LeBron James has now made NBA history. James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for number one on the NBA’s All-Time Scoring List on Tuesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder. James now broke a record when he hit 38,390 points. He is now 20 years in and playing at possibly a higher level than ever before. James spoke on his longevity and where his mind is at during his postgame interview.
“I know as long as my mind stays in it, I can play at this level. That’s up to my mind,” James said in December, reflecting on his career. “My body is going to be OK, because if my mind is into it, I will make sure my body is taken care of and I’ll continue to put the work in.”
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record was always that one that everyone thought was sort of out of reach. As time passed and LeBron James climbed the scoring ladder, the record became more and more within reach. People believed that Abdul-Jabbar would have a problem with James breaking his record. Abdul-Jabbar’s actions proved to be just the opposite and he was in attendance at Crypto.com Arena to support James as he passed his 38-year-old scoring record. James spoke on this postgame as well. Stating that what matters most is the NBA brotherhood and the Lakers brotherhood.
“It’s all good. At the end of the day, we’re part of a franchise that’s so historic in the game of basketball, that means so much to so many people not only here in Los Angeles but all over the world,” James said this week. “It just makes sense. It’s kind of weird how the stars align.”
Pat Riley who is the President of the Miami Heat had strong praise for James. Riley and James had a very successful four years together in Miami from 2010-2014. In those four seasons, the Heat won two championships and made four NBA Finals appearances in those four seasons. Riley spoke on James’ greatness and how that propelled him to where he made it today. The NBA’s Scoring King.
“What happens with great, great, great players is their amount of intellect and experience and all of that stuff and just knowing the game, that sort of eventually surpasses maybe your physical ability,” Riley told ESPN. “[James] knows the game inside and out and knows the whole industry and the environment. And so it’s incredible what he is doing after 20 years. I mean, it’s just incredible.”
James reflected more on his incredible feat postgame during his postgame interview with the Media.
“I write ‘The Man In The Arena’ on my shoe every single night from Theodore Roosevelt,” James said afterward. “Tonight, I 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 allowed me to embrace it and look around and see my family, the fans, and 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.”
LeBron James will relish this moment and then continue to push forward. The Lakers are making a push toward gaining a playoff spot. Congratulations to the new NBA Scoring King, LeBron James.
