Lots of them.
He played 82 games 16 of 19 years!!!! NBA all defensive team 5 times.
And, one of those seasons was the lockout game where they only played 50. Dude missed 22 total games in 19 years.
“Load management” was different in those days. @@brushylake4606
And those 3 years combined (entire Career) he missed only 22 games.......... most likely to attend his kid's graduation......
Just so kids today have an idea how unbelievable 22 games in 19 years is........In LBJ's long 20 years career his missed 140+ games......
Stock was a dawg , hard nosed I remember watching the west conference back then and the conferenced was stacked. Utah had an amazing team and would have won 2 championships if it wasnt for .... MJ. Respect to Stock and the Jazz and RIP to Coach Sloan.
I'd say 1 for sure, but both are questionable. The Pacers team that took the Bulls to game 7 would have the advantage over the Jazz that year IMO. That's a ring that goes to Reggie Miller.
This is coming from a Lakers fan who watched him play in the 80’s and 90’s, he is my favorite PG of all time.
Bruhhh I was a Bulls fan and I feared that man 😅😅😅 he was a killer on that court 🙏🏾🔥🔥
Stockton is a advanced metric monster. Going by analytics alone he is a top 10 maybe top 5 all time. Look it up. Even at age 39-40 it was ridiculous. He was top 5 in assists and steals per game at 39 and top 10 in 3 point %
Thamks for highlighting John Stockton. I remember that he made games exciting. He was almost constantly doing something interesting and ingenious - - whether it be penetrating, shooting, passing, stealing or setting screens. He did so much.
John Stockton never rested. 16 seasons playing all 82 games.
I love it when you do john Stockton episodes.
Just think about this... Out of the 5 main stats, John Stockton holds the record of 2 of them. He's leading in total steals, which shows that he works really hard on defense, and he's leading in total assists, which shows he works hard on offense and teamplay as well. You couldn't ask for a better point guard on your team.
I love the way he plays. Smart, no fancy moves, but efficiently and fundamentally perfect.
I have heard he is still playing some runs on Gonzaga Univ.
Stockton was a very tough guy. Not dirty. But really tough and hard working. A great passer and court general. He had talent around and great couching. That does not make him lesser.
The younger players call him dirty because their version of the game is soft, no contact allowed. Stockton's era there was lots of contact on an away from the ball allowed. He wasn't dirty, Dreymond Green is dirty.
Can't trust Gil on this - he said he dropped 26 on Stockton, when in reality it was Stockton that gave him 27 and also Gil fouled out in that game😂😂😂
John Stockton combined so many aspects of basketball at a high level - John was an expert ball handler and dribbler, he was a great shooter, Stockton was a GREAT passer that leads the NBA in total assists for a career, and Stockton was a great defender that is the leader among all NBA in lifetime steals. Add in that Stockton played high IQ basketball and that he was so clutch and you have one of the greatest point guards and players of all-time. 💯
Always love a good John Stockton video. Pound for pound, there's never been a tougher player in NBA history. His passing and steals records are great; uncontestably great...but they were just natural byproducts of what made him so great.
Mentally, physically and emotionally prepared and ready for every possession on both sides of the court in every practice and every game.
If you were to combine a Viking Berserker with a Shaolin Master, you'd wind up with John Stockton
Thanks for keeping the support for Stockton. He was solid his whole career and any coach or team would have been blessed to have him.
Point GOAT. Period. Great vid, thank you for the hard work taken in bringing it to light.
I remember him playing the Bulls and being fearful anytime that man had the ball
Facts !!!!!
Never was a fan of The NBA, but I really miss the 80's and 90's NBA!
That era had more likeable NBA stars and more man's man than now.
i dont know jack shit about the past of NBA and i like to watch old games not knowing the winners. way more passion and entertainment than todays game.
He could have stopped playing 7 years earlier and still has the assists and steals records and in turn he'd have higher per game averages. Most underrated player the league has ever seen.
As a Nuggets fan for 30ish years I remember seeing Stockton many times at old mcnichols area in Denver I remember booing him the entire game whenever he touched the ball....as much as I despised him....I respected him he broke my Nuggets heart more times than I can count...truly a master of the game ❤
Great content as always! Stockton was a stone cold! It was great to watch Basketball back in the days! Miss those days!
I was a teenager when the 98 Finals happened. I remember fearing John Stockton way more than Karl Malone. He was ice cold and would seem to hit everything. Isiah Thomas said it best when he stated that Stockton's biggest weakness was that he didn't shoot more. I totally agree, he was like a heartless machine.
Isiah could well be correct. For better or worse, I believe John felt his primary function was to get the ball to his teammates in good scoring position. Which it was. But, Isiah felt, not wrongly so, that John could've taken matters into his own hands more often.
