Chris Paul passed Randy Smith as the Los Angeles Clippers all-time assist leader during the franchise’s 99-88 win over the Memphis Grizzles Friday night. Paul now has a total of 3,502 assists as a member of the Clippers.
Paul addressed the media after the game to explain, among other things, what achieving this top honor means to him.
“I think we’re taking a lot of pride in our defense, and we’re excited about getting stops.” –@CP3 pic.twitter.com/nB6XeY9rdc
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 5, 2016
Paul’s record clinching 3,449th assist came on a pass to J.J. Redick with just over 9 minutes left in the 3rd quarter.
When it comes to assists @CP3 is now at the 🔝
Here's the assist that gave him the franchise record. #ItTakesEverything pic.twitter.com/bk3biO6JKW
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 5, 2016
Paul went on to finish the match up with 27 points, 11 assists, 6 steals, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. Since the 1985-86 NBA season only Baron Davis (New Orleans Hornets ) has achieved such an impressive single game stat line.
A Modern Day John Stockton
In addition to setting a new assist record for the Clippers, Paul’s performance against the Grizzles also marked his 29th career game with 20+ points, 10+ assists and 5+ steals, matching Hall of Famer John Stockton for the most such games since the 1983-84 season.
The comparisons between Paul and Stockton don’t stop there. The Clippers’ all star point guard currently sits at number 11 on the NBA/ABA list of all-time assist leaders with 7730 career assists. Stockton is first on that list, with 15806 career assists in nineteen seasons with the Utah Jazz. At only 31, Paul has a good chance of reaching the top of the list before his career ends. The selfless floor general has averaged over 10 assists per game in six of his previous 11 seasons in the NBA, and is currently playing some of the best basketball of his career.
Record Holder on Two NBA Franchises
Notably, Paul also holds the all-time franchise assist record for the New Orleans Hornets. During his 6 years in New Orleans, Paul racked up a total of 4228 assists; over 3000 more than the franchise’s second place assist leader, Greivis Vasquez. Paul holds a number of other records for the Hornets as well, including the record for career steals.
Paul and his hot hands will next be on display in San Antonio, where the Clippers take on the Spurs Saturday night.
Main Photo
LOS ANGELES, USA – FEBRUARY 22: Chris Paul of LA Clippers reacts during NBA basketball game between Los Angeles Clippers and Phoenix Sunsat Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, United States on February 22, 2016. (Photo by Mintaha Neslihan Eroglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
