John Stockton doesn't really need any additional proof as a Utah Jazz legend, or an NBA legend for that matter. He was one of the best point guards ever, whose legacy is as strong as it is, not just because of how good he was, but because of how long he stayed that good.
As if Stockton didn't need any more proof that he was an all-timer, he knew from the start how good he was, as former Jazz teammate Thurl Bailey revealed during his appearance on Jimmer Fredette's podcast that the Jazz legend held out for $5k when Utah first drafted him in 1984.
Many on the Jazz wondered who exactly Stockton thought he was at that time, as not much was known about him before he became a Jazzman, but after backing up Rickey Green his first few years, Stockton proved the Jazz were right to cave into his demands and then some.
John Stockton held out as a rookie?@bigTbailey @jimmerfredette @Spencer_Linton #Utah #utahjazz #nba #byu pic.twitter.com/8qsbgtXUyD
— From The Logo with Jimmer Fredette (@JimmerFTL) March 9, 2026
The rest was history from there. Stockton made his mark on the Jazz franchise in the best way he could, literally. He may not have gotten them a title, but he got the appreciation he definitely deserved after it was all over for him.
But stories like Bailey's confirm that Stockton's days as an all-timer were there from the start, even fi Utah didn't know it.
Stockton sets the bar for what Utah must do to bring back glory days
Fans idealize the days of Stockton and Karl Malone for obvious reasons. Since then, the Jazz have done a solid job staying in playoff contention, but have failed to maintain the consistent success they had with that duo.
Sure, they didn't get over the hump, but it was their consistent success year in and year out that put a lot of respectability on the Jazz's name. The fact that it arguably took a controversial shove for them to not get a title when they had the chance sets the precedent for any Jazz team that follows them.
That could all change starting next year, as the Jazz not only plan to start winning some games, but if all goes to plan - getting a high draft pick in a loaded draft class and re-signing Walker Kessler - they're well-positioned to potentially match the days they had when Stockton and Malone were at their peak.
That's only from a pure talent perspective, though. It's stories like Bailey's that prove that Stockton's legacy didn't just stem from his abilities, but his mindset. From the very beginning in Utah, he had a chip on his shoulder, and he pushed himself to play at his best.
That is the kind of bar Utah has to reach. All indications are that next year's Jazz team will not only have enough talent but also high-character guys to bring about their next era. To match the same success the Jazz had with Stockton, adapting his mindset is exactly what they will need.