John Stockton is one of the greatest point guards in NBA history, even though he never won an NBA title. He and the Utah Jazz fell short in back-to-back Finals against Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in 1997 and 1998. Still, Stockton’s career left behind something even more lasting: two NBA records that may never be broken.
When Stockton retired after 19 seasons with the Jazz, he was the league’s all-time leader in assists (15,806) and steals (3,265)—numbers that still stand today. Many believe these records will never be touched.
“Those assist and steal records are untouchable,” said former NBA player Olden Polynice on Byron Scott’s podcast. “We always talk about stats, but that one won’t ever be broken.”
Why? Because Stockton was incredibly consistent. He averaged over 11 assists per game for nine seasons and was among the league’s top players in steals almost every year.
Even Chris Paul, who ranks second all-time in assists, is still over 3,300 assists behind Stockton. Catching him would take a miracle—or at least five more full seasons of elite-level play.
“When I coached Chris Paul in New Orleans,” Byron Scott recalled, “he looked at Stockton’s career stats. He said, ‘Coach, I’d have to average 12 or 13 assists for 20 straight years to catch him.’”
That puts into perspective just how incredible Stockton’s records are—and why they still stand tall decades after his final game.
Sam, a dedicated blogger, has immersed himself in the world of content creation for the past five years. His journey reflects a profound passion for storytelling and insightful commentary. Beyond the digital realm, Sam is a devoted NBA enthusiast, seamlessly blending his love for sports with his writing pursuits.