Why Isn't JOHN STOCKTON Considered The Best Point Guard Ever? Stunted Growth 

Should John Stockton be considered the best PG ever, even though he never won a chip?

This must be a generational thing cause as a 38 year old NBA Fan John Stockton has always been seen as one of the greatest players of all time. The way one associate Rodman with rebound is the way my generation associate him with assist.

Played 82 games 17 out of 19 seasons? That is insane😳

Stockton had his own idea of basketball: get it done, and do it efficiently and getting everybody involved. He was unselfish and this somehow brought him away from the spotlight. He's like Steve Nash, yeah everybody knows he is a great player, but since he passes more than he scores, somehow people give him less credit than someone who scores 30 ppg - even if they are less efficient or do not work as well in a team environment

Dude was the "iceman". He never broke a sweat. He was the personification of a Point God. Bulldog on defense and a savant on offense. MJ had the upmost respect for him, says alot when the GOAT respects you.

Dude, this is the first one I've disagreed with you. John Stockton is in the running for 2nd greatest PG ever. There's no way his growth was stunted. He maximized his ability

Stockton was super passive. LIke Zeke said Stock should've been more aggressive scoring wise. They might of won a ring or two. I felt Stockton should have the mentality like I'm going to put 30 on your head like today's PG. He would be more revered. But he still is one of the greates PG of all time top 8 or 6.

Love how you shifted your channel to have a discrete analytical thesis on the great ones who doesn’t get the credit as they should.

Nah bruh, when you grow up hating on someone that didn't play for YOUR team, you know he's great Stockton was "THAT" man

Anybody that Played from 93 to 98 their Stunt Will Always Be Michael Jordan 😩😩😩

If Stockton won a couple of titles, he would have still been behind Magic.

99 was their best chance. Back to back finals losses, vet team ready to pounce after the lock out. Those finals losses. If you look at the stats, the games were all very close. I'm not sure if any other perimeter player, especially in 98 could've done what MJ did..literally the biggest stunt for John and em..MJ. appreciate this one.

Great video bro, loved Stockton's game. He was surely an all time great yet we must acknowledge Karl's impact on Stockton's career. Karl Malone simply doesn't get the respect he deserves, and his numbers are what ALL TIME GREATS are made of.

All time leader in Assists and Steals, he held his own. The master of the Pick and Roll. Stockton to Malone. He is a dope quiet storm, just because he didnt win a chip, he did become 1/2 of why they went to the promise land. Jordan at the time was in God mode. A Utah pizzeria tried to make Jordan sick, but he came and scored 37 on them while dealing with the Stomach flu! Crazy series.

John Stockton to me is the best pass point guard ever

There's only so much someone can do, it's not like he didn't pass the ball or play defense.. An assist is pretty much points this man did his job and did it very well.. it wasn't like he was in a weak league of players either.. when it comes to it you have to give this man best point gaurd period.. they should make a statue of this man like they did Rocky.. I'm serious too.. all 82 games for 17 seasons.. come on now give it to the man..👍🏿

"John Stockton was harder to guard than Micheal Jordan"- Gary Payton To me he is one of the greatest PGs ever behind Magic. One thing people forget was that not only was he a great passer and could strip you of the ball, he shot a career field goal percentage of 51%! That's super efficient for a point guard.

Jazz never had a true consistent 3rd option in their runs. It took someone like Big Dawg Antoine Carr to step up in game 5 to force a game 6 in the 98 finals. They never had a closer on their team in their runs sadly.

And he still hold the assists and steals record TO THIS DAY !!!!!

