CLEVELAND -- On the same night LeBron James finished out February by averaging a triple-double for the first time in a calendar month in his fabled 15-year career, James also became the first player in NBA history to tally more than 30,000 points, 8,000 rebounds and 8,000 assists.
"With the long list of so many great players that have come through this league, in the history of this league, for me to be the only [person] in a category, I think it's pretty cool," James said after the Cavaliers' 129-123 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. "It's pretty cool. I take pride in my game. I've always taken pride in being a triple threat since I started playing basketball, and I never wanted to be labeled as a scorer.
"I always wanted to be labeled as just an all-around basketball player; and I get more gratification out of the assists more than anything, because to get my guys great looks or they're knocking down shots, that means a lot to me."
James reflected further on the accomplishment after the game, telling ESPN, "I need my own category," now that he set himself apart with that statistical achievement.