LeBron James secures his name in NBA history as he surpassed the almost 40-year record of most points for a player ever.
In last Tuesday’s fateful game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, LeBron James made a fadeaway shot at the end of the third quarter. With 10.9 seconds left on the clock, the historic ball went into the basket. Cheers erupted from the crowd and the players on the court. It signaled James downing 38,388 points throughout his career, a point more than the previous NBA record.
James started his NBA journey 20 years ago with the Cleveland Cavaliers as his first team in 2003. Then he transferred to Miami Heat in the 2010s and led the team to win the championship twice. But LeBron ended his time with the Heat and returned to the Cavaliers in 2016. Again, he led his team to victory in the finals. Finally, in 2018, James joined the Los Angeles Lakers and has been on the same team since then.
Nicknamed “King James,” LeBron is always in the debate of the basketball greatest of all time or GOAT in modern slang. He was compared to other outstanding players like Michael Jordan and the late Kobe Bryant.
James’ contemporary was Kobe Bryant, and although they did not play on the same team simultaneously, the two had massive respect for each other. Both were phenomenal players on the court, and when Bryant retired from the Lakers, LeBron took the mantle of being the team’s star player.
Throughout his two-decade career, LeBron has accumulated numerous awards and recognitions. However, none compared to the prestige he earned at Tuesday’s game. The record for most points scored by one person was formerly held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who coincidentally also played for the L.A. Lakers.
Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 38,387 points was made in 1984. He held it until Tuesday, February 8th, just a year short of four decades. But James seemed ready to break the record as he entered the court.
James’ family and friends were watching the game, eager to see him make history. Even basketball hotshots like NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Magic Johnson were watching the game in anticipation.
King James did not disappoint. Toward the end of the third quarter, James was ready to make his mark. The audience seemed to hold their breath when the ball was passed on to James. He was guarded by the opposing team but he managed to do a classic fadeaway, threw the ball, and ran to the center of the court because his shot was right on target.
The game was paused as media and other teammates flocked toward James to congratulate him. He immediately asked for his mother, wife, and children amid the chaos. With unshed tears, he celebrated the achievement with his family first, despite all the cameras and media wanting to talk to him.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver went to James to applaud him. And Kareem Abdul-Jabbar also commended LeBron and hugged him, showing his support for James.
Currently, the highest score point in basketball history is 38,390 and counting.