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Last year, a Sports Illustrated article detailed the ultrasecretive Sunday pickup basketball games hosted by none other than John Stockton in Spokane, Washington.
These games are not only invite-only, but until recently have been incredibly secretive. Former and active NBA players are among those on the invite list along with college greats, especially players from Stockton’s alma mater Gonzaga.
One player who made the list and attended the Sunday pickup games in the past is current Jazz man Kelly Olynyk.
Though Olynyk admitted it’s been a handful of years since he was in the gym in Spokane known as The Warehouse, he also said that Stockton was still a force on the court.
“Yeah, he can play,” Olynyk said of Stockton. “He’s damn near the best player out there every single possession.”
Olynyk described Stockton as being “old school” when it comes to pickup game scoring. Every shot counts as one point, doesn’t matter if it’s a deep 3-pointer with a hand in the face or an open layup.
He also said that everything Jazz fans remember about Stockton on the court, is pretty much how Stockton plays during his games at The Warehouse. Olynyk said Stockton rarely misses a mid-range shot, and is still as smart and quick with the ball as he was in his heyday.
“He’s just so good with the ball, so good with his eyes,” Olynyk said. “He’s so strong, so strong setting screens on the ball, can’t bump him off the ball. He’s a competitor, he loves to play.”
New with the Jazz
This week in Jazz history
On Oct. 18, 2017, Donovan Mitchell made his debut with the Utah Jazz in a 106-96 win over the Denver Nuggets. On Oct. 19, 2022, Mitchell will make his debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This week on ‘Unsalvageable’
Check out “Unsalvageable” hosted by Deseret News Utah Jazz beat reporter Sarah Todd and lifelong Jazz fan Greg Foster (no, not that Greg Foster).
It’s prediction week on “Unsalvageable,” and the crew is full of way-too-early picks for league awards and what teams will be making the playoffs. From MVP and Most Improved Player to Finals predictions and Finals MVP, the crew sets up the upcoming 2022-23 NBA season.
The podcast has moved to a new feed, so remember to follow or subscribe by searching for “Unsalvageable” through your podcast provider.
New episodes come out every week. You can listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and anywhere else you stream podcasts.
From the archives
Extra points
- The Utah Jazz’s Rudy Gay conundrum (Deseret News)
- Hard-luck Udoka Azubuike cleared for practice (Deseret News)
- Gregg Popovich pays tribute to Valter’s Osteria late owner Valter Nassi (Salt Lake Tribune)
- Why the Wolves went all-in on Rudy Gobert (ESPN+)
Around the league
The L.A. Lakers will look to test Russell Westbrook with the bench unit.
The NBA’s age limit probably isn’t changing anytime soon.
What to know as NBA opening night nears.
Up next
Oct. 19 | 7 p.m. | Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets | AT&T SportsNet
Oct. 21 | 6 p.m. | Utah Jazz @ Minnesota Timberwolves | AT&T SportsNet
Oct. 23 | 5 p.m. | Utah Jazz @ New Orleans Pelicans | AT&T SportsNet