He's easily the best all around PG in NBA history, there's no even close to him. And back when i was more engaged with the NBA a little les than a decade ago, he was pretty much universally considered to be the greatest, the notion that he's isn't considered by people anymore is kind of a shock, I literally had no clue this was the case until i got recommended this video today. There are plenty of great passers, great scorers, and great defenders at PG, and a small number are great at two of those. Then there's Joh, who was phenomenal in all three. Magic was a great passer, but didn't have anywhere near the handles John had, nowhere near as deadly from mid-range or behind the arc, and most importantly wasn't anywhere close to being the absolute ball-hawk Stockton was. Which is why Magic, as amazing as he was, simply wasn't nearly as great of an all-around player John was. I guess the only reason people couldn't is because, even though he certainly could and did score pretty damn proficiently, he just was the dominant scorer of many current PG's. Personally I despise scoring-PG's, especially if and when they have other great scorers on their teams. PG's were meant to be the distributor first above all else, and scoring PG's hurt the flow of a teams offense, (unless that is if the team really doesn't have many if any descent scorers). Perfect example was my Blazers teams back in 2012 to 2015. Those years Lillard was an amazing scorer, as he still is to this day, but those teams had plenty of other guys who could score more easily than he could, be it Lamarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Wesley Matthews, and then add the fact that they also had some decent scorers off the bench to boot, from Dorell Wright, CJ to McCullom, to Allen Crabbe, to Chris Kaman, to Meyers Leonard, and for one year Aaron Afflolo. That team simply didn't need a PG scoring 200+ every game. Batum was in his prime and was pretty much unstoppable due to his deadly outside shooting, great mid-range game, great post moves against smaller wings, and had a deceptively quick first step and pretty freakish athleticism allowing him to drive to the hoop and then finish above the rim - and yet he'd only average 10 to 15 a night, because you had LA, (who was is his prime as well and even more unstoppable than Batum was, either in the post or hitting outside jumpers), was still primarily the go-to guy with Wesley Matthews doing a lot of scoring as well - with Lillard doing as much shooting back then, alot of those were attempts that would have - and imo should have gone to Batum, especially because Batum back then simply could score in more ways than Lillard while also being able to score easier than him too. Im not saying Lillard shouldn't have ever shot the ball or something, but that team back then really needed was a guy who was pass-first and a great on-ball defender, who would hit the open shot or step up and score if the other scorers had a bad night, and Matthews. A guy like Terry Porter for example, or better yet - John Stockton would have made that team far more successful back then. Im not saying that im against scoring PG's in every situation though, just when there's other scorers who aren't getting as many shots as they deserved, and those teams would be better for it. But if your talking about Portland post LA leaving, (and them stupidly trading away Batum who they massively under-utilized), those teams really needed Damian to step up and do the sort of scoring he was doing because they had also lost a bunch of other players who put up alot of points for them. Stockton, had Malone, Hornacek, and earlier - Jeff Malone as well, which is why they really didn't need John to put up over 20 a game night in - night out, but could if he was required to.

Outside of Chris Paul, this was the last of the pure basketball point guard.

Subscribed to your channel after running into this Stockton clip. "Stockton open three.... Yes! John Stockton sends the Utah Jazz to the NBA Finals"! A day that will live for infamy in Utah and my childhood years. Peace out gentlemen and remember not to simp over these 304.

You on fire bro with this series keep it up

You failed to mention that he's a member of the '92 Dream Team.

Stunted Growth If u gonna do one on Stockton u gotta do one on Malone! 💪 This is my era when basketball was real when players really wanted to be the best and win at any means necessary

to be considered a top 5 point guard, and you don't have a ring speaks volumes, especially when the other pgs in the top 5 do Magic, Steph, Zeke, Oscar

Respect as a professional is the comment that sticks out the most to me regarding the career of John Stockton, and I think that his game would translate well into any era of basketball. With the new “small ball” and position-less basketball, I have no doubt that the name John Stockton would be much higher up on the all time “3” ball shooters as well as the assists and steals categories.

I'm seeing people say Stockton couldn't score you obviously didn't watch the Houston series that year when he took over the game to get them to their first finals. Ask Gary payton reggie Miller Michael Jordan and every body that played in his era if he's not a top 5 pg the only knock was he didn't win other than that Stockton was great

John was so efficient that he averaged 15 to 17 points per game during his prime attempting only 10 to 11 FG's per game. Imagine if John attempted 15 to 16 FG's per game, easily would average 20 plus. Plus he always shot over 50 percent from the floor. He scarified a lot of his scoring to get his teammates involved because John was all about the team. I'll take John over AI and even Steve Nash, because John was a better defender than Nash. Ill take Magic, Isiah, then a toss up between GP, Kidd, and Stockton for 3rd greatest.

