17 years and counting: John Stockton remains NBA steals king

Published: Wednesday, Feb. 20 2013 11:55 a.m. MST

John Stockton breaks the all-time NBA steals record

Summary

NBA experts are only too quick in their search to find the next great point guard. Wednseday, however, marked 17 years since John Stockton topped them all in a key category.

While NBA experts gush over the likes of Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook and Rajon Rondo, another year passed by with John Stockton still tops in both assists and steals.

Wednesday marked 17 years since the former Jazz great passed Maurice Cheeks on the all-time steals list, coming up with the record-setting pilfur against the Boston Celtics on Feb. 20, 1996.

While recalling the accomplishment in an interview with KSL, Stockton hinted that his numbers were more a by-product of his approach to the game, rather than goals in and of themselves.

"You start playing [the game] selfishly, whether its an assist, a point, or steals, and you're trying to go out there to bring attention to yourself. I think that takes away from the game," Stockton said. "The game's a beautiful game when five guys go out there and give something of themselves so that you can win."

Matt Petersen is the Sports Web Editor for DeseretNews.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @TheMattPetersen.

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OCoug

Ogden, UT

Stockton is still the best pure point guard of all time.

7:47 p.m. Feb. 20, 2013
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Kakashi

Tokyo, Japan

Stockton's records...speak of longetivity...and consistency...and would probably be there as one of the hardest records to beat of all-time...that and Kareem's career points total..