SuperCyrix
Platinum Member
40 reasons to love John Stockton
1. Wardrobe. Stockton has been sporting khaki pants, a golf shirt, a windbreaker and sneakers his entire career.
2. Mr. Unassuming. After Stockton broke Magic Johnson's career assists record in 1995, Stockton was icing his knees in the trainer's room while media members waited for him. As Jazz public relations staffers pleaded with Stockton to come out for interviews, Stockton said, "Aw, let Karl (Malone) talk to them. He's the one who scored all the points."
3. Mr. Unassuming, part II. When Stockton was drafted, Jazz broadcaster Rod Hundley had him on a conference call. Fans did not like the pick and booed. When Stockton asked if they were booing him, Hundley said, "No, they're saying, 'Who?'"
4. Mr. Unassuming, part III. When the Jazz put up a banner counting down to the assists record, Stockton asked that it be taken down.
5. Family. Before Jazz home games, Stockton's kids are on hand near the Utah bench to wish their dad good luck.
6. Always on time. Depending on the Jazz's situation, Stockton can make two minutes seem like two seconds, or an eternity.
7. Always on time, part II. He is one of the few players who, when playing defense, keeps his eye on the 24-second clock above the opposite basket.
8. Underhandedness. The Kings' Bobby Jackson says, "I get the ball at the top of the key, and he is bumping and bumping and grabbing the whole time. He gets away with a lot of stuff I know I can't get away with."
9. Picks. Stockton sets fierce ones. Remember when Dennis Rodman was suspended in the 1994 playoffs for planting a knee in Stockton's hip? That followed a Stockton pick.
10. Picks, part II. Remember when the Rockets sent tapes of Stockton to the commissioner's office in the 1997 playoffs? Again, the picks.
11. 1997 conference finals. Stockton's 3-pointer to beat the buzzer -- and the Rockets -- in the Western Conference finals is the most memorable of his clutch shots.
12. Houston. Stockton is hated there, but Houston happens to be his middle name.
13. Playoffs. If the Jazz make the postseason, Stockton will be in the playoffs for the 18th straight year, an NBA record.
14. Game 1, 1998 Finals. Stockton scored seven points in overtime to beat the Bulls.
15. May 14, 1999. With the Jazz on the verge of playoff elimination in the first round against the Kings, Stockton sank a 22-footer to give Utah a 90-89 win.
16. References. Bob Cousy says he is the best ever. Enough said.
17. 15,038 assists. Next on the list? Johnson at 10,141. "I think we all gave up on breaking that record," says the Rockets' Steve Francis.
18. Steals. 3,100 and counting, also an NBA record.
19. Shooting. In his career, Stockton has made 51.6 percent of his shots, fourth-best among guards.
20. 912-518. That is the Jazz's record since drafting Stockton.
21. 313-507. The Jazz, pre-Stockton.
22. Durability. If Stockton plays 82 games this season, it will be for a record 15th time.
23. Durability, part II. The Jazz have been on the floor for 69,000 minutes in the past 18 seasons. Stockton has been on the floor for 45,028 of those minutes, or 65.3 percent of the time.
24. Prankster. When the Jazz wins in Canada, Stockton sings "O, Canada," for the team's bus driver.
25. Prankster, part II. If the bus is waiting for one player after a Jazz win, Stockton typically yells to coach Jerry Sloan, "Come on, Jerry, forget him, we don't need him." When the player finally arrives, Stockton says, "Hey, all these guys wanted to leave without you, but I made them wait."
26. Prankster, part III. In the days of commercial team flights, an airport security guard pulled Stockton aside while the Jazz was boarding a plane and said, "Hey, look, there's Karl Malone." Stockton said, "Think I should get an autograph?"
27. Wordsmith. Stockton is a crossword puzzle junkie.
28. Intensity. "I sit next to him on the bus before games," says Hundley. "Everybody knows to leave him alone."
29. Halfcourt bounce passes. No one does it better.
30. Short shorts. Shaq's favorites.
31. Olympics. He was passed over by coach Bob Knight in 1984 but later won two golds.
32. 1993 All-Star Game. Stockton and Malone shared the MVP award in Salt Lake City. Malone made 11 field goals, with Stockton assisting on seven of them.
33. Hands. Stockton has disproportionately long fingers, allowing him to palm the ball out of a dribble.
34. Conditioning. Stockton carries only four percent body fat.
35. 6-1, 175. Those were Stockton's dimensions when he was drafted in 1984. Those are still Stockton's dimensions.
36. Stability. Stockton's career transactions read like this: Drafted by the Jazz in 1984. Re-signed by the Jazz in 1986, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1999 and 2001.
37. Spokane. Stockton grew up there, went to college (Gonzaga) there and owns a house in his old neighborhood.
38. Timing. "He makes so many passes that look easy, but you have to realize, if you don't pass it at the right moment, it does not look so easy," says a Western Conference scout.
39. Obligation. In 2000, the Jazz was in Lansing, Mich., to face the Pistons, but Stockton was having pregame trouble because his knee locked up. Stockton told Sloan that people had paid to be at the game, so he would play through it. The kicker: It was an exhibition.
40. Rehab. When Stockton had knee surgery in October 1997, his return date was set at sometime between Dec. 8 and Jan. 5. Stockton returned Dec. 8.
