How Good Was John Stockton REALLY?

An evaluation of the career and talent of John Stockton.
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The game of Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old. I grew up as a kid watching my dad's recorded VHS tapes of playoff games through the 70s and 80s, and collected all the Basketball cards. Something about the game and what it represents just hooked me from a very young age.
My love for the game only continues to grow as time goes on. I love studying and analyzing the game, with an unbiased perspective. Feel free to subscribe, follow me on social media, and celebrate this amazing game and it's rich history with me!
I post videos every week on NBA history, predictions, hypothetical scenarios and current NBA topics.
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Intro Music: Turn On - RW Smith • Turn On - RW Smith (No...
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#JohnStockton #NBA #UtahJazz

[@Martin-Querns]

Finally someone giving Stockton the respect he deserves

[@anredickerson1535]

He was on the dream team over idea Thomas. Every conversation I hear about best pg he gets mentioned

[@originalgameronline3457]

What are you talking about?? If he didn't have any respect, why was he on the 92 Dream Team?? Don't need no little KZbinr to justify this man's career.

[@tobycha5203]

@@originalgameronline3457 Stockton was originally picked behind Isaiah Thomas but because Jordan and Pippen refused to play with Thomas, Stockton got in. Also, a lesser known fact is that John Stockton was the only person Jordan did not trash talk to.

[@Martin-Querns]

@delontey lebrick James daddy west this is Reg e Cathey who played Martin Querns in OZ

[@originalgameronline3457]

@@tobycha5203 Yeah we already know that. That's why Magic didn't fight for his friend Isaiah. It almost tore their friendship up. Jordan didn't trash talk a lot of people. Not everyone was scared of Jordan. My point is, in the 90's, we already knew Stockton was great. The Dream Team was 1992, he wouldn't face Jordan in the finals for another 6 years. So just to be considered behind Thomas was amazing. Only maybe 30 people in the world could've played on that team, and he was one of them.

[@mckayanderson1714]

I'll never forget seeing him get 20 points, 28 assists, and 8 steals against my spurs, or 23 points, 24 assists and 5 steals against the lakers. He was one of those unique guys who could dominate a game in a variety of ways. There are players who are good at everything, but Stockton was GREAT at everything.

[@Bluecloudprod]

"Of the 6 highest total assist seasons in NBA history, John Stockton has 5 of them." I watched this guy play his whole career and did not know that little tidbit. Awesome.

[@angellostnet]

Prior to John there had been only a single 1000 assist season in NBA history. John had 1000+ in 5 consecutive seasons, had 987 the next to break the streak, and then had 2 more 1000 seasons just because. 7 out of 8 seasons.

[@theretrosavage]

Then you clearly weren't watching

[@nicknack5697]

@@angellostnet "Just because" i love it

[@AKAUncleBeau]

That amazes me every single time I hear it.

[@jodymicheallee]

Stockton's wife would pick him up after games in the family station wagon. That's how low key John was

[@richcarrCCC]

minivan

[@jayou1987]

Is this facts or nah

[@allthingsmotor1073]

@@jayou1987 facts

[@thetramp123]

@@jayou1987 Chris Webber talks about Stockton showing up to games in his minivan with his kids. I think the quote goes something like "He would show up to games in his minivan with his kids and bust us up."

[@ChristopherX30]

LOL

[@joeallen4587]

Unrelated to how unquestionably great of a player he was. In the late ‘80s early ‘90s I was going through tough times as a kid, and one day I got a hold of a basketball Beckett that had all the NBA teams addresses. I wrote to EVERY star (at least 20) I could think of explaining my situation. I waited and waited and got nothing in the mail. Then one day I got a letter from Utah. It was from John Stockton! Inside was a hand written letter asking me how I was doing and telling me to keep my head up, along with an autographed picture to ME. It was the best thing ever to happen to young me and I’ve never forgotten about it. PS I did eventually get letters from Shaq’s fan club too, but nothing personal.

[@Yangtaonewage]

Great story, thanks for sharing

[@danielhughes8516]

That is awesome, thanks for sharing.

[@alexelcuh8780]

Joe Allen 😻

[@A1Cpadilla]

That story made me tear up. I enjoyed seeing John play during my childhood as well. Watching him in the playoffs allowed me to escape harsh upbringings as a kid. I hope everything turned out great for you Joe. It certainly has for me. I’m grateful for it.

[@well.thy.one.]

Joe Allen nice

[@lSwearlm18]

This man averaged ~3 steals per game and ~14 assists per game for 4 seasons in a row... no wonder his records are untouchable. Absolutely insane numbers, and that FG% too...

[@NuradinAlas]

John Stockton most underrated player in nba history

[@bellazoe1]

Nuradin Alas I was fortunate to have season tickets for the spurs from 85-2000. I saw Stockton play live at least 20 times. He is the best guard I ever saw on a game to game basis.

[@logan-dm5zp]

Nuradin Alas Karl Malone and Reggie Miller are up there too

[@wasatchm]

@nuradin. possibly. I would also rank tim duncan right up there. either him or tim duncan.

[@wasatchm]

oh, and add to that scottie pippen.

[@emmakai2243]

@@fruitiusmaximus925 Lookup responses from Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, Steve Kerr, Charles Barkley when guarding Stockton. I'll trust their opinions over yours.

[@Matt-ty6hp]

The GOAT, period. Jason Kidd blew people's minds when he said Stockton was the greatest.

[@clu4u]

Wilt said the same thing…

[@launimelton9872]

Pretty sure I saw an interview where Nash said the same thing also. He’s the best.

