‘It’s super cool’ - LeBron James discusses breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record in 2022/23
LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers
LeBron James is very close to replacing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
The Los Angeles Lakers star passed Karl Malone in 2021/22 and now has his eyes set on the record which has stood since 1989.
James is 1,325 points away from surpassing Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 points, meaning he only needs to average 16 points per game across a full 82-game season to become the highest scorer in league history.
"To know that I'm on the verge of breaking probably the most sought-after record in the NBA, things that people say would probably never be done, I think it's just super humbling for myself. I think it's super cool," James said.
"Obviously Kareem has had his differences with some of my views, but at the end of the day, to be able to be recognized in the same breath as a guy who wore the same uniform… I think is just super, super dope for myself to even be in that conversation."
The main thing LeBron will be hoping for is a healthy season at the age of 37.
LeBron James on possibly passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer this season. pic.twitter.com/aUz1vtQJVM
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) September 26, 2022
Speaking in January, the Lakers forward said: "As I've continued to climb the ranks, it's natural, human, to look at it and see where you are and see if it's even possible.
"We'll see what happens. I've never chased a record in my life. I've never sat down and said, 'OK, let me see if I can get this record, let me see if I can get that record.'
"It's one of those things that you never think could possibly happen."
It will be an interesting season for the Lakers, who are now under the stewardship of Darvin Ham after Frank Vogel's departure.
And Lakers big man Anthony Davis believes his side are "underdogs" going into the new NBA season.
"We're treating this season like we have a chip on our shoulder. We're the underdogs," Davis told ESPN on Monday.
"Obviously, the world is looking to see what we do. But ... they're not talking about us, and that's fine. You know, we'd rather be under the radar."
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