As he put it weeks ago, Kobe Bryant is “evolving” his game, and the 19-year veteran’s progression reached its apex on Thursday when he dished out a career-high 17 assists in his 1,279th NBA game.
Bryant came out firing against the Cleveland Cavaliers, handing out eight dimes in the first quarter alone. Despite being on a strict 32-minute limit, the assists just kept piling up for the third-leading scorer in NBA history.
Nearly 13 years after setting his original career high of 15 assists in a triple-double performance against Michael Jordan and the Washington Wizards on Feb. 2, 2002, Bryant recorded his new personal best against another worthy opponent, LeBron James.
“It’s two of the ultimate competitors in this game, and we love going against one another,” James told TNT after the game. “It brings out the best, and (he’s) someone I’ve always looked up to, someone I admire. It’s always great competition going against him.”
Bryant, whose passing James later compared to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, had little trouble finding his teammates, especially Jordan Hill.
The starting center was on the receiving end of eight of Bryant’s dimes and didn’t let his captain down, shooting 8-for-10 on 15 passes from Bryant.
“He was distributing the ball and breaking records,” Hill said. “He had a career-high tonight, and that’s what he does. He’s a great facilitator and he showed it tonight.”
However, it was not just Hill who benefited from Bryant’s generous distribution. Seven players scored on assists from Bryant. The 16-time all-star was able to find his fellow Lakers open looks all night, as Bryant’s teammates shot 17-for-28 on passes from him.
But after the game, Bryant immediately credited the other players in purple and gold for his career night.
“When it comes to assists, it’s really the other guys that wind up making you look good,” Bryant said. “And they did that tonight. They made shots, and (I) wind up getting 17 assists.”
Bryant’s night was not only historic for himself, but for the league as a whole. By also adding 19 points and six rebounds in 32 minutes, he joined Magic Johnson (three times) as the only players to reach that statline in such little playing time since at least 1985-86.