I agree that Stockton and Malone were two of the greatest players ever, with what they had to work with, with what they did, with the numbers they put up, they for sure were. Just because they didn't win a ring doesn't diminish what they did and accomplished.Look at the the numbers they put up on some cheap weak *** rosters, and how those two made them contenders. They were every bit as good!!
That’s my point, the players around Stockton and Malone just wasn’t that good. The third guy Horny, love him but he was broken down and couldn’t defend.
Be a good player, be loyal or be good enough to make allstars be there at least 7 years.
No just no. Stockton started on the bench behind former allstar, Malone had to defer to Dantley, who was one of the leading scorers in the league at the time, all Mitchell had to do was beat a weak minded Hood. Stockton, the first chance he got to start put up 14pts and 13.8 assists round that up to 14. Lol insanity!!! Onece Dantley left Malone put up 21pts and 10reb and shot up from there. Stockton and Malone came into this league every bit as good if not better then Mitchell. The Statues had way more obstacles to overcome then Mitchell did
As for your response to getting his number retired, I think you have to do more than that. If he bolts after 7 years I think without a doubt anything short of a couple finals, or a championship does not get your number retired on a franchise, and it shouldn't. I think if he sticks around for the next contract which would basically be his main prime, if he gives that to you as a franchise, I think that does it. Loyalty certainly has to play a part in seeing a guys number retired, and bolting the second you get a chance isn't that. Avoiding injury, I have no doubt Don will be a good enough player to warrant it, the other parts are what will decide it.
Donovan had a historical rookie season, in year one of all their careers, yes he is ahead of them. That does not mean he will finish ahead of them, or end up having a better career than them, but he certainly can, and has the promise and capability to do so.
