One of the greatest guards in NBA history, Utah Jazz legend John Stockton, played during one of the league’s most physical eras. He regularly faced tougher opponents and a more intense style of play compared to today, and he believes the difference in intensity between eras is undeniable. Stockton knows it firsthand.
The Hall of Famer recently stirred debate with his comments on The Maverick Approach podcast, describing the modern NBA as “softer” and taking aim at the league’s growing acceptance of load management. Stockton questioned how this impacts the competitive spirit, pointing out that today’s stars can take “20 days off” strictly for rest.
“I do think it’s softer. You have guys that can take 20 days off, you know, what they call load management. Coming on, I’m going to take a few weeks off, work off, you know. Well, who’s going to feed us then? You know what I’m saying?” Stockton said.
“These guys do it, and they’re supposed to be examples, and the league allows it. I mean, load management, things like that, the salaries are off the charts. The style of play is—you know—these kids are talented, man. They can make shots.”
Utah Jazz legend John Stockton
“And because they make shots, everybody thinks they should be taking them. And so, it’s just boom, boom, throw it out. There’s less strategy. There’s less physicality. The safety, again—kind of back to the COVID thing—safety is more important than the game.”
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It’s a hard-hitting critique that resonates with some fans. While teams today still employ offensive strategies, Stockton believes the freedom given to nearly every player to shoot from deep has shifted the game away from the old “specialist” roles that once defined certain positions.
The truth is, the NBA is less physically punishing than it was in Stockton’s playing days, but it has also reached unprecedented levels of skill and efficiency.
When it comes to “physicality,” there’s a fine line between tough basketball and outright dangerous play. Stockton’s NBA era featured reckless fouls, cheap shots, and frequent fights—moments that may have looked gritty but didn’t necessarily elevate the game’s quality.
By eliminating unnecessary violence, today’s teams have allowed players to focus more on skill, athleticism, and creativity, shifting the emphasis from intimidation to execution.