[@markandrade7547]

How good was John Stockton.... good enough that this New Yorker flew to Salt Lake City for the game they retired his Jersey.

[@OjoRojo40]

Assists mean SHIT as a metric. Stockton was a durable great shooter with great assits/turnovers ratio. Very good player, nowhere near all time great.

[@mrlionkingTV]

@@OjoRojo40 you're an idiot

[@Alientcp]

@@OjoRojo40 He played in the time when you were allowed to touch the opposing team. It was actually hard to make points because there were 5 defenders instead of mannequins. The job of the pg back then was not to score, but to hand the ball in a silver plate to the center or the power forward. So the assist metric was extremely important.

[@OjoRojo40]

@@Alientcp You don't understand shit. To begin with, assists are not even defined in the official nba rulebook (if you can find the definition please send me the link). Number 2, an assist says NOTHING about the quality of the pass!! How many assists did stockton get passing the ball to malone in the low post for him to do all the work???? 5000?? 6000, 7000 assists maybe??? Do you understand now the issue with the metric and how bad it's to measure anything????

[@masonwoodhouse6589]

OjoRojo40 The pass may have been bad but it was still good enough to be turned into points every player does bad passes you can’t tell me Magic Johnson or Steve Nash didn’t throw bad passes and I get what your meaning as a metric but assists are still important I mean if there was no one to pass to Kareem do you think he will be the all time leader in points

[@reubenjones1778]

Isaiah Thomas, magic Johnson, Gary Payton, are telling how great of a point guard John Stockton was his career stats are amazing an he played in a tougher league an he went against MJ back to back years Big respect to that Utah team in the 90s

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

15,806 assists and 3,265 steals for 1 NBA team... 2 records that may never be broken. The best true point guard ever, and the last NBA player wearing short shorts. A true legend of the game.

[@natas0733]

Never be broken. I agree. Especially the way the game is played today... sad really.

[@subairali8075]

Being a “pure point guard” is overrated and there’s a reason why almost all of them hasn’t won a ring. Magic Johnson and maybe Isiah Thomas are exceptions. Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, John Stockton all have struggled winning playoff games unless they weren’t the best players on their own team (Stockton and Kidd).

[@eoghaininfacundodiarmuid]

I missed the short Shorts

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

@@subairali8075 Jason Kidd won a title with Dallas in 2011. Bob Cousy, Slater Martin, Oscar Robertson, Dennis Johnson, Jerry West (he played a lot of PG role too)... just to name a few more all won rings in their heyday. It's all bout being part of a winning team, does not matter who's the top dog of the team. Saying "almost all" true point guards never win rings is such an ignorant statement. The greatest NBA teams ever ALL had reliable guards (SG and PG alike).

[@subairali8075]

@@mr.sinjin-smyth Jason Kidd was the 3rd option on a championship team outside of his prime. Bob Cousy was the 2nd best player next to bill Russell Oscar Robertson never won a ring as the best player and was kareems sidekick. Jerry west wasn’t a “true point guard” he was a score-first player. No true point guard has has any success as the best player on a championship teams besides 6’9” Magic, who’s an exception.

[@12rdizzle]

I get what you're saying, but to compare Stockton to peak Rondo is an insult to Stockton. To be clear, I'm a big Rondo fan.

[@pablogrijalva1581]

Thought exactly the same thing! and I'm a fan of Rondo's by the way

[@mrmacross]

Agreed. Would you ever want the ball in Rondo's hands on the last possession to win a game? I think most 90's Jazz fans wanted the ball in Stockton's hands, not Malone's, to hit a game-winner.

[@austinsmith3493]

Exactly

[@austinsmith3493]

mrmacross it’s not about clutch rondo hits GWs he’s just a piece of shit and not even close to a Stockton as a player or leader

[@tristancourson4572]

Lol he said like rondo then listed other things he was better at on top of that

[@lorenzotabin1141]

"Stockton to Malone!" - probably the most-used phrase by commentators in the history of the game :)

[@iheartdanna]

"Stockton, tumalon!" :)

[@toddsmith8608]

And the name of a car dealership in Utah. www.autoguide.com/dealers/stockton-to-malone-honda-14944.html

[@0Caracalla]

Possibly the most dominant 1-2 combo in NBA history.

[@lotuslife3239]

Besides the good ol' "and the skyhook by jabbar"

[@viscountgrievver5358]

There are car dealerships in Utah....Stockton to Malone Toyota...yeah it's a well known phrase haha

[@john-carlosynostroza]

Wow. Those statistics they put up comparing his numbers to Nash were mind-blowing.

[@llongone2]

Gary Payton, a player known for his great defensive skills, said Stockton was the toughest player to defend.

[@mrwnb6024]

and yet he never struggled to guard him in the playoffs... look at the numbers and the actual games. Gary Payton says a lot of things but this one makes no sense.

[@christophermosley4577]

He said Rod Strickland was the toughest for him to defend

[@callystarr]

Mrwn B Well considering John Stockton has a winning record in the playoffs and regular season against Gary Payton, I'm not sure what you're telling us to look at

[@rickydamiron4905]

Amazing, seeing as to how he's a pass first kinda guy.

[@mrwnb6024]

@@callystarr well Stockton averaged about 13 pts a game against Payton. Which was below his average. If that’s your offensive powerhouse I don’t know what games you’re watching...

[@hawk1093]

How good was John Stockton?? Good enough that we're still talking about him in 2019.

[@marcusmcneal7453]

A lot of nephews need to be reminded. He's been a forgotten as on of the GOATs. He was the best PG of the 90s and it's not even up for debate. Some records he has might not be broken in our lifetime.

