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.