Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James continues to insert his name to the conversation of the league's best playmakers of all time, surpassing Detroit Pistons legend and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas for the eighth spot on NBA's all-time assists list.
The King achieved the feat against the Cleveland Cavaliers, on Monday, notching his 9,062 career dime inside Staples Center.
Now on his 17th season, the 35-year-old James has steered the Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference and one of the prime contenders for the Larry O'Brien trophy this season.
Congrats to @KingJames of the @Lakers for moving up to 8th on the all-time ASSISTS list! #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/sK0YRLC8pv
— NBA (@NBA) January 14, 2020
Entering Monday, James is averaging 25.4 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from deep. However, perhaps his biggest individual accomplishment this season is leading the league in assists for the first time his career, notching 10.7 per game.
The three-time NBA champion will likely break into the Top 5 in the all-time assist record when it's all said and done. He currently trails Oklahoma City Thunder point guard and good friend Chris Paul, who currently has 9,436 assists.
Much of the Lakers' early success comes from James' willingness to defer to Anthony Davis as the team's primary option on offense.
Even with a talented playmaker like Rajon Rondo on the squad, James continues to play point-forward for head coach Frank Vogel's offense.
LeBron James remains to be an unstoppable force on offense — especially on the break — but has looked to make plays for his teammates more this year. Danny Green, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma, among others, have all benefited from his unselfishness. With James drawing the defense each time, his team are getting wide-open looks and playing at a high level.
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