[@norpriest521]

CP3 = Stockton

[@franknice187]

@@norpriest521 cp3 is better lol

[@franknice187]

@@marcusmcneal7453 nowhere near the best.........at any point in his career. Highly overrated. Maybe top 10 pg in his career but thats about all

[@franknice187]

@@marcusmcneal7453 Bruh........Magic Zeke Gary Payton Jason Kidd Penny Hardaway Tim Hardaway Kevin Johnson Pistol Pete.........were all better than John stockton......all the assists to Karl Malone were not that impressive. He was a system player who ran the offense but he couldn't take over a game or stop any all star pg on defense..........just stop it bruh

[@zhaojiuling2960]

I love this guy. The way he moves the ball is pure art. he's very humble and doesn't bring himself under the spotlight very often, that's why nobody talks about this dude hahaha but for whoever watched ball back then, we all know he has a special place in our heart.

[@bulwyf2572]

I watched his entire NBA career. I am an Atlanta Hawks fan first but above all a fan of basketball. Stockton is simply the greatest point guard to ever play the game of basketball.

[@dwaynegreaves9393]

John Stockton is someone I call "The Quiet Assassin" . When looking at him dribbling the ball he looks like he's whistling while doing this. The song or verse from a song I think suits him is "I get knock down but I get up again, ain't nothing gonna keep me down". This describes how he played to me.

[@matthewhoward6106]

I still think he's highly underrated. Gary Payton with his legendary defense stated that Stockton was the hardest to guard

[@parkerxjr]

Gary still hates Jordan though.....actions speak louder than words

[@neotrope]

and johns actions were on a basketball iq level beyond payton OR Jordan, which is why Payton gave him credit @@parkerxjr

[@parkerxjr]

@@neotrope There is only one team that won a championship with only 1 20 point per game scorer was the 1st Houston Rocket team. He never averaged 20 and could not take over a game . Ron Harper played the passing lanes and let him shoot. Let Steph Curry shoot lll

[@derekdwhite]

True. For a little white guy, he was quick as hell and could turn up the speed when needed. Watch him beat everyone down the court in some of those fast break highlights for reference. Plus knowing that he was just as good passing the ball as he was attacking the rim makes you want to slack off and pick up the man he's passing to, but that gives him just enough opening to go for his own shot.

[@Samurai31631]

Yup. Stockton would make the correct play. Give him a passing lane, boom. Close up the passing lane, swish or slash. Honestly the best point guard hands down.

[@iggyman83]

Also one half of the best NBA jam combo ever: Stockton and Malone

[@cdmontano]

Demolition duet.

[@jdigitalseven7]

Big men were more valuable in NBA Jam, especially in TE. Stockton being much smaller was a disadvantage for that series. Charlotte /Chicago/ Houston were the power houses in that series.

[@dentobean5880]

@@cdmontano HE'S ON FIRE!

[@oRnch199]

"Can't buy a bucket."

[@chrysryce]

Dude- hell ya! I ran fools at the 7-11 my junior year of high school. Unstoppable with them. My 3 letter name was always at the top and was IRE (my shortened version of "Irie"...I am sure you can figure out why). One night I was there to buy some stuff and maybe play and two like 9 year olds were staring at the list of names and I was behind them waiting to see if they were gonna play or not. One of them said "I wonder who IRE is?" and looming over them I said "Thats me" and they looked at me in awe. I decided to walk out after that and leave them marveling at my greatness. I'm a mix of a jock and a nerd and still to this day I have pride in that moment and how much I owned with Stockton and Malone. Class of 1992. Peace out and big props to Stockton!!

[@vukotabrajovic5988]

John Stockton was THE greatest Point Guard of all-time. Period. Not only based on his (impressive) numbers, but to his sheer talent, efficiency, intelligence and winner's mentality. Simply a flawless player and deservedly a Hall of Fame inductee! Incomparable talent, really, superior even to likes of Nash, Rondo and Kevin Johnson, simply GOAT when it comes to PG position.

[@MrArtist7777]

Stockton was my favorite NBA player, bar none. I lived in Utah during most of the Stockton years and watched most every Jazz game and was amazed, game after game, watch Stockton dish 10+ assists, pop in 15-20 points and direct his team in the most humble, low-key way possible, and crush the competition, game after game and Stockton would quietly head to the locker room, shower, and go home to his kids. He's the quintessential pint guard.

[@lbrtvlldr]

One of my favourite players ever. I love low-key, humble guys: Stockton, Duncan, Kawhi Leonard... Thanks for the video.

[@5jump]

Same. I would add Joe Dumars to that list.

[@wasatchm]

duncan definetly. wasn't a flashy player but rock solid and could almost score at will (it was impossible to block his jump shot). I don't think duncan really had OFF NIGHTS (slumps) like many NBA superstars can have.

[@enoschen]

John and Tim definitely. Not sure about Kawhi

[@VikingRaider]

Every game used to be (mostly) played by men who were, at their core, gentlemen. Now,... if you dont have a wife AND side-bitch; some kind of supercar; earrings larger than fuckin' dice; a Twit-Twat account that blows-up with every breath-you-take; and massive, gaudy tattoos that are indecipherable, and carry guns into strip clubs and on airplanes, you're a damn 2nd tier pussy.

[@michwis]

Clyde

[@northerniggy8261]

John legacy goes beyond just his NBA career, which by all standards "legendary". He bought the Utah Jazz's old hardwood floor and had it installed at his Washington college, Gonzaga (a building called the Warehouse, I stood on it this past weekend). John's loyalty is at a whole different level.

