Here's an in-depth look at John Stockton's skills during his 19-year NBA career. #nba #90s #johnstockton #utahjazz #jazz #filmroom Video footage courtesy of NBAE
I appreciate you taking the time to look at Stockton's skills. During his playing career, he wasn't flashy like the other players. He seemed more like he came from the 50's and 60's era. He was unselfish, physical, smart, and tough. I remember Stockton getting into it with Jordan and not backing down. Nothing but respect for John Stockton.
Having lived in the Salt Lake Valley for 35 years and attending over 200 Jazz games, I can tell you the John was the greatest passer I ever saw on any team. On defense he was a pickpocket and they scored on the vast majority of his steals. I know I'm biased to a degree, but I'd like to know who was consistently a better passer than John because I haven't seen one yet, and today's players don't have the fundamentals it takes to break his assists or steals records. Unlike Allen Iverson (I'd say right there with John as best ever at the 1), John didn't have to score, he could focus on running Sloan's set offense. In 19 seasons in the NBA, Stockton averaged 13 points 10.5 assists, and 2.7 rebounds on 51% shooting. 51%. A guard. Wilt Chamberlain said if he would have had John as his point guard he would have averaged 75 points a game and I don't think that's wrong. OK, maybe 70.😉I was there when Denis Rodman, stuck out his knee and nailed John's thigh while slicing through the key and John went after him while the refs pulled Rodman away. John didn't back down from anyone.
I always felt if there was one player that I would love to learn from, it would be Stockton. Efficient, durable, excellent court vision both offensively and defensively. He was a remarkable player.
Players like Stockton have tremendous heart and toughness and know how to play the game and can be successful in any era. I'd much rather take a mediocre athlete who knows how to play basketball than a phenomenal athlete who doesn't.
3 players have 1000 assists in a season 2 of them did it once, Stockton did it 7 times. At a time where assists weren't tallied as easily as they are today.
John Stockton was the greatest and No 1 PG that ever played the game of basketball in the NBA (At least for those players that I have been able to watch in my lifetime). Most would say Magic, but they don't fully understand the game of basketball. While Magic was great with the ball, he wasn't a true PG. Magic was a Point-F, perhaps the first PF. But it's a toss up on whom you would choose. For those choosing anyone other than these 2, they must have never watched them play. Stockton wasn't a flashy player, but he may have also been the must fundamental PG to have ever played.
I Am the Guru of sports. John Stockton is the best pg the pros have ever seen. He got both his records IN LESS GAMES than it took the previous record holders ( Magic and Cheeks) so it wasnt just his longevity. No one has ever gaurded the passing lanes as good as him. Only Alvin Robertson (short career) was argueably a better stealer. He is NOT a highlight film guy . The beauty of watching his game was seeing his transition between offense and defense . . not missing a beat. His only suposed weakness was one on one defense . . but his style was to gaurd the entire opposing team (mainly passing lanes and double teams) . He starts at pg on my all time team. I would know.
great comment. Stockton's reputation on defense is hampered mostly by his performance past about 1999, where he clearly lost a step athletically. But he could still run the offense like he used to. People dont understand that Stockton didnt't start full time until he was 25 years old. He was still an adequate defender into the early 2000s
The game is different now and I'm sure he would need (and would be very capable of) adapting. Stockton was hyper focused to the point that he admits he didn't hear a lot of the trash talk going on around him. Whether it was his defense or his ball handling, the legend has it that he had really big hands for such an average-sized guy. People can debate how much that may have been a factor.
What do you mean more "length" now? Average height peaked in late 80s , and plateaud out from 1990 till about 2010.. then since has been dropping... especially in last 5 years or so.. now average height is lower than Stocktons active playing days. But great to see this guy being recognized.
Thanks for the comment! So basically, what I’m referring to is that there are way more lengthy players switching onto smaller players these days in pick and rolls because they are more capable to hang with them at the top. While offensive players are craftier now to deal with that, on defense, those high-end frontcourt defenders are lessening mismatch opportunities for them. For example, in 2013-14, the most switches that occurred in on-ball picks by a team was around 800 for the entire season. There are already 22 teams that have done that more this season and we still have about 14/15/16 games left. This is why the best defenders in the league right now are generally the 3s, 4s and 5s that can guard multiple positions (examples being Anunoby, Herb, McDaniels, Bam, Mobley, Isaac, Leonard, Kuminga, Barnes, AD, etc.). While there are still very good guard defenders (Jrue, SGA, Caruso, Bev, etc.), their lack of length compared to the aforementioned group lessens their overall effect on the game.
Unfortunately, as a Lakers fan, I remember being sent home by a Stockton 3-pointer also. Edit: as a modern day comparison, I'd say Trae Young with better defense.
