The J-Notes
Fansided

Ranking the top-10 Guards in Utah Jazz history

By Nathan Smith

Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen (L) knocks the ball away from Utah Jazz guard John Stockton 17 December during the first quarter of their NBA game at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by EUGENE GARCIA / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE GARCIA/AFP via Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls forward Scottie Pippen (L) knocks the ball away from Utah Jazz guard John Stockton 17 December during the first quarter of their NBA game at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by EUGENE GARCIA / AFP) (Photo by EUGENE GARCIA/AFP via Getty Images) /
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John Stockton (R) of the Utah Jazz pressures Mike Bibby (L) of the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter of their first round NBA playoffs game, 26 March 2003, in Salt Lake City, Utah. AFP PHOTO/GEORGE FREY (Photo by GEORGE FREY / AFP) (Photo by GEORGE FREY/AFP via Getty Images)
John Stockton (R) of the Utah Jazz pressures Mike Bibby (L) of the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter of their first round NBA playoffs game, 26 March 2003, in Salt Lake City, Utah. AFP PHOTO/GEORGE FREY (Photo by GEORGE FREY / AFP) (Photo by GEORGE FREY/AFP via Getty Images) /

1. John Stockton

Career numbers: 13.1 PPG, 10.5 APG, 2.7 RPG, 1504 GP, 10 All Star selections, 11 All-NBA selections, NBA leader in career Assists.

There was only one name that could have appeared in this top spot, and that’s the man who spent his entire 20 year career in Salt Lake City with the Jazz, John Stockton. During that stretch, Stockton was lucky to be paired with Karl Malone, and together, under legendary coach Jerry Sloan, they were able to lead Utah to sustained success over a 20-year period, highlighted by back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 1996 & 1997.

Ultimately, they came up short against the might of Michael Jordan and the juggernaut that was the Chicago Bulls, but this success was a testament to the leader Stockton was, on and off the floor.

Throughout his time in the NBA, John Stockton was the prime example of the prototypical floor general, racking up assist numbers at a rate that won’t be matched in the league for quite some time. Stockton possessed an unmatched IQ, passing ability, vision and the most important, longevity, and although he wasn’t able to lead the Jazz all the way, he will still always be seen as a champion player and the iconic of this franchise.