Stockton was an over-rated defender. He worked his tail off and played as hard as he could but he was always limited by his lack of size.
He was a good defender rather than a great one.
Thank you.
Someone on my side of things here.
eople get blinded by the steals, at which he was the greatest.
But just look at his head to head against magic.
29 games
Magic 20/6/11 (Career 19/7/11)
Stockton 10/2/11
Payton 17/4/6.6 (16/4/625)
Stockton 14/3/10
Kevin Johnson 19/3/8 (18/3.3/9)
Stockton 15/3/13
Kidd 16/5/9 (12.5/6.5/8.5)
Stockton 13/2.5/9
Thomas 23/3.5/7.8 (19/3.5/9.5)
Stockton 13/2/11
None of those players averages against Stockton were far off of what their career averages was.
And keep in mind that Stockton got to play for a great coach, in a great system with a top 30 player all time for 18 years!!
Without Hornacek, without Ostertag, Without Mark Eaton and most importantly, without Malone, Stockton would not be anything near what he is remembered as.
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