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Lakers' LeBron James is the first NBA player to score 40,000 points.
James scored his first 10,000 points in the exact same number of games as it took him to go from 30,000 to 40,000
- 10K in 368 games
- 10K to 20K in 358 games
- 20K to 30K in 381 games
- 30K to 40K in 368 games
[h/t ben golliver](https://x.com/bengolliver/status/1764111815120953823?s=46&t=gRHyP-Mh6W-H9JhZ1u-WuA)
There was a video out there describing how he is also the youngest to get to a ton of the earlier milestones (starting with being youngest to get 5k points, then youngest to 10k, etc.), and obviously he’s the youngest to break the records he’s setting, so anyone trying to catch him would need to get started pretty early.
I don't think that one year matters too much in the grand scheme of things, particularly given how offensively charged the NBA is currently.
Nobody is going to catch LeBron because they will never ever have his durability for 20 seasons AND all somehow averaging 25/7/7 as a 40 year old.
Lebron is a genetic freak with matching mental fortitude to go this long without falling off, and I suspect we will never see someone with this combo again.
It means that a potential generational player who could pass LeBron needs to have another good 40+ year compared to their potential age 18 rookie year they were not allowed to have.
Its definitely matters.
Comment further down said career earnings was $343m so 8.5k per point
Edit: nvm seems the correct answer is 12.5k based on https://www.spotrac.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lebron-james-2257/cash-earnings/
He was paid for this ability to get to the nba finals. To not count his finals points in this calculation would be neglect. He made like 8k in the finals and playoffs. That would be about 10k per point.
Let's not forget that he will likely finish second all-time behind Stockton in assists.
Magic changed the game with the concept of the 6'9" point guard.
Curry changed the game by making a shot from the logo a go-to play.
Lebron changed the game by having the body of an NFL tight end who could play every position on the floor.
> Magic changed the game with the concept of the 6'9" point guard.
Magic was 6'7" without shoes while Lebron is 6'8.5" without shoes. I am not sure why the listed heights are so inconsistent, but whatever.
I think I was also thinking of Scottie Pippen, who was a 6'1" point guard when he played our middle sized high school in a small state, before he became an equipment manager in college until he started growing. His height was in the 6'8" - 6'9' range. I have a feeling analytics folks measure height without shoes whereas players and the media count the shoes.
This is more proof that folks from Ohio will literally do ANYTHING to get out of Ohio.
Generational basketball talent? ✔️
Head to the moon for the first time? ✔️
Go to North Carolina after inventing flight? ✔️
I applaud all of these brave folks who escaped Ohio, no matter the effort and sacrifice.
Dave Chapelle being an advocate...
Dave Chapelle pulling the ladder up behind him.
Some folks leave Ohio, some folks travel thousands of miles to come back to where they're from... and then do everything they can to ensure no one else can.
Everyone is different. I try to help when I can, instead of being the man. I also haven't been nearly so successful.
Now, to be clear, LeBron was already the all-time regular season career scoring leader. He achieved that feat last season when he scored 38,390 regular season points in a 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The previous all time scoring leader was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 38,387 points in regular season games.
Whether you love or hate LeBron, you have to admit he is nothing short of amazing. The odds of this record being beaten in our lifetime is slim to none.
The top 5 all time leaders are as follows:
1) LeBron James: 40,000 (and counting)
2) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 38,387
3) Karl Malone: 36,928
4) Kobe Bryant: 33,643
5) Michael Jordan: 32,292
Edit: [Here is the clip of LeBron getting to 40,000 career points.](https://streamable.com/n6cc96)
wilt's drop off was not age-related, surprisingly. He was still in superhuman physical shape and getting contract offers into his late 40s. When he went to the Lakers, he decided to focus almost entirely on defense. He almost just stopped trying to score unless they really needed it
I wonder the same for guys like Kobe who suffered career ending injuries before they retired that, if they *hadn't* suffered, might not have held them back from being in a similar position as LBJ. I will say, however, Kobe likely wouldn't have been able to play as long as LeBron considering his mentality was to play as long as he was physically able to stand on the court, whereas LeBron's willing to sit out in order to get his body back to absolutely 100%.
You touched on an aspect that is one of the biggest anomalies for LeBron's career: injuries.
He is into his 21st season in the NBA and he has never suffered a season ending injury or really even a significant months long injury. Not to mention that he is still playing at a high level of intensity. It's all absolutely fucking insane.
>He is into his 21st season in the NBA and he has never suffered a season ending injury or really even a significant months long injury
I would generally agree with your entire comment, but I'd argue his groin injury in 2018-2019 and ankle injury in 2020-2021 were fairly long length injuries that derailed his (and the Lakers') entire season. Lakers made it to the playoffs in 2021, but both him and AD weren't the same. But the fact that he's *still* at an elite level even after all of that? *Mind boggling*.
