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Playmaking is logically one of the most important aspects to some NBA players. An offensive player who can create his own shot and also help his teammates find good looks on the court will definitely be solid for any NBA team.
In today's league, we have some of the most gifted passers in NBA history, starting with LeBron James, Chris Paul, or even Rajon Rondo. Luka Doncic is one of the players from the new generation of NBA talent that is also an extraordinary passer and who is often up there in terms of assists per game.
Five All-time leaders in assists per game in NBA history
Moreover, the current NBA MVP award winner, center Nikola Jokic, is one of the best big-men passers the NBA has ever seen in its almost 75-year history
Staying with the passing theme, this article will give you the five players with the highest average of assists per game in NBA history.
Without further ado, let us start.
#5 Isiah Thomas
Underrated by many, Isiah Thomas is one of the greatest point guards in NBA history. A 12-time NBA All-Star and two-time champion, Zeke averaged 9.3 assists per game in his career, the fifth-most in league history.
Thomas was the leader of the 'Bad Boy' Detroit Pistons, who won two consecutive NBA championships in 1989 and 1990.
He led the NBA in assists once throughout his 13-year career and is also in the Top 10 for most total assists in NBA history with 9,061.
He was also a two-time All-Star MVP, receiving five All-NBA nominations and winning the 1990 NBA Finals MVP.
#4 Chris Paul
Often referred to as the 'Point God', Chris Paul is definitely one of the all-time greats in the point guard position for his ability to control his team's offense and set up teammates.
CP3 is fourth in NBA history with a career average of 9.4 assists per game in the regular season. He is the only active player on this list, which means he could fall or climb some steps in years to come.
Paul, an 11-time All-Star, is still looking for his first NBA championship, but his greatness at the point guard position is already cemented. A future Hall-of-Famer, Paul is also one of six players with at least 10,000 assists and ranks fifth in league history in total assists (10,275).
Paul has led the NBA in assists four times throughout his NBA career.
#3 Oscar Robertson
The "Big O" of the NBA is often remembered for his ability to grab Triple-Doubles, as he was the first player in NBA history to average the feat for an entire season. Oscar Robertson, an NBA legend, is definitely one of the greatest players in NBA history and he was a truly gifted passer in his playing days.
Robertson ranks third in NBA history with a career average of 9.5 assists per game. Robertson played in 14 NBA seasons with the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks, winning an NBA title with the Bucks in 1971.
He retired as the all-time leader in Triple-Doubles with 181, but Russell Westbrook recently surpassed that mark. Robertson also led the NBA in assists six times throughout his career (the assist champion was designed back then based on total assists). In terms of assists per game, he led the NBA seven times, the third-most in league history.
Robertson went to 12 All-Star games, was selected 11 times to the All-NBA teams, won a regular-season MVP (1963-64) and three All-Star MVPs.
#2 John Stockton
John Stockton is the all-time leader in total assists in league history, but he ranks second in career average of assists per game with 10.5 dishes per game.
Stockton played in the NBA for 19 years and he led the league in assists a record nine times. He also holds the single-season record for most assists per game with 14.54 in the 1989-90 NBA season and holds five of the sixth-highest marks in league history.
Stockton was a unique passer and would methodically shred defenses apart with his court vision and the unstoppable pick-and-roll he executed with Hall-of-Famer Karl Malone.
He went to 10 All-Star games, was an 11-time All-NBA player and also received five All-Defensive selections. Stockton's record for most career assists will probably never be touched, as he had 15,806 assists and the next closest finished with 12,091.
Stockton is also the all-time leader in steals in NBA history with 3,265.
#1 Magic Johnson
If Magic Johnson's career had been a little longer, some records would've surely been different. The greatest point guard in NBA history to many, Johnson averaged a record 11.2 assists per game throughout his 13 seasons in the NBA.
He is one of six players in league history who have reached 10,000 assists in their careers, as he finished his NBA journey with 10,141 dishes.
Johnson won five NBA championships with the 'Showtime' LA Lakers, a team that was led by him on the court, and also won three NBA Finals MVPs. He also won three regular-season MVPs, went to 12 All-Star games, received 10 All-NBA selections and led the league in assists four times.
Also read: 5 Free agents Phoenix Suns must target in the 2021 NBA off-season
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