Will Donovan Mitchell surpass Stockton/Malone careers with the Jazz?

[oneye]

First off, I know, I know but the Donovan Mitchell hype train in Jazz land is real. We are just one year in, I get that, but I think most of us believe in Donovan quite a bit at this point. So I'll ask the question, will Donovan surpass Stockton and Malone's legacy here and be the greatest player in this franchises history? And what will it take for him to surpass them to be the greatest player in franchise history? And will he be the most loved player ever here?

 

[Ron Mexico]

He will win a championship and that will make him surpass them.

 

[oneye]

He will win a championship and that will make him surpass them.

Can he surpass them if he doesn’t win a championship here?

 

[One Brow]

If he plays enough years and takes us to a at least two championship series, he could surpass them based on recency bias alone, without winning a championship.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

If he plays enough years and takes us to a at least two championship series, he could surpass them based on recency bias alone, without winning a championship.

This. I love John and Karl, but I could see it happening without a championship. I hope he does surpass them because it means great things. Neither of those guys was as "marketable" as DM, so I could see him being the most loved even though he likely has a shorter run with the team than those two.

 

[Ron Mexico]

Can he surpass them if he doesn’t win a championship here?

Yes, I think in some regard he already has surpassed them. He is more liked due to him having a great personality. Stockton was/is a grumpy recluse and Malone was/is a person who did some terrible things combined with being a self involved weirdo that talks about himself in 3rd person.

But to surpass them on the court and win over most of the fans he is going to have to at least match their success or surpass it. Not the individual stats or accolades but the team winning.

Last years Jazz was the best Jazz team since the finals Jazz teams. I think its reasonable to think we can become close to that finals team level in the future.

 

[LogGrad98]

There are so many ways to read into this it isn't really a question at all. Do you mean in total stats in any way? Records? Career achievements? All-star appearances? Games played? Championships? Trips to the finals or playoffs? Years in the playoffs in a row? Total victories?

I voted no because.

 

[oneye]

There are so many ways to read into this it isn't really a question at all. Do you mean in total stats in any way? Records? Career achievements? All-star appearances? Games played? Championships? Trips to the finals or playoffs? Years in the playoffs in a row? Total victories?

I voted no because.

I get it’s a bit of an open ended question, but I’m just asking, will he be the greatest player in franchise history, will he surpass their legacy in a Jazz uniform. Of course part of it is stats, part of it is personal achievements and team achievements, and part of it is being involved and loved by the fan base. There are some things that he will never surpass them in stats wise, but basically will he have a bigger impact on the fan base and franchise than Stockton and Malone combined with his stats and accomplishments? John and Karl accomplished a hell of a lot, and despite not winning a ring, had two HOF careers that lasted 2 decades. Can/will Donovan surpass that with this franchise?

 

[Michaelr]

We need to get past the 2nd contract before we even ask the question

 

[Ron Mexico]

We need to get past the 2nd contract before we even ask the question

Not if we win a championship before his second contract.

 

[Archie Moses]

Can he surpass them if he doesn’t win a championship here?

No.

He has to have a great and long career and win a championship surpass them. If if he has a great and long career, odds are very likely he won't touch Stock and Malone. This is not a dish on Mitchell either.

 

[Gobzilla]

As long as he gets better every year, then yes, he certainly will pass them.

 

[The Midnight]

Can he surpass them if he doesn’t win a championship here?

Can he surpass Malone's scoring record (2nd only to Kareem) or Stockton's unreachable assists numbers?

 

[oneye]

We need to get past the 2nd contract before we even ask the question

I think he can if we end up in the finals again a time or two, and certainly if he wins a championship.

The asterisk is certainly what you said. If he doesn’t win a championship in the next 6 years, but if he just leaves in 6 years, and I’m not saying he will, obviously he won’t be. I get it, we’ve seen one season and have no idea what lies ahead, just wondering what people think, it’s summer.

 

[oneye]

Can he surpass Malone's scoring record (2nd only to Kareem) or Stockton's unreachable assists numbers?

I don’t think he has to break their records to surpass them. It’s not all about stats. No one will ever approach Stockton’s assists record, nor his steals record. DM probably won’t approach scoring records because he’s a 6’3” extremely athletic guard and will likely have a shorter “prime” than that of someone bigger who relies less on athleticism. If he has the largest impact on this fan base and organization of any individual player ever, I think he does pass them. A championship certainly puts him there IMO.

Another question, how many seasons would he have to play here to even have his number retired? And at what level? Donovan’s certainly got more momentum to be loved than any player here ever so quickly, but it will certainly depend on how things go over the next 6 years and what comes after that.

The thought of this question is a lot tbh. Stockton and Malone were first ballot hall of farmers with individual records and accomplishments that will never be touched. What John and Karl was pretty amazing and truly two accomplished/amazing careers to look back on. I think we all kind of want to think that’s where Mitchell is heading and even believe it could happen. The fact it’s a thought, is a special kind of player to have.

 

[The Midnight]

I don’t think he has to break their records to surpass them. It’s not all about stats. No one will ever approach Stockton’s assists record, nor his steals record. DM probably won’t approach scoring records because he’s a 6’3” extremely athletic guard and will likely have a shorter “prime” than that of someone bigger who relies less on athleticism. If he has the largest impact on this fan base and organization of any individual player ever, I think he does pass them. A championship certainly puts him there IMO.

My post was to answer 'what if he never wins a Championship?'. If he wins surpasses them easily. If he doesn't, then he has to make the Finals more than once because Malone and Stockton at least did that.

 

[oneye]

My post was to answer 'what if he never wins a Championship?'. If he wins surpasses them easily. If he doesn't, then he has to make the Finals more than once because Malone and Stockton at least did that.

He certainly has to get to the finals a couple times yes. The more I think deeper about this the more I realize it’s a mountain of a task to top Stockton and Malone.

 

[MVP]

He needs to play for the Jazz at least 12 years and lead them to at least a single finals. But if he wins a championship here at bolts after 7-8 years it would be a tough call for me. Oh and poll needs a third option - maybe or I am not sure.

 

[kabenac]

John Stockton is tough to surpass. 19 years is a long time to be a boss. Which he was. 51.5% from the field... 48.4 from three... insane assist to turnover ratio and a defensive pest. The ultimate loyal team player. Though after one season Mitchell's attitude, work-ethic and desire to win is really wonderful. The question is will he keep it up? We shall see!

 

[oneye]

He needs to play for the Jazz at least 12 years and lead them to at least a single finals. But if he wins a championship here at bolts after 7-8 years it would be a tough call for me. Oh and poll needs a third option - maybe or I am not sure.

I only gave yes and no as options for a reason, it’s an opinion, of course we aren’t sure.

If he plays 12 years here, it’s likely he plays his career here. In 12 years Donovan will be 34. Donovan won’t age as well as Stockton or Malone IMO, his game relies a ton on athleticism and quickness.

As for the 7-8 year thing, if he delivers a championship, he still has to be up there, but I’m with you, if you bolt the second you get a chance, I’m not with that, a title isn’t everything. Someone like KD, who has won cheap championships, just isn’t the same as a body of work that Stockton and Malone put on for 2 decades..... but if you had the choice would you choose 7-8 years and a title, or 15 years and no title by a great career here? I might as well take this hypothetical thread to the max.