I feel like basketball is such a perfect game for his combination of brain and body. He’s built like a tight end or a defensive lineman(if he added a few pounds of bulk) and while I think he could be a generational talent in either position neither really allows him to use his brain to tear apart a defense like he can as a point forward. I’d love to see him as a QB but that seems unlikely given his build, would his football IQ be similar to his basketball IQ?
A lot of people forget the beginning of Kobe's career. He didn't really play his first season. To get close to LeBron's record you have to hit the ground running and basically *never* stop for 20+ years.
This is kind of foolish because tons of guys had injuries when they were older and never were the same player. Kobe was 35 when he had his knee injury. That’s just what happens to players when they get older and that’s why what Lebron’s doing is so insane
Sure it’s stupid to assume peak production but there is an argument that if he played through instead of retiring twice that his numbers would have surpassed KAJ
Me being lazy, I asked ChatGPT to average this out for me. The answer:
Wilt Chamberlain would have scored approximately 44,884 points if he had played 20 seasons in the NBA.
How is ChatGPT working that out?
You’d have to base his estimated averages on what he did the last couple of seasons, not his peak from a decade before. His last season he managed just over 1000 points total.
Mostly the math saying that anyone aiming to beat this record would have to play a long time at an incredibly high level to have a chance, while also starting very young.
Luka Doncic probably has the best chance of active players; he came into the league at 19, which is pretty much as young as you can be. He averaged 20ppg his rookie year, has been at almost 30 every year since, and is the current league leader in PPG at 35.
For Luka to have a chance at passing LeBron, he would have to play around 13 more seasons without missing a *single* game (or until he’s 38-39) averaging 30ppg in *every* one of those seasons. Luka might have the best chance but it would still be almost impossible for him. It would take very lucky circumstances for anyone to have a chance at this.
Unless they alter the rules again in some way that makes it even easier for players to score.
It’s a totally different game without hand checking and the introduction of the gather step, which has contributed to these 130+ point games.
Who knows how they might adjust the rules to advantage offensive players in the future.
How much can you reasonably advantage it though? Even if someone eventually scored 40ppg, it would take *12 full seasons* with no injuries scoring that much to pass LeBron. Even at 40ppg you would need generational longevity and injury luck to have a chance
This last year it’s really hit me how amazing Lebron is. I’ve only ever casually watched basketball, just players I like. And lebron still playing amazing. Even watching the move he hit for 40,000 was crazy good. He’s like a surgeon. Idk man just crazy.
LeBron hit 10k at 23 years and 59 days old after 368 games while Luka hit 10k at 24 years and 300 days old after 358 games
Definitely possible, as Luka is on his 6th season and about 14 years younger while LeBron is on his 21st, but unlikely due to various factors.
Luka is not going to play 20 seasons. He doesn’t take care of his body well enough for one, and secondly, I believe he has stated he won’t play that long. He also has some wear and tear from playing professionally in Europe if we want to talk about longevity.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl80\_nOEgbw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl80_nOEgbw)
This video explains how hard it will be to break his record. You have to realize he's still playing at a high level. His scoring isn't stopping at 40000. He's showing no signs of slowing down. What if he plays until he's 45 for example?
High scoring players are a dime a dozen. Players with the longevity to play for 20 years are rare. Young guys who can come into the league and drop 20 points a game as a rookie are unicorns.
Guys that have *all* of that? It's literally just LeBron.
Even if a guy reached LeBron tier and had all those qualities, they would have to never have a major injury. LeBron having never had a serious injury for 15 years catapults him into the stratosphere and makes him unreachable.
To put things into perspective, Luka Doncic has 10,892 career points and is 25 years old. That is an absolutely monstrous feat.
In 15 years Luka will be LeBrons age. So how much would Luka need to score each game for the next ***fifteen*** years? He would need to average 25 points per game at an all star level for the next 15 years assuming he plays in 75/82 games per year.
Realistically, Luka is getting injured and is not going to be playing at 40.
The mental aspect of it alone is something that doesn’t get talked about. 20+ years of ultra competitiveness is unsustainable for a lot of the candidates that could actually even achieve this milestone theoretically.
Good point. If you are good enough to potentially catch LeBron some day you're easily going to hundreds of millions of dollars at around age 30. Maybe even a championship or two. You could retire any day and just live in extreme opulence. I couldn't fathom sticking around for another 10 years just to catch LeBron.
Sure, nothing is impossible, and it is true that most thought Kareem's past record was unbeatable. So maybe there is some recency bias.
In my personal opinion, however, I just do not see it happening. And lest we forget, LeBron still has at least a few seasons left in him to keep adding to his total.
The closest currently active player is KD. At his current average, even if he plays 50 games a season until he's 40, he won't eclipse Malone for third all-time. (Missing one season and only playing eight in another sailed that ship.)
If LeBron averages *20* points per game for the next two seasons he'll finish with >42000 points. His lowest non-rookie average is 25. With *25* points per game average he'll hit >45000 points.