@@Amick44 His accuracy was very impressive and his calmness in the clutch was second to none. Numbers don't tell the whole story. I remember the fear in those finals.
Thanks for the great summary of Stockton. Surely, he ranks right up alongside Isaiah Thomas. Similar to Bird and Magic ... they elevated each other's games to the elite status. John most definitely earned his reputation. Great champion.
Thank you Sean for all the great videos and info you share with us, 80s and 90s NBA basketball lovers. Stockton the best PG ever, very underrated. That 90s Jazz team was gold. Greetings from Uruguay. 🇺🇾🇺🇾🇺🇾
Love this content bro. One of the best collections of basketball knowledge and clips on YT. Keep it up!
He could be a 25 to 30 points player but he was pass firts point guard. He was old school in the 80 playing like a traditional point guard of the 70.
John Stockton was the man. Mr. Assist
Never going to complain about another video featuring my all time favorite player! Thanks Sean!
Stockton is the best point guard of all time.
Magic, then Stockton.
@josephpeeler5434 I disagree. Magic is an all-time great, but as point guards go, it is Stockton. A points job is to distribute, put up some points and play tough defense. Alltime assist leader, alltime steal leader and over 13 points a game. Don't get me wrong, magic is iconic and more important in the nbas history, but if I was drafting a pure point guard, it would be Stockton.
@ChrisLock-kt6ic shut up plz stop !
@papas12341 u know its true. U also know your mother is the best blo jay artist of alltime. Hall of fame bro. U should be proud 👏
@josephpeeler5434 if magic would've taken better care of himself he might have been
I grew up watching back in my youth. He was the definition of the point guard position. No comments are needed to describe him.
He was and still is the purest, best point guard we’ve ever seen . Clean passing , unselfish. Just a proper baller . And yes he could dunk but chose not to . The best
Spot on. Folks don't realize what an incredible shooter he was since he was a pass first PG.
But DAMN he could shoot lights out when needed. If he had been a selfish player, his PPG would have been sky high as well.
I loved it when Jim Rome was in SLC during the playoff runs and he nicknamed him the Pasty Gangsta...😂😂😂😂
I don’t think you are out of line to say Stockton in the same breath as Isaiah. At the end of the day, Stockton was a more efficient shooter, more prolific passer and had a much longer career. Isaiah had more success at the highest level, had better peak numbers, and ended up leading a team to two titles. Most will put Isaiah on top for the titles, but they should be close I think.
Stockton had higher peak numbers
💯👍👍
Stock is better than Isiah
2:35 what a great camera angle for an even greater pass
Love your videos and respect for the legend that is John Stockton.
I often hear comparisons putting Nash or Chris Paul over Stockton. I always say the same: this is because you didn't watch him play. For me, of course Magic is the best PG ever, just because he was an alien and he could do literally everything. But, as a pure PG, for me John Stockton has no comparison. No rival. An absolute machine. My favorite player ever.
Congrats for the channel from Spain. You have a new subscriber, loved your content!
John’s son once played in Karlsruhe, so I had the chance to see John when he watched on of his sons games. I was thrilled
My best memories from the late 80s on was, watching John play and fight for every ball out there in every game he was in. People discrediting him shall show one player in the last 20 years playing defense like him and being a true facilitator at the same time on offense. Kudos to him, having such a stellar career, finally with the call to the Hof. The Jazz just were unlucky facing the Bulls in the finals.
Thank you very much for this! I have always thought that people didn't give him the respect he truly deserved. He was an absolutely amazing player ❤❤❤❤❤❤
To me he is my favorite pg.
I have an old John Stockton Basketball Camp t-shirt. I wish it still fit me 🥴
I of course respected Isiah Thomas a lot back in the days, but the smartness of John Stockton made him my pick for best point guard and he definitely derserved his position in the Dream team in 1992.
John Stockton was a bad boy🏀🏀🏀
I think people underrate him because of that popular video “John Stockton has no left hand”. Which is totally false.
I hated Stockton, but he was the most efficient player i've ever watched he wasted no movement.
Him and Tim Duncan the two most fundamental players ever.
He was a True Basketball player, not an Athlete who plays basketball.
And they dont understand he still leads in steals and assist without left hand, what if he had? He might lead in points and rebounds too.😅
Magic Johnson was my favorite player, but I don't think he's the greatest PG of all time. Stockton is. All time assist leader. That's the stat that defines PG.s All time steals leader. Physical and quick enough to keep up on defense. Strong. A very strong man for such a relatively small body. Stockton is the only PG that routinely set screens on big men and laid them out. So let's compare Magic to Stockton. Both good in the clutch. That's even. Stockton, was a better defender by far. Stockton was a better assist man. Magic scored more, but John could go for 30 when he needed to. Stockton was a better shooter and because Stockton got more assists and Magic shot more, the scoring advantage to Magic doesn't mean as much. The only real advantage for Magic was rebounds and Magic was 6 foot 9. Nobody will ever agree with this because Magic was more exciting to watch and had more success, but if you put Magic on the Jazz and Stockton on the Lakers the narrative of who the GOAT PG is gets flipped upside down. I love Magic. He's fun to watch, but the results speak for themselves. John Stockton is the greatest PG of all time. He played the role and did the things that a PG should do better than anyone else.
