It was October 29, 2003. LeBron James played his NBA game for the first time. In Cleveland his Cavaliers lost to the Sacramento Kings, James scored his 25th.
There were 2,708 names on the NBA’s all-time scoring list that night.
He caught 2,707 of them.
Only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has been the leading scorer since April 5, 1984, has surpassed James on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. And he has 1,326 points.
“To sit here and know that I’m on the verge of breaking probably the most popular record in the NBA is what people say it’s probably never going to happen.” James said. increase.”
Scores: Abdul-Jabbar 38,387, James 37,062. At James’ career pace of 27.1 points per game, he’s 49 games away from being his number one. If James’ scoring pace was his 30.3 per game last season, he was 44 games behind him.
If James doesn’t miss a game, the first target window will be mid-to-late January. He will be one of the all-time great passers while also being the most prolific scorer. James ranks seventh all-time in assists, and he should be fourth by the end of the season.
“One of the really great things about LeBron is that he’s a very ambitious passer and a very talented passer,” said James with four seasons (2010-2014) and two championships. Coaching Miami coach Eric Spoelstra said. “In many ways it’s one of his most unique and special qualities. Still, he’s going to break the all-time scoring record. That could be a secondary skill set for him.” Yes, it’s crazy.”
Abdul-Jabbar played 20 seasons. James is entering his 20th season. They earned points in different ways. For example, James has scored 6,420 points from his 3-point range in his career. Abdul-Jabbar has three.
Abdul-Jabbar’s sky hook has taken the NBA by storm from the start. He averaged 30.4 points per game in his first six seasons and 24.6 points over his career, but managed only 14.1 points per game in his last three seasons.
James has never experienced a drop-off. He’s averaged over 25 points per game in each of his last 18 seasons. Before last season, only Kobe Bryant, who recorded his 22.3 points in the 2014-15 season, averaged over 19 points in his 19th season of his career. James averaged just over 30.
Simply put, there hasn’t been a better NBA player in such a long time.
“It’s always satisfying to know that my hard work pays off,” said James. “I’ve never been one to cheat the game. I’ve always put in work.”
He admitted years ago that he “could see” him catch Abdul-Jabbar, but stressed it wasn’t a priority.Just two years away from the 2020 NBA title, the Lakers It was a disaster last season, missing the playoffs. James’ goal is to return to championship contention as he seeks the fifth ring.
His work ethic still amazes those around him.
“LeBron isn’t from this planet,” said Lakers first-year coach Durbin Hamm. “That’s for sure.”
James and Abdul-Jabbar had a difficult relationship. Abdul-Jabbar was outside his room in Cleveland’s locker with James jogging during his 2016 Eastern Conference Finals. James stopped and the two hugged and exchanged a few kind words. Later that night, James paid tribute to Abdul his Jabbar and those who paved the way.
Other chapters didn’t go so smoothly. Abdul-Jabbar has been critical at times, but earlier this year he said, “I have deep admiration and respect for LeBron as a community leader and athlete. He said he had “nothing to do” with Abdul-Jabbar.
“Obviously Kareem had his differences with my views and some of the things I do,” James said. Hear you can breathe the same breath as the guy who was a staple of this franchise, and the guy who does a lot of the floor as well, I think it’s just super dope.
They’ll be linked throughout the season, at least until the record drops.
Russell Westbrook aims for record triple-double record It seems to have introduced a younger generation of NBA fans to Oscar Robertson’s greatness. Abdul whose last match was his 1989 James looming over his Jabbar is very likely to do the same.
Seven-time NBA champion Robert Holley, who spent seven seasons with the Lakers and is now the team’s broadcaster, hopes Abdul-Jabbar will benefit from the attention the chase will generate.
“I think Cap’s record is better than LeBron’s because Cap didn’t take three shots.” But look at what Cap did and say, ‘Man, this guy spent years in college and then went pro and didn’t shoot 3’s and played at a time when the game wasn’t sped up. Like you should like. Cap’s record is excellent. ”
is. But soon it ceases to be his. James is on his way to becoming the leading scorer and, barring injuries, he will extend his record for years to come.
“From the way he’s always been a learner of the game and taken care of himself, I always knew he would play as long as he wanted,” Spoelstra said. He’s like Tom Brady: He can literally play until he decides, “Okay, I feel like doing something else.” And I don’t think it will come. ”
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