Sports fans are watching the boards as they see new players surpass basketball records that have been on the books for decades. Is it a new way of playing? Better competition or better Air Jordans? Or is it that these players (like many of us schoolyard players) have watched the videos of Jordan, Magic, Stockton, Koby, and the Dream Team since they started walking and have perfected the style and technique of their predecessors and are ready to take the prize. Whatever it is, it’s exciting to see. You can’t beat seeing players like Demar Derozan, currently one of the most impressive players in the league. Demar started off the season by breaking a Bulls’ franchise record of most points in the first 16 games of the season. Demar also broke the NBA record of scoring back-to-back buzzer-beaters in under 24 hours. Now, fans are expecting these thrills when they step into the arenas across the country.
Some of the new records include:
All-Time Points, Rebounds, and Assists Record:
LeBron James has become the first and only player to have 30,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 9,000 assists. As an all-time scorer, James (at 36,348 points) is about to surpass Karl Malone (at 36,928 points), the second-highest scorer. The all-time top scorer is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (at 38,387 points). However, neither Malone nor Abdul-Jabbar players have the entire package of points, rebounds, and assists that James has obtained.
Most Three-Point Shots Record:
Stephen Curry has scored the highest number of 3-point shots in NBA history, with a total of more than 2,977 3-pointers. The 3-point record was taken from Ray Allen, who made a career of 2,973 3-point shots, a record that was maintained for 8 years.
Most Single-Season Triple Doubles Record:
Just last spring, Russell Westbrook broke the triple-double record with 182 triple-doubles. This record was maintained for 47 years by Hall of Famer, Oscar Robertson who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks.
Notwithstanding the thrills these players are bringing to the game this season, one thing should be remembered: basketball is a team sport. While one player can elevate the game of his team, winning is the product of precise timing, unselfish play, and team chemistry among all of the players on the court. Even with Lebron and Westbrooks’s record-breaking seasons, the Lakers are only breaking even record-wise, at 23 wins and 23 losses. Some would agree that fans are more excited by the team play seen out of Chicago and Phoenix, where role players are making significant contributions to their winning seasons. Great team play is the game of basketball that young players should aspire to — but a little flair and records broken is always loved by fans.
Elisha de Silva
Staff Writer
Graphic: Jiah Lee