Jason Kidd gives honest opinion on Chris Paul and John Stockton after Spurs star's stats landmark
Hall of Fame point guard and Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd was all praises for San Antonio Spurs point guard Chris Paul as CP3 surpassed him for second on the NBA's all-time assists list on Sunday.
Paul recorded assist No. 12,092 in the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans, moving him ahead of Kidd's mark of 12,091.
"Well deserved, incredible, future hall of famer, " Kidd told reporter Joey Mistrettta in an interview. "(He) had a lot of games where he set the table for teammates. (He) had a lot of great teammates. As we know, (for) assists, you need a great partner. So, again congratulations to him and what he has accomplished."
While sharing his thoughts on the incredible feat achieved by 39-year-old Paul, Jason Kidd also praised the league's assist leader, John Stockton (15,806 career assists).
"He's (Chris Paul) not done," Kidd added. "I don't know if he can catch Stockton. I don't think anyone can catch Stockton. Stockton's numbers are pretty impressive, but for Chris to be second, that's big time."
Paul finished the game with 10 assists, which increased his career number to 12,099. This season, the Spurs PG is averaging 10.2 points, 8.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds. Paul is also the only player in NBA history with over 12,000 career assists and 20,000 career points.
Jason Kidd praises fellow Hall of Famer John Stockton
Jason Kidd also noted how John Stockton's assists number was remembered by many, but Kidd felt that fans had a tendency to forget the Jazz legend's achievements on the defensive end.
"That number (15,806) is very impressive when you look at it, not just the assists, but the steals," Kidd said. "Stockton is never really mentioned in the top five of point guards, which he should always be in the top two with the things that he's accomplished. ... Someone will catch Chris at some point, I just don't know if anybody could catch Stockton."
Kidd was referring to Stockton's well-rounded skillset. Stockton, who spent his entire 19-year career with the Utah Jazz, is also the NBA career steals leader (3,265) and is the only player to have totaled more than 3,000 steals in his career. Jason Kidd is behind him with 2,684 steals, and Paul is on 2,648 career steals, chasing Kidd's mark.