Ranking the top 5 passers in NBA history basis of highest assists-per-game

Magic Johnson guarding John Stockton.
Magic Johnson guarding John Stockton.

#3 Oscar Robertson

Oscar Robertson and <a href='https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/russell-westbrook' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer'>Russell Westbrook</a>.
Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook.

The "Big O" of the NBA is often remembered for his ability to grab Triple-Doubles, as he was the first player in NBA history to average the feat for an entire season. Oscar Robertson, an NBA legend, is definitely one of the greatest players in NBA history and he was a truly gifted passer in his playing days.

Robertson ranks third in NBA history with a career average of 9.5 assists per game. Robertson played in 14 NBA seasons with the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks, winning an NBA title with the Bucks in 1971.

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He retired as the all-time leader in Triple-Doubles with 181, but Russell Westbrook recently surpassed that mark. Robertson also led the NBA in assists six times throughout his career (the assist champion was designed back then based on total assists). In terms of assists per game, he led the NBA seven times, the third-most in league history.

Robertson went to 12 All-Star games, was selected 11 times to the All-NBA teams, won a regular-season MVP (1963-64) and three All-Star MVPs.


#2 John Stockton

John Stockton with the Utah Jazz.
John Stockton with the Utah Jazz.

John Stockton is the all-time leader in total assists in league history, but he ranks second in career average of assists per game with 10.5 dishes per game.

Stockton played in the NBA for 19 years and he led the league in assists a record nine times. He also holds the single-season record for most assists per game with 14.54 in the 1989-90 NBA season and holds five of the sixth-highest marks in league history.

Stockton was a unique passer and would methodically shred defenses apart with his court vision and the unstoppable pick-and-roll he executed with Hall-of-Famer Karl Malone.

He went to 10 All-Star games, was an 11-time All-NBA player and also received five All-Defensive selections. Stockton's record for most career assists will probably never be touched, as he had 15,806 assists and the next closest finished with 12,091.

Stockton is also the all-time leader in steals in NBA history with 3,265.


#1 Magic Johnson

Magic Johnson with the LA Lakers.
Magic Johnson with the LA Lakers.

If Magic Johnson's career had been a little longer, some records would've surely been different. The greatest point guard in NBA history to many, Johnson averaged a record 11.2 assists per game throughout his 13 seasons in the NBA.

He is one of six players in league history who have reached 10,000 assists in their careers, as he finished his NBA journey with 10,141 dishes.

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Johnson won five NBA championships with the 'Showtime' LA Lakers, a team that was led by him on the court, and also won three NBA Finals MVPs. He also won three regular-season MVPs, went to 12 All-Star games, received 10 All-NBA selections and led the league in assists four times.


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Edited by Arnav Kholkar
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