Why John Stockton's fractured fibula did not prevent him from playing for the Dream Team: "It is one of the most important things in my life"

Utah Jazz legend John Stockton is forever immortalized as one of the members of the 1992 Dream Team . But not many know that Stockton almost didn't make the trip to Spain because he suffered a broken leg while playing in the Olympic qualifiers.

Although the injury wasn't that serious, it was extremely painful, and Stock would risk aggravating it if he insisted on continuing his Dream Team plans. Ho,wever after the Jazz gave him the green light, the NBA's all-time assists leader bucked the pain and fulfilled his Olympic Dream in Barcelona.

"The whole Olympic thing is extremely important to me,'" Stockton said . '"I have dreamed about it since I was a child. It is one of the most important things in my life, certainly in my career. If it is necessary to play in pain, I'll do it. I wouldn't do anything to threaten my career. But if it is pain and pain alone, I'll do it."

Jordan almost cost John his Olympic dream

Like any player, Stockton dreamed of donning the National Colors. In 1984, he tried out for Bob Knight's team but was one of the late cuts on that squad. That left him crushed. But after being named as one of the members of the Dream Team, Stockton's Olympic Dream was back. It almost didn't happen.

While Team USA was playing Canada during the 1992 Tournament of Americas group stage, Michael Jordan inadvertently bumped his knee into Stockton's leg. John thought it was nothing, but it turned out to be more serious.

"When I got to the bench, I thought it was just a Charlie horse," added Stockton. "That is why I was trying to run it off next to the bench and in the hallway. We took X-rays just as a formality. They then proved to be positive. It was my first broken bone."

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Stockton was impeccably tough and durable

At 6'1", Stockton was a pint-sized guard playing in the land of giants. However, pound-for-pound, he was one of the toughest and most durable players to ever play in the NBA.

In 19 seasons played, he played 82 games 16 times. Overall, he missed just 22 games or just 1.3% out of all the possible regular season and playoff games available to him. He displayed that consistency when he recovered in time to play in Barcelona .

"My plans are now to play," said Stockton after getting hurt. "I heal quickly, and I stay in good shape, and I will stay in good shape. With the medical team in Utah and my conditioning, I plan to be in Barcelona."

True to his word, Stockton returned after missing the Dream Team's first four games. Stockton averaged just 2.8 points and 2.0 assists in 7.3 minutes per game. Despite limited stats, the more impressive numbers for Stockton in his Dream Team stint was returning from a leg fracture after only 33 days.

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