Is original gamecube analog stick supposed to be a little stiff?

[MikeH72]

I just got a used official nintendo gamecube controller off ebay and the left analog stick feels a little on the stiff side but is still fully functional. I don't know if this is normal or not. If this is not normal I might just pick up the new Smash Bros. gamecube controller. I owned a gamecube 10 years ago but don't remember the analog sticks being quite so stiff. However, I have a ps3 and have been using the dualshock 3 for many years and also wonder if it is possible that I have just gotten used to the feel of the joystick that the dualshock 3 has. I do have to use quite a bit more force to move the gamecube joystick compared to the ps3 joystick.