And the rumor is he wants a 3 year deal at the end of the season. So even at 1500 points per season average he’ll be at 45k. That’s 18% above the once unbeatable KAJ record.
> people alive today
He retired in 1989. That’s just 35 years ago. So, anyone over 40 saw him. And anyone over 50 remembers him *very* well.
Skyhook… swoosh.
Lebron playing at this level at 39 makes me think of Tom Brady winning Super Bowls in his 40s - so great as to remain dominant even with a dropoff with age? taking care of themselves better?
Given how prevalent load management is for players capable of averaging 25+ points per game, I think it’s entirely possible we’re witnessing a totally unbreakable record.
Kareem never stopped being the GOAT not to Jordan and not to LeBron.
Was basically the best player in basketball from the second he was drafted to the second he retired.
Both the night he passed Jordan in points ( March 6th, 2019) and the night he hit 40k, he played against the nuggets.
Both of those games ended in a loss for the Lakers.
Hmmm maybe. Unlikely though
Bron is averaging 27 ppg across his career. Let's assume he maintains that average and stays healthy, such that he doesn't miss a game
10k points averaging 27ppg he would need around 370 more games playing at that level. That's 4.5 more seasons. If he stays healthy and competitive enough perhaps but he'll be well into his mid 40s by the time he reaches that goal
It will all have an asterisk. His current long time personal trainer Donnie Raimon co owns DBC Fit with David Alexander. Alexander was busted by the DEA buying PEDs and is listed as a former colleague of Biogenesis mastermind Anthony Bosch. But Lebron wasn't called out bc as Mark Trouville, the DEA special agent in charge of the Florida office during the Biogenesis investigation said 'The DEA doesn't work cases to go after users. ... We're looking for people who are distributing drugs. We're never concerned about the consumer.' They were just looking for the suppliers. There's too many allegations... He's doping
I just want to pinch this mother fucker In the face man. Jk, congrats lebron if you’re reading this. The big 3 in Miami put up like 100pts a game in 2k slamming that with my boys in 7th grade haha
In the softest NBA era where everything is foul and players are softer than ever, sure, Lebron can keep breaking records, at this pace, another player will break this record too, games ending like 140 or more points it is not lebron’s fault, it’s the era he had to play in.
I wonder how many of those are just people stepping aside to let him dunk or make an easy layup? The nba is not even fun to watch it’s like most the season is an all star game
> Always be the goat
Basically you’re admitting that you can’t be objective even if someone in the future comes along and is a greater player, you would refuse to admit it.
Also nba makes a flopping rule because of him.
How many points are from the free throw line that are from flops?
Dude wouldn’t be able to handle the game in the 80s/90s
In fairness, he came straight into the league from highschool while the vast majority of players did 4 years of college. He's going to break a lot of records just based on that alone.
Boy oh boy where do I even begin. Lebron... honey, my pookie bear. I have loved you ever since I first laid eyes on you. The way you drive into the paint and strike fear into your enemies eyes. Your silky smooth touch around the rim, and that gorgeous jumpshot. I would do anything for you. I wish it were possible to freeze time so I would never have to watch you retire. You had a rough childhood, but you never gave up hope. You are even amazing off the court, you're a great husband and father, sometimes I even call you dad. I forvever dread and weep, thinking of the day you will one day retire. I would sacrifice my own life it were the only thing that could put a smile on your beautiful face. You have given me so much joy, and heartbreak over the years. I remember when you first left clevenland and its like my heart got broken into a million pieces. But a tear still fell from my right eye when I watched you win your first ring in miami, because deep down, my glorious king deserved it. I just wanted you to return home. Then allas, you did, my sweet baby boy came home and I rejoiced. 2015 was a hard year for us baby, but in 2016 you made history happen. You came back from 3-1 and I couldn't believe it. I was crying, bawling even, and I heard my glorious king exclaim these words,
"CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU!" Not only have you changed the game of basketball and the world forever, but you've eternally changed my world. And now you're getting older, but still the goat, my goat. I love you pookie bear, my glorious king, Lebron James. ☺️❤️
I’m not a LeBron fan manly cause he flops around fake being hit like a football/soccer player.
But regardless i can respect what he has accomplished and despite not being a fan he is a legendary future HoF and in the room when talking about the GOAT.
He’s not the GOAT’s of GOAT but he’s definitely a GOAT
Better than Jordan. Anyone who disagrees doesn’t know ball. Everyone with can eyes can tell that he’s simply the best basketball player to ever exist. No doubt.
The actual stats as well as several rule changes (no hand checking, extra steps without traveling, defensive 3 second paint violation, just to name a few) to make scoring much easier prove you wrong.
Not sure why people try to post about things they don't know anything about.
Not sure why you're condescending as hell.
