Gary Payton Says John Stockton Tougher To Guard Than Michael Jordan, LeBron

It wasn’t Michael Jordan , Kobe Bryant , or even LeBron James … no, the toughest person Gary Payton said he ever had to guard was none other than John Stockton .

The NBA Hall of Famer made the shocking revelation in a chat about hoops with TMZ Sports … saying the former Utah Jazz point guard was just that damn good.

“I think the hardest person I ever had to guard was John Stockton because of the way he would do 94 feet and go everywhere,” he said. “That’s my opinion.”

‘Stock’, a 10-time All-Star who played 19 seasons in the NBA, was 6-foot-1, but ‘The Glove’ told us John’s ability to utilize all the space on the court offensively made him a super difficult cover.

And, when Payton said he compared it to the trouble he had with MJ, LeBron and Kobe … Stockton was just harder to deal with.

As for basketball’s G.O.A.T. debate … Payton weighed in on that too, telling us that while he believes LBJ is the better basketball player, Jordan was the better closer.

“I think LeBron was a better all-around player because he can pass the ball and rebound,” Payton said. “I think Michael was a better killer. He’ll go after you. He’ll take a shot whenever he needed to and make it and do it. He was more of a killer.”

But, check out the clip — Payton’s clearly still leaving some room for ‘Bron to catch and pass Jordan in that category as well.