LeBron now in a league of his own
Cavaliers forward first in NBA history with 30K points, 8K rebounds and 8K assists
CLEVELAND— LeBron James had quite a February in a one-of-a-kind career.
He finished the month averaging a triple-double for the first time in his career after producing 31 points, 12 rebounds and11assists on Tuesday night in the Cleveland Cavaliers’ 129-123 win over the Brooklyn Nets. James has 12 triple-doubles this season and 67 in his career.
“Scoring has always been last for me,” James said. “I’ve never looked at myself as a scorer. But to know the history of the game and seeing the guys that put up triple-doubles on a regular (basis) from Jason Kidd to Magic Johnson to Oscar Robertson to Russell Westbrook, you can throw my name in there as well.”
His 11th assist on Tuesday came late in the game and gave him 8,000 in his career. He’s the first player in NBA history with 30,000 points, 8,000 rebounds and 8,000 assists.
“With the long list of so many great players that have come through this league, in the history of this league, for me to be the only (person) in a category, I think it’s pretty cool,” James said. “It’s pretty cool.”
James also became the first frontcourt player and the 11th overall in league history to reach 8,000 assists.
And all those numbers have the pulse of fans elsewhere racing as James approaches free agency.
He hasn’t seen the three billboards urging him to join the Philadelphia 76ers, but he’s flattered by the idea that a city would want him to play there. “That’s dope,” he said. The three billboards were unveiled Monday on busy Interstate-480 outside Cleveland, and each contains a message asking James to sign with the Sixers this summer as a free agent.
The signs, which were paid for by a Chester, Pa., company, were inspired by the Oscar-nominated film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. But their objective was to entice James to come to Philadelphia.
Although James may not see the signs because they’re not on any route he would take from his home in Bath, Ohio, to Quicken Loans Arena, the three-time champion was warmed by their sentiment.
“It is actually very flattering that I’m sitting here at 33 and in my 15th year and teams or guys — I don’t want to say teams because that becomes tampering — but people in their respective city want me to play for them,” he said. “That’s cool I think.”
James’ appreciation caused a commotion on social media as Sixers fans began dreaming of No. 23 in one of the team’s jerseys. NBA tampering rules prohibit teams from having any involvement in recruiting players, but there’s nothing to stop fans from making their pitch.
“We’re passionate about Philadelphia,” Asher Raphael, co-CEO of Power Home Remodeling, the company that paid for the billboards told ESPN. “We have an amazing city. It’s the best sports town and it’s an awesome place to live. We think the best athletes should want to play here.”
The Sixers will visit the Cavaliers on Thursday night.
James can opt out of his contract with Cleveland following this season and the superstar can hit the freeagency market.
The first billboard includes a “#23” in maroon with a crown, on a court with four numbers — the jerseys for Sixers Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid, Dario Saric and Robert Covington. The second billboard has the motto: “Complete The Process,” a take on the Sixers’ “Trust The Process” mantra and the third says: “#PhillyWantsLeBron.”
James’ free agency figures to be the NBA’s biggest off-season story, and the four-time champion recently shot down any discussion about his future until this season ends.