Back In The Day NBA, April 25, 1996: John Stockton And Rod Strickland Have Epic Point Guard Duel In Utah
Utah Jazz guard John Stockton and the Portland Trail Blazers' Rod Strickland were one of the NBA's most underrated rivalries in the 1990s.
Their best matchup may have come in the first round of the 1996 Western Conference playoffs. Stockton had 23 assists to help lead the Jazz to a 110-102 victory in Game 1.
But it wasn't because of Stricklands' play. He nearly had a triple-double, finishing with 27 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. It was the start of a memorable series, won by the Jazz (3-2) in five games.
Stockton averaged 14.2 points and 14.4 points but was actually outplayed in the series. Strickland's numbers of 20.6 points, 8.4 assists and 6.2 rebounds were a reminder of his all-around game.
Maybe this is why Strickland has a cult following these days of those who feel he deserved more respect when he played.
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