Seven games into the 2019-20 NBA season, LeBron James is leading the NBA in assists per game. It has been an interesting development for the Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James might be able to add something to his legacy that would separate him from Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. LeBron, through seven games, is leading the league with 11.1 assists per game. While it is still extremely early, that is certainly an interesting development.
We have all heard the lazy talking point brought up on debate shows. “LeBron always looks to pass” or “He knows he can get his, that’s why he always to get others involved.”
All of that is true, LeBron is a gifted passer who averages 7.3 assists a game for his career. LeBron is also a player who averages 19.6 shots a game and 27.2 points for his career.
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LeBron has My Career Mode stats. He gets his points and has his assists too. LeBron has a scoring title. His main rival in terms of comparisons is Michael Jordan with 10 scoring titles.
Unless LeBron decides to become like Kobe and tell AD to just get the rebound, LeBron James will most likely not earn another scoring title – even though he is currently cohabiting with Anthony Davis and scoring 26 points a game this season.
LeBron is always looking to add to his legacy. He is a three-time champion, four-time MVP and a 12-time All-NBA First Team player. He has done almost everything you can do on a basketball court.
We all know LeBron can lead the league in assists. This should be the time where he should just do it.
His team’s current roster is not perfect but his running mate Anthony Davis is. Anthony Davis is currently converting 80 percent of his shots within three feet of the basket. He has a lifetime average of 72.3 percent. Davis’ average distance per shot is 9.5 from the basket.
These numbers show that if LeBron can draw defenders away from the basket or the paint, Davis has the ability to convert at a high rate. It will lead to more easy baskets for AD and easy assists for LeBron.
It is otherworldly for a player who is about to be 35 years, and in his 17th season, to just decide he wants to try and lead the league in assists.
John Stockton, who was known for running pick and rolls non-stop, ended his nine-season run leading the league in assists when he was 33. Steve Nash led the league five times in assists throughout his career, with his final time coming when he was 36 years old.
With that said, Stockton and Nash were point guards on teams that needed them to have the ball. LeBron is in a similar spot and this could add another wrinkle to his legacy.
Factor this with the past two league leaders James Harden and Russell Westbrook now being on the same team. LeBron could see himself passing his way to another accolade this season. Then again, Luka Doncic is right behind him with 9.5 assists. Luka has the ability to rack up a lot of assists as well.
Luka vs. LeBron is the type of battle NBA fans deserve and the one we need right now.