John Stockton Player Profile

Former Jazz Star Destined for Hall of Fame

Nov 7, 2007 Phil Partington

John Stockton might be one of the most underrated NBA Players of all time.

Future Hall of Famer and former Utah Jazz star point guard, John Stockton, may be one of the most underrated and under-appreciated players in NBA history.

The point guard position is often regarded as the most difficult NBA position. The responsibilities that of the position make for a high learning curve. That is especially the case when the point guard is a true, pass-first/floor general type, like Stockton, as opposed to a shoot-first/scoring point guard. On that note, Stockton's 19-year career average of 10.5 assists with only 2.8 turnovers per game is nothing if not mind boggling.

At only 6'1", Stockton holds all-time NBA records for the most assists and steals. He also holds five of the top six assist seasons in NBA history. The other one belongs to Isiah Thomas.

There has been much talk about how Steve Nash, current point guard of the Phoenix Suns, has surpassed Stockton in greatness simply because he's won two NBA MVP Awards. Though that distinction is nothing to downgrade, it's important to remember that Stockton's prime came at about the same time that a certain superstar named Michael Jordan was entering his prime. Moreover, the league was much more lush of veteran stars than the league is today.

Steve Nash is a great passer/assist man. In fact, he and Jason Kidd may be the best passers the league has seen since...John Stockton. Yet, Nash has only averaged over 10 assists per game three times in his 12-year career. Stockton averaged over 10 assists per game for 10 straight seasons, including five seasons where he averaged more than 13 assists per game and two seasons with more than 14 assists per game.

There is the argument that most of Stockton's assists came only because he had Karl Malone to pass to. However, those who've watched him play know his passes are anything but ordinary. Simply put, he made teammates better and ensured the ball got to the right players in the right spots at the right times.

John Stockton made 10 All-Star game appearances; played for the 1992 and 1996 Olympic "Dream" teams; was named to the NBA All-NBA First Team twice, Second Team six times and Third Team three times; was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team five times; and was also named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history in 1996.

Stockton was a proven winner who should be remembered as one of the greatest point guards in NBA history.

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