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LeBron: The least selfish star in history is the leading scorer in NBA history
Sebastián Martínez Christensen talks about the new scoring king in the best league on the planet and highlights that LeBron James always put the team’s achievement above personal bests.
LeBron James did it and eventually became the leading scorer in NBA history by surpassing 38,387 scoring points. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The night of February 7, 2023 will remain etched in the memory of the native of Akron, Ohio, and of basketball lovers around the world.
In his 20th season and at the age of 38, the forward and top star of Los Angeles Lakers arrived at Tuesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder needing 36 points to pass Kareem and write his name in gold letters on the line for the most points scored by a player in the Association.
The ‘King”s historic basket came with 10.09 seconds remaining in the third quarter with Kareem himself as a witness next to the court of the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and a crowd that celebrated each basket as he approached the legendary record.
After the historic shot, the game was stopped so that Abdul-Jabbar handed him the ball for the basket with which he broke the record that was established in the 80’s. With a brief but emotional speech, the ‘King’ thanked his family, Commissioner Adam Silver, among others for the moment in which he could not contain his tears.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — LeBron James is the new scoring king in the NBA. Through a step back and a jump with 10.9 seconds remaining in the third period of Tuesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Lakers star reached 38,388 career points, breaking the record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. it had held for nearly four decades.
James stretched out his arms and waved them, smiling. Abdul-Jabbar rose from his seat and applauded.
The match was interrupted as some of James’ family, including his wife, mother and children, entered the pitch for a ceremony commemorating the milestone.
Despite adding 38 points, James was unable to cap the occasion with a victory. The Thunder beat the Lakers 133-130.
Abdul-Jabbar—one of many celebrities who came to the game hoping to witness the historic event—became the league’s leading scorer on April 5, 1984. He retired in 1989 with 38,387 points.
Some thought that this mark would last forever, as great basketball players barely came close. Karl Malone withdrew to 1,459 points from Abdul Jabbar, Kobe Bryant was left to 4,744 and Michael Jordan to 6,095.
James passed them all, including Abdul-Jabbar. He did it in his 20th season.
Abdul-Jabbar also played 20 seasons in the NBA.
And now, James is the league’s all-time scorer, an achievement that fits well with the nickname “King” he’s been given since he was a youngster from Akron, Ohio, in high school.
“It was a record that has stood for nearly 40 years and one that many thought would never be broken,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said.
Abdul-Jabbar picked up the ball and handed it to James, as if ceremonially handing him a baton. Both posed with Silver and then together. James wiped away his tears and then spoke to the crowd.
“I just want to say thank you to the loyal Lakers fans. You guys are unique,” James said. “Being able to be in the presence of such a great legend as Kareem makes me feel humble. Please give the ‘Captain’ a standing ovation.”
James then thanked his family and those who supported him, including Silver and the late Commissioner David Stern.
“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed of,” he said.
James had already left behind legends like Karl Malone (36,928 points), Kobe Bryant (33,643) and Michael Jordan (32,292) in the Top 5 of the league’s all-time scorers.
It should be noted that Abdul-Jabbar and James are the only players who have passed the sweep of 37 and 38 thousand points in the history of the Association.
Minutes later, several celebrities and, of course, his family, sent him congratulatory messages, Snoop Dogg, Drake, the Magic Johnson and even the president of the United States, Joe Biden, appeared in the videos, while others could listen to the audio in the arena of yellow and purple.
At the end of the game, James had 38 points, seven boards and three assists; however, OKC took the victory 133-130, a result that will be only an anecdote, since the history of that game was written by LeBron James.