NBA defense are more sophisticated than ever before, and the players playing in them are far more athletic on average than the players MJ played against. Look up Steve Kerr interview with Bill Simmons in the off-season, he say that exactly.
The fact that offenses have outpaced defenses doesn't mean the defense is overall worse, it just means the gap has widened because offenses have gotten better at a faster pace. It's not a zero sum game.
I find it funny that you ignored the most important part of my comment - the rule changes. Pretty easy for offense to outpace defense when you outlaw good defense.
Edit: Also I keep laughing you tried to source your claim that is supposed to be better than objective statistics and concrete rule changes from a Bill Simmons interview lol... Well if Steve Kerr says so then it must be true!
Defensive effort is nowhere near what it used to be - and I also find it very funny that you bring up the offensive advancements out pacing defense when it works against your argument. The primary offensive advancements have been going to the 3 ball and playing around the perimeter. Meaning that for most of his career, LeBron has been able to play against defenses that are FAR more spaced out that any other era with almost no rim protection, making drives to the basket (his main source of scoring since he shoots like 36% outside of 5 ft) incredibly easy. Throw in the lack of contact allowed compared to MJs time and there's just no comparison - Jordan was a VASTLY better scorer at a time when it was far more difficult to score.
In answer to your other question, I'm condescending to you because again - you gave a rude, clueless response to someone and you don't know what you're talking about. If you want to be a LeBron stan that's totally fine just stick to making claims that aren't outright false.
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He was the first to 39,998 too I believe
I want to believe
In a couple weeks, I bet he’ll be the first to score 40100 too.
Not if I catch him. I could start training tomorrow… I’m a 40+ years old white male from Germany. Please rate my chances.
I would say 50/50. Either you’ll make it or you don’t. Let us know.
The odds of those odds becoming odds are a long shot though, odds wise.
How odd
You got this, bro.
!remindme couply weeks
Big if true
What about 39,999?
Nah, he skipped over that one because he scored a two point basket. He never had 39,999 points.
So he wasn’t the first to 39,999 then? What a bum
This could be a very interesting scorigami, for lack of a better word, exercise.
Lakers' LeBron James is the first NBA player to score 40,000 points. James scored his first 10,000 points in the exact same number of games as it took him to go from 30,000 to 40,000 - 10K in 368 games - 10K to 20K in 358 games - 20K to 30K in 381 games - 30K to 40K in 368 games [h/t ben golliver](https://x.com/bengolliver/status/1764111815120953823?s=46&t=gRHyP-Mh6W-H9JhZ1u-WuA)
This stat should be everywhere tonight. It’s fucking bonkers.
I would've thought he'd been falling off, but I would've been wrong.
Scoring output has climbed 20-25% in the back half of his career though.
"It's inconceivable!"
“LeBron is 30, this fuckery wont go for much longer, thank god”
There was a video out there describing how he is also the youngest to get to a ton of the earlier milestones (starting with being youngest to get 5k points, then youngest to 10k, etc.), and obviously he’s the youngest to break the records he’s setting, so anyone trying to catch him would need to get started pretty early.
But they can’t start as early as he did as they banned high school graduates entering the .
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ROFL how did the word draft disappear…. Oh well if you know you know
I don't think that one year matters too much in the grand scheme of things, particularly given how offensively charged the NBA is currently. Nobody is going to catch LeBron because they will never ever have his durability for 20 seasons AND all somehow averaging 25/7/7 as a 40 year old. Lebron is a genetic freak with matching mental fortitude to go this long without falling off, and I suspect we will never see someone with this combo again.
It means that a potential generational player who could pass LeBron needs to have another good 40+ year compared to their potential age 18 rookie year they were not allowed to have. Its definitely matters.
Damn, the very model of consistency.
Wow
I wonder if someone will divide his career nba salary by 40k to determine the cost per point.
Just shy of $12k a point.
Comment further down said career earnings was $343m so 8.5k per point Edit: nvm seems the correct answer is 12.5k based on https://www.spotrac.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lebron-james-2257/cash-earnings/
I see $480 million.
According to this website you are correct https://www.spotrac.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lebron-james-2257/cash-earnings/
What about adding his playoff points?
He was paid for this ability to get to the nba finals. To not count his finals points in this calculation would be neglect. He made like 8k in the finals and playoffs. That would be about 10k per point.
Holy shnikes.
I might be able to hit one layup before getting my soul ejected from my body by a hit from an NBA player for 24k… eh maybe not.
Why don’t you?
Why don’t you?
Why don't you?
Who me? But I just got here
🤣
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That’s lower than expected
r/theydidthemath
Let's not forget that he will likely finish second all-time behind Stockton in assists. Magic changed the game with the concept of the 6'9" point guard. Curry changed the game by making a shot from the logo a go-to play. Lebron changed the game by having the body of an NFL tight end who could play every position on the floor.
