38-year-old LeBron James has become the highest point-scorer in the history of National Basketball Association. He broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record in Los Angeles’ Lakers home game against Oklahoma City.
Jabbar’s record had stood for 29 years.Jabbar had become the all-time highest point-scorer in April, 1984— a record some thought would never be broken. Some of the greats of the game, like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Karl Malone had gotten close but still fell shy of the record.
“I just want to say thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind. Everybody that’s ever been a part of this run with me the last … 20-plus years, I just want to say I thank you so much, because I wouldn’t be me without y’all.”
James told the charged crowd.
Short of 10.9 seconds into the end of the third quarter, LeBron scored his 36th point of the game — and the 38,388th point of his career, the most by any player in history.
The point sent the jubilant crowd at the Los Angeles’s Crypto. Com Arena in a state of delirium and the game had to be stopped by the officials to mark the monumental moment in NBA history. His wife, mother and kids rushed onto the court to hug and congratulate him.
The great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was also in the attendance. Jabbar raised a basketball aloft and then handed it over to the record-breaker — like a crown from one king to another. LeBron achieved the feat in 1,410 games, as opposed to Jabbar’s 1,560.
James also paid a fitting tribute to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “To be able to be in the presence of such a legend as great as Kareem, it’s very humbling. Please give a standing ovation to the Captain, please.”
