- Gary Payton, a former NBA star, declares John Stockton as the greatest point guard ever
- Stockton’s unparalleled records and lasting legacy redefine the role of a point guard
- The Utah Jazz legend’s court vision and selflessness set a standard for basketball excellence
Over the years, we have seen some legendary point guards who have redefined the game. Magic Johnson ignited the Showtime era in LA, while Stephen Curry ignited the 3-point revolution, which changed basketball. These are just some of the greatest PGs that we have seen over the years.
But former NBA Star Gary Payton had a surprising take on how is the greatest ever. In an interview with Vladimir Lyubovny at VladTV, Payton opened on the Greatest PG ever:
“I just consider myself one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game. I don’t care about who was the greatest or whatever.”
“In my opinion, John Stockton was the greatest point guard to ever play. That’s my opinion. Then it’s Magic and all of them.”
That’s a very surprising take but John Stockton does have the resume to back it up. Even though he never won a title, his records still stand to this day.
With 15,806 career assists and 3,265 steals, he remains unchallenged in these statistical categories. He averaged 13.1 PPG and 10.5 APG while shooting 51% from the field. He is one of the two players who averaged over 10 assists a game for their entire career, with the other being the Lakers Legend Magic Johnson.
Gary Payton Says John Stockton Was Harder To Guard Than Michael Jordan
Gary Payton is no stranger to wild takes and he even once said that John Stockton was harder to guard than Michael Jordan. MJ was often hailed as the toughest matchup ever, but Payton doesn’t seem to think that’s the case.
While Payton said Michael Jordan and LeBron James are basketball royalty, he believed that guarding Stockton was a completely unique experience. Jordan’s unparalleled scoring ability and LeBron’s versatility were undoubtedly intimidating, but Stockton’s unique style made him an even tougher cover for Payton. Stockton’s quick movements, change of direction, and ball-handling made it difficult for defenders to anticipate his next move.
In an era where flashy scoring and offensive domination often take center stage, Payton’s choice shows the importance of the art of defense. Stockton’s ability to disrupt plays, force turnovers, and make opponents uncomfortable showed his greatness.
Payton’s choice may have few takers, but Stockton does make an excellent case for himself with a stellar resume. He may not have a title to back it up, but his skills were one of a kind.
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