LeBron James becomes first player in NBA history to reach 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists

At 37-years-old LeBron James is still in a league of his own as he created a new record the NBA has never seen before. Although the Los Angeles Lakers picked up a whopping 37th defeat this season, in a 140-111 loss at the Phoenix Suns, James stole the headlines as he became the first-ever player to reach the 10,000-career mark in points, rebounds and assists.

Despite the disappointing season that the Lakers are having, they certainly cannot blame James who has carried the team on his back averaging 29.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game this season, numbers which still fall short due to the team’s lack of chemistry and team-work.

After driving the ball to the opponent’s half and finding Carmelo Anthony on the perimeter for a successful wide open three, James looked up at the big screens and savoured the moment as his 10,000-career assist was announced for everyone in the court to see.

LeBron James ‘lost for words’

‘I get lost for words when things like this happen to me, I automatically start thinking about my upbringing and my hometown in Akron, Ohio and where I come from,” said King James in the post-match interview of the Laker’s home game against the Suns.

‘The dreams that I’ve had of being in this league and playing at the highest level and to now sit alone in a statistical category that I’ve really modelled my game after, being able to score rebound and assist, I’d say is cool but it also doesn’t quite make sense to me, he continued.

With the landmark achieved, it adds to James’ supporters who believe he is the most complete player to ever play in the league.

James also commented on the Lakers’ poor season so far but stated the importance of focusing on the positives that happen throughout it.

‘It’s an honour to be part of this league and no matter what is going on in the season you try to take the victories throughout the course of the marathon.’

James is also one of only seven players in the history of the NBA to reach 30.000 career points, in a list that also features players like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Dirk Nowitzki, but he sits right at the top for the youngest player to ever reach the landmark.

The small forward finished the game with great numbers once again, with a team high of 31 points along with seven rebounds and six assists but as has been the case many times this season, his individual stats weren’t enough to grant the win.

By Carlos Almeida Moura