“He might have not been the most athletic guy, but he could dominate the game by thinking” – Allen Iverson on his appreciation for John Stockton originally appeared on Basketball Network.
In discussions surrounding the greatest point guards in NBA history, the spotlight typically falls on players with extraordinary physical gifts, such as Magic Johnson, whose 6’9″ frame posed constant mismatches or Stephen Curry, who has revolutionary three-point shooting. However, for Allen Iverson, John Stockton stood out as one of the best he had ever witnessed.
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Despite recognizing Stockton’s limitations in terms of physical tools, Iverson was in awe of the way the Utah Jazz legend utilized his intelligence and court vision to outsmart everyone on the floor.
Iverson held massive praise for Stockton
Though Stock led the nation in scoring during his senior year at Gonzaga, he entered the NBA without much fanfare or hype. As a result, he was only the 16th overall pick in the 1984 draft class. Perhaps his ordinary six-foot frame wasn’t appealing to many teams, and moreover, with Stockton trying to establish a footing by averaging close to eight points in his first three campaigns, there was nothing extraordinary about his style or game.
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Yet from the 1987-88 season onward, Stockton’s transformation and development in confidence were evident. He not only raised his scoring average over 14 points but also led the league in assists in that campaign and continued to do so for eight more consecutive seasons.
What impressed Iverson the most was how, despite not having elite athleticism or superior pace, Stockton was always two steps ahead of the opposition due to his game acumen.
Put simply, John was constantly able to anticipate plays before they happened and effectively managed to involve his teammates in the game better, becoming a flawless executioner.
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“He might have not been the most athletic guy, you know what I mean, on the court. But he was so effective; he could dominate the game by, you know, thinking the game in his mind,” Iverson said with a subtle smirk on his face. “You know what I mean? Letting the game come to him and seeing things before they happen, knowing what’s going on in the game.”
John was off his peak when Allen arrived
Interestingly, by the time Iverson debuted in 1996, Stockton’s statistical peak had passed; he would earn only two All-NBA Third Team selections and two All-Star nods after that point. Nonetheless, his impact was still profound. Stockton’s presence on the court meant that opponents had to contend with a player who was mentally several moves ahead at all times.
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Even though Stock managed 11.4 points and 8.2 assists over 11 contests against A.I., he led his team to victories in nine of those games. Perhaps that gave Iverson the clear picture on how Stockton elevated the winning prowess of his team, simply by leading them in the right direction.
Safe to say that for those who rely solely on statistical accolades to measure greatness, Stockton may not always appear high on all-time rankings. But when a generational talent like Iverson offers such high praise, it underscores the legendary status Stockton held in the eyes of anyone who crossed paths with him.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.