LeBron James has surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
The Los Angeles Lakers forward has surpassed the mark of Abdul-Jabbar with a basket over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
“I just want to say thank you to the Laker faithful, you guys are one of a kind,” James said.
“To be able to be in the presence of such a legend as Kareem is unbelievable, it’s very humbling. Please give a standing ovation to ‘The Captain.’” James added.
James needed 36 points against the Thunder. It happened at home, against the team he won his first league title.
In the first half, the new record holder scored 20. However, the visitors wanted to spoil the party and made it as difficult as possible for the Lakers team and led by ten.
Then, James started the third quarter behind the record and the victory. And with 10.9 seconds left in the period, James hit the record. He finished with 38 (38,390 career), as the Thunder won 133-130.
James became the NBA’s leading scorer including the regular season and playoffs in February 2022.
However, he was still third only in the first round. But in the following month, the number 6 surpassed Karl Malone and occupied the second position.
James had revealed a few weeks ago in an ESPN interview that he was not behind the points record, but that it happened naturally. Although he does not consider himself a scorer, his path has led him here.
“I mean, I know how to make baskets. When I say I’m not a scorer, it’s because it was never part of my game that defined me. But there is an argument.” James said.
“When you look at how long the record lasts and with Kareem, I’m getting there. But I will never discuss that because I never felt like a scorer.” he added.
