3. John Stockton becomes an All-Time leader
When asked about the possibility of catching John Stockton on the all-time assists leader board, Chris Paul said “I don’t like saying never, but ain’t nobody catching that. I don’t know who the statisticians were, who used to do the stats in Utah, but ain’t nobody catching that.”.
On February 1st, 1995, the Utah Jazz hosted the Denver Nuggets in the Delta Center. Stockton was only 10 assists behind Magic Johnson for the record of most assists in NBA history and needed 11 dimes to set the new record.
He was amazingly able to break the record in the first half and finished the game with 16 total dimes. The Jazz would win a blowout game over the Nuggets in front of the full crowd, making for a night nobody there would ever forget.
Just a year later, Stockton would break the NBA’s record for most steals of all-time.
It was only fitting that the 11th assist of that historic night was made on a Karl Malone basket. When asked about it, Stock said, “He’s been responsible for so many (of the assists), it does seem fitting. Like I’ve said all along, this isn’t my record. These guys have had to make the shots, and Karl has made a zillion of them.”
This will permanently put Stockton in the discussion for the greatest point guard ever. Although Magic Johnson bests him with championships, Stock beat him with longevity and durability.