[@coldsnap5742]

Salt Palace or the current arena?

[@doublemoonchild]

Happy birthday John Stockton. Thank you. ~A Utah fan

[@juanjosearnedo9000]

I remember the scene in "The Dream Team" documentary where he leaves the bus and was able to walk around Barcelona with his family without being recognized. I watched him play a lot and he was relentless and super smart.

[@1survivor566]

People (mostly youngsters in my experience) overlook him because he didn't score a lot of points. And a lot of people misinterpret his lack of scoring as "he couldn't score", which couldn't be farther from the truth. Stockton CHOSE to be a facilitator for his teammates because he believed it was the best chance for team success. The man shot over 50% from the field for his CAREER... as a 6'1 point guard, that's a ridiculous number. If he had a selfish bone in his body he could have easily averaged over 20 PPG AND still put up ridiculous assist totals. He's one of the best to ever put on sneakers. Top 20 all time

[@briankamerath338]

Jerry Sloan said John could score 30 points per game if he were more me-oriented, but that wouldn't have made the Jazz a better TEAM. Coach John Wooden said something akin to Stockton being the only player he would pay to watch night in and night out.

[@hkpew]

@Notorious1503 Stockton definitely should have scored more early in his career - Jerry Sloan, who was hardly a proponent of selfish basket ball, said so at the time. But I think he eventually got to the proper balance. He still could have scored a lot more, but his percentage would have suffered and the team probably wouldn't have scored as much.

[@winstonsmith11]

Well said.

[@robertoamarillas]

He reminds me only of steve Nash, both with a great outside shot, Rondo is nowhere near these two

[@parkerxjr]

@@robertoamarillas Nash 2 time MVP was much better. Rondo is garbage though

[@iMacxXuserXx485]

When you said the part about him being 4 league leading seasons ahead of second best in assists and steals my jaw dropped. This is where the numbers speak loudly. Amazing, had no idea.

[@dylangray6931]

I shared it in a comment above but shared another way, you could combine Jason Kidd's entire career with the years CP3 spent in NOLA and you wouldn't break Stockton's assist and steals records until partway through the final season in NOLA. In otherwords, combine a HOF player's career with a good chunk of another HOF player's career and you barely break Stockton's records. Insanity.

[@lonewulf44]

Was just watching a show with Charles Oakley and Chris Busard talking about skill levels Jordan faced in the finals and he praised John's game and John himself. Love Oak, and coming from someone like him I think is high praise for Stockton.

[@MyBichan]

He was a beast man! He never got the credit he deserved. It was a lot of fun to watch him play. Very rarely would he make a mistake. He was the best point guard of his era.

[@theopiner402]

John Stockton is my favorite player of all time, nothing beats hard work and loyalty!

[@canadaengland]

As a life long Spurs fan I will tell you that, with Olajuwon, Stockton was the rival that I feared most. A robot designed to play PG as flawless as anyone has ever done it. Respect to a legend.

[@RyanMurray]

Sonics fan here. Same.

[@robertoamarillas]

The pick and roll was so efficient because John's efficiency at shooting the rock was outstanding, he was also like an automatic shooter, his mechanics were steady and amazingly consistent

[@usssanjacinto1]

John was overlooked because he played in the greatest era of talent in the history of the NBA.

[@Gaderelli]

He also wasn't playing in a BIG CITY like LA ETC !!!!

[@sacriste]

Yeah the All Time Dream Team was all there

[@jdog7797]

Yes true the Best of the Best, truly a dream team.

[@briansanchez1154]

And he is white

[@calvarius7able]

The greatest era of talent is actually now

[@antoinejohnson5371]

As a Pistons fan from back in the day I never did like Stockton and Malone but I will never disrespect their greatness.

[@utahwanderlust700]

Let's not forget that he rarely missed a game, and this was back when the NBA was way more physical. John is Iron Man.

[@shawnho6506]

utah wanderlust700 it was stated in the vid. Crazy!!

[@Sebadiah23]

He only had more win shares than magic cause magic got HIV and had to retire. Stockton is great though- no shade.

[@eoghaininfacundodiarmuid]

Still missing the times when load management is not in nba vocabulary.

[@stricklanddustin]

Pure class and pure demon. The epitome of humility and great skill. As a lifelong Jazz fan, I cannot fathom how lucky we were to keep Stock his whole career. Something about him hints that he would have turned down a league MVP award saying, i dont want it, give it to Karl or during the SLC All-star game saying, no MVP for me, give it to Karl. Just a hunch. But the level of selfless play and quiet dominance is more than intriguing .... it's legendary. Thank Basketball John!

[@andrewwayment4260]

My favorite point guard of all time!

[@RodneyWood50]

He was without any question the greatest point guard of all time.

[@Mosababumarzouk]

Idk about no questions, but yes he is one of the greatest of all times

[@mowglie628]

No, he wasn't. Both Magic and Oscar were better before him. Arguably Isiah, too. Steph has been better since. If you said "pure point guard" you would have an argument, but he's not the greatest basketball player to ever play at the point guard position.

[@wauliepalnuts6134]

*_GREATEST POINT GUARD WITHOUT AIDS, FOR SURE._*

[@realtruth1448]

Rodney Wood greatest of all time? At the 1? Not a chance buddy, I’m taking Curry, And Magic over him. Very underrated point guard who can tango with the best? Fuck yea

[@toxo2714]

Magic

[@realtan9026]

Wilt said if he had to start a team he would start it with John Stockton

[@jonnyarnett]

I remember that. It was at halftime of an all-star game I believe

[@realtan9026]

@@jonnyarnett I wana see Stockton to wilt

[@sotheaphin6119]

John with Wilt during Wilt period, ho my !!

