Utah Jazz: John Stockton’s loyalty, longevity were as epic as his feats

SALT LAKE CITY - MAY 2: John Stockton #12 of the Utah Jazz announces to the media his retirement from NBA basketball on May 2, 2003 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Stockton played 19 seasons with the Jazz. (Photo By Kent Horner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY - MAY 2: John Stockton #12 of the Utah Jazz announces to the media his retirement from NBA basketball on May 2, 2003 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Stockton played 19 seasons with the Jazz. (Photo By Kent Horner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Utah Jazz legend and Hall of Famer John Stockton gave his team 19 years of service. That’s an accomplishment as significant as any statistical achievement.

For Utah Jazz fans, certain traits stand at the forefront of what is wanted (or expected) out of the team’s players. Above all else, hard work, grit and toughness are the pillars of what constitutes Jazz DNA. Being a person of character and integrity also rates highly.

These days, Jazz Nation probably places a lot of stock in a couple of L-words as well. Specifically, loyalty and longevity. And no player represented those traits like the “immortal” John Stockton.

On this day 17 years ago (November 26, 2000 to be exact) Stockton accomplished something incredible. In an otherwise forgettable game — Stockton scored just one point that night, although he did dish out 15 assists — against the Detroit Pistons, the Jazz point guard played in his 1,271st career game.

In doing so, he passed Boston Celtics legend John Havlicek for the most games played all-time with one team. Stockton would go on to play 1504 career games, every one of which was in a Jazz uniform.

It’s a record that still stands now. Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki is within striking range at 1414. However, it seems unlikely that he’ll play beyond this season. That leaves Stockton as the ultimate example of those aforementioned Ls.

While Karl Malone jetted off to help form the Los Angeles Lakers’ Fab Four at his career’s end, Stockton remained true to the Jazz. Through the good times and the bad, he was the one constant for Utah over a span of two decades.

That resonates more now than ever.

This past summer, fans were forced to stand idly by while Gordon Hayward left the team in just about the worst way possible. After seven years of a slow and painful rebuild, Hayward flew the coop just as the Jazz were set to reap the benefits of their work. Now, the team is scuffling to avoid a total tailspin.

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It may have just been business for Hayward, but for Jazz fans, it was as personal as it gets. Now, they find themselves fretting about how Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell will execute their own business when the moment arrives.

As it stands, things look encouraging. Gobert seemingly joined fans in taking Hayward’s exodus as a shot below the belt. Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell gave us a fist-pump on national TV when he learned he would begin his career in Utah. Since then, he’s emerged as one of the league’s most promising young stars with the Jazz.

Still, the odds of either matching Stockton’s 19 years of service to the organization seem slim.

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As a basketball player, John Stockton was one of a kind; a statistical marvel. But as impressive as his numbers are, that tenure remains as significant as any statistical achievement.