Stockton

[whottt]

I've been an NBA fan since the late 70's, a hardcore fan since the late 80's. I have been following fairly closely for most of Stockton's career...


As of this speech the number of words I have now seen him say has been increased by like a 1000 to the third power.


I've never seen the guy say more than 3 or 4 words at a time before this speech. I almost thought he was mute.


Anyway, he had a good speech and it was funny, too bad Karl Malone wasn't there. Those were two guys that definitely should have gone into the Hall together.

[duncan228]

He did speak well. I liked the "no offense" to Duncan with the "greatest power forward" thing. :lol

Malone's eligible next year, right?

[whottt]

Ya...he'll go in next year

[Mark in Austin]

Congrats to Stockton. And to Sloan. They get a one day pass from this Spurs fan's animosity.

Some rivalries will always run deep. So tomorrow, I will be back to saying...

Fuck Stockton. Fuck Sloan. & Fuck Karl Malone too.

[bdictjames]

I didn't hear the speech.

[Nathan Explosion]

Congrats to Stockton. And to Sloan. They get a one day pass from this Spurs fan's animosity.

Some rivalries will always run deep. So tomorrow, I will be back to saying...

Fuck Stockton. Fuck Sloan. & Fuck Karl Malone too.

Nah, I respect the hell out of Stockton and Sloan. Both guys got it done (Stockton being a bit dirty).

However, there is no reprieve for the "Fuck Malone" bus. I'm driving that bus every day for the rest of my life. I was one of the few that didn't want Malone on our team and I'm glad the guy never won a title.

[EricB]

Jerry Sloan never gets a "fuck sloan" out of me.

Always a class coach, and IMO one of the most underrated coaches of all time.

[raspsa]

I like Sloan too.. old school coach.. I think of him as Pop with the rough edges and elbows.

[EricB]

I like Sloan too.. old school coach.. I think of him as Pop with the rough edges and elbows.

Pop pretty much copied the Jazz so good comparison.

Although I think Pop is better in coach player relations, Sloan still seems a bit too hardass to change to go with the times.

[Kori Ellis]

John Stockton's speech was very good and funny. He's such a private guy and is very non-involved with the Jazz organization.

[timvp]

I've been an NBA fan since the late 70's, a hardcore fan since the late 80's. I have been following fairly closely for most of Stockton's career...


As of this speech the number of words I have now seen him say has been increased by like a 1000 to the third power.


I've never seen the guy say more than 3 or 4 words at a time before this speech. I almost thought he was mute.

:lol Exactly. I was shocked his speech lasted longer than 30 seconds. Stockton never said anything during his NBA career.

When he walked off the stage I told Kori that was the last time Stockton will ever talk in front of a camera again. He's someone who will just disappear -- even though he'd get a coaching or front office job in a second.




And yeah, I always hated Karl Malone but Stockton always had my respect. He was tough as nails, humble, quiet and just played as hard as possible to win. Can't hate him for that.

Ditto with Sloan. I know Pop coached under legends but I've always thought that he copied Sloan's coaching style. He's nothing like LB or Nelly but he's pretty much like a twin of Sloan. From how to take a workmanlike approach to the game, to treating all players the same, to not taking any credit ever, to realizing basketball is just a game to putting nothing above winning -- Sloan has always seemed like Pop's idol. Even in the early years of the Pop Era, he'd always talk about how the Jazz are the ultimate role model of how a team should operate. In a weird way it was appropriate that Robinson went in with Sloan and Stockton because the Spurs kind of took the Jazz's model of how to go about trying to win and took it all the way to the top.

[EricB]

John Stockton's speech was very good and funny. He's such a private guy and is very non-involved with the Jazz organization.

Yeah he's pretty much RETIRED. I mean gone into hardcore seclusion. Although I think he still and goes and worksout with Gonzaga's team and worked with Adam Morrison for a while.

[EricB]

:lol Exactly. I was shocked his speech lasted longer than 30 seconds. Stockton never said anything during his NBA career.

When he walked off the stage I told Kori that was the last time Stockton will ever talk in front of a camera again. He's someone who will just disappear -- even though he'd get a coaching or front office job in a second.




And yeah, I always hated Karl Malone but Stockton always had my respect. He was tough as nails, humble, quiet and just played as hard as possible to win. Can't hate him for that.

Ditto with Sloan. I know Pop coached under legends but I've always thought that he copied Sloan's coaching style. He's nothing like LB or Nelly but he's pretty much like a twin of Sloan. From how to take a workmanlike approach to the game, to treating all players the same, to not taking any credit ever, to realizing basketball is just a game to putting nothing above winning -- Sloan has always seemed like Pop's idol. Even in the early years of the Pop Era, he'd always talk about how the Jazz are the ultimate role model of how a team should operate. In a weird way it was appropriate that Robinson went in with Sloan and Stockton because the Spurs kind of took the Jazz's model of how to go about trying to win and took it all the way to the top.

