John Stockton Syndrome

No matter what you do, you can't act like Michael Jordan wasn't the greatest thing you've ever witnessed. Sports-wise, MJ set the standard for a solid definition of winner.

However, what is to happen to all those left in the wake of his Airness? One of the most talented eras ever in basketball, locally and internationally, Michael Jordan's career coincided with the passing of the torch from Bird vs. Magic, the most dominant team ever assembled in the form of the original Dream Team, and the last major sports dynasty in the Jordan-led Bulls. Was he the only story of the 90's, especially in basketball?

No. In Jordan's wake lived two renaissance men in David Robinson and John Stockton. Two hard work, military disciplined typed gentlemen who achieved great things in the shadow of Air Jordan. All three of these men are going into the Hall Of Fame together.

Ever have a situation like that happen to you? You work hard your whole career and you can't advance because you have someone in your way that is an indestructible force. Someone so great you have no choice but to heed to greatness, wondering if your potential could ever truly be reached. And all you can do is take either the classy road or a more negative approach.

In this particular case, I am talking solely about John Stockton. Robinson got his ring(s), due to a tag team with Tim Duncan and minus a league with a guy named Michael Jordan in the Chicago 23. Another lucky fella in the Jordan's taking a break sweepstakes is Hakeem "the Dream" Olajuwon [Naija, Stand UP!] While Mike was getting his stick swing and miss on, the Rockets and their all-time great center took advantage and picked up two rings till his Airness dusted the cobwebs off.

But in John Stockton, you have the anti-hero. Not quite the nemesis. Not an innocent bystander, but someone who became a casualty of greatness. Individually, Stockton had the career that ball players dream of. Stockton finished with 19,711 points, 15,806 assists and 3,265 steals. Stockton also holds NBA records for most assists in a season (1,164 in 1990-91) and highest assist average in a season (14.5 in 1989-90) And while Karl Malone can definitely be added into this category, Stockton is a special case. While Malone left Utah, which truth be told, I would have done asap, Stockton stayed in Salt Lake City his entire career, when he easily could have left to chase that illusive championship he just wasn't going to get as long as MJ played. He even had two shots to pass Jordan, meeting in two NBA Finals matchups.

But to cement Jordan's legacy, others' personal legacies would suffer. The list is LONG. I feel sorry for Stockton the most. For all those who didn't get a ring because of MJ, only Stockton has to go in the Hall of Fame with him. While that is a problem for EVERYONE in this class, Stockton's got to be secretly cursing the skies. I know I would be.

Even though the ceremony hasn't taken place, Stockton will be class personified, as he has throughout his entire career. He'll probably go up to the podium, take his bow, tell a few stories about his family and experiences being a small school Gonzaga boy becoming one of the best point guards of all time. And then, maybe even first, he'll make a slight crack about being lost on the way to the Church of Jordan event. It will draw some nice chuckles, too. But it will be true. The day of celebrating the greatness of Stockton will be the minute he is on the podium and will end when he gets off of it. Another life achievement overshadowed by Jumpman.

So this is my opportunity to shout out one of the greatest players I will ever see play. Congrats John Stockton. I would congratulate Mike, but something tells me he won't be missing any of that in his life. Plus, I've easily spent $2000 dollars being a fan of his.