I feel his problem was that he was never an aggressive scorer

Stockton never had the flash and panache of other " true " point guards but for these reasons he deserved the title . 1. Assists , as you say it's not close . Ditto 2. Steals . 3 effective fg% the combo 2s,3s,and fts where only Nash superceded him 4. Durability 82s , in 19 seasons, 5. High motor low heart rate in the 40s, big hands palms with ease. He earned the moniker the " swiss watch" because he took a lickin and kept on tickin. ( payton the glove attests to it) . 6. Assist to turnover ratio. . His so so supporting cast didnt compare to the bulls pippen kukoc jordan and the 3 headed Cerberus centers , except Malone ( who was not exactly suburban) . He reached 2 finals when he got some shooting help in russell, hornacek, hansen. Eaton helped the early jazz in blocked shots but they were primarily a walk it up grinding defensive team as Sloan was a bull during karate kids days with van lier . The only year I think they had a chance to break through under his lead was during rockets reign but they were filled with shooters not so the jazz. You want a criticism they didnt go left enough. But his biggest clutch shots came from that side. He could occassionally be posted . Swiss watch just like his ancestry enough said. He could guard and he took charges and set hard screens.

There was no era like the “Dream Team” era!!! You made a great point about that timeframe between 93-95(also golden era in hi-hop).That was the time to win for the “Dream Teamers” because MJ wasn’t there or wasn’t fully back to being MJ! That moment was precious and Hakeem snatched it up!!!

As a Laker fan of a certain age I got to witness his entire career. I still think he was so very technically sound. I have mad mad respect for him. And dirty? Well….in a game, I saw him dribble the ball up court and go from his left to his right as guard Derek Martin of the Clippers reached in for a steal. In one swift motion, John clocked Derek on the forehead with an elbow leaving him in the dust. It happened so fast, Derek did not see it coming.

This episode is a stretch. John Stockton is in class with Magic and Isiah Thomas when it comes to greatest PGs of all time. And his run of greatness spanned more time than Isiah.

Maybe because he wasn’t a scoring machine. He’s definitely someone you’d want on your team though.

How lucky are the Jazz to draft Stockton and Malone back to back seasons. And both were not even top 10 picks. With Stockton and Malone as teammates, they had 18 consecutive winning seasons in 3 different decades. Really impressive.

I have always loved the Utah jazz!! I remember as a kid writing a letter to the team and enclosing 2 player cards of Karl Malone and John Stockton to be autographed by them.. I received a NOTE back on a blank piece of paper with only the Utah jazz letterhead that read: "SORRY, KARL & JOHN DO NOT SIGN ANY PLAYER CARDS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES". I was bumbed out. I don't believe they even returned my 2 cards either. GOOD VIDEO TOO BRO

I think he is but he's very underrated point guard.

Stockton & Malone Cooked all day with that Pick n Roll 🔥🏀🔥

Folk don't know how much of a beast Stockton was!

Fourth stunt, that damn pick and roll with Malone. Obviously one of the best plays of all time leading to both players being all time leaders in assists and nearly in points but Malone was so good at finishing either around the rim or with his jumper as he got older it's almost like cherry picking assists

The basketball fan in me: Not the greatest point guard ever but definitely one of the greatest. The Rockets fan in me: Great player but was dirtier than muddy water. Don’t even bring up the 97 Western Conference Finals. 😡

Well let's just say he was and still is one of the smartest point gard in the game of basketball because he knew what he could do and he knew what he could not do on the basketball court and he was smart enough to always do what he could do and that allowed him to not make many mistakes and for that he was very smart on the basketball court

He's the all time leader in both assists and steals. I think he maximized his potential to the highest level. His bland personality and 2 words stopped that...Michael Jordan

The Jazz needed a Mitch Richmond/Allan Houston/Eddie Jones to complete their team. If they had any of those 3, they'd be sitting on a few rings imo

I glad you did this one on Stockton I also think he was underated but you know he was never going be better than magic. I think he was the best born white PG from America. in this age of basketball he would be a monster probably the best look at my boy Luka.

