Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has topped the NBA’s all-time points list for 39 years. LeBron James, another Laker, surpassed him on Tuesday to become the league’s all-time leading scorer.
LeBron breaking the record was expected for some time, but it does not reduce the significance of the achievement. LeBron James broke the mark with a 3-pointer in the third quarter while Kareem was present.
After 39 years, the NBA has a new one #scoringking
greetings, @King James. pic.twitter.com/NSJqD1kobN
— Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers) February 8, 2023
LeBron was able to break the record at home in front of a Los Angeles crowd thanks to a favorable schedule that benefited the Lakers and him. Many family members, friends and the media attended the game to celebrate the resulting event.
LeBron has accelerated toward the finish line in recent weeks and months, though it seems inevitable before the season begins. LeBron was strong in the second half of the season after a slow start with injuries.
LeBron averaged 32.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 30 games from Nov. 26 through the end of January while shooting 52.1% from the field. He won two Player of the Week honors and was just named Player of the Month in January.
With essence, LeBron did it in style. Continues from one laker to another.
LeBron’s journey to 38,387 points was the subject of numerous profiles in the days and weeks leading up to breaking the record. According to ESPN’s Jack Lowe, LeBron has climbed the scoring leaderboard despite not being referred to as a “pure scorer”. In a brilliant article for The Ringer, Mirin Fader compares the qualities that made LeBron James and Kareem great. In a column for Andscape, Mark Spears discusses how LeBron lived up to the ambition of “The Chosen One.”
The significance of this moment for LeBron, the Lakers and the NBA cannot be overstated. LeBron James now owns the record that many people believed would never be broken. King’s greatest professional achievement is the greatest crown jewel of his career.
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