LeBron James entered the 2022-23 NBA season on the cusp of breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA scoring record. While James has yet to secure the scoring title, he did break one of Abdul-Jabbar’s records. Sunday night against the Detroit Pistons, James broke another Abdul-Jabbar record. Making him the oldest Los Angeles Laker to have at least 35 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Common Denominator
Six and 33 may be the numbers James and Abdul-Jabbar respectively wear, but 37 and 38, seems to be their common denominators.
At 37 years and 267 days Abdul-Jabbar became the oldest Laker to score at least 35 points, five rebounds and five assists. Now, 37 years later, James, who is 37 years and 346 days old broke Adbul-Jabbar’s record.
The record that NBA fans around the world have had their eye on is the NBA all-time scoring leader. James is projected to break Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 38,387 points this season. Currently, James is just 829 points behind him.Â
James’ career average is 27.1 points per game, which puts him in mid-February for breaking the record.
Abdul-Jabbar became the NBA all-time leading scorer on April 5, 1984 at 38 years old. Now, 38 years later, James, who will be 38 on December 30, has his eyes set on the record.
Father Time
It is 20 years into his NBA career and James is out to prove, much like Abdul-Jabbar did before him, that father time has not completely caught up with him.
While his stats have dropped slightly, he is still ranked amongst the top in the league. He is currently averaging 26.2 points per game compared to his career 27.1 points. Which makes him 13th in the NBA for points. With 6.3 assists, James is ranked 15 in the NBA and only one point below his career average.
His body may feel the effects of 20 years in the NBA, but much like Abdul-Jabbar was at his age, his mind is as in shape as ever.
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