Who is the best point guard in the NBA?
Is it Gary Payton of Seattle who seems to make defenders look like totem poles when he drives around them? How about Jason Kidd of New Jersey, who makes opposing coaches cringe every time they play the Nets? Former Ute Andre Miller, now of Cleveland, leads the league in assists and could make an argument for himself as the best one-guard around.
But none have accomplished, and probably never will, what John Stockton of the Utah Jazz has done. On Sunday afternoon, Stockton dished out his 15,000th career assist. Although the milestone came in a last-second loss to Houston (ironically, John’s middle name), Stockton still has the claim as the best point guard to ever play the game.
Who would guess that the short (by NBA standards), dark-haired kid from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., would become the NBA’s assist king and best point guard ever? He was drafted in the first round, 16th pick overall, by the Utah Jazz in 1984. Seventeen years later, Stockton still reigns in Salt Lake City.
In two weeks (on March 26), Stockton will turn 40 years old. Imagine seeing someone who’s 40 go out there day-in and day-out and still put much younger, quicker guards to shame. Not too many people can do what he does.
What has Stockton done in his career? Perhaps it would be easier to discuss what he hasn’t done.
Seven times he has recorded 1,000 assists or more in a season. Only Isaiah Thomas and Kevin Porter can make that claim, and they each only did it once.
“He’ll take an assist any day over a lousy two points,” said Jazz announcer Ron Boone during a game.
Not only is he the NBA’s all time assist leader, but also the steals leader, with more than 3,000.
On Feb. 20, 1996, Stockton stole the ball from Boston’s Erik Williams to break Maurice Cheek’s steals record at 2,310. To date, Stockton has 3,088 theft charges.
He broke John Havlicek’s record of 1,270 games played with one franchise in November of 2000.
In 1996, he, along with teammate Karl Malone, was named to the “50 Greatest Players in NBA History.”
He is a 10-time All-Star selection and that game’s co MVP (once again, with Malone) in 1993 in Salt Lake City.
He has participated in the playoffs in all of his 17 years in the league.
In unbelievable fashion, Stockton has avoided injury and other circumstances that would keep him from playing. His will and desire to play are unmatched by anyone. He played in every game in 15 of his 17 seasons.
He is a two-time gold medalist at the Summer Olympics, in 1992 and 1996, and ranks fifth among the NBA’s all-time leaders in games played.
Mr. Clutch hit the game winning 3-pointer against Houston in Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals in 1997 to send the Jazz to the NBA Finals for the first time ever. That shot was later named the 10th-greatest moment in NBA history.
Is that enough? There’s more if you want it.
With all that, the point guard continues to fight for his team. He still leads a sub-par Jazz team this year. He refuses to quit and his leadership shows with his teammates.
Off the court, Stockton is a class act. I’ve met him several times and, although people constantly tell me he’s not the nicest guy, I thought he was very courteous and professional. (And I was refereeing his sons’ games! Usually coaches and parents hate my guts! Not Stockton. He was polite and sportsmanlike.)
Still, many argue that the only player in the NBA whose shorts are still at mid-thigh length is all washed up. They say he should give it up.
The Jazz are on a down-slope. They’ve struggled in clutch situations and have lost a step against some of the younger, quicker and, in some cases, better teams.
But no one in their right mind could call Stockton a wash-out.
Not Stockton. He’s the Rocky Balboa of the NBA. No matter how old, tired, hurt or sick, Stockton continues to fight. His quest for an NBA title ring may fall short, but his journey is worth more than any ring.
Even though the tide may be shifting to other players, one thing is certain: John Stockton is the best point guard in the history of basketball.
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