John Stockton’s Assist Legacy: Inflated Stats or Underrated Genius?

When it comes to NBA history, few records are as untouchable as John Stockton’s all-time assist mark. But for years, rumors have swirled about the legitimacy of those numbers. Was Stockton’s assist tally inflated by generous Utah scorekeepers, or was he truly the greatest playmaker the game has ever seen?

Players, analysts, and fans have debated the “Stockton myth” for decades. Many claim that throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Utah’s statisticians gave Stockton every benefit of the doubt, padding his numbers to secure his place among the league’s elite point guards. Stories abound of assists being credited for routine passes, even when Karl Malone or other teammates made several moves before scoring.

But is there any truth to these tales, or are they simply hearsay?

To find answers, I revisited Stockton’s breakout 1988 season, focusing on his legendary seven-game playoff series against the Lakers. On paper, Stockton racked up staggering numbers: 115 assists in the series, averaging 16.4 dimes per game—a record that still stands.

But a closer look at game footage tells a different story.

In Game 2 in Los Angeles, Stockton was officially credited with 13 assists. Yet, by today’s standards, he appeared to have at least 16. The trend continued in Utah’s home games. In Game 3, Stockton was credited with 12 assists but actually had 15; in Game 4, 13 credited, but 16 by my count; and in Game 6, 17 credited, but 18 on film. Rather than being inflated, Stockton’s assist numbers were often **deflated**.

The only exception was Game 5, where Stockton was credited with 24 assists but, according to the footage, had 23—a minor discrepancy possibly due to incomplete TV coverage.

The definition of an assist has evolved. In Stockton’s era, the criteria were stricter; today, almost any pass leading to a basket can be counted, even if the scorer makes multiple moves. What was considered a routine pass in the 80s and 90s might be an automatic assist today.

Comparing eras is tricky. If Stockton played under modern rules, his numbers would be even higher. In fact, my count shows Stockton should have had 125 assists in that 1988 series, averaging 17.9 per game—a 9% increase over the official tally.

Despite persistent myths, there’s no hard evidence Stockton’s numbers were systematically inflated. In fact, detailed film review suggests the opposite: Stockton’s legendary assist totals may be **underrated**. His vision, timing, and unselfish play set a standard for point guards that remains unmatched.

Today’s NBA celebrates offense, stats, and triple-doubles. The boundaries of what counts as an assist have expanded, making direct comparisons across eras difficult. But one thing is clear: Stockton’s playmaking greatness stands the test of time.

John Stockton’s assist record isn’t just a product of generous scorekeeping—it’s a testament to his skill and consistency. While debates about stat inflation will always linger, the film doesn’t lie: Stockton was, and remains, one of the greatest facilitators in basketball history.