Recently, my morning commute consisted of a DJ that disgusted me for the whole day. During a diatribe, the DJ, in comparing the original 1992 USA Basketball "Dream Team" and its more recent reincarnation as the "Redeem Team", dismissed John Stockton as an inferior point guard to Chris Paul, an up-and-comer who just finished his third season in the league.
I nearly pulled over and vomited.
It's not just the guys who get paid to speak in hyperbole who have lost the greatness of John Stockton. My Stockton may choose to eventually go by his middle name, because of the three namesake-understanding / acknowledging responses:
1) Ugh.
2) Dirty.
3) Short shorts.
If you are wondering, the proper three responses would be:
1) Best.
2) point guard.
3) ever.
If you define a point guard based on his ability to initiate his team's offensive attack and disrupt that of the opponents - this is not an argument. Stockton is is first all-time in assists (15,806!) and steals (3,265). Stockton averaged averaged a double-double for his career and had five of the top six assist total seasons in NBA history. For comparison's sake, Steve Nash won back-to-back MVPs averaging FEWER points and FEWER assists in a season than Stockton did over two seasons (88-89 / 89-90)! Over three seasons, Stockton AVERAGES over 17 points and 14 dimes PER GAME.
Although this post is starting to sound like psycho-fan-boy, it should be noted that Stockton turned down more money from other teams to stay in Utah, holds the career record for most games with a single franchise, took less money so Utah could build a contender in 96-97, and negotiated his own contract with a stipulation for his son's hockey team to get ice time in the Jazz arena. Stockton didn't accept endorsements and never sniffed trouble off the court.
Don't confuse Stockton's moxie-filled fighting through and setting screens with Malone's angry elbows. Don't mistake Stockton's tenacity with Malone's pointed toes. And finally, don't confuse the "new" guard as better than Silent John until they are looking down on him from atop the all-time assist list.
Dig those "mountain" jackets.
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5 comments:
No comparison. Ridiculous to even mention the two in the same sentence.
Nash, yes, Paul no.
...although the jury is still out on Nash's longevity.
Nash is currently my favorite NBA player because he reminds me of Stockton...except Stockton in a good mood. Ha ha.
I can get with that.
The sentence could be something like this...Despite his brilliance, Nash is still 9000 assists away from Stockton.
;)
you just had to use your favorite word in there didnt you bro?
MOXIE
you musta been real heated...
I thought about writing a blog on my favorite words - i just decided to use them instead ;)
good spot - i'm impressed
I noticed it, too!! Totally!!
And of course, every time I see/hear you use that word, I think of that word being posted in your office.
I would, for the record, LOVE to see a post of your favorite words.
And I might add, you are the most loyal fan I know.
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