[@iamhe77]

@@sotheaphin6119 wilt on the 98 Jazz.

[@pvhep4036]

Wilt had also a good understanding of the game and IQ. Great you mention this :) Cheers!

[@doubletake1238]

Growing up east coast, back when simple cable TV meant staying up late to see west coast teams on the TNT late game, this was one guy I didn't mind being tired the next day for an opportunity to watch. An all time great from the greatest era of the NBA.

[@jdigitalseven7]

His accuracy shooting wise is crazy underrated. Was so efficient.

[@natas0733]

Yea to think he coulda shot 3 pointers all day but went for the higher percentage play EVERY time... he coulda easily been a top 10 scorer too, but that wasn't his position the way he saw it. Best point guard EVER

[@KTPurdy]

It frustrated me that John didn't shoot more often.

[@74bhop]

@@KTPurdy took the words right outta my mouth. I always thought he could average twenty of only he decided to shoot

[@eugene80112]

💯. The Assist Steals Record will never be Broken. Just look at how many 82 games this man played during his career. No load management needed

[@Loganbub]

Eugene 12 oh yea no one will ever touch those

[@dillcifer]

He was a warrior. Interesting note though.. the jazz have openly said that Sloan pulled back the amount of minutes John played over his last ~5 seasons. The intention was to extend his career.

[@djohns808]

He did play less minutes towards the end but he was still getting about 27-33 minutes a game and playing all 82 games.

[@dillcifer]

It seems that guards seem to lose a step a bit quicker than big men. Another reason why no one currently wants to take on Chris Paul’s contract at 34 y/o. The fact that John stayed as competitive and sturdy as he did for so long is remarkable.

[@RockChalk263]

The steals record too. No one is ever going to touch those two records.

[@shiranuiaensland1442]

There is a funny part in the Dream Team documentary where Stockton and his family went out on the streets of Barcelona talking to USA basketball fans, and amused themselves on the fact that no one recognizes him. Malone actually envied that freedom when they got stuck in traffic and John just got out of the bus to disappear among the locals.

[@jensennathan]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXbQkpaEq6idaqM

[@dragonone8778]

I remember that, he pointed to himself on the t- shirt. "That's me"

[@shiranuiaensland1442]

@@dragonone8778 It was his kid who told the lady.

[@lsgutah]

The best part is how John Stockton was the one filming it! Just a regular American tourist in Barcelona. To be honest, I've met John numerous times. He isn't super tall; doesn't wear flashy clothes; just a regular guy that you need to do a double-take to make sure that was him.

[@shiranuiaensland1442]

@@lsgutah Although there was still a camera crew following him.

[@mustang7603]

Laker fan during the 80’s and 90’s. Man Stockton and Malone gave us fits especially at their place

[@MountainHobbler]

Stockton has two records that are never coming down.

[@bentmercer]

Yes, and they are the 2 records that most exemplify what a point guard should be

[@bradleynugent4991]

Stockton has Gretzky type leads in those categories, same way nobody will ever catch Gretzky in assists or points

[@nmpete3365]

The world will simply end before those records are beaten. No argument.

[@revo1974]

Bradley Nugent Pleaae don’t put Stockton and Gretzky in the same sentence.

[@johnnybgood774]

@@bradleynugent4991 if Lemiux never got hurt or got sick gretzky would be #2

[@tyroneloki5131]

one of the Most iconic phrase uttered by commentators in the 90's: Stockton to Malone!!!!

[@jordanwolfson8378]

Honestly this video deserves 10 million views. Never seen a video so thorough, yet to the point and so informative. Please, keep making content, for the good of KZbin and the sports world!

[@jonnyarnett]

Thanks for the very encouraging comment, Jordan. I appreciate you

[@markdc31]

Great video. Stockton was a money player and very underrated. If he played today, the coach might force him to stop at the 3 point line and mess up good offense. And today’s big free agents wouldn’t stay in Utah for 19 years. We may never see another player like him.

[@danielantonio4850]

John Stockton you are so amazing! Thanks for putting the spot light on John Stockton great basketball career. How dear they ignore such a great player.

[@worm_jd7361]

John Stockton is the greatest point guard of all-time. a PURE point guard, he is what every point should be....pass first shoot later.

[@er7776]

Pure point guards are overrated. Even Steve Nash regrets not being more aggressive during his prime. Why not shoot first? John had an amazing jumper on good splits. Him averaging 22 points with 9 assists would have been better for the jazz instead of the crazy 14 assists imo

[@subairali8075]

@@er7776 facts. There’s a reason why the best point guards in the league are scoring guards like Curry, Kyrie, Dame, and Luka who are all score first guards.

[@Richard-xo2uv]

No, a point guard has to play to his strength and weaknesses and run the offense and do what's best at the time as he reads the situations on the court. If you can't score that's just an ability you don't have so being able to pass helps with your weakness. If you can do both you are more valuable especially if you can assess the game and make the correct plays more often than not.

[@dannystaten5701]

He was my favorite player to watch. The NBA will likely never see a player like him again.

[@m.calloway2624]

Same for me.

[@SJM6791]

Stockton was the best all around PG and “Floor General” that I’ve ever seen.

[@billiampdx9414]

Stockton was amazing! The pick and roll with Malone was literally unstoppable.

[@drewbocop]

john stockton is one of my favorite players of all time

[@TimothyMcGaffinII]

John Stockton is the greatest point-guard of all-time because he never gave up. And he's the greatest player of all-time pound-for-pound. He was a David in a sea of Goliaths. And anyone who gets back up when they get knocked down is the greatest ever since getting back up is the greatest accomplishment.

