LeBron James passes Magic Johnson for 6th all-time in assists

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10:10 PM ET

While moving past Magic Johnson on the NBA's all-time assists list, he knows his place in the Laker lore.

"To know that I'm in the conversation or about to get to a point that I'm breaking a record that he set for this franchise, and I'm not comparing myself to this franchise, what he did, sheesh."

Those guys are synonymous with the franchise. "It's pretty cool when I'm able to see my name with some of the greats that have played this game."

With 8:41 left in the fourth quarter, James found Anthony Davis for a 3-pointer that gave Los Angeles a 112-108 lead.

He took over Johnson's spot on the all-time list with his 10,142nd assist. Mark Jackson, Steve Nash and Chris Paul are the only players ahead of James.

The NBA's all-time leader in regular-season points is on the verge of being passed by the man known as King James. All year long, we will have complete coverage.

There is a game-by- game points tracker.

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Being associated with one of the game's flashiest passers is special, according to James.

You have Ali, Jordan, Magic when you talk about sports. James said that he was a bird. They are synonymous with sports. There is a state called Montana. You're aware of who we're talking about.

When James was a free agent, Johnson was the president of basketball operations for the Lakers. The Lakers finished 10th in the Western Conference despite adding James and Johnson resigned before the season finale.

James was surprised by Johnson's decision on his talk show.

It was weird for him to say, "I'm out of here" and not say anything to her. James said on his show that he was out of the country. I would have been happy with that. It's magic. I'm gone. It's not even that.

In October, Johnson was a guest on "Club Shay Shay" and looked at his Lakers exit.

I should have called him to let him know I was stepping down. I regret that a great deal. I owe him something.

Johnson declined an interview request. When asked about the current state of his and Johnson's relationship, James didn't say anything. The representative for the Lakers owner declined the interview request.

On April 15, 1991, Johnson became the league's all-time assists leader, passing Oscar Robertson's record of 9,888 assists. In a win over the Dallas Mavericks, Johnson set a new record for assists in a game. He held the record for nearly four years before he was passed by Stockton.

James said that he learned the power of being a pass-first player when he first started playing football.

James said that the game was a team one. I've always been raised like that. The teams are winners. Guys have to feel comfortable, they have to feel a part of something. I won my first organized basketball game when I was taught that way. I won the title in my second year. We won tournaments as I grew. We won high school.

I was aware of what it was. It was about guys coming together, playing together, and playing for the cause of each other.