All-Time PG comparison: OKC Thunder star Chris Paul vs. Hall of Famer John Stockton
The Better Defender
Stockton and Paul are two of the most valorous point guards who are undaunted by their matchup regardless of the offensive threat they present. They are often regarded as overly aggressive defenders. There have even been whispers throughout the league of both players playing dirty.
This was because they refused to give their opponents any room to breathe. Their aggressive playstyles along with their abrasive unforgiving personalities are a perfect mix for ruffling a few feathers.
| Player | STL% | BLK% | DWS | DBPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Paul | 3.3 | 0.3 | 44.8 | 0.7 |
| John Stockton* | 3.5 | 0.5 | 64.9 | -1.0 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 8/21/2019.
Examining their defensive stats can lead you to believe that John Stockton was the clear cut better defender, but context is also important here. Chris Paul played during the renaissance of the guard position. When guards and point guards specifically started to become more viable scoring options. In contrast, John Stockton did have to guard offensive juggernauts in his era. They just weren’t as frequent or as much as a consistent threat as the players Chris Paul was matched up against on a nightly basis.
The players that are held in the highest regard are the ones that continuously give maximum effort on both ends of the floor. John Stockton and Chris Paul embody the hardnose defensive mentality that you’d want from your guard. The balancing act of controlling the pace of the offense while simultaneously setting the tone defensively is one few players can handle. Even fewer players are able to excel at doing so.