Sunday night, in a matchup at home with the Lakers, Chris Paul was aware of the illustrious club he was about to enter.
He started the night with 9,991 career assists, eight shy of entering a group that was, then, only manned by five others (Stockton, Kidd, Nash, Jackson, Johnson).
With 7:10 on the game clock in third quarter, Paul would hit the 10k career assists summit via a 2-high staggered pick and roll that ended in an alley-oop connection with Deandre Ayton.
It was seemingly fitting for him to achieve such a feat with an alley-oop pass, a skill he’s perfected over his career.
Check out this breakdown of total assists to teammates over his career ⤵️
More History Made❗️
Along with becoming the sixth player to ever cross the 10k assist summit, the Point God would end his night with an impressive stat-line as he posted his 16th career triple-double (11 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds).
In doing so, at 35, he became the oldest player to record a triple-double in Suns franchise history.
What’s Next? 👀
Sitting at 10,004 career assists, he’s now:
- 137 behind Magic Johnson (10,141) for 5th
- 330 behind Mark Jackson (10,334) for 4th
- 331 behind Steve Nash (10,335) for 3rd
At his 8.8 assists per game pace for this season, he would net 273 more assists in the remaining 31 games.
More Looming History 📈
He’s 535 points away from being the only player in history to amass 20k points and 10k assists over his career, which will be one of the most telling stats for just how unique of a talent CP3 is.
Few guards or players have ever possessed his ability to both score and assist at an elite level for one season alone. He’s sustained a career-long level of play doing so.
When you calculate in that he’s 20 steals away from passing Scottie Pippen for sixth and 23 from passing Mo Cheeks to enter the top five for steals all-time, you begin to piece together the puzzle revealing how much of an impact he’s had on the game for his career.
For reference, he and Stockton are the only two players to have led the league in both assists and steals two separate times. Chris, however, is alone in having done so three separate times (07-08, 08-09, 13-14).
Closing
Chris is at the point where all-time statistical feats are approaching frequently. Each just simply further-cements his status as a looming first ballot hall of famer.
Enjoy this montage of assists from his 16 seasons so far. Enjoy!
If you haven’t already, appreciate the greatness that is Chris Paul. Even more, appreciate the level of play he exudes even at age 35! It is downright special 🐐.
*All stats and information come directly from basketball-reference or ESPN unless stated otherwise, and are accurate entering play on 3.22.21*
Perspectives by Stephen 