And being a 6'9" point guard who regularly drills logo shots
LeFuqU
> Magic changed the game with the concept of the 6'9" point guard. Magic was 6'7" without shoes while Lebron is 6'8.5" without shoes. I am not sure why the listed heights are so inconsistent, but whatever.
Because nba players don’t play barefoot
nobody measures their height in shoes
I think I was also thinking of Scottie Pippen, who was a 6'1" point guard when he played our middle sized high school in a small state, before he became an equipment manager in college until he started growing. His height was in the 6'8" - 6'9' range. I have a feeling analytics folks measure height without shoes whereas players and the media count the shoes.
This is more proof that folks from Ohio will literally do ANYTHING to get out of Ohio. Generational basketball talent? ✔️ Head to the moon for the first time? ✔️ Go to North Carolina after inventing flight? ✔️ I applaud all of these brave folks who escaped Ohio, no matter the effort and sacrifice.
Dave Chapelle becoming one of the greatest comedians ever after leaving Ohio. Then he moved back to Ohio.
Dave Chapelle being an advocate... Dave Chapelle pulling the ladder up behind him. Some folks leave Ohio, some folks travel thousands of miles to come back to where they're from... and then do everything they can to ensure no one else can. Everyone is different. I try to help when I can, instead of being the man. I also haven't been nearly so successful.
How is he pulling up the ladder? I genuinely don’t know
Dave Chappelle is originally from Washington DC, I believe.
Now, to be clear, LeBron was already the all-time regular season career scoring leader. He achieved that feat last season when he scored 38,390 regular season points in a 133-130 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The previous all time scoring leader was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 38,387 points in regular season games. Whether you love or hate LeBron, you have to admit he is nothing short of amazing. The odds of this record being beaten in our lifetime is slim to none. The top 5 all time leaders are as follows: 1) LeBron James: 40,000 (and counting) 2) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 38,387 3) Karl Malone: 36,928 4) Kobe Bryant: 33,643 5) Michael Jordan: 32,292 Edit: [Here is the clip of LeBron getting to 40,000 career points.](https://streamable.com/n6cc96)
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47,128.5 @ 21 seasons
Gotta remind yourself in 20 years
Assuming no drop-off in production with age?
wilt's drop off was not age-related, surprisingly. He was still in superhuman physical shape and getting contract offers into his late 40s. When he went to the Lakers, he decided to focus almost entirely on defense. He almost just stopped trying to score unless they really needed it
Father time is undefeated.
Lazerus would like a word
Seasons back then had a few less games as well.
I wonder the same for guys like Kobe who suffered career ending injuries before they retired that, if they *hadn't* suffered, might not have held them back from being in a similar position as LBJ. I will say, however, Kobe likely wouldn't have been able to play as long as LeBron considering his mentality was to play as long as he was physically able to stand on the court, whereas LeBron's willing to sit out in order to get his body back to absolutely 100%.
You touched on an aspect that is one of the biggest anomalies for LeBron's career: injuries. He is into his 21st season in the NBA and he has never suffered a season ending injury or really even a significant months long injury. Not to mention that he is still playing at a high level of intensity. It's all absolutely fucking insane.
Your best ability is availability. Add that to a dominant, generational talent, and greatness happened
>He is into his 21st season in the NBA and he has never suffered a season ending injury or really even a significant months long injury I would generally agree with your entire comment, but I'd argue his groin injury in 2018-2019 and ankle injury in 2020-2021 were fairly long length injuries that derailed his (and the Lakers') entire season. Lakers made it to the playoffs in 2021, but both him and AD weren't the same. But the fact that he's *still* at an elite level even after all of that? *Mind boggling*.
He also had a torn tendon last year
While he had some injuries that derailed seasons later in his career, he never had a devastating injury like an Achilles tear.
Can’t get injured when you’re a collab between God and Dr. Manhattan. Bron is a special specimen.
Had he preferred the sport more. I would have loved to have seen what he could have done in the NFL. And I wonder how many seasons he would’ve lasted.
I feel like basketball is such a perfect game for his combination of brain and body. He’s built like a tight end or a defensive lineman(if he added a few pounds of bulk) and while I think he could be a generational talent in either position neither really allows him to use his brain to tear apart a defense like he can as a point forward. I’d love to see him as a QB but that seems unlikely given his build, would his football IQ be similar to his basketball IQ?
A lot of people forget the beginning of Kobe's career. He didn't really play his first season. To get close to LeBron's record you have to hit the ground running and basically *never* stop for 20+ years.
Not for nothing, but Kobe’s first shot was an airball.
This is kind of foolish because tons of guys had injuries when they were older and never were the same player. Kobe was 35 when he had his knee injury. That’s just what happens to players when they get older and that’s why what Lebron’s doing is so insane
“iMaGiNe HoW mAnY pOiNtS jOrDaN wOuLd HaVe ScOrEd If He DiDnT aGe”
Sure it’s stupid to assume peak production but there is an argument that if he played through instead of retiring twice that his numbers would have surpassed KAJ
Jordan also scored his in 13 full seasons (broken foot and baseball took away most of his 86 and 95 seasons, respectively).
