LeBron James parlayed his offensive versatility over 20 seasons into the NBA all-time scoring record, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on Wednesday (AEDT) for most points in league history.
The Los Angeles Lakers star eclipsed Abdul-Jabbar’s mark of 38,387 career regular-season points on a fallaway 20-foot shot with 10.2 seconds remaining in the third quarter of game against the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder.
He stepped back from the defence of Kenrich Williams near the foul line and sank the record-breaking jumper.
Abdul-Jabbar, who was sitting courtside, stood and applauded as James celebrated. The former Lakers star and NBA commissioner Adam Silver both shook James’ hand gave him brief hugs at centre court.
James then got on a microphone and said, “Everybody that has ever been a part of this run with me the last 20-plus years, I want to say thank you so much because I wouldn’t be me without all y’all. All y’all helped. All y’all’s passion and sacrifices helped me to get to this point.
“And to the NBA to Adam Silver, to the late great David Stern, thank you very much for allowing me to be a part of something I always dreamed about. I would never in a million years dreamt this to be even better than what it is tonight. So (expletive) man, thank you guys.”
LeBron James reacts after hitting the shot that made him the NBA’s leading scorer.Credit: Getty
The star-studded crowd at Crypto.com Arena included tennis legend John McEnroe, music stars Jay-Z, LL Cool J and Bad Bunny, actor Denzel Washington and former Lakers players Bob McAdoo and James Worthy, among others.
With skills of a point guard, the shooting prowess of a wing and the strength of a power forward, James entered Wednesday’s game averaging 30 points per game this season and needing 36 on the night to break the record.
James, 38, has averaged 27.2 points per game in his career while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10, 2014-18), Miami Heat (2010-14) and the Lakers (2018-present).
Not counted in his regular-season record total are James’ 7631 playoff points, also the most by a player in NBA history. He has played in 266 career postseason games while winning four NBA championships.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar joins LeBron James on court.Credit: Getty
Abdul-Jabbar was on hand after holding the scoring crown for nearly 39 years following his record-breaking skyhook during a game against the Utah Jazz on April 5, 1984.
James missed his first two shots against the Thunder before scoring his first basket on a 3-pointer from the left wing with 7:03 remaining in the first quarter. He had eight points on 3-of-6 shooting in the opening period and 20 points by halftime by going 6 of 10 from the floor, although Los Angeles trailed 76-66 at the break.
In an example of just how consistent of a scorer James has been, he also extended his record streak of double-digit scoring games to 1140.
Reuters