LeBron James has surpassed Kareem Abdul-long-standing Jabbar’s record to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
James, a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, scored 38 points in a 133-130 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder to break Kareem Abdul-1989 Jabbar’s record of 38,387 points.
Eight months before James was born, in April 1984, Abdul-Jabbar first broke the scoring mark.
“To be able to be in the presence of a legend and great as Kareem, it means so much to me,” said James.
The 38-year-old, who needed 36 points to break the record, did so with a fadeaway jumper at the end of the third quarter and he finished the match with a career total of 38,390.
An emotional James rose both arms in celebration while 75-year-old Abdul-Jabbar, who was at the match at the Lakers home court, stood and applauded.
There was a brief break in play for a ceremony to mark the achievement, with James taking a microphone to make a speech on court.
“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 you. You all helped. Your passion and sacrifices helped me to get to this point,” he said.
“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.”
In front of a jubilant throng that included boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., actor Denzel Washington, music great John McEnroe, and musicians Jay-Z, LL Cool J, and Bad Bunny, Abdul-Jabbar ceremoniously passed the ball over to James to acknowledge his new record.
“I thought it had every chance of being broken. It just had to have someone that the offense focused on continually,” said Abdul-Jabbar, who retired in 1989.
“LeBron’s career is one of someone who planned to dominate this game. You have to give him credit for just the way he played and for the way he’s lasted and dominated.”
Four-time NBA champion James is in his 20th season in the NBA, having been drafted first overall by hometown team the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.
