I just saw this clip on NBA.com: <script src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/js/1.1/xmp/module.js?vid=/video/channels/hall_of_fame/2009/08/31/nba_090831_stockton_19.nba" type="text/javascript"></script><noscript>Embedded video from <a href="http://www.nba.com/video">NBA Video</a></noscript> It shows John Stockton's last moments as an NBA player. As he leaves the court for the last time, all the Sac fans in Arco Arena stand up and give him an ovation. If you were in the building when this happened, do you do the same?
Possibly, but only if we were in the same situation as the Kings were, winning by 20. If we were losing, I'd be cursing him to hell. Also, how old was Stockton when he retired? That was a pretty sweet looking crossover and reverse for a guy on his last legs.
http://www.spokane.net/sports/SportsProfile.aspx Say what you will about how dirty he was and all that, the man worked his butt off to get where he was, and that deserves recognition
I don't think John Stockton would have been much of a dirty player if he didn't play for Jerry Sloan. I really don't have anything against most of the Jazz players. It's the organization, system, and coach that I hate. They seem to be the root of all of this. So I don't hate him. I wouldn't have cheered for him though...because I only cheer for my team. I don't care if it's Olajuwon on the opposing team. I cheer for Rockets. I'd rather cheer than boo, though. If it was one of those situations where some people were cheering to drown out people who were booing him, I would join in. EDIT: I really think it's odd that after all these years, Sloan is the most respected of anyone associated with the team. Everytime they bring in a new group of guys everyone jumps on the players for being dirty but no one talks about him. Players are just doing their jobs, knowing they won't get minutes if they don't play his way.
I'm a huge fan of stockton even with him playing in Utah. I just really respect how the guy competed everytime with every play against every player. I would give him a standing O because he never disrespected the game.
I think Stockton is a great example of a guy that you would hate to play against, but would love to play with. Malone, not so much.
I really couldn't. Seriously. I wouldn't boo him, but I wouldn't smile or clap. The guy was a dirty player on a roster with other dirty players. I still cringe when I hear the word "Utah".
Stockton was the only player on the Jazz, I actually liked. I like Deron a lot too, but one player I don't really like was Karl Malone....
It pains me to say, but I probably would give him a standing O if it had been his last game. The guy is hall of fame and the all-time leader in assists AND steals. He was never an ass to our team like Payton. Yes, he hit some shots to knock us out of the playoffs, and the Jazz played a gritty sometimes dirty style of basketball. However, the guy was a family man and class act in the NBA. I also remember him being one of the players at the very beginning of the lockout urging the players to accept a deal. As a basketball fan, I have to respect the body of work he put together.
i definatley would. i love baskeetball as a whole and im not gonna not cheer a great player just because hes not on our team. maybe if he was arrogan like pippen but hes not. he was a stand up player. he fought hard and was great obviously leading the league in assists still to this day. more than magic johnson, thats something to respect.
I must concur. He is one of the top point guards to ever play the game, dirty or not. You don't shoot damn near 50% your entire career and have the most career assists ever by accident, regardless of the dagger he put into the Rockets. Can't we remember this is only a game after all? Booing him would be far worse than Lebron going into pout mode after losing to the Magic. That was downright disgusting and inexcusable. Congratulate the man for a remarkable career.
I would do the same thing. I respect the opinions of those who want to clap for him,but he was just as dirty as Karl Malone. He didn't look as dirty to some because of his size IMO.
"Hell no!" I'm a rockets fan. Plus I remember my brother one time trying to get an autograph from him and he was completely ignored.
