NBA News NBA News, Match Reports and Updates
For the second time this season, Chris Paul is set to surpass Jason Kidd, securing the second position on an all-time NBA statistics chart.
Once Paul eclipses Kidd, the all-time rankings for assists and steals will feature a trio of legends, with Utah Jazz icon John Stockton leading the way in both categories, followed by Paul and Kidd — a triumvirate celebrated as some of the greatest point guards in NBA history.
In his 20th year in the league, Paul has led the NBA in steals on six occasions (2007-08, ’08-09, ’10-11, ’11-12, ’12-13, and ’13-14) and has earned a place on the All-Defensive Team nine times, including seven selections to the First Team.
Remarkably, Paul matched Kidd’s total for career steals while participating in 67 fewer games. He is among just 17 players in NBA history to achieve an average of at least two steals per game over their careers, and one of only six to maintain this average while playing more than 1,000 games.
The other legends on that exclusive list include Stockton, Michael Jordan, Maurice Cheeks, Clyde Drexler, and Scottie Pippen — all of whom are enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
When Paul steps onto the court on Thursday, he will face a Phoenix Suns team against which he has amassed 109 steals in 49 games over his career. The Suns are one of 13 teams against which Paul has accrued at least 100 steals, and his average of 2.22 steals per game against Phoenix ranks as the sixth highest against any team.
After nearly 12 years of Stockton and Kidd dominating the top two spots in both assists and steals, Paul is close to solidifying his position as No. 2 on both lists. While Stockton holds a significant lead at the top, Paul is poised to keep enhancing his stats, making it increasingly challenging for any player to break into the top two.