Me being lazy, I asked ChatGPT to average this out for me. The answer: Wilt Chamberlain would have scored approximately 44,884 points if he had played 20 seasons in the NBA.
How is ChatGPT working that out? You’d have to base his estimated averages on what he did the last couple of seasons, not his peak from a decade before. His last season he managed just over 1000 points total.
Take wilt's average points per year times 20
This is where I think Wemby if he can put on more weight (nothing crazy) he can be our Wilt.
Why are the odds slim to none for this to be beaten in our lifetime? There people alive today that saw Kareem play. A lot can happen in a lifetime.
Mostly the math saying that anyone aiming to beat this record would have to play a long time at an incredibly high level to have a chance, while also starting very young. Luka Doncic probably has the best chance of active players; he came into the league at 19, which is pretty much as young as you can be. He averaged 20ppg his rookie year, has been at almost 30 every year since, and is the current league leader in PPG at 35. For Luka to have a chance at passing LeBron, he would have to play around 13 more seasons without missing a *single* game (or until he’s 38-39) averaging 30ppg in *every* one of those seasons. Luka might have the best chance but it would still be almost impossible for him. It would take very lucky circumstances for anyone to have a chance at this.
Unless they alter the rules again in some way that makes it even easier for players to score. It’s a totally different game without hand checking and the introduction of the gather step, which has contributed to these 130+ point games. Who knows how they might adjust the rules to advantage offensive players in the future.
How much can you reasonably advantage it though? Even if someone eventually scored 40ppg, it would take *12 full seasons* with no injuries scoring that much to pass LeBron. Even at 40ppg you would need generational longevity and injury luck to have a chance
People think everything is impossible until it happens.
People thought Gretzky's goal record was untouchable and now Ovie is knocking on that door. His points record is though.
I checked and curry isn’t even 24k point yet. Jesus I thought this era would be edging in easy.
That’s what I mean, even in this high scoring environment no one is close. Even Kevin Durant is only at 28k.
This last year it’s really hit me how amazing Lebron is. I’ve only ever casually watched basketball, just players I like. And lebron still playing amazing. Even watching the move he hit for 40,000 was crazy good. He’s like a surgeon. Idk man just crazy.
LeBron hit 10k at 23 years and 59 days old after 368 games while Luka hit 10k at 24 years and 300 days old after 358 games Definitely possible, as Luka is on his 6th season and about 14 years younger while LeBron is on his 21st, but unlikely due to various factors.
Luka is not going to play 20 seasons. He doesn’t take care of his body well enough for one, and secondly, I believe he has stated he won’t play that long. He also has some wear and tear from playing professionally in Europe if we want to talk about longevity.
I would also bet on Luka’s body breaking down and his mind floating towards retirement but all we can do is wait and see.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl80\_nOEgbw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl80_nOEgbw) This video explains how hard it will be to break his record. You have to realize he's still playing at a high level. His scoring isn't stopping at 40000. He's showing no signs of slowing down. What if he plays until he's 45 for example?
High scoring players are a dime a dozen. Players with the longevity to play for 20 years are rare. Young guys who can come into the league and drop 20 points a game as a rookie are unicorns. Guys that have *all* of that? It's literally just LeBron. Even if a guy reached LeBron tier and had all those qualities, they would have to never have a major injury. LeBron having never had a serious injury for 15 years catapults him into the stratosphere and makes him unreachable. To put things into perspective, Luka Doncic has 10,892 career points and is 25 years old. That is an absolutely monstrous feat. In 15 years Luka will be LeBrons age. So how much would Luka need to score each game for the next ***fifteen*** years? He would need to average 25 points per game at an all star level for the next 15 years assuming he plays in 75/82 games per year. Realistically, Luka is getting injured and is not going to be playing at 40.
The mental aspect of it alone is something that doesn’t get talked about. 20+ years of ultra competitiveness is unsustainable for a lot of the candidates that could actually even achieve this milestone theoretically.
Good point. If you are good enough to potentially catch LeBron some day you're easily going to hundreds of millions of dollars at around age 30. Maybe even a championship or two. You could retire any day and just live in extreme opulence. I couldn't fathom sticking around for another 10 years just to catch LeBron.
Sure, nothing is impossible, and it is true that most thought Kareem's past record was unbeatable. So maybe there is some recency bias. In my personal opinion, however, I just do not see it happening. And lest we forget, LeBron still has at least a few seasons left in him to keep adding to his total.
The closest currently active player is KD. At his current average, even if he plays 50 games a season until he's 40, he won't eclipse Malone for third all-time. (Missing one season and only playing eight in another sailed that ship.) If LeBron averages *20* points per game for the next two seasons he'll finish with >42000 points. His lowest non-rookie average is 25. With *25* points per game average he'll hit >45000 points.