Thank you, good stuff
I have a feeling that Stockton playing in Utah may have been an issue because he was playing for a small market team. If he had played for Detroit in the bad boy era or on the Celtics with Larry Bird, the Chief, and McHale there would have been much more exposure to the rest of the country. The epitome of a selfless, hardworking team player who didn’t make mistakes and played hard at both ends of the floor. A mirror image of his coach, Jerry Sloan.
I’ll often have nights of insomnia where no matter what I try, it’s like my brain just won’t shut down. On those nights I often look up the stats of random NBA players I followed when I (40) was younger.
The one stat that always stands out to me: games played. It’s kind of pathetic to me that a 6’1, 170ish lbs. point guard playing in a remarkably physical era missed so few games. Meanwhile, some of the biggest stars today are looking to reach 60 games in an 82-game season.
It’s a stark reminder of how much things have changed.
In today's game, Stockton's physicality and mental toughness would intimidate almost every PG on the floor. Chris Paul is the only active PG that could even be in the same zip code when it comes to BBall IQ. In his prime years he shot well above 40% on threes, he just didn't take many. Prime Stockton would be the best PG in the game today.
The dude could shut The Glove up.
Stockton is on my Top 5 starting lineup. So to me he was the greatest PG of all time. He did was everything every PG should be. Great on defense and played offense perfectly for that position.
The Gen-X'ers and earlier appreciate availability, durability, reliability and consistency... Stock was all of these things. Millennials and Gen-Z appreciate showboating, style, arrogance and unpredictability - so they don't appreciate John Stockton.
He was the quintessential Point Guard and Floor General.
Hey, I just missed out on Gen X (really old millennial). Bar none, if I’m making a team, Stockton is my first choice at PG. He’s tough, smart, and consistent. We will be hard pressed to see another like him.
This millennial appreciates all eras. I love the game and appreciate all eras all greats. I was blessed to see Stockton play towards the later part at. One of the highest IQ players ever.
Whats crazy is Greg Anthony won an NCAA title, Played in the NBA, Coached, Raised a Son that plays in the NBA been around the game for 40yrs and testifies to Stocktons greatness...
And some kid watching a 3 min Y.T clip
Wont get it because he's not tatted up euro stepping and hitting the griddy after ever layup.
He would pull up on the shoulder and look into the future. No one has had better court vision. He could steal and pass the ball as good as anyone to do it and he had great shooting efficiency. In all seriousness, he is the Robin Hood of the NBA.
❤❤stockton,era mas duro que una piedra y el mas listo.jugaba por el equipo.ganar o ganar
My former teammate and long time good friend played with John and the Zags… he took me to a Sonic Jazz game and we hung out afterwards a short time in the Jazz locker room to say hi… John’s hands shocked me… I have big hands for my size and can palm a basketball with easy… as we shook hands my hand disappeared into his! Again I was stunned.
I just looked this up. To this day, John Stockton is #1 all time for assists + steals for a career at 19,071. He was so good at that, that the guy in 2nd place has 4,296 less than John. That is fking insane.
It, to me, is intriguing that, when ranking point guards, John is in the discussion but ultimately discounted because those ranked above him do non-point guard things better (or, at least, are subjectively considered to do them better).
If you want your point guard to be the floor general - you want John Stockton. There is a reason Dwight Eisenhower was Supreme Commander for Project Overlord instead of Montgomery or Patton.
fundamentals go unnoticed by fans but win games for coaches
Awesome content as usual
Love this channel.
Living in ut I watched every minute of his career and he was the glue of that jazz Era without Stockton Malone would of just been a 15 and 10 guy for his career.
I may be biased just a bit as a lifelong jazz fan, but I think Stockton is clearly in the top 3 guards all time and I personally have him essentially tied with Magic. Here’s my hot take (yeah I’ll proudly take some heat for this). I think that Malone has a few key choke moments that cost John a ring. As Pippen infamously said “The mailman doesn’t deliver on Sunday” if Stockton had played for a big market team, people would remember him more. Small market teams got even less exposure before the internet as well.
Yeah, Malone lost that for the whole team. Also, when he allowed Jordan to get the steal at the end of '98 game 6. You can say Malone gave that one away, too.
Good video, arguably, Magic Johnson, out shined Stockton in that position and era, but having said that; no doubt if Stockton and Malone had a dominate center, like Kareem or Ewing, they definitely would have been NBA champions.
