Utah Jazz TBT: Fans Boo John Stockton Pick

Nov 17, 2014; Spokane, WA, USA; John Stockton looks on during a game between the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Southern Methodist Mustangs during the first half at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

As the Utah Jazz enter the 2015-16 NBA season, uncertainty looms at the point guard position. Dante Exum is out, Trey Burke has yet to find his footing and the Bryce Cotton/Raul Neto tandem is largely unproven. Still, if history has shown us anything, it’s that the solution to such problems can come when you least expect it.

When John Stockton was selected No. 16 overall in the 1984 NBA Draft, a chorus of boos echoed throughout the Salt Palace. It wasn’t a popular choice among fans, but the team felt it had acquired an able hand to back up All-Star point man Rickey Green. Here’s the story as told at the time by KSL Sports–

After Jazz fans blasted the pick and even Stockton himself was surprised to be taken in the first round, the point guard went on to have a Hall of Fame career and help the team reach unprecedented levels of success.

According to then-coach Frank Layden, Utah’s top target with the 16th pick was Jay Humphries. Ironically, Humphries would go on to become Stockton’s back-up years later. It’s also interesting to hear the former Jazz coach defend the pick and talk about Stockton’s strengths.

“He’s an exciting passer,” Layden told KSL. “I think he’ll do some exciting things in our fast break.” While Jazz brass couldn’t have expected Stockton to become the legend he was, the team clearly knew something that many did not.

Perhaps the same can be said about the team’s decision to stand pat with its current group of young point guards despite the injury to Exum.

Does this mean there’s a John Stockton among the current crop of Jazz point guards? Not if you’re looking for a future Hall of Famer. However, it’s entirely possible that one of the Burke-Cotton-Neto triumvirate will prove to be better than anyone expected.

Just as Stockton did in his early years with the Jazz.

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