Newsman: LeBron James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record. LeBron James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 career points and became the No. 1 spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
While 10.9 seconds left in the third quarter of a 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday night, James went to the top of a mountain that Abdul-Jabbar stood on for more than 38 years at 38,387 career points.
James entered the game with 38,352 points, needing 36 to overtake Abdul-Jabbar. He finished the night with 38 points on 13-of-20 shooting (4-of-6 from 3) to go along with 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
As the game came to a halt to celebrate a new record, an emotional James broke down in tears.
“I write ‘The Man In The Arena’ on my shoe every single night from Theodore Roosevelt,” James said afterward. “Tonight, I actually felt like I was sitting on top of the arena when that shot went in, and the roar from the crowd. I’m not sure if I would be able to feel that feeling again, unless it’s a game-winning Finals shot.
“Everything just stopped. It gave me an opportunity to embrace it and look around and seeing my family, the fans, my friends. It was pretty cool. I probably can count on my hands how many times I have cried in 20 years, either in happiness or in defeat. So that moment was one of them when I kind of teared up a little bit. It was ‘I can’t believe what’s going on’ tears.”
The game was stopped for about 10 minutes while James hugged his family, including his wife, mother and three children, and participated in a brief ceremony with NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Abdul-Jabbar, who watched the game from a baseline seat near the Lakers bench.
“A record that has stood for nearly 40 years,” Silver said. “Many people thought it would never be broken. LeBron, you are the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. Congratulations.”
Abdul-Jabbar held the game ball aloft then handed it to James, the ceremonial passing of the torch. They posed for photos with Silver then with each other.
“I just want to say, thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind,” James told the fans who turned out in droves for the chance to see a once-in-a-generation achievement. “To be able to be in the presence of such a legend and great as Kareem, it’s very humbling. Please give a standing ovation to The Captain, please.”
James then thanked his family and those who have supported him, including Silver and late NBA commissioner David Stern.
“I thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed about,” James said.
Considering all that he has already accomplished with four championships at the top, adding the all-time scoring record to his résumé is another accolade in the debate over who is the greatest basketball player of all time, which many have pegged between James and Michael Jordan.
James’ basketball life is one that has played out in the national spotlight since the time he was a teenager, playing televised games in high school, skipping college to become the No. 1 pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, announcing his first major free agency decision on a made-for-TV event, and all the while leading his teams to 10 appearances in the NBA Finals.
As the youngest player in league history to score each one-thousand-point milestone from 1,000 to 38,000, James, who is averaging 30.0 points this season, is also the oldest player to ever average 30 points per game.
