It was October 29, 2003. LeBron James was playing his first game in the NBA. The Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Sacramento Kings, but James scored 25 points.
Posted at 1:24 p.m.
At that time, there were 2,708 names ahead of his on the all-time NBA scoring list. Since then, he has caught up with 2,707.
There is only one player left ahead of James: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who has been the leading scorer since April 5, 1984. His reign is about to end and the title will pass from a member of the Los Lakers Angeles to another if James scores just 1,326 more points.
“To be here and to know that I’m about to break probably the most coveted record in the NBA, to do something that people say will probably never be done… I think that’s really great, like a lesson in humility for me,” James described.
“I think it’s super cool. »
The score: 38,387 points for Abdul-Jabbar and 37,062 for James. If James maintains his average of 27.1 career points per game, he is 49 games away from the record. However, if he matches his last year’s pace of 30.3 points per game, the mark will be within reach at his 44e meet.
If James doesn’t miss a game, the record’s first window of achievement is somewhere in mid to late January. He will become the most prolific scorer in the NBA while being one of its best passers.
James is seventh in assists in league history and should be fourth when the season ends.
“One of the really impressive things about LeBron is that he’s so prone to wanting to pass the ball and such a gifted passer,” notes Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who coached James. for four seasons (2010-2014) and with which he won two championships.
“In many ways, that’s one of his most special, unique qualities. And yet, he’s going to break the all-time record for most points — and that may be a secondary skill set for him. It’s crazy. »
Abdul-Jabbar played for 20 seasons. James is entering his 20e country. They collected their points differently. For example, James totals 6420 points from outside the three-point semicircle. Abdul-Jabbar has three.
Abdul-Jabbar’s infamous “sky hook” took the NBA by storm early on. He averaged 30.4 points per game in his first six seasons and 24.6 points in his career. However, he’s only put up 14.1 points per game over his last three seasons.
PHOTO JOSEPH PREZIOSO, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Kareem Abdul Jabbar
James has never experienced a slump before. He’s averaged at least 25 points per game in each of his last 18 seasons.
Prior to last year, only one player — Kobe Bryant, with 22.3 points per game in 2014-15 — averaged more than 19 points per game in the 19e season of his career; James averaged just over 30 points per game.
In short, no NBA player has been so good for so long.
It’s always gratifying to know that the work you do can pay off.
LeBron James
“I’ve never been a person who cheats at the game. I’ve always put in the effort. »
James acknowledged a few years ago that he “could see himself” catching Abdul-Jabbar, but insisted that was not a priority.
Champions in 2020, the Lakers were miserable last season and missed the playoffs. James’ goal is to bring the Lakers back to the height of their title fight as he seeks to add a fifth ring to his collection.
His work ethic continues to amaze those around him.
“LeBron is not from this planet,” said Darvin Ham, who will be in his first campaign at the helm of the Lakers this season. “That is sure and certain. »
James and Abdul-Jabbar have had a rocky relationship over time. Abdul-Jabbar was outside the Cavaliers locker room during the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals when James walked past him as he was jogging.
James stopped and the two shared a hug and some kind words. Later that evening, James spoke of his respect for Abdul-Jabbar and others who led the way.
Other episodes weren’t as cordial. Abdul-Jabbar has been critical at times, but he said earlier this year that he had “deep admiration and respect for LeBron as a community leader and athlete. This has not changed and will never change”. Recently, James said he had “no relationship” with Abdul-Jabbar.
“Obviously Kareem has had his disagreements with some of my opinions and some of the things that I do,” James said. “But listen, at the end of the day, to be able to be part of the same conversation as a guy who’s been in that same uniform, a guy who’s been a fixture at this dealership…and a guy who’s done a lot in outside the playing surface too, I think it’s just super fun. »
They will be linked all season, at least until the record falls.