This month John Stockton will be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. He enters the shrine as the greatest passer and thief (by the numbers) that the game has ever seen. As is appropriate to his career, his induction will be overshadowed by those of the greatest player to ever play the game, Michael Jordan, and fellow 1992 Dream Teamer, David Robinson.
But how else could we have had it?
Stock’s entire career has been one of serving others. The primary beneficiary of his past-first mentality was of course long-time teammate, Karl Malone. Without the bond they formed, you could argue that the Mailman’s career would have been much less successful. But this is not the only area where the little fella from Gonzaga has been overshadowed. It all started with his being drafted in the mythical class of 1984 — one that included such luminaries as Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Sam Perkins, Alvin Robertson, Kevin Willis and Otis Thorpe. Falling to 16th in that draft, he undoubtedly had a better career than all except three picked ahead of him.
If you asked a casual fan to name the members of the 1992 Dream Team, many would not immediately remember Stockton as part of that illustrious team — he was not there to shine in the same way as his flashier teammates.
You know all of this of course. If you’re reading a site like this, you’re likely a student of the game and well versed on the underrated nature of #12’s game. But I want to take the discussion one step further. Why was John Stockton never named MVP of the NBA during his career?
You may scoff and say, “well, he was a good facilitator, but he was no MVP!”
Well, I direct you to the MVP seasons of Mr Steve Nash as a point of reference. Nash won the award for his 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. Did he win the MVP trophy in those years purely for his sexy brand of run’n’fun play that he brought to Phoenix?
I’m not here to dispute Nash’s worthiness — rather I’m comparing Stockton and saying that perhaps the Utah Jazz point guard of so many years was hardly done by on more than one occasion. Let’s take a look at the numbers.
In 2004-05 when Nash was 30 years old, he put up 15.5ppg and 11.5apg. He had a PER of 22.0
In 1992-93 when Stockton was 30 years old, he put up 15.1ppg and 12.0apg. He had a PER of 21.3.
Neither player took their team to a title. They both had successful playoff-bound team that fell short of league domination — but they were teams that were made that much better by the leadership of their floor general. The mantra behind Nash’s MVP victories was that “he makes his teammates better.” Surely there is no way that the same could not be argued of Stockton. He just did it in a more bare bones way.
The following season, when Nash won the 2005-06 MVP award, the comparison again is a valid one. When both players were aged 31, Nash averaged 18.8ppg and 10.5apg with a PER of 23.3. Stockton went for 15.1ppg and 12.6apg with a PER of 22.5.
All of this analysis also neglects to mention that Stockton was a much better defender than Nash has ever been; he now stands as the NBA’s all-time leader in steals (3,265). Daylight is second, with Michael Jordan third (2,514). His all-time lead in assists is also seemingly unassailable, with 15,806 to second-placed Mark Jackson’s 10,334. Jason Kidd will pass Jackson soon, but he won’t catch Stock. Nor will Nash, who is the next highest active player, sitting ninth all-time on 7,505.
Of course, this discussion comes much too late. However I thought it a poignant discussion with Stockton’s Hall of Fame induction just around the corner. There will be plenty of fanfare for Jordan (courtesy to a large extent by Nike) and the Admiral. Let’s not forget to include Stockton in the excitement.
So, why did Stockton miss out on MVP all of those years? He was of course the NBA’s assist leader for nine straight seasons. He played every available game in all bar two seasons of his 19 season career. But he played in an era dominated by Jordan, Barkley, Magic and Larry, Patrick Ewing, Isiah Thomas, Olajuwon and Shaquille O’Neal. Was this the only reason, or do we just not value no-nonsense basketball in the NBA?
This video might jog a few memories.