[@derekdwhite]

Stockton will always be my favorite player of all time. If you want to learn how to play GOOD basketball fundamentals, he's the guy to study.

[@jaredtaylor295]

I've said it a hundred times: #1 pg of all time. Most underrated player of all time. Period.

[@sanjursan]

And in Utah he was covered by the best play by play announcer in NBA history, Hot Rod Hundley. It was a wonderful time to live in Utah.

[@Doofus2022]

He is underrated because he played in utah like karl malone if he play in la people would talk about them like their gods

[@dwayneantle1142]

i'm old enough to have watched him even back in the 80's. He was EXTREMELY talented, but quiet, with seemingly no ego. I think he played an era of much flashier players and when some of the greatest legends of all time played and thats why he slipped under modern fans and pundits radar!

[@valentinotera3244]

As italian kid, I supported the Utah Jazz in 97 and 98 NBA Finals becouse of him.

[@bryanb9907]

He was the best PG ever and one of the Top 50 players ever. Everyone who played with or against him talks about how good he was, how hard it was to defend him or be defended by him and how much they all respected him.

[@aaronmarshall6501]

I've been saying for years John Stockton was the best point guard of all time. He is the G.O.A.T. I had the privilege in watching him, and he was just as dangerous on defense as offence. When he played he lead the league in assist and steals. Becoming the all time assist leader of all time of the NBA. Do you have any idea how hard that is. All the great players that played and he leads everybody, at about 5 11, 6 feet, is amazing and to compare him to Rajon Rondo who I like and respect is a absolute crime. HE shot over 50 percent his whole career. You couldn't leave him open. If he had to he could average 25 or more a game easily. Rondo can't shoot. Stockton had Malone, so he didn't have to take alot of shots. Besides that Iv'e seen 7 footers who couldn't set a pick like little Stockton. He was the hardest to cover because he ran around without the ball better than Stephen Curry, he was all over the place and didn't seem to get tired. Believe me I'm a 51 year old black man and John Stockton and Larry Legend Bird was the best technical basketball players i have ever seen. Especially at there position and with there physical limitations, totally amazing.

[@LKaramazov]

You’re clearly insane.

[@chaseallen4842]

@@LKaramazov what was insane? Dont just leave some shitty comment, present a counter point or at least try to dismatle his case logically. You just really come off as an idiot when you say asine things like "clearly you're insane". Make a case why he is wrong unless you can't.

[@TrumpFanNetwork2]

Pure facts! 100% true!

[@intotheabyssoftheunknown4479]

MJ IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME !! !!!

[@lorenzotabin1141]

i remember when he overtook Magic in assists. i loved how Magic played, all the flash and razzle-dazzle, but quietly STockton took over the asssists record and the steals record. that was when i started watching more of his games, and since then i have been a Stockton fan.

[@goodvibes8901]

Jordan picks Stockton as his starting pointguard to build a team

[@ddavis8988]

He actually picked Magic. rocketswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/22/michael-jordan-picks-rockets-olajuwon-for-his-all-time-team/

[@nickadams701]

Jordan used to call a young Chris Paul "Stockton." There is your comparison....not Rondo. In all elements of the game, Chris Paul in his prime was most like Stockton. Unfortunately, the similarity carried over to not winning a championship, but did not carry over to durability.

[@ethanpasok209]

@@nickadams701 stockton was more durable while cp3 was a better scorer.

[@ShuttleChannel]

Wilt did

[@owensunuwar697]

wilt chamberlin said he wd pick stockton first if he had to build a team

[@kevinbyrnes7117]

Chicago kid in his prime loving all of the amazing things the Jordan/Pippen Bulls did. Stockton is THE best point guard of all time based on job description

[@Heldarion]

I discovered Stockton through a local sports mag, when there they dedicated an article to him (in the 90s), titled "The King of assists, the Emperor of steals". Didn't know until recently that he was this insanely good.

[@BeatsnCulture]

I'm the 1000th like here. Stockton is my favourite player ever. I will agree that he deserves a lot more credit.

[@jp3813]

Magic & Isiah never won another assists title after Stockton became a starter. That legendary 1984 draft provided a yearly race for the steals title between Stockton, MJ, & A. Robertson (all-time spg leader); plus Hakeem as the only center to record 200+ steals.

[@armandodelossantos736]

Hakeem is the only player to ever record 200+ blocks and 200+ STEALS in the same season and he went 13 straight seasons with at least 100 steals and 200 blocks. Olajuwon is the greatest defensive player of all time

[@95yazid]

Magic and Isiah were too busy winning championships to care about being assist leader

[@shiranuiaensland1442]

@@95yazid But Magic and Isiah WERE assist leaders.

[@armandodelossantos736]

@@95yazid Magic had a hall of fame starting lineup and Isaiah had dpoy Rodman and 4x all NBA defensive first team Joe Dumars along with the rest of the bad boy pistons, they didn't win championships by themselves. Trying to act like that makes them better pg's cuz they had better teams Smh

[@95yazid]

@@shiranuiaensland1442 Magic and Isiash combine for 7 championships and 5 assist leader season but in all of this only once did a championship happen in an assist leader season which was 87lakers championship, right after that Stockton starts getting all of the assist leaders and Isiah assists number dips down, but he wins 2 championships, so yeah basically too busy winning to get assist leader

[@Jack51971]

You had to see Stockton live at a game to appreciate his quickness. I saw him once in college. I remember thinking that this guy was super quick.

