If ya wanted to take longevity and overall career accomplishments outta the debate, I guess you could make a case for Deron accomplishing more (perennial top 2-3 in assists, etc.) in his first 5 years as a pro than Stockton did in his.
Sure, and by that measure Penny Hardaway is legendary and there's little to distinguish Antonio McDyess from Kevin Garnett.
Stockton's a Hall of Famer, one of the 50-Greatest Players of all-time and arguably the best pure PG ever. This shouldn't be a debate.
One other thang Deron has on Stock: He will dunk in yo face in a New York second.
Deron is fighting for the title of best point guard presently playing; Stockton is in the best ever conversation.
Not close.
Who's better? Deron Williams or John Stockton? Yes, I'm being serious. This caused quite the fervor in my office today. Lots of mixed opinions actually. Deron in his prime or John in his prime. Who'd win 1 on 1? Who would u want on your team? Who'd win in a fist fight? Who's cooler? But the bottom line is who's the better player. List your reasons why!
PS Stockton is the all time best PG ever.
There are some things that Deron can do that Stockton just couldn't. I think it is pretty close.
....hopper has a point, here! We would all take Deron in a "dunk" contest against Stockton, no matter when, where or at what point in their careers!!!
Every year in training camp, Stockton would ask his new teammates where they liked the ball, as in where did they like to catch the ball so they most naturally catch and shoot. I remember hearing Donyell Marshall say he had to stop and think about it, but once he told him, John would pass him the ball in the same position and at the same level every time. That's how brilliant he was.
Better than Magic Johnson?
I think not, as much as I love Stockton.
BTW, why is Magic not a 'pure point guard?' (This is often the fall back position when challenged on the 'Stockton is the best point guard ever'--'well, he was the best PURE point guard.)
Is there some kind of point guard's guidebook out there that differentiates between pure and non-pure point guards? Magic was by no means a combo guard. True he played center when Jabbar was injured, but aside from being a little taller than the run of the mill PG, Johnson was, nonetheless, a P.G, was he not?
There are some things that Deron can do that Stockton just couldn't. I think it is pretty close.
....only dunking, my man...only dunking! But here are 3 things that Stock could do better than Deron: Pass, shoot, make steals...and frustrate the heck out of hoppers!