KING JAMES

LeBron James breaks NBA all-time scoring record

LeBron James has become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's long-standing record which was set in 1984

Los Angeles Lakers star James hit 38 points in a 133-130 defeat by the Oklahoma City Thunder to surpass Abdul-Jabbar's mark of 38,387, set in 1989

The record-breaking achievement happened on Tuesday night against Oklahoma City Thunder. James, made the recordbreaking shot in the 4th quarter to push his career total to 38,388 points and break the record that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar held for nearly 39 years

An emotional James rose both arms in celebration while 75-year-old Abdul-Jabbar, who was at the match at the Lakers home court, stood and applauded along with the rest of the Crypto com Arena

Abdul-Jabbar became the league’s all-time leading scorer on April 5, 1984 and wound up retiring in 1989 with 38,387 points It was a record that some thought would last forever, with very few even coming close Karl Malone retired 1,459 points behind Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant was 4,744 points shy, and Michael Jordan was 6,095 points away

"To be able to be in the presence of a legend and great as Kareem, it means so much to me," said James

The 38-year-old, who needed 36 points to break the record, did so with a fadeaway jumper at the end of the third quarter and he finished the match with a career total of 38,390 There was a brief break in play for a ceremony to mark the achievement, with James taking a microphone to make a speech on court "Everybody that has ever been a part of this run with me the last 20-plus years, I want to say thank you so much because I wouldn't be me without all you You all helped Your passion and sacrifices helped me to get to this point," he said

"And to the NBA to Adam Silver, to the late great David Stern, thank you very much for allowing me to be a part of something I always dreamed about I would never in a million years dreamt this to be even better than what it is tonight "

Abdul-Jabbar ceremoniously handed over the ball to James to recognise his new record in front of a cheering crowd that included tennis legend John McEnroe, music stars Jay-Z, LL Cool J and Bad Bunny, boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr and actor Denzel Washington

"I thought it had every chance of being broken It just had to have someone that the offense focused on continually," said AbdulJabbar, who retired in 1989

“LeBron's career is one of someone who planned to dominate this game You have to give him credit for just the way he played and for the way he's lasted and dominated "

Four-time NBA champion James is in his 20th season in the NBA, having been drafted first overall by hometown team the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003

The forward joined the Miami Heat in 2010, winning two titles, before returning to lead Cleveland to the only NBA title in their history in 2016

He has been with the Lakers since 2018 and helped them win the 2020 title, which was also the fourth time he has been named NBA finals MVP

Two-time Olympic champion James has won four regular season MVP titles and appeared in the NBA Finals 10 times

Abdul-Jabbar played in the NBA for 20 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Lakers, during which he won six titles, six regular season MVP crowns and was named finals MVP twice

Asked after the game whether he is the best NBA player of all time, James said: "I'll let everybody else decide who that is or just talk about it, but it's great barbershop talk

“Me personally, I'm going to take myself against anybody who's ever played this game But everyone's going to decide who their favourite is "