Lakers forward LeBron James becomes the first player in NBA history to reach that seemingly unattainable barrier.
LeBron James had scored at least 10 points in 1,204 consecutive games, dating back to January 6, 2007. He wasn’t about to break that streak—the longest in NBA history—on the very day he needed just nine points to become the only player to reach 40,000 in his career. So, in the 114-124 loss to the Nuggets, he scored 26 to achieve another eternal milestone: 40,017 points and counting.
“No one has ever done it. For me, to be in this position at this point in my career is incredible,” LeBron said before the game. “Being able to accomplish things in this League, with the best players who have ever played, has been a dream, and all the achievements and milestones throughout my career mean something to me. Obviously, there’s a hierarchy in terms of which are more important than others, but I’d be lying if I said this didn’t mean anything, because it absolutely does.”</ He reached the historic mark with a layup early in the second quarter after shaking Michael Porter Jr.’s defense with a reverse. “I hate that it happened in a loss. It’s about winning,” he said afterward.
There’s a hierarchy in terms of which achievements are the greatest, but I’d be lying if I said this didn’t mean anything. LeBron James, Lakers forward
On February 8 of last year, the Lakers forward became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 points. Now he’s broken another barrier—one that seems insurmountable. This appears to be one of those records that will last forever, like Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game, coincidentally also achieved on March 2.
The active player closest to LeBron on the NBA’s all-time scoring list is Kevin Durant, with 28,372 points—nearly 12,000 fewer. Luka Dončić, for example, would have to maintain his current scoring average and play until 2039, when he turns 40, to come close. If anyone dares to approach ‘King’ James’ record, they likely haven’t been born yet.
NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorers
- LeBron James: 40,017
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 38,387
- Karl Malone: 36,928
- Kobe Bryant: 33,643
- Michael Jordan: 32,292
- Dirk Nowitzki: 31,560
- Wilt Chamberlain: 31,416
- Shaquille O’Neal: 28,596
- Kevin Durant: 28,372
- Carmelo Anthony: 28,289
They would have to enter the NBA very early, like LeBron did at 19. They would have to stay in the League for over 20 seasons, like LeBron, who is in his 21st. And, most importantly, they would have to maintain a stellar level throughout that time, like James, who is averaging 25.3 points this season. No player in history has matched his numbers or impact at age 39. For example, his current streak: no one at that age had ever scored 25 points in six consecutive games. Until now.
Much is said about a player’s ‘prime,’ that moment when they reach the peak of their career. LeBron has been there for two decades. In his 21 NBA seasons, he has only fallen below 25 points per game once—his rookie year. That 2003-04 season, he averaged a respectable 20.9 points. Since then, with the consistency of a metronome, his averages have ranged from 31.4 in the 2005-06 season to exactly 25.0 in 2019-20.
40,000+10,000+10,000
Though he holds numerous scoring records, James hasn’t built his legend on points alone. He is the only player in NBA history with 10,000 points (in his case, multiplied by four), 10,000 rebounds (ranked 33rd all-time) and 10,000 assists (fourth, behind only John Stockton, Jason Kidd, and Chris Paul). These staggering numbers fuel the comparison with Michael Jordan and the debate over who is the greatest player of all time.
To that, we could add that he is also the player selected most often for the All-Star Game, 20 times including this season (he only missed his rookie year); the one who has been named to the All-NBA Team the most times, with 19; the all-time leading scorer in playoff history, with 8,023 points; and the one with the most wins in championship series, at 182.
We won’t see this for a long time, and we have to appreciate it while he’s here. I feel honored to coach him and witness it firsthand. Darvin Ham, Lakers head coach
“We won’t see this for a long time, and we have to appreciate it while he’s here… Just appreciate what he’s given to the game, what he continues to give, his knowledge, his performance,” said Lakers head coach Darvin Ham, “honored to coach him and witness it firsthand.” Because everything James does now has an epic quality. Every one of his performances is history unfolding before our eyes.
There are barely any signs of decline in a LeBron who spends a million dollars a year on taking care of his body. Money well spent, it seems. Next season, he will turn 40 on the court (December 30) and will keep playing. Where? His contract with the Lakers is ending, and he has a player option for $51.4 million. Rumors abound, but he hasn’t revealed anything. The only certainty is that he will push the limits of his longevity a little further, and his stats will reach unimaginable, unattainable heights. His 40,000 points—and all those to come—will last forever.
Image: Marca
