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Ranking the 5 greatest duos in Utah Jazz history

Jared Koch|
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 04: Donovan Mitchell #45 reacts with Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 4, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 04: Donovan Mitchell #45 reacts with Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz during the first half against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on February 4, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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J.R. Bremer (L) of the Boston Celtics is guarded by John Stockton (R) of the Utah Jazz during the first quarter 24 March, 2003 in Salt Lake City, Utah. AFP PHOTO/George FREY (Photo by GEORGE FREY / AFP) (Photo by GEORGE FREY/AFP via Getty Images)
J.R. Bremer (L) of the Boston Celtics is guarded by John Stockton (R) of the Utah Jazz during the first quarter 24 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. Karl Malone and John Stockton

Not only is this the best duo in Jazz history by no contest, but many consider the combo of John Stockton and Malone one of the top ten duos in all of NBA history.

These two are considered the greatest individual players in Utah Jazz history. When you pair them together though, the pairing of one of the game’s greatest floor generals and the third-leading scorer of all time made this franchise consistently one of the best in the NBA throughout the late ’80s and ’90s.

The two famously couldn’t bring the Jazz their first NBA Championship, as they were always stopped by the iconic Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan, but that shouldn’t sour the immense amount of success they had during their stretch together.

Stockton leads the NBA all-time in assists and steals, with a record that’s so untouchable that no one even managed to come close to breaking it. Malone is named one of the more successful power forwards in NBA history

There are few players more synonymous with a single franchise in NBA history. Even without the championship success that other stars achieved over their careers, when the best years of your career take place in the Jordan days, that’s just how it is.