Lebron James makes NBA history, passing 40,000 points
On Saturday, basketball icon LeBron James achieved a historic milestone by becoming the inaugural NBA player to amass 40,000 career regular-season points. Despite the sense of pride accompanying this achievement, the 39-year-old athlete characterized the moment as "bittersweet," given that his team, the Los Angeles Lakers, suffered a 124-114 defeat against the reigning NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets.
Reflecting on his accomplishment, James expressed the significance of being the first player to achieve such a feat in the league. He acknowledged the rich history of the NBA and the legendary players who have graced the court over the years. Despite the loss, James found solace in the opportunity to compete, especially against some of the current greats in the league, contributing 26 points to the game.
"But for me, the primary focus, as always, is securing the win, and I lament that achieving this milestone had to coincide with a defeat," shared James. The accomplishment came after 1,475 regular-season games, with James consistently reaching double-digit points in the last 1,205 of those games.
Reflecting on the intense pressure he has faced since entering the league over two decades ago, James mentioned watching a commercial played before his first game that featured basketball legends such as Big O, Michael, Kareem, and Kobe. The commercial concluded with the declaration, 'the next one, LeBron James.' Recalling this moment, James expressed disbelief at the expectations placed on an 18-year-old. He hadn't seen the commercial when it originally aired, but watching it recently, he found it remarkable to think about the immense expectations thrust upon him at such a young age.
In February of the previous year, James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's longstanding record of 38,387 NBA career points, which had stood since 1989. Notably, James is not only a prolific scorer but also an exceptional passer, ranking fourth in career assists with 10,847 and maintaining a high average of 7.35 assists per game.
James acknowledged that breaking the 40,000-point barrier wasn't a widely anticipated accomplishment when he first entered the game. "There are certain things that you just don't think are going to happen," he remarked. Over the years, many had doubted the possibility of surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record, and yet James successfully eclipsed it. He emphasized the role of good fortune, sustained high-level performance, and the passage of time in achieving such milestones.
Every night, James approaches his work with thorough mental, physical, and spiritual preparation, aiming to contribute consistently. With over two decades of dedication, including the current year, he attributes his ability to make plays and maintain a high level of performance to his ongoing commitment. Remarkably, James believes he can still execute maneuvers akin to those from 10 or even 20 years ago, a sentiment he finds somewhat surreal.
It seems unlikely that James's record will be surpassed anytime soon. Among currently active NBA players, Kevin Durant holds the second-highest total of regular-season points with 28,372, but at 35 years old, he is expected to retire before coming close to James's impressive milestone.
In addition to his remarkable regular NBA season achievements, James has participated in the playoffs for the equivalent of 3 1/2 seasons, securing four titles in 10 NBA Finals appearances. Throughout his illustrious career, he has remarkably steered clear of major injuries.
Michael Malone, the coach for the Denver Nuggets who once collaborated with James at the Cleveland Cavaliers, paid homage to the basketball legend's extraordinary career. Malone recalled witnessing James in the weight room in Cleveland, emphasizing that James's sustained excellence at this stage of his career is a testament to his dedicated investment in aspects like body maintenance, diet, and sleep – factors that significantly contribute to his enduring success.