Yeah and in retrospect we used to say Stockton was dirty when he really wasn't. He was just a damn damn good basketball player who was also a damn pest.

Wonder who that sounds like ;)

[Admiral]

As I watched Stockton give his speech tonight, I realized that I don't remember ever hearing him talk. I'm sure I have heard a brief sound bite from him a time or two, but I would not have recognized his voice if I had just heard him and not seen him. :lol

I thought his speech was good. He did a nice job mixing serious "thank yous" with some well-placed humor. I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the life of a guy who has always been so ultra-private. He was an amazing point guard. If I were starting a team, and could pick any point guard, he would probably be my choice.

[baseline bum]

Anyway, he had a good speech and it was funny, too bad Karl Malone wasn't there. Those were two guys that definitely should have gone into the Hall together.

Shit happens when you try to gravy train Shaq & Kobe to a ring. I for one am glad as hell that POS didn't get to go to the hall with David.

[baseline bum]

Too bad Malone choked away Stockton's and Sloan's chance for a title.

[EricB]

Too bad Malone choked away Stockton's and Sloan's chance for a title.

This.

[bigfan]

With the exception of one or two incidents that pissed me off I have to say I always respected Stockton/Malone and Sloan. They were a noble foe, not full of hot air like the Lakers or PHX or whoever, and over the years it was a damn good rivalry. All three of those guys belong in the HoF.

[FromWayDowntown]

I agree with the chorus who has a significant respect for Stockton and particularly for Jerry Sloan. It's somehow more appropriate to me that Sloan went in with Stockton, who seemed like an extension of Jerry Sloan (the player) on the court.

I remember that in 1999, the whole idea of building the Spurs was to beat the maddeningly invincible Jazz that Jerry Sloan had created and I think that when Pop was able to put together a team that played with the same sort of tenacity and toughness that those Malone/Stockton/Sloan Jazz teams had in the late 90's, the respect in the rivalry grew exponentially. I've long thought that the lone thing detracting from the perfection of the 1999 title run was the fact that the Blazers beat the Jazz in the WCSF, depriving that Spurs team of the opportunity to beat that Jazz team in a playoff series. But for anyone who remembers that far back, the win in SLC in late April or early May of 1999, followed by Duncan's tour-de-force performance at home on a Sunday afternoon at the Alamodome, on national TV, to give the Spurs the opening they needed to win the Midwest Division that year were the first hints that 1999 was going to be remarkable and special.

Sloan has done nothing but show the Spurs, Pop, and Duncan immense respect ever since and seems to go out of his way to praise the Spurs for playing the right way. Somehow, as a Spurs fan, that's about the highest praise that any coach of any opposing team could ever show my team.

[newacc]

Yeah and in retrospect we used to say Stockton was dirty when he really wasn't. He was just a damn damn good basketball player who was also a damn pest.

Wonder who that sounds like ;)

Stockton was dirty. One of the greats, but definitely dirty.

I wished he would have been paired with David instead of Malone though.

[whottt]

Yeah and in retrospect we used to say Stockton was dirty when he really wasn't. He was just a damn damn good basketball player who was also a damn pest.

Wonder who that sounds like ;)

Stockton was definitely dirty but it wasn't in the same way a lot of guys are accused of being dirty...his dirtyness wasn't so much that he was trying to end guys careers like Malone was, but he would cheat and break the rules and he did get his physical shots in.

It's not just us that said he was dirty, at one point he was voted the most dirty player in the NBA. And Jordan and Barlkley were the guys leading that charge. The guys that said he was dirty were like a murderers row of the best player in the NBA, big dudes and it was funny listening to these big huge guys call little Stockton out like he was a bully. They complained him about him a lot more than they did Malone.

And he never said a word back to them.

And David nailed it on Stockton...it's hilarious because he looks like a choirboy when he really he's one of the most cuthroat competitors to ever step foot on the basketball court.


I still don't like the Jazz, Sloan, Malone, Stockton, none of em...I just respect them, they were a tough tough opponent.

The only praise I really have for Stockton is that even when the Jazz were the team I hated more than I have ever hated any other sports team...at the peak of the misery they inflicted on SpursFans....

I'd have taken John Stockton on the Spurs in a second. He was the player I wanted the Spurs to get over any other. He's just one of those guys that commands respect by his deameanor or something...he's always had guys like Magic and Jordan singling him out as being one of the toughest players to play against.

[ducks]

Jerry Sloan never gets a "fuck sloan" out of me.

Always a class coach, and IMO one of the most underrated coaches of all time.

why he has done latetly with a talented jazz team
never won a title either

[newacc]

Semi-funny video considering it's Stockton:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEmacNvCj4A


Best PG there will ever be:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbqdxlZr4_0


Sucks because the Hall of Fame induction of Stockton, Robinson, and Jordan closes a different era in basketball.

