Whatever you think about the guy, I think his career has been pretty impressive. Utah's Stockton: 40 and still going strong -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY -- John Stockton has informed the Utah Jazz that he will play a 19th season beginning this fall. "I still love to play basketball," he said. Stockton will become just the second guard -- and 10th player -- in NBA history to open a season after his 40th birthday. In 1996, guard John Long started the season with Toronto as a 40-year-old, but had limited playing time. Stockton, the league's all-time steals and assists leader, averaged 13.4 points last season, his highest average in five seasons, and made 51.7 percent of his shots -- fifth best in the NBA. "I wouldn't say he stepped up his game, because he was already playing at such a high level," said Kevin O'Connor, Jazz vice president of basketball operations. "I would say we needed him more. We counted on him to do more things," O'Connor told the Salt Lake Tribune. There has been considerable speculation this summer as to whether Stockton would return. "I haven't been dwelling on it," Stockton said. "We've talked many times (with the Jazz), but we just let the summer go by, as we always do." He said his wife and six children played a major role in his decision-making. "It's always a factor because you're planning for eight instead of just one," he said. Coach Jerry Sloan, who got the news Wednesday afternoon in a phone call from Stockton, said he was not surprised. "I've seen him play, I've seen him practice, I've seen what the game has been about for him, how he comes to play," Sloan said. "I've seen how he takes care of himself, so I'm not surprised at all." Stockton will have a new protege this fall in guard Raul Lopez of Spain. "John can't turn Lopez into John Stockton. He can only set an example and then it's up to him," Sloan said. "But if you wanted to learn, and study how to approach the game, he's the consummate guy to follow."
Wouldn't it be poetic justice for Stockton and Malone to miss the playoffs in their final season together after making the playoffs EVERY season of their career? I respect John Stockton, but I still hate the Jazz...
I hate him along w/ the rest of the Jazz but I'll give it to him. He can play some ball for a small old guy. I saw him and Hornaceck on the River Walk in SA like 3 yrs ago and I barely recognized them. They look like a couple of accountants or something. It was hard to believe that one of them was a futrue Hall of Famer. I was still mad at Stockton for hitting that 3 against the Rocks in 96 though. Right on A-Train, losing out on the playoffs b/c of the Rockets would be a sweet end for them.
Every single year since 98, the Jazz take it down a notch and get steadily worse, winning slightly fewer games and dropping out earlier and earlier in the playoffs. But every single year, some idiotic TV commentator always says "they're not done yet, who says they're too old, blah blah blah," whenever they win a bunch of regualr season games and hurt their draft position. They are done, and have been for a long time, and will be for a long time until they get lucky in the lottery.
He lives in Salt Lake City. What else does he have to do? Nine months of basketball, three months of "you-know." That was uncalled-for about Shawn Kemp. (dramatic pause) I mean, the Census Bureau is still working on counting up Kemp's Kids. They even set up special offices in Seattle, Cleveland, and Portland to handle the backlog. I, too, am no fan of Stockton and the phantom fouls he draws. The fact that Danny Cheap Shot Ainge always says "hey, I love the guy" should tell you something. But you gotta admire him. Guy'll be playing when he's 50. Those nuthugger shorts gotta go, though.
Gawd he's so ugly. His best look ever was that precious scowl painted on his face in Francis' rookie season when the Rocks whipped up on the Jazz on nat'l tv.
I love the fact that NBA 2K2 gives Stockton significantly shorter shorts than everyone else. Hang up your shoes you old bag!! This brings up my hopes that Malone and Stockton will retire in the same year. Jazz will win 15 games the season that happens.
They'll both leave in 2 years. By then, Malone will have broken the scoring record. That'll be his consolation prize for not winning a championship. No reason to stay after that.
