Stockton was a better PG. It was fun watching him PLAY THE GAME. It was fun watching GP ARGUE WITH THE REFS ABOUT A CALL. Why are you guys even talking about GP, hes gone..
Stockton vs GP... arguably the 2 best point guards in the league during the early to mid-90's. I was only around 12 years old when they clashed at their best and i never picked apart their styles - i was too caught up in the beauty of the games and the results. Looking back though, i remember they were both very cerebral players. Stockton treated every game, every possession like it was a chess match. He sifted opposing teams' defenses like a nurse looks at your head for lice. Payton willed his team to win by inspiring teammates, yapping at the refs (which i'm sure helps to get one or two pivotal calls every now and then - good to have someone like that on your team), and getting into the heads of weak-minded opponents. Payton once said Stockton was one of the 2 hardest guys to guard (i believe the other was Rod Strickland??) cuz Stock never did the same thing twice. Stockton clearly had to keep on his toes to match GP's all-out speed and post-up toughness. Payton often took the burden of winning on his own shoulders and scored whenever the shot presented itself. Stockton preferred to let his teammates do the scoring (and did so effectively with timely passes for easy buckets) but was often criticized for being too timid when passing up open shots. GP had a strong cast of role players and a freak athlete sidekick in Kemp to throw alley oops all day to. Stock also had a bruising, star-sidekick in Malone who was the beneficiary of unstoppable passes. Payton wears his heart on his sleeve. Stock had ice in his veins. Two very different styles, one result. They both won games. Neither got their rings in their prime but not for lack of effort... a man named Jordan simply stood in the way. And losing to Jordan is nothing to be ashamed of.
Stockton vs GP... arguably the 2 best point guards in the league during the early to mid-90's. I was only around 12 years old when they clashed at their best and i never picked apart their styles - i was too caught up in the beauty of the games and the results. Looking back though, i remember they were both very cerebral players. Stockton treated every game, every possession like it was a chess match. He sifted opposing teams' defenses like a nurse looks at your head for lice. Payton willed his team to win by inspiring teammates, yapping at the refs (which i'm sure helps to get one or two pivotal calls every now and then - good to have someone like that on your team), and getting into the heads of weak-minded opponents. Payton once said Stockton was one of the 2 hardest guys to guard (i believe the other was Rod Strickland??) cuz Stock never did the same thing twice. Stockton clearly had to keep on his toes to match GP's all-out speed and post-up toughness. Payton often took the burden of winning on his own shoulders and scored whenever the shot presented itself. Stockton preferred to let his teammates do the scoring (and did so effectively with timely passes for easy buckets) but was often criticized for being too timid when passing up open shots. GP had a strong cast of role players and a freak athlete sidekick in Kemp to throw alley oops all day to. Stock also had a bruising, star-sidekick in Malone who was the beneficiary of unstoppable passes. Payton wears his heart on his sleeve. Stock had ice in his veins. Two very different styles, one result. They both won games. Neither got their rings in their prime but not for lack of effort... a man named Jordan simply stood in the way. And losing to Jordan is nothing to be ashamed of.
good insight brick
was it strickland he said that about? he was also very crafty in his prime so it wouldnt surprise me. it could have been tim hardaway though-- seems like he always played gp well. i am surprised he didnt mention magic though...
stockton was the better playmaker and payton the best defender and scorer, granted, stockton got lots of steals but payton was a shut-them-down defender who drove other point guard nuts during his entire prime.
payton is arguably the best 1-on-1 defensive PG in NBA history and stockton arguably the best passer in NBA history (him or magic)
Both really were pretty great. It depends on team need. Stockton was one of the ultimate "true point guards," making everyone better. Gary Payton was the better scorer and defender
Stockton vs GP... arguably the 2 best point guards in the league during the early to mid-90's. I was only around 12 years old when they clashed at their best and i never picked apart their styles - i was too caught up in the beauty of the games and the results. Looking back though, i remember they were both very cerebral players. Stockton treated every game, every possession like it was a chess match. He sifted opposing teams' defenses like a nurse looks at your head for lice. Payton willed his team to win by inspiring teammates, yapping at the refs (which i'm sure helps to get one or two pivotal calls every now and then - good to have someone like that on your team), and getting into the heads of weak-minded opponents. Payton once said Stockton was one of the 2 hardest guys to guard (i believe the other was Rod Strickland??) cuz Stock never did the same thing twice. Stockton clearly had to keep on his toes to match GP's all-out speed and post-up toughness. Payton often took the burden of winning on his own shoulders and scored whenever the shot presented itself. Stockton preferred to let his teammates do the scoring (and did so effectively with timely passes for easy buckets) but was often criticized for being too timid when passing up open shots. GP had a strong cast of role players and a freak athlete sidekick in Kemp to throw alley oops all day to. Stock also had a bruising, star-sidekick in Malone who was the beneficiary of unstoppable passes. Payton wears his heart on his sleeve. Stock had ice in his veins. Two very different styles, one result. They both won games. Neither got their rings in their prime but not for lack of effort... a man named Jordan simply stood in the way. And losing to Jordan is nothing to be ashamed of.
Solid, Brick!!! It is way too hard to say who was a better point guard over their careers. They each brought something to the table that made their teams that much better. Games played, they are pretty much even. Both men were Iron Men. Stats, Stockton may have the edge; 10 years of double doubles in assists and points, awesome. Steals, they are even. Rebounds, GP has the edge. TOs, Stockton has the edge. GP contolled the ball better. Stockton was a better shooter than GP. Pretty much they are even
Rings, none other than the Western Conference rings (do they still give those out?) Stockton has 2 to GP's 1. Intangibles and running their teams; equal. They both brought different things to their teams that met the team needs.
I will give Stockton the edge, mainly because of that 10 year period where he averaged 10 or more assists and 10 or more points for 10 years!!! That was awesome. If I had to score it, Stockton would have 10 and GP would have 9, they are that close.
stockton vs gp?