Hands down top 10 point guard without a 💍!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bruh like Jay-Z in the 2000s with music artists, it’s looking like MJ was the reason for damn near all of 90s basketball players lmao

The best 1-2 punch in NBA history. John Stockton to Karl Malone or Stockton to Malone back to Stockton Score....lol, loved him.

One of my favorite players of all times...he did that

Its crazy bc stock could of scored anytime he wanted to like in the high 20s. He could shoot ,handle the ball, and he was an underrated finisher around the basket.

The answer to why John Stockton statically the best PG in NBA history isn't spoke about much or more popular is because(drum roll)... because John Stockton is like the Spurs.. they are good or great and foundationally sound and get the job done... but B B B B O O O O O R R R R R R R I I I I I I I I I I I N N N N N N N G G G G G G G to watch and the other always MOST over looked reason. John is a private person. Its been documented that he is a strong family man .. so he would be with his family and out of the spotlight his own career and into retirement as well. But Stockton is a great and he is 1 of the BEST PG's . Great Video!!

can u make a video abt michael's college teammate sam perkins? he was the 4th pick right after him too

underated

Yo stunt growth I want you to do Jerry stackhouse I bless up fam from our Caribbean family them one love from yard

Stunted Growth Do a video on Cuttino Mobley because I what to see how good was he than just a spot up shooter

I always say, Stockton was like Hank Aaron. Never THE guy, but near elite for an ungodly amount of time. Unfortunately the guys who were more athletic than be was generally exposed him straight up. One of the reasons his playoff resume isn't stellar. The other reason being Karl Malone chokes harder than CP3 and Harden combined.

Before Chris Paul he was considered the best PG. I'm 36 and watched him in the 90s. He wasn't flashy and doesn't have highlight real stuff, plus his attachment to Malone takes away from how good he was. Every coach I ever had wanted a Stockton-like PG

To me Stockton was very similar to Mo Cheeks.They both took care of the ball and was very efficient when it comes to scoring consistent with that 15- 17 foot shot.Not overly fancy but went behind the back or between the legs only when necessary.It was always pass first and hit the open shot, never forcing either.I remember reading in one book where Stockton basically said he was motivated to get ALOT better when he was in HS and went to a tournament where he saw Isiah Thomas dominate and just couldn't believe how good Isiah was,knowing he would have to get much better if he was to even play in college.That respect for Isiah continued throughout his career all the way to the HOF when he had Isiah walk him up to the stage to be inducted.

Prototypical point! Great player! Great basketball mind!

Another great video! However, this might be the first time that I have disagreed w/ you. His only Stunt was MJ. He was a superb and All-Time great PG. It all depends on what an organization or coach is looking for in a PG. Its like this Bron and KG nonsense debate. They're both great players it all depends on preference. Either way you can't get it wrong just like Stockton.

Cuz people claim Stockton wouldn't be anything without Malone but yet everyone they consider the best had better players/more stars. Stockton is the best pg ever Magic had loaded teams his entire career which is the only reason he got rings. Stockton was a better shooter, passer and defender

If he played on another team like the Sonics , the blazers or the Barkley suns he would’ve had one ring

“When you see him, he doesn’t look like a basketball player” - Kenny “the dummy” Smith

What do u say at the end of the intro? Sounds like "askadaban" to me

okay you didn’t have to add that he looks like he sells vacuum cleaners to old widows 😂😂😂😂 i’m weak asfffff it caught me so off guard

Stockton’s game wasn’t predicated on shooting the ball more and ultimately that’s the difference in point guards now vs back then. Unless you have a skill or trait that is that bending to the defense you can’t win a title with that being the best player on the team.

