LeBron James has become the NBA's all-time points record holder, after surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's total of 38,387, twenty seasons on from his debut. The points came on Tuesday night for the LA Lakers against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a 130-133 defeat where he put up 38. “To be able to be in the presence of a legend and great as Kareem, it means so much to me,” said James. "Everybody that has ever been a part of this run with me the last 20-plus years, I want to say thank you so much because I wouldn't be me without all you. You all helped. Your passion and sacrifices helped me to get to this point," he said.
"And to the NBA to Adam Silver, to the late great David Stern, thank you very much for allowing me to be a part of something I always dreamed about. I would never in a million years dreamt this to be even better than what it is tonight."
Abdul-Jabbar ceremoniously handed over the ball to James to recognise his new feat in front of a cheering crowd that included tennis legend John McEnroe, music stars Jay-Z, LL Cool J and Bad Bunny, and actor Denzel Washington.
"I thought it had every chance of being broken. It just had to have someone that the offense focused on continually," said Abdul-Jabbar, who retired in 1989.
"LeBron's career is one of someone who planned to dominate this game. You have to give him credit for just the way he played and for the way he's lasted and dominated."
Following the record breaking event, NBA legends of the past and stars of the NBA's present shared congratulations to King James.
Former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Kevin Love wrote “True Greatness. Incredibly grateful to have witnessed and been a part of your journey. History made.”
“Wild to witness someone from Northeast Ohio doing this! Congrats @KingJames !!!,’ wrote New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum.
‘s/o Bron, the word generational can’t even explain it man,’ Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said.
‘LeBron James! Congrats NBA All-Time Scoring leader. A beast!’ former San Antonio Spurs star Manu Ginobili posted.