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Why John Stockton is actually good at Basketball (Hot Take)
Twitter has driven a narrative lacking any context that John Stockton is overrated. That simply isn't true. John Stockton is one of the smartest players to ever touch the court along with being incredibly efficient and being the most durable player ever.
First, let's address the worst out of all these narratives. The 1998 Finals. Yes he was bad, and yes he had 2 points in a game. His team only scored 56 points in that game too
But what no one mentions is that he was 36 years old. He was old, that wasn't in his peak.
But what no one mentions is that he was 36 years old. He was old, that wasn't in his peak.
Other Point Guards at 36:
Magic: Played 26 games after 4 years out
Oscar: Retired
West: Retired
Zeke: Retired
Frazier: Retired
Kidd: Averaged 10 and 9 as an All-Star
Chauncey: Clippers bench warmer
Payton: Averaged 11ppg
Stockton played for 5 more years after.
Magic: Played 26 games after 4 years out
Oscar: Retired
West: Retired
Zeke: Retired
Frazier: Retired
Kidd: Averaged 10 and 9 as an All-Star
Chauncey: Clippers bench warmer
Payton: Averaged 11ppg
Stockton played for 5 more years after.
His longevity is unmatched by no one other than Nash as a PG.
Averaged at least 10 and 8 14/18 years
Playoffs 18/18 years
Assist champ 9/18 years
Played every game 16/18 times
Missed 22 games in his entire 18 career
He owns all point guards in longevity.
Averaged at least 10 and 8 14/18 years Playoffs 18/18 years Assist champ 9/18 years Played every game 16/18 times Missed 22 games in his entire 18 careerHe owns all point guards in longevity.
Not only that, but his peak is legendary too.
It's hard to pick a peak, but I chose 1989-1993 as his 5 year peak. (PIPM data on the graph)
It's hard to pick a peak, but I chose 1989-1993 as his 5 year peak. (PIPM data on the graph)
Stockton benefited a lot from Karl. His assists are advanced metrics are inflated due to how much he was used in the Malone pick and roll.
But here is an interesting stat, if you were to remove every one of Stockton's assists to Malone, he'd still have the most assists ever.
But here is an interesting stat, if you were to remove every one of Stockton's assists to Malone, he'd still have the most assists ever.
Stockton didn't just dump the ball to Malone. There's a few cases like that, but there is with every player.
He was a great playmaker tho, not just dumping it to Karl. I don't like using highlights but he was very creative as a passer
He was a great playmaker tho, not just dumping it to Karl. I don't like using highlights but he was very creative as a passer
Next. These 3 graphics that are used to make Stockton a "playoff choker". They show Stockton's few bad playoff series and are used by casuals to make him out as a choker. These shitty graphics don't even include TS%
Yes, Stockton in his 18 year career had 2 bad playoff series.
Yes, Stockton in his 18 year career had 2 bad playoff series.
They have no real arguments behind them tho because I can do the exact same and make him out as a top playoff performer ever. Look ay my graphics. Stockton is my GOAT
The Stockton overrated agenda has nothing backing it. I could make those surface level arguments for any point guard ever
Oscar Robertson averaged 12 and 8 on 47.6 TS% in the 1974 NBA finals. He had 6 points in two of those games. Why is that not mentioned but 98' is?
Oscar Robertson averaged 12 and 8 on 47.6 TS% in the 1974 NBA finals. He had 6 points in two of those games. Why is that not mentioned but 98' is?
Let's judge a player with context instead of nitpicking 3 highlights and 4 playoff series
Stockton had the most durable career ever, one of the greatest facilitators to ever touch the floor. He is without question a top 50 player and a top 10 point guard.
Stockton had the most durable career ever, one of the greatest facilitators to ever touch the floor. He is without question a top 50 player and a top 10 point guard.
juice @Tanner_McTanner