[@mrcokez1]

Johnny had the speed and precision, he was a hell of a ball player

[@Gabriela-Acevedo]

Best point guard of the 90's in my opinion

[@Pepperoni10125]

Best point gaurd of all time imo

[@Gabriela-Acevedo]

@@Pepperoni10125 respect your opinion. Isiah Thomas is another point guard that gets overlooked even after winning back to back titles with the Pistons and making allstar game his first 12 years in the league.

[@straightlead8]

@@Pepperoni10125 lol. How is that possible when he never won anything

[@armandodelossantos736]

@@straightlead8 you just don't know basketball that's all

[@jjez3405]

@@armandodelossantos736 lol I see what you did there haha shoutout to nbastoryteller

[@gregallan2842]

"Quiet and reserved". Yes, and a thorough going professional in everything he did.

[@tompass82]

Such a GREAT player! So underrated... I watched his whole career with rapture. He always played with class. Rarely lost his cool. You could do a whole video of all the times that players got frustrated with his nearly unflappable demeanor on and off the court.

[@AsdrubaleBrescia]

Remember that Gary Payton during an interview said that Stockton was one of the toughest player to guard

[@natas0733]

Tougher than MJ he said

[@angellostnet]

@@natas0733 Not just 'one of'. He said John was the most difficult player to guard. And then proceeded to explain his reasoning.

[@xennial_miracle]

I just watched that. It was great and a solid case. In short: not because Stockton was the best individual scorer, but because between his high-level passing AND scoring ability, he had too many weapons.

[@kingeriq]

A player that passes is harder to guard than a player that scores.

[@ehrenthompson7891]

Payton said he never figured him out.

[@mwj9080]

Hey bro this is good stuff man. Thank you for showing some love to an undisputed Legend ✊🏿

[@vacion610]

Between Stockton (assists + steals), Malone (scoring + rebounding), & Eaton (blocks + DPOYs); the late 80s Jazz pretty much had all five statistical categories covered. Unfortunately, the competition was just too great back then.

[@TheJeramyJay]

By the time Stockton and Malone got primes Eaton was injured and on the decline. Which is a bummer.

[@vacion610]

@@TheJeramyJay They were in their mid-20s and filling up the stats in '88 & '89 though. Their combination would be enough to become legit contenders nowadays, but not back then.

[@leperddion7614]

Malone was a known choker, they would never win a ring with him.

[@vacion610]

@@leperddion7614 They could've if it weren't for MJ.

[@nothankyou5524]

So you wanted to watch lopsided games and series? Take a break... It's basketball, not someone curing cancer or obliterating poverty or spearheading world peace.... It's people on a wooden floor, bouncing and throwing a ball for your entertainment. It was never supposed to be a replacement for your own life.....

[@jaqenhghar2970]

If there was ever a quote that epitomized John Stockton, it's *"Work hard in silence, let your success be your noise!"*

I remember him, today's kid will never know how good he was.

[@jonnyarnett]

Where do you rank John Stockton among the greatest point guards of all time? NOTE: Few of you may recognize this video. This is a edited re-upload, but its got a new thumbnail, better audio, and now its in the "How Good Was He Really" Series.

[@Gabriela-Acevedo]

He led league in assists for like 8 or so plus years averaging 11+ each year

[@bigr6298]

I rank him First or Second all depends if you want me to pick a Point Guard or you want me to pick the best to ever consistantly play the position. John Stockton is the best Point Gaurd I ever got to watch. Magic Johnson was a legend by the time I started watching Basketball and my father never considered him a point gaurd. I know I would be in good hands with either Player.

[@deandresmith5613]

Hes behind Magic, Oscar, Zeke and Curry

[@fennisdembo34]

2nd all time after magic

[@lainiwakura4678]

@@deandresmith5613 Curry will pass him if he has a couple more seasons like I know he's capable of having. But I don't have him there quite yet.

[@john2961]

John Stockton is basically the Dan Marino of the nba

[@jonnyarnett]

Thats a solid comparison

[@kryptanite3524]

Brett Favre

[@jonnyarnett]

@@kryptanite3524 Favre won a ring though. Also Favre was such a gun-slinger, I feel like an NBA player who averaged more turnovers would be reminiscent of Favre. lol

[@kryptanite3524]

@@jonnyarnett lol yeah he was a gunslinger I guess I was thinking more along the lines of grit n toughness being Favre was like supeman of the league n never missed games kinda reminiscent of Stockton but I'm glad Stockton is getting some recognition one of the greatest point guards ever...

[@kryptanite3524]

@@jonnyarnett o yeah n it's to bad the jazz always had to square up against the bulls...

[@daneg007]

such a great video. the best thing though is that if john saw it it would take less than 30 seconds for him to smile and say, "wow, that's really nice, i appreciate it" right before he turned it off, shook your hand, and walked away. i really am gonna try to get him to watch it and record his reaction. the most humble guy ever, especially when you consider that he IS the greatest pure point guard the nba will ever see. really great work, man.

[@sebastiancastro6714]

Los que sabemos de basquetbol y lo vimos jugar no vamos a olvidar a esta leyenda, un saludo desde Argentina.

[@randygravel2057]

And didn’t have a agent. Represented himself when dealing with the Jazz.

[@brucewilcox4135]

Not exactly; he never negotiated, just accepted whatever they thought he was worth.

[@thestormofwar]

@@brucewilcox4135 Incorrect. Stockton stood his ground a few times. But he and Larry Miller (longtime owner of the Jazz) operated on a pretty personal level.

