As the NBA’s all-time scoring record changed hands for the first time in nearly four decades, we witnessed a moment of history. On Tuesday night, LeBron James achieved a feat that has stood since April 5, 1984, when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar passed Wilt Chamberlain’s 31,419 points. With a fadeaway jumper against the Oklahoma City Thunder, James passed Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 points and earned the title of the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. As the first player to ever reach this milestone, James joins an elite list of seven NBA players who have scored more than 30,000 points. In this blog post, we’ll explore how James reached this remarkable achievement, the impact he’s had on the game, and what it means for the future of the NBA. We’ll also look at the incredible career of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the man who held the record for nearly four decades. So, if you want to learn more about the history of the NBA and two of its greatest players, keep reading! LeBron James has been a force to be reckoned with since he was drafted out of high school in 2003. Over his 20-year career, he’s shot 50.5% from the field and averaged 27.2 points per game. He’s also one of just 10 players to play in at least 20 NBA seasons, and the only non-point guard to amass more than 10,000 career assists. As he took over the all-time scoring record, James also joined Abdul-Jabbar at the top of another NBA category, when he was selected to his 19th NBA All-Star team. He’s slated to be a captain in that game, which will tip off Feb. 19 in Salt Lake City. While James has been a remarkable player, his team, the Los Angeles Lakers, have been struggling this season. His star teammate Anthony Davis has missed significant time due to a stress injury to his right foot, making it difficult for the Lakers to compete. Despite the challenges, James has continued to rack up elite stats, and now stands alone atop the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an NBA legend in his own right. He used his signature sky-hook to keep amassing points until he retired in 1989, at age 42. He was in attendance to witness James’ accomplishment, along with countless other celebrities, and the NBA stopped the game for an on-court ceremony with Abdul-Jabbar and James embracing. James was emotional about what he’d just done, and addressed the crowd to thank them for their support. It’s clear that this is a momentous occasion, not only for James and Abdul-Jabbar, but for the entire NBA. James’ record-breaking performance is a testament to his scoring ability, his stamina, and his long-term durability. As he takes over one of the sport’s most widely revered marks, James is an inspiration to all current and future NBA players. His success shows that hard work and dedication can take you to the top, and that anything is possible.
Source: www.npr.org