LeBron James broke the all-time NBA record.
His career total reached 38,388 points on a jump shot with 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, breaking the record Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held for nearly four decades.
James celebrated when Abdul-Jabbar rose from his seat and cheered, and play was stopped when some of James’s family took to the track.
photo: AP
LeBron James catches a ball from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Photo: Gary A Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Abdul-Jabbar, a longtime Laker, became the league’s all-time leading scorer on April 5, 1984, and retired in 1989 with 38,387 points.
But 38-year-old James, who finished with 38 points in a 133-130 loss to the Lakers, surpassed him in his 20th season.
“A record that has stood for nearly 40 years that many people thought would never be broken,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
Abdul-Jabbar held the ball in the air and then handed it to James in a ceremonial pass of the torch.
“I just want to say, thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind,” James said.
“To be able to be in the presence of such a great legend like Kareem, is very humbling. Please give the Captain a standing ovation, please.”
James thanked his family and those who have supported him, including Mr Silver and the late NBA commissioner David Stern.
“Thank you guys so much for letting me be a part of something I’ve always dreamed of,” said James.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James celebrates with his daughter Zhuri. photo: AP
Fourth on the all-time assists list
James could have taken the scoring record a long time ago, but he always preferred to pass.
He is fourth on the all-time assists list.
“I hadn’t thought of it that way, but it’s very true,” Silver told the Associated Press. “I think it even adds – right? – To this result for a guy who became a goalscorer because he determined that was what was needed to win.
“And you’re right, he probably doesn’t get enough credit for his selfless play, because there’s so much focus and attention on him. … I think it makes him that much more special, that he’d rather be known for his assists than for his his baskets”.
‘if it happens, it happens’
James is also the only member of the NBA’s triple quintuple club, with at least 10,000 points, 10,000 rebounds and 10,000 assists. There are 44 players to reach five figures in two of these categories.
“I’ve never been like, ‘OK, if I play for this amount of time and I average this’ thing,” James said. “I’ve never done that with anything in my career. I’ve always said, ‘If it happens, it happens.'”
LeBron James poses for photos with sons Bronny and Bryce Maximus, daughter Zhuri, wife Savannah and mother Gloria
US President Joe Biden said: “With all your heart and soul you broke one hell of a record. You elevated the game.
“Also, like Kareem, Bill Russell and others who have come before you, you have challenged and inspired the nation to be better, do better, and deliver on our full promise.”
