Welcome to Layup Lines, our basketball newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every afternoon.
LeBron James is going to break the all-time scoring record. At this point, it’s not a matter of if, but when? The answer is likely sometime late next week.
This week, however, James climbed up another all-time list. He recorded 11 assists in the Lakers’ win over the Knicks on Tuesday to pass Steve Nash for fourth all-time. He now trails buddy Chris Paul for third, Jason Kidd for second and John Stockton for first.
So is it possible James finishes his career as the all-time scoring and assist leader? Let’s dive into it.
Stockton’s record is 15,806 assists, which is 5,468 ahead of James. So it would take James roughly 771 games at his current pace of 7.1 assists per game to break the record. That would require James to play 82 games every year for another decade until he’s about 48 years old. And that pretty much answers the question. It ain’t happening.
According to HoopsHype, if James averaged a slightly more realistic six assists while playing 70 games a year, he wouldn’t reach the record until 2036, when he’s 51.
Even catching Kidd, whose 12,091 assists are 1,753 ahead of James, is unlikely. Moving into third will be a challenge too depending on how long James and Paul each decide to play. So fourth place may be where James finishes his career. It’s still quite the accomplishment considering all the players ahead of him are point guards and he’s not.
“That’s just what I love to do, getting my guys involved,” James said about moving up the list. “Try to put the ball on time and on target with my guys throughout the course of my career.”
— Prince J. Grimes
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
FTW’s Bryan Kalbrosky had a chance to catch up with Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. The two discussed Butler’s Michelob Super Bowl commercial, what sports outside of basketball he enjoys and more.
They also delved into ESPN’s decision to replace Butler’s headshot on its website. No longer there is the media day photo of Butler wearing fake locs in his hair. It was replaced with an edited version of last year’s media day photo, and the six-time All-Star isn’t happy about it. So, he might be bringing the trolling hairdo out of retirement:
“I don’t think it’s right. I think I should be able to wear my hair however I want to wear my hair. You’re supposed to be using my media day picture. Put my hair back the way that it was because I love that hairdo on me. I’m going to change it because when I come back after the All-Star break, I’m going to have dreads and everybody is going to have to use that picture again.”
One to Watch
(All odds via Tipico)
Orlando Magic (+325) at Philadelphia 76ers (-9.5, -400), O/U 230.5, 7 PM ET
What we have between the Magic and Sixers is one of the worst road teams in the NBA playing one of the best home teams. And that home team has a little more incentive to get up for an otherwise nothing game thanks to a butt-kicking it took from the feet of the same road team just two days ago. The Magic beat the Sixers by 10 on Monday, so I’ll roll with Philly to return the favor with an equal butt-kicking tonight.
Shootaround
— Rui Hachimura has a great Kobe-inspired reason for his new number with the Lakers
— Lonzo Ball and the Bulls have no idea why it’s taking so long for his knee to recover
— NBA MVP Watch: 5 risers and fallers of January
— Scottie Barnes’ unfazed reaction to DeAndre Ayton became an instant meme
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