NBA: Ranking the top 20 players that impact the game in non-scoring roles

NBA Oklahoma City Thunder Chris Paul (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
NBA Oklahoma City Thunder Chris Paul (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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NBA Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

It should be no surprise that LeBron James is No. 1 on this list. LeBron brings leadership, defensive intensity, rebounding, and passing. In his 17th year in the league, he is leading the NBA in assists, with 10.7 per game.

He is eighth all-time in assists. Interestingly, most players around him in the top 10 are all guards. During the 2017 NBA Finals, LeBron became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double, putting up 34 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists per game.

LeBron can score, but he doesn’t always have to rely on it. James is known for his chase-down blocks and his vision on the court. Although this is the second time in his career he is playing point guard, he’s always been a point guard in a power forward’s body.