He is still awfully underrated. One of the best PGs of all time, his effectiveness in scoring and his endurance/stamina are sometimes overlooked in favor of his steal and assist records (which are no less important). No matter what part of his game you look at, he was elite at it.
IMO.... Stockton, Magic, Isaiah & the like....ALL played different styles of round-ball. But they made All those around them that much better
John was a beast!!
I remember those finals against the Bulls - man how I hated him passing the ball ahahah but he was so good...and just to remind y'all - Stockton made it to the real dream team in Barcelona 92 Olympics game. There were no other and never will be a better team as the first Dream Team.
In my opinion of course.
God Bless y'all
probably the today don't know him but people who watched the NBA in the '80s and '90s are arguably the best PG of all time.
It was said if John wasn't so unselfish he would lead the NBA in scoring if he wanted. He played his position to perfection. He was the General on the floor.
A man among boys
That's why we pulled out the [ Stockton to Malone song ]
Stockton was fundamentally sound and made the right play time after time which is what a point guard should do. He was not flashy but knew when to pass to the right spots for the players on his team, when to take a shot and how to control the tempo for what his team was trying to do, while staying disciplined. He knew what he could do and could not and stayed within those boundaries. A lot of point guards don't know their limitations and don't understand the game like this guy did
John Stockton is the GOAT. Smartest guy to ever play basketball. Incredible.
Like larry bird a lot of people dont give him his dues until they watch his film.
Everyone thought larry was just a shooter until they watch his tape.
Everyone thinks of stockton because of the assist and steals record.
But just like larry stockton was a court general both had 360 vision and knew where everyone was at every moment and knew what play to make.
Both tough as nails. Yea stockton wasnt known for shooting but man was he clutch when he took those shots when the team needed them or when he had the best look.
Also like larry he made his team better and knew how to create opportunities for his teammates.
These are attributes i look for when people talk about "best player"
I dont look at just great scorer.
Stockton and Malone… one of the great due that didn’t win a championship. T.Duncan was Mr. Fundamentals at the PF position… Stockton was Mr fundamentals at the PG position.
No debate here - with great respect to Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas (Pistons fan here) - John Stockton is the best PG of all time period
The only reason magic gets the unanimous vote is because hes 6'9. If it came down to who can run a TEAM better from the point guard position, it has to go to stockton. Steals, assists and game management, are really what make a point guard. He had it all.
I would add that market size and the fact that sports media hyped Magic to the rafters and beyond.
Had Stockton played in a larger market, more folks would know him and show him the love.
Another aspect to his greatness was his ability to get in players' heads. They call him dirty because he could mentally take them out of the game with a hard pick, but continued playing his consistent, methodical style.
Stockton was the best true point guard of all time, and the perfect one for Sloan's system. He was a general on the floor and as the video hit upon he didn't just pass people the ball he put it right where they wanted it. Any pure shooter dreams of having a pg that does that. His toughness and heart are unmatched. As for being "dirty" I prefer to say he knew how to get every edge he could. When you are shorter and slower than most of your competition you have to get an edge.
Your closing statements are spot-on: Stockton had Malone, but pretty much only Malone. As much as I was a fan of the Mailman, one great teammate (Kareem was the best among all of the top-3 PG's, and he was one of so many legendary teammates for Magic) is not enough to win multiple titles (unless you are MJ or Hakeem). Put Stockton on the Showtime Lakers or Bad Boy Pistons and he likely would have won 2-5 titles with such stacked rosters.
Sure, Magic was more positionally versatile and a better fit for the Tinseltown culture while Isiah had the killer scoring instinct, but Stockton was superior defensively (Stockton would have made the Pistons EVEN STRONGER Defensively!), had the best shooting range, and would bring out others' scoring even more (Worthy, Byron, Wilkes, Dumars, Aguirre/Dantley, and Laimbeer). Honestly, he willingly became truly pass-first because of the Jazz system and could have scored more had he been on another PG-scoring team. In the 1997 WCF against the Rockets, he showed that he could shoulder more of the shooting burden and thrived!
Im still trying to figure out what the poster about the Kumite was in the background of one of your videos… its killing me!!!!
The Jazz would not been as successful as they were without John. Enjoyed watching how clever he was, he always got to his intended area.
The jazz probably never would have made the playoffs without Malone or Stockton
The Jazz team with Hornacek was the best team ever to not win a championship. People that don't say he's athletic are sorely mistaken, the guy was like iron and as fit as a person can be, fatigue wasn't something that even registered in his body, to work like he did during a game is bordering on the absurd. Being the steals leader is a testament to hard work.
🏀 John Stockton made everyone who he played with better and more effective, and that's not even debatable 🏀
He wasn't on the 92 Dream Team for no reason.
i don't know a point guard better than him even though i thought the jazz were boring.