Editor’s Note: Welcome to the first edition of ‘Old Bull vs Young Calf’; a weekly article comparing and contrasting one modern day NBA player to a past superstar. How do their games compare? Does one have the edge? We always appreciate feedback, so feel free to leave comments below, or head over to our NEW forums and start up a conversation.
This week I will be comparing Boston Celtics star point-guard Rajon Rondo and Dream Team member, John Stockton.
John Stockon (6 ft. 1 inches) has a career total of 19,711 points (13.1 per game) with an astonishing 15,806 assists (10.5 per game). Stockton holds the all-time record for assists and is just under four thousand assists above second place Jason Kidd. Rajon Rondo, also 6 ft. 1 inches, averages 10.9 points and 8.2 assists per game throughout his career with the Celtics. Rajon Rondo recently had a 37-game streak snapped in which he achieved double-digit assists; coincidentally, equalling John Stockton’s second place record.
Rondo has been dominating all-time assist records and has been doing so with ease. In 2010, Rondo broke the record for most assists in a triple-double against the New York Knicks with an incredible 24 assists. The same year, Rondo broke the record set by John Stockton in 1989 for the most assists in five consecutive games with a total of 82.
Stockton holds the career record for steals with a total of 3265; an average of 2.2 per game. While Rondo averages 1.9, he is light years away from Stockton’s record that was achieved over a 19 year career. Stockton held the record for most steals in a season twice, while Rondo holds it once. While debatable, it is arguable Rondo, two time member of the NBA All-Defensive Team, is actually a better defender than Stockton. This can be due to his much larger wingspan than Stockton, which clearly gives him in advantage in rebounding and shot blocking as well.
So there we have it folks; all the cards are on the table. Who would you choose to have on your team and why? With such uncanny similarities, it is hard to distinguish a better player between the two. My verdict? The winner of the first ‘Old Bull vs Young Calf’ is the Old Bull, John Stockton.. His pure passing and relentless attitude surpasses Rondo’s immaturity, regardless of his place as a top point guard in the league today. Thanks for reading and feel free to leave comments below.
And that is the last word…