[@kiyan17171717]

He had the same agent as mj towards the end of his career

[@kodyeldridge5847]

John Stockton and Karl Malone were 2 of my all-time favorite athletes as a kid.

[@angellostnet]

I loved both. But bloody hell could Karl disappear when he was needed at the worst times.

[@racewiththefalcons1]

I remember watching the NBA as a kid and there were always two players I didn't like because they were too good and always scored on the teams I did like - those two players were David Robinson and John Stockton. I hated seeing them do well, and they did well every god damn night.

[@elmarnigmatullin4490]

The best video intro of all the NBA youtubers.

[@whitneyallen9237]

I’ll say it... John Stockton is the best pure point guard ever!

[@petermitchell2729]

That's the distinction. "Pure"

[@petermitchell2729]

@@fruitiusmaximus925 how would you get that many steals?

[@petermitchell2729]

@@fruitiusmaximus925 hahahaha, I get it, you're soft.

[@Stefano_Rodriguez]

@@fruitiusmaximus925 "Stockton was soft", You are fake news.

[@Gaderelli]

AMEN !

[@saltwaterheatair3990]

Stockton 's last second bucket to beat Barkley's Rockets is still my favorite moment in basketball

[@well.thy.one.]

Salt Water Heat Air that was fantastic

[@kentbartschi8091]

John Stockton was the best pure point guard to ever play the game of basketball. No one will EVER come close to his assist or steals record. He was a true pleasure to watch. You can’t mention John Stockton without mentioning Carl Malone. The two names are synonymous with the pick and roll and they ran it better than anyone else in the history of the league.

[@winstonsmith11]

@@kentbartschi8091 *Karl

[@-emeysi-]

i remember watching that one on tv. i was touching my head in disbelief when he put up that shot because he was wide open and i knew it was money, no way in hell john is gonna miss that one.

[@jshoover2199]

Thanks for sharing! Love seeing the videos that point out the people that are amazing but seem to be over looked.

[@jodymicheallee]

If I'm starting a franchise, he's my first choice. He's a true point guard.

[@subairali8075]

Bro he isn’t even top 3 as a point guard. He wasn’t the best player on his team. I’ll choose steph over him any day to start a team. And what does a “true point guard” even mean. Other than magic no other “true point guard” has ever won a chip. Isaih literally had 25 in a quarter on a bum ankle in the finals and won 2 chips as the best player on his team and in his prime averaged 23 and 13 a game while curry literally was the center piece on the greatest dynasty of all time while having arguably the greatest regular season ever. Stockton was never the best player on his team those 20 years and couldn’t create his own shot as good as Isaiah, Curry, and Magic

[@thedivineexpression]

Stockton has been my goat pg since the late 90’s but you lost me with the rondo comparison 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@juliomendoza541]

i would say CP3

[@TRM520]

@@juliomendoza541 Definitely a closer comparison than Rondo. With the main difference between CP3 and Stockton being durability.... and length of shorts.

[@jonnyarnett]

KingFishVersion Don’t get me wrong, Rondo’s best seasons aren’t nearly as good as an average Stockton season. The point was comparing their play styles. Pass-first players, scrappy on defense, incredible court vision, sound Basketball IQ, etc. At the end of each video in this series, I make a comparison, but like I said, it’s not about talent

[@95yazid]

@@jonnyarnett Rondo's got a ring though

[@95yazid]

Also comparing Stockton to Rondo is already pretty dumb, but you guys went all the way to CP3 LMAO

[@matta576]

Everyone in Utah over 30 years old knows all of this.

[@andrewirish1]

*should* know all of this

[@lowbatt3235]

I highly think it's anyone over 30 years old knows this lol

[@stevenmarzo7751]

your wrong on that comment. i'm 24 and there are still people that actually care abut the history that know John Stockton that are younger then me.

[@matta576]

@@stevenmarzo7751 I didn't say nobody under thirty knows about it. Re-read my comment and I'm sure you'll see.

[@landonlloyd4324]

True that😂I’m younger than that and knew all this

[@JunkJordan]

I love your videos bro. Absolutely amazing. LOVE the music too.

[@nightmareleo]

love your video, very informative, keep up the good work man!

[@randompalmtopgaming7541]

On a pure game stats merit, Stockton has a clear GOAT argument! The ONLY player leading (and DOMINANTLY at that) two major statistical categories.

[@95yazid]

Go see a psychiatrist dude you have some severe brain damage to think Stockton is nowhere near to having a GOAT argument

[@spykeex69]

@@95yazid You seem to enjoy ignoring full statements in this whole comments sections. Like this one says on stats merit. That means if you look exclusively at the numbers there's an argument. It also says has an argument, meaning it's not a clear cut decision, it's not even a superior decision but it's not one to be immediately dismissed. Try to actually take time to pay attention.

[@djAmored]

the best point guard ever in my opinion.

[@jacobsmith4821]

All times steals and assist leader plus top 10 in 3 points

[@Trollificusv2]

@Mike Urashevich Cool story bro. Have you even seen that play? Tell me Malone could get a planned elbow in on that slam bang play. BS. Hard foul? Oh yeah, that was comin'. "40 stitches!"??? That's coz pretty boy Isaiah insisted on "cosmetic surgery stitches" like some fashion model. Surgeon said, "It would have been four or five stitches for most men." Screw Isaiah.

[@colinwoods9601]

Mike Urashevich Isiah says Stockton was a better PG than he was.

[@marcuslawrence5355]

Stockton and Malone both average double double in their careers.

[@MORNINGSTAR190]

I COULD NEVER BEAT THIS MAN RECORD'S ON EVERY 2K I BOUGHT