(FILES) In this file photo taken on January 28, 2023, LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
On February 7, 2023, LeBron James finally eclipsed Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar as the NBA’s all‑time leading scorer, breaking a 39‑year‑old record that many believed would never fall. The Los Angeles Lakers star, in his 20th NBA season, passed Abdul‑Jabbar’s total of 38,387 points with a 21‑foot jumper late in the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder. James raised his arms in relief as the Crypto.com Arena erupted in celebration of his new mark of 38,388 points. Abdul‑Jabbar, seated courtside, was among the first to congratulate him, and play was briefly halted to honor the historic moment.
“To be in the presence of a legend like Kareem means so much to me,” James told the crowd before thanking his family, friends and fans. “Everyone who’s been part of this run with me for the last 20 years—thank you. I wouldn’t be me without your help, passion and sacrifices.” He also paid tribute to NBA commissioner Adam Silver and the late David Stern, saying, “Thank you for letting me be part of something I’ve always dreamed about. I never imagined it would be even better than tonight.” He concluded with an expletive.
After a dazzling season in which he has averaged 30 points per game for a struggling Lakers team, James entered the game needing just 36 points to surpass Abdul‑Jabbar. The 38‑year‑old missed his first two attempts, then hit a three‑pointer midway through the first quarter to get on the board. He added eight points in the opening quarter, leaving him 28 short as the second quarter began. A burst of 12 quick points in the second quarter brought him within 16 points at halftime. Two back‑to‑back three‑pointers in the third quarter reduced the gap to eight, and a driving layup cut it to six. Two more layups left him two points shy before he finally nailed the decisive long‑range shot to seal the record.
James has downplayed the hype surrounding his chase, insisting his priority remains helping the Lakers become competitive again. Yet he has recently compared breaking Abdul‑Jabbar’s mark to surpassing baseball’s all‑time home‑run record. “I think it’s one of the greatest records in sports,” James said. “It’s up there with the baseball home‑run record—something you never expect to be broken.”
Many in the league agreed that Abdul‑Jabbar’s record seemed untouchable. Golden State coach Steve Kerr called it “one of the greatest records in sports” and praised James’s durability, saying, “He’s just a machine—healthy and a physical force night after night.” Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who coached James to two championships, admitted he had assumed the record would never fall. Former Cleveland Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue called the achievement the crowning moment of James’s career, noting, “Being the all‑time leading scorer, considering all the great players who have come through this game, is a big‑time accomplishment.”
— AFP
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