Prime Stockton would undoubtedly excel in today's game. On offense, the green light to shoot would open up his underutilized shooting. His ability to finish around the rim would be phenomenal in today's wide-open lanes,. A guy like CP3 has notably had finishing around the rim as his major weakness, but that wouldn't be an issue with Stockton, despite his lack of length and athleticism. Stockton was also great moving with or without the ball and navigating the rudimentary version of what is now the foundational form of modern offense. On defense, we see that CP3 was noted as a solid defender during his Lob City days despite his size and lack of athleticism, and similarly sized Stockton would likely follow the same path defensively. In a league where point of attack defenders are at a premium, and little guys like Jose Alvarado often succeed in that role, Stockton's defense would be a great fit. Alvarado is actually a great current comparison to Stockton's defensive skill-set.
@@krisharkleroad8 I'm referencing the point made in the video. Yes, compared to me, they're tremendous athletes. Compared to guys who can jump out of the gym, they're not.
@@timl9724 Stockton is an elite athlete with many gifts. Among them great hands, quickness, and physical toughness. Also tremendous stamina. You could not cook up a better point guard than him
Hoping to do a bunch of former players, especially throughout the summer months, so perhaps Dominique could be among them..still figuring out which players to focus on
I hate this "He's too small to play in today's NBA" while the NBA is loaded with so-called small guys: Trae Young, Chris Paul Donovan Mitchell (6'1), Jalen Brunson, Kyrie Irving (6'2) Dame (6'2) people need to knock it off with that rhetoric...if you can play, you can play end of discussion.
Stockton sucks n blows as an all-time great... Utah gets an elevation advantage that nobody mentions, its not as extreme as Denver but still unfair... in the early 1990s Stockton would get barbecued in the playoffs by less historic PGs (Kevin Johnson, Terry Porter) then averaged 9.7ppg in the '98 Finals...
Stop the madness! He played against Isaiah, Magic, Payton, Kidd, Iverson, Nash, etc. Steals leader! Let's look at another former Jazz PG. The 6'1" Donovan Mitchell. Too small for todays NBA! lol
Спорт
I appreciate you taking the time to look at Stockton's skills. During his playing career, he wasn't flashy like the other players. He seemed more like he came from the 50's and 60's era. He was unselfish, physical, smart, and tough. I remember Stockton getting into it with Jordan and not backing down. Nothing but respect for John Stockton.
Stockton looked and was way better then those dudes🤦🏿
Having lived in the Salt Lake Valley for 35 years and attending over 200 Jazz games, I can tell you the John was the greatest passer I ever saw on any team. On defense he was a pickpocket and they scored on the vast majority of his steals. I know I'm biased to a degree, but I'd like to know who was consistently a better passer than John because I haven't seen one yet, and today's players don't have the fundamentals it takes to break his assists or steals records. Unlike Allen Iverson (I'd say right there with John as best ever at the 1), John didn't have to score, he could focus on running Sloan's set offense. In 19 seasons in the NBA, Stockton averaged 13 points 10.5 assists, and 2.7 rebounds on 51% shooting. 51%. A guard. Wilt Chamberlain said if he would have had John as his point guard he would have averaged 75 points a game and I don't think that's wrong. OK, maybe 70.😉I was there when Denis Rodman, stuck out his knee and nailed John's thigh while slicing through the key and John went after him while the refs pulled Rodman away. John didn't back down from anyone.
Great points!
I love your stuff More old school film analysis like this and the Barkley one please. I would love one on Clyde drexler
Appreciate the comment!
I always felt if there was one player that I would love to learn from, it would be Stockton. Efficient, durable, excellent court vision both offensively and defensively. He was a remarkable player.
Stockton's ability to place the ball exactly where you could do something with it was absolutely impressive.
Players like Stockton have tremendous heart and toughness and know how to play the game and can be successful in any era. I'd much rather take a mediocre athlete who knows how to play basketball than a phenomenal athlete who doesn't.
3 players have 1000 assists in a season
2 of them did it once, Stockton did it 7 times.
At a time where assists weren't tallied as easily as they are today.
John Stockton was the greatest and No 1 PG that ever played the game of basketball in the NBA (At least for those players that I have been able to watch in my lifetime). Most would say Magic, but they don't fully understand the game of basketball. While Magic was great with the ball, he wasn't a true PG. Magic was a Point-F, perhaps the first PF. But it's a toss up on whom you would choose. For those choosing anyone other than these 2, they must have never watched them play. Stockton wasn't a flashy player, but he may have also been the must fundamental PG to have ever played.
Stockton is grossly underrated.
I Am the Guru of sports.
John Stockton is the best pg the pros have ever seen.
He got both his records IN LESS GAMES than it took the previous record holders ( Magic and Cheeks) so it wasnt just his longevity.
No one has ever gaurded the passing lanes as good as him.
Only Alvin Robertson (short career) was argueably a better stealer.
