Stockton stays mum on future

By Linda Hamilton Deseret News sports writer

Monday's season-ending playoff loss to Sacramento in the Delta Center was the last NBA game ever for Utah guard John Stockton. Or not. You don't think he'd tell anyone in a somber Jazz post-loss locker room what his plans might be now that his most recent one-year contract has played itself out, do you? His teammates are in the dark as much as everyone else. Stockton said nothing about his future to his teammates in the moments following the 91-86 loss to the Kings before the media was allowed in to hear comments. Said Karl Malone, Stockton's alter ego for 17 of his 18-year career, "I don't even want to think about that. I haven't talked to John about that, and I won't talk to John about that. I think when he wants me to know something, he'll tell me. I'm not going to ask him any questions about it. I'll just wait and see."

The 40-year-old Stockton may wait and see, too. He said he didn't know what the deciding factor might be when he finally makes a choice as to whether to continue playing basketball next year or just fade away into retirement in the offseason. He did say his choice won't swing on what the Jazz do with all their free agents this summer. "That decision is going to come from inside, not from what happens," he said. As close-to-the-vest as Stockton holds his cards, though, he gave some slight hints that he might like to return for a 19th year. He said Jazz management could have a say in it. Certainly owner Larry Miller has seemed publicly to want him back. "We'll talk to the powers that be and see if they have a wish in that direction and try to follow that," Stockton said Monday night. The all-time NBA leader in assists and steals also said, "I feel like I can still compete. Yeah, I do. I still enjoy it, sure." And he said his love for the game has "always been a factor" in playing. Talking about the team's free agents, Stockton said, "These are my teammates, and I wish the best for them, whether it's with us or with another team. They're my friends, and I want them to have the ability to enjoy some success." The word "us" may have some significance.

Epitaphs were forthcoming from other players, aware that one of the best ever may have ended his career with a 38-minute appearance in a losing effort. Even the most-disliked player in Utah, Sacramento's Vlade Divac, who said the Jazz's goose was cooked after a loss in Game 1 of the best-of-five series, doesn't want Stockton to go. He told Stockton so as they met on the court after the game ended. "I told him that I heard that he may not come back next year, and I say, 'I hope not,' " said Divac, dealing in a double negative. "He did some good things for this league and for us players. He's still one of the best point guards in the league." "I'm not going to speculate on that," said Stockton's backup, Rusty LaRue, about Stockton's future. "What he does at his age is amazing. Fabulous player. It's really been a joy to watch him play. I had an opportunity to play with Michael Jordan, and it's truly been an honor to play with Karl and John. Just getting an opportunity to come and play with those guys is a big thrill."

Free agent Donyell Marshall said he doesn't think Stockton will make up his mind till he has to, in October. Marshall will take the rest of this week to absorb Monday's finality, and then, "From next week until October, I'll hope he's back. He taught me a lot, the best point guard to play the game," said Marshall. If Monday was, indeed, Stockton's final game, he would end up with 18,827 points, 15,177 assists and 3,128 steals in regular-season play. Totals including all playoff games would be 21,207 points, 16,990 assists and 3,458 steals and a .512 field-goal shooting percentage over 18 years. Jazz center Greg Ostertag was maybe the most eloquent about Stockton, saying if he lives to be 85, he can say he played with the greatest point guard ever. "If it is (Stockton's last game), aside from that he never won a championship," said Ostertag, "that's one of the most storied careers in history of basketball. I'll be able to tell my great grandchildren I played with the best to ever play the position. You look at guards nowadays, you can't compare. He's still and will always be the best."