Chris Paul hits 10,000 assists tonight. He may end up 3rd by the end of the season... Rank Player AST 1. John Stockton* 15806 2. Jason Kidd* 12091 3. Steve Nash* 10335 4. Mark Jackson 10334 5. Magic Johnson* 10141 6. Chris Paul 10004 7. Oscar Robertson* 9887 8. LeBron James 9669 9. Isiah Thomas* 9061 10. Gary Payton* 8966 11. Andre Miller 8524 12. Rod Strickland 7987 13. Russell Westbrook 7646 ...we had to have gotten a boatload of picks when we shipped him off right? Oh... I want to cry now.
Over his 19 seasons in the NBA, he played every regular season game in 17 of them. The longevity and durability was just insane.
In this "load management" era, most players will have to play till they are in their 50s to sniff Stockton's record.
It would get even more lopsided if it included playoff assists, since the Jazz never missed the playoffs with Stockton who averaged 10.1 in his playoffs career.
The Jazz did implement a type of load management with Stockton once he got into his 30s. They kept him on a regular and strict rotation to extend his career.
He's only had 1.5 seasons as a point guard. Crazy considering he's probably the most gifted passer on that list other than Magic.
I didn't give The Glove enough credit for his play making ability. I knew he had some sick passes to Kemp, but didn't realize how high up the assist leaders he was.
Harden is up there. Paul, Magic, Kidd, Nash and Stockton were all exceptional passers.... and obviously Paul. Having said that, Harden is in that group. Magic was overall a better passer, he did not turn the ball over a lot for the type of assist numbers he was getting. A lot of Magic's assists were in transition and some will say are easier, but Harden is also playing in a period without hand checking and when coaches are willing to open it up. Stockton was just a better passer..... Paul is a better passer as well, and Nash is as well. Harden has higher turnovers because he is acting as a high level scorer and distributor. Rajon Rondo really protects the ball well and while Gary Payton did not pile up assists, he did protect the ball as well. I am comfortable putting Harden the last few years in that top tier... but if I had to, I would say.... Stockton, Magic, Kidd, Nash and Paul are a hop ahead of Harden... and would put Harden in the group with Isiah Thomas, Mark Jackson and others.