You should do a video, on Luke Harangody.

For me, Stockton was the quintessential point guard...pass first, shoot second, be tenacious on defense, make your teammates better, and score when you have to. I only put Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas ahead of him by a small margin and only because he didn't win a championship.

Mad love Stunted Growth. It's a shame those two Jazz finals were against the best Bulls team and debatably the GOAT team to win a chip. Bit harder to take over the game when you're not 6'6 with huge wingspan and ability to break the rim with ya head. John is the PG GOAT in my opinion though. If he had another couple of good pieces around him they could have had a 3 peat easy. Look at that Bulls team!! Hornaceck is the third best player?!! Bulls had Rodman, Luc Longley and Steve Kerr!!

Man being from Houston. That last second shot he hit against the rockets in 98 to keep the rockets from going to the finals hurted. And robbed us of that much talked about rockets vs bulls finals

Stunted growth #4. Playing in a small market

You should do a video on Jared sullinger, he had Ohio state looking good and was ok with Boston but just vanished

It took him 2 decades to pass Magic on the assists

Can you do Aaron brooks?

When he drained that dagger in Barkley's fat face, my heart was happy!!!! But he was dirty as HELL, real talk. A quiet, low key dirty player.

I think what hurts him is the fact he lacked a left hand and wasn't a leaper or burner. Most gaurds handle in the 90's were limited to one side but they had strength or the athletic edge to say "still cant stop it even if you know I cant drive left." John had none of that besides being crafty with his right and the benefit of Malone to stop teams from keying in on his weakness going left. Crafty in sports is very underappreciated and forgotten cause it doesnt show well on highlights.

He’s my favorite Point Guard. In my opinion the GREATEST point EVER… STATS DON’T LIE…

Magic Johnson, to answer the title of the vid

#23 and the Bulls crushed his championship dreams.

Why isn't John Stockton not coaching in the NBA, he is very intelligent and would make a great coach.

This comment section includes the word IF so much I actually stopped counting 🤣. I swear folks put the word IF in front of anything & instantly all positive things are possible.

True point guard!

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:3‬ 😊

To answer the title he wasn't Uber Athletic or Flashy and he played in Utah.

John Stockton is that guy.

Magic, Curry, Zeke, Big O, CP3 Payton, Kidd, Westbrick, Stockton

It wasn't John Stockton's fault he never won the chip🏆 it's because the Mailman couldn't deliver at the free throw line & in the clutch!!!

10:37 😅😅😅😅🤣

If his peers held him in high regard and he's in the hall of fame sorry there's no stunted growth here. Good video tho

I feel like John is top 5-7 no lower than 7 or 8

I always preferred John over Magic because he actually played defense. Imagine what he could have done with just a few better players.

Stockton the best pound for pound pg. A top 5 pg in the game

Stockton is Derek Jeter without the rings

Sells vacuum cleaners door to door to old widows 🤣😭

I have always said that Stockton was the greatest PG of all time

Those 97 98 finals could’ve gone either way. It was definitely a series of inches. Jordan was just too damn good lol.

Stockton is mostly on everyone’s top 5 PG’s ever list. The only reason why he’s not viewed as number one on those list is because he wasn’t known to take over the game with his scoring. Magic, Oscar, Isiah, Nash, Kidd, Payton, Paul and now Curry all have that potential to carry a scoring load during key parts of the game, Stockton was just too unselfish of a player, thus rendering the Jazz to be seen as a team with onl y one superstar player. If Stockton upped his scoring by seven points, they would’ve been a more dangerous team.

yes he should be

1- Small market- 16th overall draft pick by The Utah Jazz out of Gonzaga (1984) 2- Utah faced The Sonics and Rockets in the playoffs all throughout the 1990s 3- Jordan’s Bulls were better than Stockton’s Jazz which is why Chicago beat Utah in the 97 & 98 finals 4- Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas were the best point guards of the late 80s-early 90s (both players led their teams to championship titles) 5- Stockton didn’t do enough scoring when his Utah jazz needed him most in the postseason