The Utah Jazz drafted John Stockton 40 years ago. Fans weren't happy.

When John Stockton was drafted to the Utah Jazz 40 years ago Wednesday, the fans in Salt Lake City greeted their soon-to-be star with stony, disappointed silence.

• This is Old News, our weekly full court press for answers from the past.

Why it matters: Stockton became one of the best players in NBA history during his 19-year career with the Jazz.

The intrigue: The day before the draft, The Salt Lake Tribune reported , the Jazz preferred five — FIVE — other players who they thought might stay unclaimed until the team's No. 16 pick.

• Yes, but: General manager and coach Frank Layden said that night that a "surprise player" had caught their attention, and "they could go out on a limb" the next day.

Zoom in: Fans at the official team draft party were hoping for San Diego State University's Michael Cage — and groaned when the L.A. Clippers nabbed him instead, the Provo Daily Herald reported .

Behind the scenes: Layden later revealed a list that showed Stockton was actually the team's No. 2 choice (Phoenix picked their No. 1, Jay Humphries), but the Jazz wanted to keep their interest quiet.

• The Portland Trail Blazers were clamoring for Stockton, and Layden told the Tribune he feared they'd trade for an earlier spot in line if they knew the Jazz wanted him, too.

The bottom line: While Stockton's anti-mask stance during COVID has continued to draw controversy, his inauspicious start in SLC is far outshone by his legacy as one of the best point guards of all time.

Previously in Old News

• Utah's big eyeroll at early swimsuit modesty scandals
• A Utah school's "Don't say 'queer'" rule
• When WWII Rosies "invaded" Utah's mining industry
• May Day used to rock in Utah
• The Hi-Fi murders shocked the nation

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