Jason Kidd has spent enough time around elite playmakers to know one when he sees one, and in his eyes, LeBron James sits in that conversation right alongside him.
Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard and former NBA star, never shared a team with James, even though their careers overlapped. But he did coach James from 2019-2021 with the Los Angeles Lakers, and that familiarity clearly left an impression.
Kidd is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards ever, and while James has never been a true point guard in the traditional sense, he has long operated as a primary creator. Kidd says that is what makes the comparison so natural.
“I have talked about the Joker, but since you brought LeBron up, I would say LeBron’s game is … my game is it closest to LeBron, even though his game is at a different altitude,” Kidd said during an appearance on the All-Star Magazine show. “He has the ability to make plays for his teammates.
His IQ, understanding what is going to happen before it happens, is extremely high. Those are the two players when you talk about passing, and just their basketball IQ.”
The numbers back up the overlap Kidd is talking about. When he retired after the 2012-13 season, Kidd ranked third on the NBA’s all-time assists list, trailing only John Stockton and Chris Paul. James is now right behind him at No. 4 and is set to move past Kidd this upcoming season.
James needs 75 assists to claim the No. 3 spot. He is also 536 assists away from Paul, so depending on how many games he plays next season, he could make a run at that mark too. James finished last season with 432 assists in 60 games.
In Other News...
Adem Bona Shows How Fast LeBron Changed Everything For The Sixers
LeBron James landing in Philadelphia has changed the mood around the 76ers almost instantly, and for the younger players on the roster, the arrival carries a different kind of weight. Adem Bona said the news even reached him while he was in Nigeria, where the idea of sharing a locker room with James was enough to spark real excitement. For a team already being talked about as a contender, adding a player of that stature has turned an ambitious summer into something that feels much bigger.
Bonas reaction also says plenty about the ripple effect James can have inside a clubhouse. Beyond the obvious boost to the Sixers title outlook, the move gives players like Bona a chance to learn alongside one of the sports defining stars. Philadelphia has plenty of expectations attached to it now, and the question is how quickly all of that talent can turn promise into something even more serious once the season starts. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers Just Showed How Far Theyll Go For LeBron James
The 76ers have added Randy Mims as Executive Administrator of Player Programs and Logistics, a move that signals just how carefully they are trying to shape the environment around LeBron James. Mims brings a familiar background from the Cavaliers and Lakers, two franchises tied closely to James, and his new role is built around handling the kind of day-to-day details that can matter just as much as the basketball side of a pitch for a player of that stature.
Philadelphias approach suggests this is less about one grand commitment than about keeping every option open and every season aligned with James comfort. With a player option looming for the 2026-2027 season, the Sixers seem prepared to treat the relationship as a year-by-year project, making sure the setup around him stays as appealing as possible while the bigger decision remains out in front. [Read more 🡒]
Sixers May Be Running Out Of Time On A Needed Wing
With the offseason winding down, Bruce Brown is still one of the more useful wings left on the market, and that naturally puts him on the radar for teams trying to patch roster holes late. The former Nuggets reserve carved out a reputation as a tough, versatile defender who could fit alongside just about any rotation, which is exactly the kind of player the 76ers could use with an open roster spot sitting there.
Philadelphia has not been publicly tied to Brown yet, but the window to act on a player like this does not usually stay open for long. The Lakers are reportedly pursuing him, and if that gains traction, it could leave the Sixers without a chance to add a player who would make sense for their needs on the wing. [Read more 🡒]