He is NOT a highlight film guy .
The beauty of watching his game was seeing his transition between offense and defense . . not missing a beat.
His only suposed weakness was one on one defense . . but his style was to gaurd the entire opposing team (mainly passing lanes and double teams) .
He starts at pg on my all time team.
I would know.
great comment. Stockton's reputation on defense is hampered mostly by his performance past about 1999, where he clearly lost a step athletically. But he could still run the offense like he used to. People dont understand that Stockton didnt't start full time until he was 25 years old. He was still an adequate defender into the early 2000s
The game is different now and I'm sure he would need (and would be very capable of) adapting. Stockton was hyper focused to the point that he admits he didn't hear a lot of the trash talk going on around him.
Whether it was his defense or his ball handling, the legend has it that he had really big hands for such an average-sized guy. People can debate how much that may have been a factor.
He could palm the ball off the dribble.
He did, at 6'1" he could palm the ball.
Still holds the records for steals and assists.
average height of an NBA point guard in 2024 is 6'2. The average NBA player is 6'6.3'' tall and has never been shorter over the past 39 seasons.
I think would do great in today’s game. Possibly like CP3 without the Scott foster beef 😂😂😂😂
What do you mean more "length" now?
Average height peaked in late 80s , and plateaud out from 1990 till about 2010.. then since has been dropping... especially in last 5 years or so.. now average height is lower than Stocktons active playing days.
But great to see this guy being recognized.
Thanks for the comment! So basically, what I’m referring to is that there are way more lengthy players switching onto smaller players these days in pick and rolls because they are more capable to hang with them at the top. While offensive players are craftier now to deal with that, on defense, those high-end frontcourt defenders are lessening mismatch opportunities for them. For example, in 2013-14, the most switches that occurred in on-ball picks by a team was around 800 for the entire season. There are already 22 teams that have done that more this season and we still have about 14/15/16 games left. This is why the best defenders in the league right now are generally the 3s, 4s and 5s that can guard multiple positions (examples being Anunoby, Herb, McDaniels, Bam, Mobley, Isaac, Leonard, Kuminga, Barnes, AD, etc.). While there are still very good guard defenders (Jrue, SGA, Caruso, Bev, etc.), their lack of length compared to the aforementioned group lessens their overall effect on the game.
Unfortunately, as a Lakers fan, I remember being sent home by a Stockton 3-pointer also. Edit: as a modern day comparison, I'd say Trae Young with better defense.
Prime Stockton would undoubtedly excel in today's game. On offense, the green light to shoot would open up his underutilized shooting. His ability to finish around the rim would be phenomenal in today's wide-open lanes,. A guy like CP3 has notably had finishing around the rim as his major weakness, but that wouldn't be an issue with Stockton, despite his lack of length and athleticism. Stockton was also great moving with or without the ball and navigating the rudimentary version of what is now the foundational form of modern offense. On defense, we see that CP3 was noted as a solid defender during his Lob City days despite his size and lack of athleticism, and similarly sized Stockton would likely follow the same path defensively. In a league where point of attack defenders are at a premium, and little guys like Jose Alvarado often succeed in that role, Stockton's defense would be a great fit. Alvarado is actually a great current comparison to Stockton's defensive skill-set.
Lack of athleticism? CP3 as well. You're crazy. Both are great athletes.
@@krisharkleroad8 I'm referencing the point made in the video. Yes, compared to me, they're tremendous athletes. Compared to guys who can jump out of the gym, they're not.
@@timl9724 Stockton is an elite athlete with many gifts. Among them great hands, quickness, and physical toughness. Also tremendous stamina. You could not cook up a better point guard than him
Could you analyze how Dominique's game changed after he ruptured his Achilles?
Hoping to do a bunch of former players, especially throughout the summer months, so perhaps Dominique could be among them..still figuring out which players to focus on
@@josh_cohen_nba Looking forward to that!
I hate this "He's too small to play in today's NBA" while the NBA is loaded with so-called small guys: Trae Young, Chris Paul Donovan Mitchell (6'1), Jalen Brunson, Kyrie Irving (6'2) Dame (6'2) people need to knock it off with that rhetoric...if you can play, you can play end of discussion.
I liked Karl malone...but as one of the strongest men in the NBA he flopped way too much.
Stockton sucks n blows as an all-time great... Utah gets an elevation advantage that nobody mentions, its not as extreme as Denver but still unfair... in the early 1990s Stockton would get barbecued in the playoffs by less historic PGs (Kevin Johnson, Terry Porter) then averaged 9.7ppg in the '98 Finals...
Stop the madness!
He played against Isaiah, Magic, Payton, Kidd, Iverson, Nash, etc. Steals leader!
Let's look at another former Jazz PG. The 6'1" Donovan Mitchell.
Too small for todays NBA!
lol