Even with that qualifier its not close. Stockton and Nash are pretty much a wash as shooters and playmakers but Stoudamire is nowhere near the scorer that Malone was. Better jumper, actually had a post game (Stoudamire is a joke w/his back to the basket), better from the line. Stoudamire is great in the pick and roll w/ Nash but not much else.
Whether or not you hate the jazz shouldn't really matter, better is better, Stockton/Malone all day. I think Amare is totally overrated
If the Stockton and Malone were in their prime in place of Amar'e and Nash, I think Suns would be alot more competitive. This series against the Lakers is exposing both Amar'e and Nash for what they are very good offensive players, who are quite up to snuff on defense. It's something else to have your two best players as the worst defenders and to top it off, everyone else is not much better. How are you supposed to win, like that? I still think Stockton's defense is what puts him over edge with Nash, and he also has better numbers, outside of maybe scoring. OT: I could even argue as much as our fans complain about Kevin Martin's, Yao Ming's or Aaron Brooks's liabilities on the court, and then I hear few poster turn around and say we could win more, if we had Amare Stoudemire or Steve Nash. I'd completely disagree, again both are really fantastic offensive players, but they just do not have the goods to win (which I thought Stockton and Malone had). Aaron Brooks might be undersized, but he can defend as well as or if not better than Nash or any of the Suns point guards. I'd imagine Brooks might give less point one on one than Nash does. How do the Suns let a player Farmar consistently get into double digits. Mostly with Yao or Scola, it'll be the pick and roll defense and perimeter defense, yet Amare is far worse than either one, because he does not seem to care to put one once of effort on defense. His team could've stolen a game out of LA, if he decided to a moderately decent game on defense and box out. He's another guy that is better off as just being a team's leading scorer, but nothing more (not a leader or even a player who is going to commit defense) and keeping his mouth shut. Also, this would have to be a team that is surrounding with good defenders, like the Heat, 76ers, or the Spurs. It really amazes how a player, like Amare cannot be a greater force on defense, he's probably just as physically gifted as Dwight Howard, if not more, though not as strong, but just as quick and athletic. He's the main reason, they are in the position to be cleanly swept by the Lakers.
Correct that: Stockton never got whistled for being dirty while Nash doesn't like to get dirty. Advantage: Still Stockton.
Amare has been so soft this series against the Lakers, at least Karl Malone would have thrown a dirty elbow, kicked somebody, or done an illegal pick, something..
*fixed* What else would you expect from a guy who was with a 13 year old girl, when he was in college . . . a sophomore?
If you don't count defense, then I guess it is a lot closer. Stockton is a little bit better at passing, but Nash is one of the best shooters. I'd say Nash is a better offensive player by a hair. Malone is a better shooter, but Amare is more athletic finishing at the rim. Malone has a post game, Amare doesn't. So I'd give Malone the nod, by a hair again. Is rebounding defense? Anyway, Malone is a much better defender than Amare, and Stockton is a much better defender. So if you talk about all-around, Stockton-Malone hands down. But like others, I refuse to vote for the dirty twosome.
I don't care how awesome they were,and some other people don't either. Yes,they had sound fundamentals but they played like thugs and cheaters. I know you have a difference of opinion. I can respect that.
