On Sunday, Chris Paul reached a significant milestone in his illustrious NBA career by moving past Jason Kidd to secure second place on the all-time assists leaderboard.
Achieving his 12,092nd assist, Paul delivered a crucial pass to Victor Wembanyama, resulting in a three-pointer that marked this exceptional milestone in NBA history. The San Antonio Spurs honored Paul’s remarkable accomplishment with a postgame acknowledgment in the locker room, gifting him a basketball and a plaque bearing the names of each player he has assisted throughout his career. Clearly moved by the gesture, Paul expressed his heartfelt gratitude to his team, acknowledging the challenges of being away from his family while embracing his teammates as his extended family.
“I can’t say nothing but thank you. Seriously, seriously man. I know I’m hard to deal with a lot of times. I swear man, I’m so grateful,” Paul stated emotionally, reinforcing the importance of his teammates in his career. He expressed his passion for the game, hoping that his peers would have the opportunity to enjoy long careers akin to his.
The tribute continued with a video shared by the Spurs on Monday, showcasing a series of Paul’s former teammates offering their congratulations. This tribute spanned his career from his early days with the New Orleans Hornets, represented by Peja Stojakovic, Bobby Jackson, and Jannero Pargo, to the iconic “Lob City” era with the LA Clippers, where Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan contributed significantly to his assist tally. More recent teammates, including Stephen Curry and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also expressed their admiration alongside current player Wembanyama.
In terms of contributions to Paul’s assist record, Blake Griffin stands out with the most field goals, tallying 1,157 from Paul’s passes, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. David West, a former Hornets teammate, follows with 1,120, and JJ Redick ranks third with 634 field goals. Notably, Paul has maintained an average of double-digit assists in seven out of his 20 NBA seasons, showcasing his consistent playmaking ability. Only twice in his career has he averaged fewer than seven assists per game, once during the 2019-20 season and again last season with the Golden State Warriors.
Chris Paul’s ascent to second place on the NBA’s all-time assists list highlights not only his talent but also his enduring impact on the game. The recognition from teammates past and present underscores the significant role he has played in their careers and the broader league. As Paul continues his journey, his passion for basketball and commitment to excellence remain evident, promising further contributions to the sport.
