LOS ANGELES — Jason Kidd used to hold the record, he got to 28 during his Hall of Fame playing career.
Kidd, now a Lakers’ assistant coach, was the first to congratulate LeBron James after Tuesday night’s Los Angeles win over Oklahoma City.
Well, first Kidd told LeBron he played a bad game.
“I had seven turnovers, I was bad,” LeBron said. “I agreed with him.”
Then Kidd let James he had just made history: With his 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists, LeBron got his first triple-double against the Thunder — making LeBron the first player in NBA history to have a triple-double against every team.
“I don’t know, I really don’t know what to think about it,” LeBron said. “I’ve had some great teammates and coaches who put me in a position to facilitate… and hopefully, though all those triple-doubles, I’ve got a winning record in those games.”
LeBron’s combination of versatility and longevity are unmatched in league history. However, reaching this milestone it also required him to move around a little — he had to switch teams to get a triple-double against the Cavaliers, Heat, and Lakers.
“He’ll say it’s because he’s been in the league so long,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said, guessing wrong but still making his point. “But we all know it’s because he’s remarkable, and for him to be doing it as long as he’s been doing it, that’s how you knock out all 30… I don’t know if that will ever get accomplished again.”
Vogel talked about the growth in LeBron’s game. When Vogel was coaching in Indiana, the book on LeBron was to play back and force him to shoot over the top of the defense. Now “he’s the best deep shooter on our team,” Vogel said.
LeBron has always scored almost at will and been active on the glass. It’s his assist numbers that have jumped to a career-high season because he has been asked to play more of a point guard role. LeBron leads the league with 11.1 assists per game (Luka Doncic is second at 9.3).
However, with the recent return of the one pure point guard on the roster in Rajon Rondo, it was fair to wonder if that would that cut into LeBron’s opportunities to rack up dimes? So far, no. Plus, LeBron is finishing a few assists for Rondo, too.
LeBron ends the first half with a 💥#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/UBSMthQq9g
— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 20, 2019
With the win 112-107 win against a scrappy Thunder team, the Lakers improve to a league-best 12-2 on the season.
