Gary Payton: John Stockton was harder to guard than Michael Jordan

[SpaceJam2]

Payton revealed Jonathan Stockton was a tougher assignment than Mike Jordan.

Gary Payton said that John Stockton was the hardest player he ever had to guard and was a tougher matchup for him than even Michael Jordan. Supersonics great says Stockton was a tougher matchup because he never let anything get to him, while MJ got rattled by his trash talk


Stockton was a tougher matchup because he never let anything get to him, while MJ got rattled by my trash talk

Link:
https://www.basketballnetwork.net/gary-payton-john-stockton-was-harder-to-guard-than-michael-jordan/

[FKAri]

After what he did to MJ in 96 before Stern's rigging, it's not surprise.

[Marchesk]

Yeah, I'm sure if you wanted to win a series, you'd rather face a Stockton led team than Jordan.

I don't believe former players when they say stuff like this.

[Micku]

Yeah, I'm sure if you wanted to win a series, you'd rather face a Stockton led team than Jordan.

I don't believe former players when they say stuff like this.

I believe'em. I don't think his mindset is the production necessary. MJ is going to get his. It's about how much Payton thinks he has. It's the mindset.

So, like Payton feels he could get to MJ's head via trash talking and just all up on him. MJ likes to trash talk, so he'll do it back. They go back and forward. And Payton will make him work for his shot. Both of them thrive upon trash talking. Payton feels like he makes him play better.

But that same technique won't work against John Stockton. Plus Stockton is a stamina machine. He don't get tired.

To put it simply, Payton felt more comfortable guarding MJ than Stockton. This obviously don't mean that Stockton produce more than MJ at the stat line or whatever.

Other players said similar things in the past. Like they would throw in some wild card opponent that you wouldn't have guess. Like role player a was a pain in the ass to guard than this obvious superstar. They all acknowledge that the superstar is the better player and gave them all the accolades. But there are certain players that they just won't get.

[Mr Feeny]

You'll find a lot of odd quotes by players. Rodman said that McHale was the toughest player he ever guarded. It's just matchup issues.

[warriorfan]

McDonalds: Op was harder to employ than wheels

[Micku]

You'll find a lot of odd quotes by players. Rodman said that McHale was the toughest player he ever guarded. It's just matchup issues.

Yeah. And Rodman guarded guys like MJ, Shaq in stretches, Bird, Magic, and etc.

But many ppl said that about Mchale tho. Mchale had crazy moves.

[Mr Feeny]

Yeah. And Rodman guarded guys like MJ, Shaq in stretches, Bird, Magic, and etc.

But many ppl said that about Mchale tho. Mchale had crazy moves.

True but I dont think he's Olajuwan. And rodman did find himself matched up against Hakeem in short bursts, which is what confuses me. But I think it is what you were alluding to. It must be McHale's trickery in the post which gave these guys trouble.

[RealSkipBayless]

What a shocking development. :eek:

[Round Mound]

True but I dont think he's Olajuwan. And rodman did find himself matched up against Hakeem in short bursts, which is what confuses me. But I think it is what you were alluding to. It must be McHale's trickery in the post which gave these guys trouble.

Hakeem had more agile (feet or foot wise) moves than McHale but McHale had more overal moves in the post upper torso wise, had longer arms and great feet. McHale is the post move arquitect. No one had more moves in the post.

Check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SX_bkVRuh4

0:22 is insane!

[Airupthere]

Yeah. And Rodman guarded guys like MJ, Shaq in stretches, Bird, Magic, and etc.

But many ppl said that about Mchale tho. Mchale had crazy moves.

I think CWebb said something similar. Watching mchale, he didnt think much of his game but when he had to chance to play against him only then did he realize how many moves mchale had and how good mchale was.

[And1AllDay]

What a shocking development. :eek:

:eek:

[imdaman99]

Payton been saying stupid shit for the longest. You can tell Jordan had him unhinged. He would be Patrick Beverly in the modern era :oldlol:

[SpaceJam2]

Payton been saying stupid shit for the longest. You can tell Jordan had him unhinged. He would be Patrick Beverly in the modern era :oldlol:

:lol

[KD7]

:eek:

[superduper]

I mean... as a defender IRL, from the group of guys I play with I don't think our best offensive guy is the hardest to guard either but there is still no question that he is the undisputed best.

[FireDavidKahn]

MJ taking L after L

[SomeBlackDude]

stockton was a notoriously dirty player. not as obvious as karl 'the people's elbow' malone, but still dirty as f*ck.

[SpaceJam2]

MJ taking L after L

Yuuup

[72-10]

GP's always had a big mouth. At least he's right about the thing that matters most among the stuff he talks about.