So says David Aldridge, who writes a superb article on Stockton's career.

"On Tuesday, I asked Kevin O'Connor, the Utah Jazz's general manager, what the team was planning to do to celebrate John Stockton's 40th birthday later that evening. A stoppage in the game? A pregame ceremony?

"Are you kidding?" O'Connor said. "He'd kill us."

Indeed, he would. So there was nothing in the SLC to mark the occasion, which is undoubtedly just the way Johnny Stock wanted it. I have never reported on a person who so desperately wanted not to be reported on at all. He has never been rude, and he was almost always available after games, but he has always made it clear through demeanor and body language that he'd rather be sticking needles in his eyes than doing interviews.

And that is fine."