Utah Jazz legend and NBA Corridor of Famer John Stockton didn’t maintain again on his former workforce. The legendary Jazz level guard criticized Utah’s tanking and questioned the path of their upcoming NBA season. He admitted he’s not following the workforce carefully however mentioned, “there doesn’t appear to be a mission to win.” Stockton’s frustration stems from wanting a tradition of sustained competitiveness.
The Jazz endured a really tough NBA season. The workforce completed 2024–25 with a 17-65 document, their worst mark in franchise historical past. They had been the final workforce to notch a win and had been eradicated early from playoff competition. Stockton pointed to the steep drop from previous seasons, stressing that constructing a profitable tradition is tough, and as soon as it’s gone, restoring it’s even more durable.
During the last 5 years, the Jazz have seen a pointy decline. In 2020–21, they posted the NBA’s greatest document and reached the second spherical of the playoffs. The next season introduced one other sturdy end however ended with one other early exit. By 2022–23, the roster was in transition after buying and selling key stars. The 2023–24 season ended outdoors the playoff image, and 2024–25 produced a brand new low in wins. Every step has chipped away on the aggressive identification Stockton as soon as helped construct.
John Stockton stays a vocal advocate for integrity on the courtroom. He went off to criticize the entrance workplace for embracing tanking as a substitute of pushing for wins. Stockton mentioned he would by no means surrender the struggle to carry out at full effort for each recreation and each quarter, not for draft picks, not for something. His remarks underscore his perception that the Jazz ought to play to win, even whereas rebuilding.
The notion of the Jazz tanking troubles him deeply. John Stockton spent 19 years with the Jazz and nonetheless holds the NBA profession data for assists and steals. His legacy provides weight to his criticism.
Trying forward, the Jazz are reshaping the roster. Rookie Ace Bailey arrive alongside veterans Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, and Jusuf Nurkic. However Stockton’s feedback go away a lingering query: Will the subsequent Jazz NBA season be about profitable, or will tanking stay a part of the plan?