The Los Angeles Lakers have been quietly stringing together wins, now sitting at 19-8 on the season-even after a tough loss to the Clippers in their latest matchup. That game saw LeBron James put on yet another vintage performance, dropping 36 points and shouldering the offensive load with Luka Doncic sidelined due to injury. With several other Lakers already out, James once again reminded us why he’s still the heartbeat of this team, even in year 21.
But beyond the box score, LeBron recently offered a rare personal reflection on his historic climb to the top of the NBA’s all-time scoring list. On his Mind the Game podcast, James opened up about what it really felt like to surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s legendary mark back in 2023.
“There are certain stats in sports history that you just don’t ever think are going to be broken, and that happened to be one of them,” James said. “And for me to be able to accomplish that feat while not trying to accomplish the feat, I think that’s even more surreal to me. I’m first all-time in points, but I’m also fourth all-time in assists.”
That last part is what makes LeBron’s journey so fascinating. His game has always been rooted in unselfishness-sometimes to a fault in the eyes of critics.
He’s never shied away from making the right basketball play, even if it meant passing up a potential scoring opportunity. That mindset was on full display recently, when his historic streak of consecutive double-digit scoring games came to an end.
Instead of forcing up a shot late against the Raptors, James dished to Rui Hachimura, who buried the game-winner. The streak ended, but the Lakers got the win-and that’s always been LeBron’s bottom line.
That duality-being a pass-first superstar who also happens to be the most prolific scorer in league history-is what sets James apart. It’s not just the numbers, though those are staggering. It’s the way he’s accumulated them: not as a volume shooter or a score-at-all-costs type, but as a player who’s always looked to elevate those around him.
And while his longevity certainly plays a role in the statistical mountain he’s climbed, it’s the consistency that truly defines his greatness. Year after year, team after team, system after system-LeBron has delivered. And at 38, he’s still doing it, still leading, still redefining what’s possible for a player in the twilight of his career.
The Lakers, meanwhile, will look to bounce back when they hit the road for a Tuesday night showdown against the Phoenix Suns. With injuries piling up, they’ll need more of that all-time greatness from LeBron. If history’s any indication, he’ll be ready.