HAILED as the “Chosen One” while still in high school, LeBron James always appeared destined to become the National Basketball Association’s all-time leading scorer and claim a record he once believed would never be touched.
That seemingly inevitable moment arrived on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
Almost 20 years after recording his first two points on Oct. 29, 2003, James floated a fadeaway jumper late in the third quarter in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 and putting his name in the history books.
For almost four decades fellow Lakers great Abdul-Jabbar had owned the mark and watched as James climbed the scoring table. The 75-year-old was there in an electric Crypto.com arena to witness James reach the summit.
The Chosen One, now widely referred to as “King James,” finished the night with 38 points, bringing his career total to 38,390. By the time he retires, he could turn the all-time mark into one of those records that will be stamped as untouchable.
Abdul-Jabbar and James are the only two men to eclipse 38,000 points and behind them just five players have rung up more than 30,000: Karl Malone (36,928), Kobe Bryant (33,643), Michael Jordan (32,292), Dirk Nowitzki (31,560) and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419).
James, 38, has shown no sign of slowing down in his 20th season, where he is averaging more than 30 points per game and made his 19th All-Star game.
How long James will continue to play is unknown, but according to reports he spends over $1 million a year on chefs, trainers, massage therapists and anything else needed to take care of his greatest asset: himself.
The scoring record adds new fuel to the debate over who is the greatest basketball player ever, James or Jordan.
The resumes of the two men are remarkably similar and statistically look more alike all the time.
James has won four NBA titles and counting, Jordan six.
Jordan took finals most valuable player honors six times, James four.
James has four NBA MVP awards, Jordan five.
Both men have two Olympic gold medals.
Me personally, I’m going to take myself against anybody that has ever played this game,” said James after setting the record. “I know what I brought to the table I know what I bring to the table every single night and what I can do out on this floor, so I always feel like I’m the best ever to play this game.” — Reuters
