Quantcast

LeBron James passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as NBA’s all-time leading scorer

Fred Jeter | 2/16/2023, 6 p.m.
LeBron James long ago earned the nickname “King James.” Today the crown fits better than ever.
Lebron James

LeBron James long ago earned the nickname “King James.”

Today the crown fits better than ever.

On Feb. 7, James became the NBA’s all-time scorer, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Los Angeles Lakers star of stars broke the record with a fall-away jumper in the late going of a loss to Oklahoma City at the Crypto.com Arena in L.A.

In defeat, James was brilliant, scoring 38 points (13 for 20 from floor, 4-for-6 beyond the arc, 8 for 10 at foul line) and snagging seven rebounds in 34 minutes.

James, standing 6-foot-8 and built like a contender for World’s Strongest Man, passed the 7-foot-1 Jabbar while playing 150 fewer games, representing about two seasons.

King James’ total came in 1,410 games while Jabbar needed 1,560 to reach his milestone.

James has averaged 27.2 points per game in a career that started in 2003 and continues today. Jabbar averaged 24.6 per game between 1969 and 1989.

The legends took different paths on their way to NBA stardom. Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor) played four seasons at UCLA.

Had he gone straight to the NBA, he might have four more seasons to pad his totals.

By contrast, James leap- frogged college and went straight to the NBA out of the Akron, Ohio, high school ranks.

At age 38, James would seem to have at least several more productive seasons ahead. Plus, he has stated he wants to play with his eldest son, Bronny. Bronny James is currently a high school senior who could be eligible for the NBA in two seasons.

Look out: Fourteenth on the all-time list is 34-year-old Kevin Durant, now with Phoe- nix. Durant has 26,684 career points and shows no sign of slowing down.

Durant is averaging nearly 30 points this season and could play for years to come. He’s scored as many as 2,593 points in a season (2014).

While it’s a long shot, with a fistful of more healthy seasons, Durant could be wearing a crown.

In the meantime, “King James” sits on the throne.