LeBron James is on the verge of breaking several records as he enters a new NBA season. His skills, achievements, and longevity in the game have given him an edge over other candidates for the title of NBA GOAT.
While many people argue in support of Michael Jordan as the greatest of all time based on his six NBA Championships, LeBron James has earned a clutch reputation in league history for scoring the most 4th quarter points. Surprisingly, Michael Jordan doesn’t appear in this ranking.
LeBron reigns in 4th quarter playoff performance
LeBron James stands out when it comes to clutch performances in the NBA playoffs, LeBron James has left an indelible mark on basketball history. He holds the record for the most 4th quarter points in NBA playoff history, a testament to his ability to shine in critical moments and solidify his reputation as one of the game’s greatest closers.
With 1955 fourth-quarter playoff points, LeBron James has established himself as the all-time leader, displaying his consistency and knack for performing when it matters most. Even legends like Kobe Bryant with 1487 points, 1081 points of Tim Duncan, Kevin Durant with 1056 points, and Dwyane Wade with 1037 points all fall behind LeBron on this list.
While the includes Shaquille O’Neal, Dirk Nowitzki, Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, and James Harden complete the top 10 list. Notably, Michael Jordan, often considered the greatest clutch player ever, is absent from this list due to limitations in tracking data from his era. While the debate about the greatest player of all time continues, LeBron’s clutch performances have unquestionably cemented his status as one of the premier closers in the history of the sport.
LeBron James surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as NBA’s all-time leading scorer
LeBron James needed to score 36 points to finally eclipse Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time career NBA scoring record. The Lakers were facing the Thunder in a game that provided him with a rare opportunity, and he was determined to achieve this milestone. LeBron wasted no time in making history for himself.
In the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena, he sank a 21-foot turnaround shot with 10.9 seconds remaining, accumulating 16 points in that period, precisely the 36 needed for the game and a total of 38,388 for his illustrious career. This achievement now places James ahead of any other player in NBA history.
Magic Johnson, speaking on behalf of many NBA observers, expressed his awe, saying, “I never thought anybody could beat Kareem’s record.” NBA commissioner Adam Silver also congratulated LeBron on breaking one of the most revered records in all of sports by becoming the NBA’s all-time scoring champion.
LeBron has consistently scored double-digit points in nearly every game and maintained scoring averages of at least 25 points per game in all 19 seasons since his rookie campaign in 2003-04. He steadily chipped away at the record Kareem Abdul-Jabbar initially set in 1984, building on it until Abdul-Jabbar’s retirement in 1989. James is determined to break more records if he stays fit and healthy.