1. Wardrobe. Stockton has been sporting khaki pants, a golf shirt, a windbreaker and sneakers his entire career.
2. Mr. Unassuming. After Stockton broke Magic Johnson's career assists record in 1995, Stockton was icing his knees in the trainer's room while media members waited for him. As Jazz public relations staffers pleaded with Stockton to come out for interviews, Stockton said, "Aw, let Karl (Malone) talk to them. He's the one who scored all the points."
3. Mr. Unassuming, part II. When Stockton was drafted, Jazz broadcaster Rod Hundley had him on a conference call. Fans did not like the pick and booed. When Stockton asked if they were booing him, Hundley said, "No, they're saying, 'Who?'"
4. Mr. Unassuming, part III. When the Jazz put up a banner counting down to the assists record, Stockton asked that it be taken down.
5. Family. Before Jazz home games, Stockton's kids are on hand near the Utah bench to wish their dad good luck.
6. Always on time. Depending on the Jazz's situation, Stockton can make two minutes seem like two seconds, or an eternity.
7. Always on time, part II. He is one of the few players who, when playing defense, keeps his eye on the 24-second clock above the opposite basket.
8. Underhandedness. The Kings' Bobby Jackson says, "I get the ball at the top of the key, and he is bumping and bumping and grabbing the whole time. He gets away with a lot of stuff I know I can't get away with."
9. Picks. Stockton sets fierce ones. Remember when Dennis Rodman was suspended in the 1994 playoffs for planting a knee in Stockton's hip? That followed a Stockton pick.
10. Picks, part II. Remember when the Rockets sent tapes of Stockton to the commissioner's office in the 1997 playoffs? Again, the picks.
11. 1997 conference finals. Stockton's 3-pointer to beat the buzzer -- and the Rockets -- in the Western Conference finals is the most memorable of his clutch shots.
12. Houston. Stockton is hated there, but Houston happens to be his middle name.
13. Playoffs. If the Jazz make the postseason, Stockton will be in the playoffs for the 18th straight year, an NBA record.
14. Game 1, 1998 Finals. Stockton scored seven points in overtime to beat the Bulls.
15. May 14, 1999. With the Jazz on the verge of playoff elimination in the first round against the Kings, Stockton sank a 22-footer to give Utah a 90-89 win.
16. References. Bob Cousy says he is the best ever. Enough said.
17. 15,038 assists. Next on the list? Johnson at 10,141. "I think we all gave up on breaking that record," says the Rockets' Steve Francis.
18. Steals. 3,100 and counting, also an NBA record.
19. Shooting. In his career, Stockton has made 51.6 percent of his shots, fourth-best among guards.
20. 912-518. That is the Jazz's record since drafting Stockton.
21. 313-507. The Jazz, pre-Stockton.
22. Durability. If Stockton plays 82 games this season, it will be for a record 15th time.
23. Durability, part II. The Jazz have been on the floor for 69,000 minutes in the past 18 seasons. Stockton has been on the floor for 45,028 of those minutes, or 65.3 percent of the time.
24. Prankster. When the Jazz wins in Canada, Stockton sings "O, Canada," for the team's bus driver.
25. Prankster, part II. If the bus is waiting for one player after a Jazz win, Stockton typically yells to coach Jerry Sloan, "Come on, Jerry, forget him, we don't need him." When the player finally arrives, Stockton says, "Hey, all these guys wanted to leave without you, but I made them wait."
26. Prankster, part III. In the days of commercial team flights, an airport security guard pulled Stockton aside while the Jazz was boarding a plane and said, "Hey, look, there's Karl Malone." Stockton said, "Think I should get an autograph?"
27. Wordsmith. Stockton is a crossword puzzle junkie.
28. Intensity. "I sit next to him on the bus before games," says Hundley. "Everybody knows to leave him alone."
29. Halfcourt bounce passes. No one does it better.
30. Short shorts. Shaq's favorites.
31. Olympics. He was passed over by coach Bob Knight in 1984 but later won two golds.
32. 1993 All-Star Game. Stockton and Malone shared the MVP award in Salt Lake City. Malone made 11 field goals, with Stockton assisting on seven of them.
33. Hands. Stockton has disproportionately long fingers, allowing him to palm the ball out of a dribble.
34. Conditioning. Stockton carries only four percent body fat.
35. 6-1, 175. Those were Stockton's dimensions when he was drafted in 1984. Those are still Stockton's dimensions.
36. Stability. Stockton's career transactions read like this: Drafted by the Jazz in 1984. Re-signed by the Jazz in 1986, 1989, 1990, 1996, 1999 and 2001.
37. Spokane. Stockton grew up there, went to college (Gonzaga) there and owns a house in his old neighborhood.
38. Timing. "He makes so many passes that look easy, but you have to realize, if you don't pass it at the right moment, it does not look so easy," says a Western Conference scout.
39. Obligation. In 2000, the Jazz was in Lansing, Mich., to face the Pistons, but Stockton was having pregame trouble because his knee locked up. Stockton told Sloan that people had paid to be at the game, so he would play through it. The kicker: It was an exhibition.
40. Rehab. When Stockton had knee surgery in October 1997, his return date was set at sometime between Dec. 8 and Jan. 5. Stockton returned Dec. 8.