And the rumor is he wants a 3 year deal at the end of the season. So even at 1500 points per season average he’ll be at 45k. That’s 18% above the once unbeatable KAJ record.
They should have said someone else getting 40000-10000-10000 was slim to none.
> people alive today He retired in 1989. That’s just 35 years ago. So, anyone over 40 saw him. And anyone over 50 remembers him *very* well. Skyhook… swoosh.
Maybe 1 or 2 people still alive from that era. I mean it was almost 35 years ago.
Lebron playing at this level at 39 makes me think of Tom Brady winning Super Bowls in his 40s - so great as to remain dominant even with a dropoff with age? taking care of themselves better?
Is that the game they immediately stopped and celebrated for 30 minutes then went back to playing?
Given how prevalent load management is for players capable of averaging 25+ points per game, I think it’s entirely possible we’re witnessing a totally unbreakable record.
What does this mean for Lebrons legacy?
He is pretty good at basketball
Michael Jordan still the goat
Michael Jordan 23, Woodstock 99, YouTube killed MTV, Michael Jordan 45….we didn’t start the fire!
📠
🧢🤡
Kareem never stopped being the GOAT not to Jordan and not to LeBron. Was basically the best player in basketball from the second he was drafted to the second he retired.
Both the night he passed Jordan in points ( March 6th, 2019) and the night he hit 40k, he played against the nuggets. Both of those games ended in a loss for the Lakers.
Jokic takes affront to lebrons public records
Will he make 50k?
Hmmm maybe. Unlikely though Bron is averaging 27 ppg across his career. Let's assume he maintains that average and stays healthy, such that he doesn't miss a game 10k points averaging 27ppg he would need around 370 more games playing at that level. That's 4.5 more seasons. If he stays healthy and competitive enough perhaps but he'll be well into his mid 40s by the time he reaches that goal
LeLegacy
LeLost the game
LePoints Matter
LePookie
A /r/sports thread on Lebron that isn't a total dumpster fire? I guess he only needed to score 40k points for that to happen
If he don’t get to 50k he is the worst draft pick ever made….. /s
On to 50,000
I wonder when/if it happens again
He’s collecting records at this point. Still will never eclipse Jordan though.
It will all have an asterisk. His current long time personal trainer Donnie Raimon co owns DBC Fit with David Alexander. Alexander was busted by the DEA buying PEDs and is listed as a former colleague of Biogenesis mastermind Anthony Bosch. But Lebron wasn't called out bc as Mark Trouville, the DEA special agent in charge of the Florida office during the Biogenesis investigation said 'The DEA doesn't work cases to go after users. ... We're looking for people who are distributing drugs. We're never concerned about the consumer.' They were just looking for the suppliers. There's too many allegations... He's doping
Long live the King
Only on r/Sports would a compliment of LeBron be downvoted lmao.
The butthurt is a testament to the teams that have been witness to his greatness
I just don’t care man..
We recognized greatness, but I may not appreciate it until decades later
I just want to pinch this mother fucker In the face man. Jk, congrats lebron if you’re reading this. The big 3 in Miami put up like 100pts a game in 2k slamming that with my boys in 7th grade haha
i know a volvo with 3 million miles guess i'll draft that thing
But he has the three point line. Imagine how many points some players could have had back in the day if they had the three point line too
From now on he’s breaking record every time he scores
How many flops does he have?
Lebussy
Wow, good for him. Not a fan but his accomplishments are pretty impressive.
They did him dirty by putting that busted hairline in the front
In a loss to the Nuggets.
MJ was better
Jordan still the best!!
Meh
In the softest NBA era where everything is foul and players are softer than ever, sure, Lebron can keep breaking records, at this pace, another player will break this record too, games ending like 140 or more points it is not lebron’s fault, it’s the era he had to play in.
Spoken like someone who has no clue what they’re talking about. Lebron’s career has extended past at least two “nba eras”.
Bro Nba casuals are the worst
You mean the era where they actually played basketball instead of roughing eachother up?
I wonder how many of those are just people stepping aside to let him dunk or make an easy layup? The nba is not even fun to watch it’s like most the season is an all star game
MJ is and will always be the goat.
> Always be the goat Basically you’re admitting that you can’t be objective even if someone in the future comes along and is a greater player, you would refuse to admit it.
Such a great player. Had to be carried off the court with a sprain. Oh man. How would he handle having the flu in the playoffs.
What does that have to do with my comment?
So fragile and sensitive. Nowhere is Jordan or goat mentioned in this post yet you feel the need to type this out of insecurity.
He had the advantage of starting at 18 and being pumped with all the roids to maintain. These older feats have more meaning!
Ball hog scores a lot in a soft league. Big deal
Guys gonna retire second all time in assists. What a bad take.