Rivalries were fierce. Stars came to play every game. Playoffs had unmatched intensity. Just not the same today.

As for Stockton, most of the games I saw of him were when he played the Spurs. I couldn't stand him and I thought he was won of the biggest cheaters of all time.

His elbows may not have been as sharp as Mutombo's but I'll bet he inflicted more damage on screens than almost anybody else in NBA history. Nevertheless, it sucks that he is gone because he brought a personal brand of basketball that will probably never exist again.

John Stockton = Practice. Play Basketball. Shut the hell up.

He never sought to extend himself beyond basketball.

His only concentration was the game of basketball.

That sounds pretty damn refreshing when I think just yesterday Allen Iverson tweeted that God chose the Memphis Grizzlies for him.

[ducks]

Pop pretty much copied the Jazz so good comparison.

Although I think Pop is better in coach player relations, Sloan still seems a bit too hardass to change to go with the times.

but but you think he is underrated
go figure

[portnoy1]

Pop pretty much copied the Jazz so good comparison.

Although I think Pop is better in coach player relations, Sloan still seems a bit too hardass to change to go with the times.
Pop is a much better defensive coach than sloan. Sloan guys play physical, Pops guys play smart defensively. On the otherhand Sloans offensive system would dismantle Pop's in a heartbeat, Which is one of the reasons that Stockton / D-will get all those assist. He has a pick n roll system+motion offense at the same time. Awesome offensive combination. I didn't really think to much of the guy ( Sloan ). The more I started watching Deron Williams Play and then noticed the same things 10 years earlier with stockton, its became obvious that Sloan had alot to do with the offense. Pop Lets his guys go cause their that good. Parker can go one on five an still break down the defense. Thats Pops offensive system. Its kinda lame compared to Sloan's but it works. It'll be nice to see when Pop retires him going to the hall of fame as one of the best Coaches in history with an emphasis on defense.

[MarHill]

:lol Exactly. I was shocked his speech lasted longer than 30 seconds. Stockton never said anything during his NBA career.

When he walked off the stage I told Kori that was the last time Stockton will ever talk in front of a camera again. He's someone who will just disappear -- even though he'd get a coaching or front office job in a second.




And yeah, I always hated Karl Malone but Stockton always had my respect. He was tough as nails, humble, quiet and just played as hard as possible to win. Can't hate him for that.

Ditto with Sloan. I know Pop coached under legends but I've always thought that he copied Sloan's coaching style. He's nothing like LB or Nelly but he's pretty much like a twin of Sloan. From how to take a workmanlike approach to the game, to treating all players the same, to not taking any credit ever, to realizing basketball is just a game to putting nothing above winning -- Sloan has always seemed like Pop's idol. Even in the early years of the Pop Era, he'd always talk about how the Jazz are the ultimate role model of how a team should operate. In a weird way it was appropriate that Robinson went in with Sloan and Stockton because the Spurs kind of took the Jazz's model of how to go about trying to win and took it all the way to the top.

Timvp,

I agree with your post.

I've always had respect for Stockton (the Pasty Gangster) and Coach Sloan. It was good to see them go into the Hall of Fame together.

[Sissiborgo]

Legend!

[angelbelow]

Yeah he's pretty much RETIRED. I mean gone into hardcore seclusion. Although I think he still and goes and worksout with Gonzaga's team and worked with Adam Morrison for a while.

The season Deron broke out he credited his success to working with Stockton for a few months. And he definitely plays pick up games with the Gonzaga team.

[Das Texan]

I fucking hated Stockton when he was playing. Mostly cause he was such a damn thorn in the side for the Spurs.

Awesome competitor. Him and Sloan are real pros so I"m glad they were able to go in with Mr. Robinson.

[ambchang]

Stockton has always been one of my favourite players in the league, despite the fact that he played for the hated Jazz. The way he sees the game and the way he approaches the game will never be seen again.

[Nathan Explosion]

Semi-funny video considering it's Stockton:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEmacNvCj4A


Best PG there will ever be:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbqdxlZr4_0


Sucks because the Hall of Fame induction of Stockton, Robinson, and Jordan closes a different era in basketball.

Rivalries were fierce. Stars came to play every game. Playoffs had unmatched intensity. Just not the same today.

You know, just the other day I was talking about how the playoffs in the 90s were a different animal. Teams actually hated each other and brought that intensity to the court. The best examples I could think of were Pistons-Bulls (89-90), Bulls-Knicks, Knicks-Pacers, Pacers-Knicks, Knicks-Heat, Spurs-Jazz and so on and so forth.

Those were knock down, drag out fights and were entertaining as hell to watch. And the memories.

Jordan driving past 3 defenders and dunking on Ewing. Pippen dunking on Ewing. Reggie Miller 8 points 11 seconds. Reggie choking sign to Spike Lee. Reggie pushing jordan and hitting game winner. Knicks-Heat brawl 1997. Jeff Van Gundy hanging onto Zo's leg 1998.