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

Gary Paryton argues that John Stockton was harder to defend than MJ.



Connect with FOX Sports Online:


About FOXSports:
With exclusive highlights, original programming, and behind the scenes footage, FOX Sports' YouTube channel provides the sports content that fans are hungry for.

FOX Sports coverage includes a variety of sports and leagues such as: College Basketball, College Football, MLB, NASCAR, NFL, Soccer, UFC and Golden Boy boxing, and adds USGA events, including the U.S. Open, and FIFA Women’s World Cup.

FOX Sports Original programs include: NASCAR RACE HUB; AMERICA'S PREGAME; MLB WHIPAROUND, and many more.


FOX Sports coverage includes athletes such as: Tim Tebow, Tom Brady, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Wayne Rooney, Ronda Rousey, Conor McGregor, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Danica Patrick, Brad Keselowski, Steph Curry, James Harden, Mike Trout, Alex Rodriguez, Shaq, Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, LeVeon Bell, Peyton Manning, Marshawn Lynch and many more.

[celticbird]

"You guys didn't play against him, I did."

Thank you Gary, fucking thank you.

[FroopieLoopies]

'"You Guys didn't play against him, I did!" END OF DISCUSSION

[ronjeremy]

A bunch of regular people arguing with one of the greatest basketball players ever about basketball. Ok.

[EvoveK]

John Stockton is so under rated. I dont think anyone will beat his assist record, plus he shot 50% from the field.

[Yearofthedog]

"You guys didn't play against him I did". Exactly. nothing anyone else says after that matters.

[MrHereWeGoYo]

Payton is talking about nuances that are hard to put into words in one minute. Certain match-ups are just tougher than others. Notice he never once said Stockton was "better". There is a difference.

[SV-edqn]

How y'all gon tell him who was hardest to guard

[allstarwook]

a fundamental guy is way harder to deal with than an athletic guy. its mentally aggrivating

[bradleybanford]

Why are some fools trying to tell GARY PAYTON who's harder to guard? Like really? I'm sure HE would know.

[manoneal]

The average sports fan doesn't understand basketball. Was MJ a better isolation scorer, of course. But like Gary said, a guy who goes off picks correctly, moves well without the ball, makes the right decisions, uses his body, protects the ball, and just generally plays smart can be a nightmare. Especially when you consider that he was an all-time great shooter and passer.

I can see myself siding with Payton here. And he's right about Jordan never dropping 50 on him. GP put the clamps on Mike.

[hartsickdisciple]

Gary Payton played against both Stockton and Jordan repeatedly.  He would know.  The idiots saying that he's "wrong" have no place even speaking on the subject.  Payton did a decent job on Jordan at times.  It's true that Stockton was more fundamentally sound than Jordan.  The sum of his game wasn't greater than Jordan's, but he was more fundamentally sound.  

Gary Payton guarded Michael Jordan in games 4 through 6 of the '96 finals, while nursing a torn calf muscle.  He didn't guard him in games 1 through 3.  In games 4 through 6, the Sonics went 2-1, and Jordan shot 22 for 60 with 11 turnovers.  I'd say Gary is an authority on guarding MJ.  

[Lmoney]

When the Bulls went up 3-0 on the Sonics, Payton pleaded with George Karl to let him guard MJ, Karl gave GP his wish, the Sonics won the next 2 games but ultimately lost in 6.
Jordan's shooting numbers in the finals with GP on him...
GM4: 6/19
GM5: 11/22
GM6: 5/19

He isn't talking shit, he genuinely didn't have too much trouble with MJ.

[randyh.]

Yeah let's all question Gary Payton. I mean he's just an NBA Hall of Famer. What does he know?

[joshuadohring]

With Jordan, you guard one player. with Stockton, you have to guard 5.

[jpowers]

You got a blonde chick who probably never played organized sports, a mediocre retired NFL quarterback, an underachieving former tennis player, and some guy I don't even recognize questioning an NBA hall of famer on something BASKETBALL related?

[SuprSilvr]

I love how they ask him to defend his point, and then give him 10 seconds to do so

[Galactic]

People are trippin.  Payton said Stockton was harder for HIM to guard.  And that's completely believable.  Stockton was the best pure point guard in terms of fundamentals the game has ever seen.  Of course he was a nightmare for other POINT GUARDS to defend, because no other point guard COULD defend him.  Just look at his averages throughout his career and it was obvious that no point guard in the league could stop him from doing pretty much whatever he wanted to on the court.

[jonmolina]

I agree, he's not talking about who's better. Payton had to run into Karl Malone, who's built like brick wall,  25 times a game on the screen and roll. I'm sure Payton was aware of it which made it even more frustrating, but because Stockton can hit the jumper when he wanted to,  you couldn't take your eyes off him and anticipate where the pick was coming from otherwise he'll put up 25 points and still get his 15-20 assists. He's trying to explain Basketball to these morons and they don't even listen to what the fuck he's saying.

[romanoonamor]

How can random people argue on who was toughest to defend with a guy who ACTUALLY defended against them?! That's mind-blowing! Plus it's just an opinion! GP thought that, for him it was harder against Stockton, that's it. But how can a guy who never played can argue and tell him he's wrong?!

[YoungGunnr]

First off the man never stated that John Stockton was a better basket ball player than Michael Jordan he simply said he was harder to guard. He probably was just really elusive, slipper, and set screens which made him difficult to guard. It's like if someone said it's harder to guard Kyrie Irving then it is to guard Lebron James because of Kyrie's outstanding handling and quickness. Doesn't mean Lebron is a around better player just means Kyrie is harder to guard. Same applies for John Stockton and Michael Jordan.