LeBron James added another chapter to his GOAT argument when he became the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, a record that had stood for nearly 40 years.
That moment came in February 2023, when he overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the top of the league’s scoring charts. LeBron has only widened that gap since then, while adding even more records along the way.
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Abdul-Jabbar himself has spoken about how impressive it is that LeBron has managed to keep going at such a high level for so long. Even after reaching the top of the scoring list, LeBron hasn’t slowed down, and his numbers only keep climbing.
LeBron James breaks Michael Jordan scoring record
One milestone that went under the radar was one involving Michael Jordan. LeBron passed Jordan in total points scored during playoff games and regular season combined.
The big thing with this stat is longevity and durability. Not everyone can play this long at such a high level and remain healthy enough to be able to break records like this one.
Jordan was known as one of, if not the most gifted scorers of all time. While his career wasn’t as long as James’, his talent on offence is still widely recognised throughout sports history.
Michael Jordan could have held NBA’s all-time scoring record, says Austin Rivers
Over a 15-year career, Michael Jordan built a resume few players in NBA history can match. While he was known for many things on the court, scoring was always his calling card.
While LeBron James holding the all-time scoring record complicates any argument for Jordan as the greatest scorer ever, former NBA player Austin Rivers thinks there’s more to consider.
“If Michael played 20-something years, he would probably be number one in scoring. If he didn’t take two years off to play baseball and then also retire early…”
“Michael averaged 25 at 40 years old with the Wizards when he just came back randomly, and then retired again,” Rivers said on Ringer NBA.
To put it in perspective, Jordan finished his career with 32,292 points. That total puts him fifth on the league’s all-time scorers list.
Rivers stands by his Michael Jordan opinion
Jordan stepped away from basketball twice before finally calling it a day in 2003, by which point he was well past his prime and unable to get the Wizards into the playoffs during either of his two seasons there.
But even then, Rivers further stated: “So you’re telling me if he never took a break, and just played all those years through… and he’s top five or six on the list. Could you imagine if he played all the way through?”
“He would be number one, guys. It’s not even up for debate,” Rivers concluded.
While Rivers is confident in his belief, it’s inevitable that LeBron supporters will challenge this kind of hypothetical scenario.
After all, James is in a league of his own with 42,184 points to his name when no player in NBA history has even managed to breach the 40k mark.
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