McCloud Sets Record for Most Assists by a Small Forward
When thinking about some of the best passing forwards of all-time, names like LeBron James, Larry Bird, and Rick Barry all come to mind. These three legendary forwards all have incredibly impressive single game highs for assists at 17 (Larry Bird) and 19 (LeBron James and Rick Barry). That trio holds five of the top 10 single-game assist records for small forwards, but even the most knowledgeable NBA fans would not know who holds the #1 spot. With a remarkable 22-assist performance, the record for SFs is held by 12-year NBA player and former 7th overall pick, George McCloud.
McCloud was drafted in the first round of the 1989 NBA draft by Indiana, but his career did not get off to a great start. After four lackluster seasons with the Pacers where he never averaged more than 7.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, or 2.5 assists, George McCloud found himself playing in Italy for the 1993-1994 season. Shortly after that, he impressed the Dallas Mavericks enough for them to sign him and his NBA career was revitalized, even averaging 18.9 PPG in 1995-1996. He put together a very solid career, making pit-stops in Los Angeles and Phoenix before finishing his career with the Denver Nuggets. During the 2000-2001 season in the Mile-High City, he struck one night of absolute gold on March 26th, 2001.
22 Assists, 5 Points, and 4 Rebounds in 109-104 OT Victory
For a player who was averaging just 3.7 assists per game in the 2000-2001 season, and who ended his career averaging a mere 2.3 assists per game, this prolific passing performance by George McCloud was undeniably shocking. The 33-year old who was nearing the end of his 12-year NBA career was known mostly for his three-point shooting, not his playmaking. In fact, prior to joining the Nuggets, McCloud had never recorded more than 10 assists in a single NBA game.
However, on this lone night in late-March against the Chicago Bulls, McCloud embraced his inner Magic Johnson and took the playmaking reigns for the Nuggets. Point guard, Nick Van Exel, did not dress for this game forcing the Nuggets to run with a strange 4-forward, 1-center starting lineup. James Posey and George McCloud took on more of the guard roles for the night and did not disappoint. With 22 assists, McCloud assisted on more than half of the Nuggets made field goals (41) and was just four assists shy of matching the entire Bulls’ team assists (26).
McCloud only shot 2-9 from the field, but he was more than willing to let the other Nuggets’ starters carry the scoring load, even recording 9 assists in the third quarter alone. Antonio McDyess led the team with 35 points while James Posey and Kevin Willis added 23 points and 18 points respectfully, on the way to a 109-104 overtime victory. While Fat Lever still holds the Nuggets franchise record for most assists in a game with 23, George McCloud is still cemented into a tie for 2nd most with Mark Jackson who also recorded 22 assists in a game back in 1997.
Despite not being the franchise leader for this record, this stat-line will live on in NBA history as one of the weirdest passing performances of all-time and George McCloud can still brag to this day about owning the record for most assists in a game by a small forward.
