Brooklyn Nets head coach and former NBA star Steve Nash had perfect response to hearing that Phoenix Suns’ Chris Paul surpassed his NBA record.
When Hall of Fame players enter retirement, it suddenly becomes possible that their hard-won records can be toppled by active players.
That’s what happened to Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash on Tuesday when Phoenix Suns point guard Chris Paul surpassed Nash on the NBA all-time assists leaderboard. Nash, who previously ranked third with 10,335 assists over the course of his 18-year career, is now fourth on the list.
During a Tuesday night win over the New Orleans Pelicans, Paul had 18 assists, which gave him 10,346 — enough to finally surpass Nash.
After the Nets defeated the Atlanta Hawks 117-108, a journalist at the post-game press conference endeavored to know Nash’s thoughts on the recently-broken assist record.
“Coach, last night, Chris Paul surpassed you on the all-time leading attempt—”
“Damn it,” Nash interjected, then smiled as the room of NBA journalists laughed.
Ever the good sport, Nash went on to congratulate Paul for accomplishing this incredible feat, discussing what it takes for someone to someone to join the 10,000 assist club.
“I played a long time, so that’s the first ingredient,” Nash said. “Chris is just one of the best point guards we’ve ever had. So, well-deserved. I’m sure he’s going to get many, many more, and it’s been incredible to watch his career.”
Steve Nash has the best response to Chris Paul’s historic NBA assist record
The NBA world — especially the Phoenix Suns — have been eager to congratulate “the Point God” for what he’s given to the game.
Phoenix Suns teammate Devin Booker also congratulated CP3’s historic accomplishment, emphasizing just how difficult it is to even reach third on that list.
Paul is still well behind second-place Jason Kidd, who retired with 12,091 assists. NBA all-time assist leader John Stockton’s record is firmly out of reach at 15,806, something that Paul has finally come to accept.
“I looked at that list when I first came into the league and seeing that John Stockton and I was like, ‘I’m going to get it.’ But that ship sailed. That ship sailed. It sailed a while ago when I started missing all them games,” Paul said with a laugh.
The assist record goes to show how the good-natured teammate has rallied his team, all the way to the NBA Finals earlier this spring.