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Jazz Player History: Jeff Hornacek and career assists

By AllThatAmar
March 30, 2012; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) dribbles during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Energy Solutions Arena. The Kings defeated the Jazz 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE
March 30, 2012; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz guard Alec Burks (10) dribbles during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Energy Solutions Arena. The Kings defeated the Jazz 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-US PRESSWIRE

Jeff Hornacek is a shooter. If you watched him in college you knew. If you watched him in the NBA you knew. If you watched him as an All-Star, or in the three point shoot out, or *cough* 2-ball *cough*, he only confirmed our suspicions. You may not remember him in his heyday as a member of the Phoenix Suns, and then a Mr. Do-everything or the Philadelphia 76ers. He was a true combo guard before they became popular. He was the PG in Philly (7 apg), and before that in Phoenix he was the starter at the two, and the back up PG at the same time. He just isn't going to ever get in the Hall of Fame.

And that's fine.

But let's take a look at an incomplete list of players who have fewer career assists than Jeff Hornacek:

  • Jeff Hornacek (5,281)
  • Karl Malone (5,248 - HOF)
  • Rickey Green (5,221 -- the guy who kept John Stockton on the bench)
  • Norm Van Lier (5,217)
  • Kenny Anderson (5,196)
  • Julius Erving (5,176 - HOF)
  • Walt Frazier (5,040 - HOF)
  • Rick Barry (4,952 - HOF)
  • Nate McMillan (4,893)
  • Doc Rivers (4,889)
  • Mark Price (4,863)
  • Gail Goodrich (4,805 - HOF)
  • Jason Terry, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Tony Parker are all in the 4,7xx range and most likely should all pass Jeff
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • .
  • Alec Burks (55)

Burks showed some combo guard skills last night, but I don't think he'll ever average 7 dime a game, for an entire season though. While Jeff wasn't a HOF dude, he was a former All-Star who was very, very good. His numbers defend him, even if he doesn't have the hardware that garners automatic regard.

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