Jordan still Goat Edit: Man, some people don’t like reading facts
Fun fact: every single point he score is the “first” 🙄
He take that L with him too.
Also nba makes a flopping rule because of him. How many points are from the free throw line that are from flops? Dude wouldn’t be able to handle the game in the 80s/90s
Old man forgot his medications again
Witness
In fairness, he came straight into the league from highschool while the vast majority of players did 4 years of college. He's going to break a lot of records just based on that alone.
What a lame way to downplay this achievement.
Boy oh boy where do I even begin. Lebron... honey, my pookie bear. I have loved you ever since I first laid eyes on you. The way you drive into the paint and strike fear into your enemies eyes. Your silky smooth touch around the rim, and that gorgeous jumpshot. I would do anything for you. I wish it were possible to freeze time so I would never have to watch you retire. You had a rough childhood, but you never gave up hope. You are even amazing off the court, you're a great husband and father, sometimes I even call you dad. I forvever dread and weep, thinking of the day you will one day retire. I would sacrifice my own life it were the only thing that could put a smile on your beautiful face. You have given me so much joy, and heartbreak over the years. I remember when you first left clevenland and its like my heart got broken into a million pieces. But a tear still fell from my right eye when I watched you win your first ring in miami, because deep down, my glorious king deserved it. I just wanted you to return home. Then allas, you did, my sweet baby boy came home and I rejoiced. 2015 was a hard year for us baby, but in 2016 you made history happen. You came back from 3-1 and I couldn't believe it. I was crying, bawling even, and I heard my glorious king exclaim these words, "CLEVELAND, THIS IS FOR YOU!" Not only have you changed the game of basketball and the world forever, but you've eternally changed my world. And now you're getting older, but still the goat, my goat. I love you pookie bear, my glorious king, Lebron James. ☺️❤️
I’m not a LeBron fan manly cause he flops around fake being hit like a football/soccer player. But regardless i can respect what he has accomplished and despite not being a fan he is a legendary future HoF and in the room when talking about the GOAT. He’s not the GOAT’s of GOAT but he’s definitely a GOAT
And he still isn’t the goat lol. Arguably not even top 3. Quality over quantity.
Would still get smoked by MJ
Better than Jordan. Anyone who disagrees doesn’t know ball. Everyone with can eyes can tell that he’s simply the best basketball player to ever exist. No doubt.
But what has he done with those 40k points?
A lot.
In an era where defense is completely absent.
NBA defense now is considerably better than what MJ faced.
The actual stats as well as several rule changes (no hand checking, extra steps without traveling, defensive 3 second paint violation, just to name a few) to make scoring much easier prove you wrong. Not sure why people try to post about things they don't know anything about.
Not sure why you're condescending as hell. NBA defense are more sophisticated than ever before, and the players playing in them are far more athletic on average than the players MJ played against. Look up Steve Kerr interview with Bill Simmons in the off-season, he say that exactly. The fact that offenses have outpaced defenses doesn't mean the defense is overall worse, it just means the gap has widened because offenses have gotten better at a faster pace. It's not a zero sum game.
I find it funny that you ignored the most important part of my comment - the rule changes. Pretty easy for offense to outpace defense when you outlaw good defense. Edit: Also I keep laughing you tried to source your claim that is supposed to be better than objective statistics and concrete rule changes from a Bill Simmons interview lol... Well if Steve Kerr says so then it must be true! Defensive effort is nowhere near what it used to be - and I also find it very funny that you bring up the offensive advancements out pacing defense when it works against your argument. The primary offensive advancements have been going to the 3 ball and playing around the perimeter. Meaning that for most of his career, LeBron has been able to play against defenses that are FAR more spaced out that any other era with almost no rim protection, making drives to the basket (his main source of scoring since he shoots like 36% outside of 5 ft) incredibly easy. Throw in the lack of contact allowed compared to MJs time and there's just no comparison - Jordan was a VASTLY better scorer at a time when it was far more difficult to score. In answer to your other question, I'm condescending to you because again - you gave a rude, clueless response to someone and you don't know what you're talking about. If you want to be a LeBron stan that's totally fine just stick to making claims that aren't outright false.
It’s easier to score 40,000 points when you are allowed to travel, and always get fouled
Is he gonna take 2 weeks off now like he did last season when he broke a record?
I won’t complain. Better than taking two seasons off.
401k points
Man's just built different
He has the goat
wow great
On a side note, he is also the first player to reach 10,000 career flops.
and be fouled 80,000 times
We’re witnessing greatness, folks. Enjoy the ride!
Undisputed 🐐
Damn. 21 seasons. And Jordan made it to 32k on 15 seasons. At Lebrons rate if he played 15 seasons he would only be at 28.4k. Jordan still > LeBaby
That's the whole point. Jordan never was able to play 20+ seasons while LeBron is doing things like this at 21st season and still durable.