The NBA world is no stranger to bold takes, but a recent comparison between John Stockton and LeBron James has sent Lakers fans into a frenzy — and not in a good way.
On a popular sports talk show, an analyst claimed that John Stockton’s durability and longevity outshine LeBron’s, sparking instant backlash from the Purple & Gold faithful. The analyst highlighted Stockton’s record of 1,504 games with minimal injury-related absences, noting his near-perfect attendance during a grueling era of NBA basketball.
But Lakers fans weren’t having it.
“Stop the disrespect! LeBron has played 20+ years at an elite level. He’s not just showing up, he’s dominating!” one fan tweeted. Another added, “LeBron is averaging 25+ in year 21. Stockton wasn’t even the best player on his own team!”
The comparison ignited fierce debate online, with some fans acknowledging Stockton’s ironman streak, while others called it a “lazy stat” that ignores impact, competition level, and versatility.
One viral post summed it up:
LeBron’s durability isn’t just about games played. It’s about playing 40 minutes a night, guarding the best player, running the offense, AND still being the face of the league for two decades. Try doing that, Stockton.”
While both legends deserve respect, the attempt to crown Stockton as the “king of longevity” over LeBron didn’t sit well with Lakers Nation. And judging by the firestorm of comments, fans aren’t ready to let this one slide.
What do YOU think? Is Stockton’s durability really greater than LeBron’s, or is this just another hot take gone too far?
