NBA's 60 Greatest Playoff Moments: #19

Stockton's Game Winner Sends Jazz to Finals; Game 6, 1997 Western Conference Finals:
"After 11 consecutive years of playoff exits, the NBA's foremost duo, John Stockton and Karl Malone finally get their chance to play for the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Stockton scores 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including a three-pointer off a Malone screen as time expires, to give the Jazz a 103-100 victory over the Houston Rockets and send the Jazz on their first ever trip to the NBA Finals." - NBA.com

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[seeratsohi]

i forgot the nba had a western conference in the 90s

[trackstarz2011]

"We're on our way to the world championship" to lose to the bulls

[AirJordan2380920]

STOCKTON TO MALONE!

[sumskater999]

@MiracleToolCompany Well if Chris Paul plays for a really long time like Stockton did, he could break his steals record because in his career so far he's averaged 2.4 steals a game, whereas Stockton averaged 2.17. But Stockton played for like 18 seasons, so that depends on whether Chris Paul has a long career and is strong on steals later in his career. I don't think anyone can beat the assists record in today's league, but Magic would have set the record if he had a longer career.

[dlawson688]

@sumskater999 You know what, you are right. I got no problem admitting when I am wrong. John did have a better career statically.

[CaptainForeheadTASer]

@sumskater999 Yeah they were, but you're right, it's all in a matter of opinion.

[sumskater999]

@CaptainForeheadTASer It's debatable, and a matter of opinion. They certainly were the greatest pick-and-roll ever in a set offense. But when Jordan and Pippen were fastbreaking down the court, they were just overwhelming for a defense, who had no clue who would be finishing.

[CaptainForeheadTASer]

@CaptainForeheadTASer Because Malone was always there for Stockton, sorry, somehow I forgot that part.

[CaptainForeheadTASer]

@sumskater999 Stockton couldn't finish because he never tried to finish, there's no doubt that Jordan was a better player than both of them, but how well does he and Pippen work as a team? Stockton and Malone were more consistent than any other teammates in the NBA. John Stockton would push the ball to the rim, and when he needed Malone the most, he would give an assist, hence the famous quote "Stockton to Malone!"

[sumskater999]

@CaptainForeheadTASer Jordan and Pippen were two of the greatest finishers ever. Stockton couldn't finish, mostly because of his height. Malone had to do most of the heavy lifting in terms of scoring. In the Bulls, both Jordan and Pippen were always a scoring threat.

[sumskater999]

@dlawson688 All-time leader in assists and steals? Just because he hasn't won a ring doesn't necessarily make Isiah better. Isiah had an incredibly defensive team, and had Dumars, Rodman, and Laimbeer. Stockton basically only could rely on Malone.

[dlawson688]

@CaptainForeheadTASer Naw, Pip and Jord were better