MY ACCOUNT
LeBron James was lost for words after becoming the first player in NBA history to surpass 10,000 points, rebounds and assists.
Four-time MVP James achieved the feat with his six assists in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 140-111 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Sunday.
The second of those assists against the NBA-leading Suns, alongside his 31 points and seven rebounds, saw James reach five figures in that category.
After managing something nobody else has come close to, the 37-year-old was left to revel in another historic achievement.
“I get lost for words anytime things like this are happening to me because of where I come from,” he said.
“I start thinking to my hometown of Akron [Ohio] and my upbringing and where I come from and the dreams that I had of being in this league and playing at the highest level.
“To now sit alone at a statistical category in this league that I’ve really modelled my game after: being able to score, rebound and assist…
“To sit alone at a stat is pretty, I’d say, ‘cool,’ but it doesn’t quite make sense to me.”
James’ 10,000th assist arrived in another defeat for the Lakers, who are now 29-38 for the season and down in ninth in the Western Conference.
“It’s an honour to be a part of this league. No matter what’s going on, you try to take the victories that happen throughout the course of a long marathon,” James added.
“Tonight is one that happened not only for myself but for my family and friends.”
James now has 1,457 points this season, tied with Luka Doncic for the 11th most, while his average of 29.7 across his 49 games is bettered only by Joel Embiid (29.8).
Only in two previous seasons – 30 in 2007-08 and 31.4 in 2005-06 – has James averaged more points than he is this season for the Lakers.
