It is well known that LeBron James is a team man and the success of the team means more to him than personal records. James is on the cusp of (178 points away) from leapfrogging Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s tally of the most points (38387) in the NBA and he wants to achieve the big landmark while winning.
James has pocketed some big personal feats in the last couple of seasons but it hasn’t been an easy ride for the Los Angeles Lakers since they won the championship back in the 2019-20 season.
James once again came up with an exemplary performance against the LA Clippers, scoring 46 points with 13 coming in the four-minute interval in the fourth quarter on Tuesday night. However, his efforts went in vain as the Lakers lost by 133-115.
With his 46-point performance against the Clippers, he became the first NBA player to score 40 points or more against all 30 NBA teams.
“We’ll see when we get there,” James said of surpassing the former Lakers great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. “We’ll see what, will it hit me? Just over the last few years, the last couple years since we won a championship, just a lot of accomplishments have been happening in a losing effort.
“So, it’s been very kind of difficult to kind of even digest some or all the accomplishments because I don’t want to celebrate on losses.”
LA Clippers star guard Paul George also showered praise on LeBron James, hailing him for his consistency despite being 38.
“It’s just incredible,” George said of James. “I think the one thing that sticks out is just how long he’s been doing it. To be 38 [and score] 46 tonight. That is super impressive. To do it [for] 20 years, that’s what stands out the most is just his longevity in his game and to be available. He’s pretty much been available throughout his whole career.
“The league is his. Stand-up guy, been [an] amazing mentor, leader to a lot of us young guys, and he’s been awesome. It’s great that he’ll be the scoring leader.”
The Lakers will next face San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.