John Stockton remains one of the best point guards the game has ever seen with his iconic Finals runs with the Utah Jazz in the 90s and his timeless facilitating play. The long-time Jazz guard wasn’t really the fastest or most explosive, but he was relentless and unapologetically physical.
That combination made him one of the greatest floor generals in NBA history, but also one of the most polarizing. Which is why, when speaking on the Hoopin’ N Hollerin’ podcast, former NBA guard Jason Williams shared why Stockton was one of the greatest players to play, but also one of the dirtiest.
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“I don’t f—k with John Stockton one bit, but that man was a m—r, you know. Is that fair? I don’t really f–k with John Stockton; he cheated a little bit. He got away with a lot of s—t,”stated Williams.
The genius and grit behind Stockton’s greatness
Stockton is the NBA’s all-time leader in both assists and steals, records that remain untouched and, realistically, unbreakable. Over his 19-year career in the league, he orchestrated one of the most efficient offenses in league history alongside Karl Malone, forming one of the greatest pick-and-roll duos ever.
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His resume speaks for itself, and his ability to command every possession while also making the right plays is what really made “Stock” special and is still mentioned in debates today. But at the same time, Stockton’s competitiveness and passion for the game, Williams said, also manifested in ways that everyone really didn’t see.
“He’ll step on your feet, grab your shirt, and s—t like that,” Williams explained. “But when it come to hooping, bro, John Stockton was a m—r..”
Williams’ sentiment really aligns with countless stories from former players like him who got to play against the Jazz legend. Stockton simply mastered the art of subtle physicality, whether that meant pushing the boundaries just enough to gain an edge without drawing whistles or simply trying to get into opponents’ minds.
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He would bump cutters, hold screens and disrupt opponents in ways that frustrated them and disrupted their momentum throughout a single game. To some, it was dirty. To others, it was simply smart basketball in an era where physicality was king. Stockton himself has rebuffed the idea of being a dirty player, emphasizing that his style was tough rather than malicious.
In many ways, Stockton needed to match the physicality of his generation and take every advantage he could, especially against Michael Jordan and his dominant Chicago Bulls. He wasn’t really known for flagrant fouls or dirty plays, but he consistently tested the limits of what officials would allow, as many others did during his celebrated era.
Respect vs. likeability today
Williams also detailed how fans and former players perceive Stockton and LeBron James. White Chocolate used his respect for the Utah legend as an example of what everyone should do when talking about the King: separate personal feelings from their greatness on the court.
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“He’s such a great basketball player. What is there to hate? To hate the man just because he’s great and better than your favorite player? That don’t make sense to me,” he said.
“Maybe you don’t like buddy as a person or whatever he does. M—r can hoop,” he continued.
LeBron, like Stockton, had faced criticism that sometimes goes beyond basketball, whether it’s about his personality or just his overall off-court actions. Williams argues that everyone shouldn’t have to like a player to respect their greatness.
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Stockton wasn’t and still isn’t universally loved. His play wasn’t really flashier than most of his era’s stars, and his opinions on politics, especially the COVID-19 vaccines, made him seem problematic to many.
Even still, Williams believes fans and media should be able to separate the player from the person, especially for LeBron, who is arguably the most polarizing player the game has ever seen. Even though some might not like him as a person, just like Stockton, he’s one of the greatest players ever.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.