The NBA is packed with superstars. LeBron James still stands out. Even more so now that he has become the first player to score 40,000 points in regular-season games. But there’s more to GOAT status than baskets galore. A comment.
By Marcus Giebel
LeBron James has done it again. The NBA turned into a madhouse. And probably sends just about every basketball lover into ecstasy. This time, a simple-looking layup was enough for the “King” against the Denver Nuggets.
But with these two points, the 39-year-old has once again made history. As the first player to score more than 40,000 points in NBA regular-season games. A brand that seemed unattainable just a few years ago.
After all, it took Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 20 seasons to score 38,387 points, which put him at the top of this statistic for decades. Before James came and dethroned him on February 7, 2023 – in his 20th season.
The megastar achieved something that other “GOAT” candidates such as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan or Wilt Chamberlain were unable to do. Which means he once again gained points in the eternal discussion about the best of the best. But not enough!
the essentials in brief
LeBron James delivers NBA records and has a dream
He has collected records long enough to stand above everyone else. “LBJ” was an All-Star more times than any other player – 20 times – was selected to the All-NBA First Team the most times – 13 times. This includes countless scoring records.
For two decades, James has consistently been one of the most dominant athletes in the league. And there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight, after all he still wants to fulfill his dream of playing in the NBA with his 19-year-old son Bronny. Maybe even with the younger Bryce, who turns 17 in June.
His current contract with the Lakers includes the option for another season.
But: Even if he is incomparable as a scoring machine and scorers deserve the headlines, James is still behind “Air Jordan” in the two important statistics, who has been considered the NBA star par excellence for almost 30 years and is often considered the “GOAT”. referred to as.
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Why Michael Jordan is still the “GOAT”.
The 61-year-old has won six championships, two more than James, and has been named MVP five times, once more than the current NBA figurehead. Above all, Jordan shaped a dynasty and led his Chicago Bulls to the aforementioned titles within seven years – thanks to the unrivaled repeat three-peat.
With Jordan, the Bulls won the NBA title from 1991 to 1993 and from 1996 to 1998. The team was considered unbeatable in big games with and thanks to Jordan.
In the meantime, “His Airness” had turned his back on the NBA to pursue a baseball career – as a tribute to his murdered father. Even though this venture failed dismally, Jordan came back as if he had never been away and left the competition desperate once again. He simply couldn’t be beaten when it really mattered.
Losing wasn’t in Michael Jordan’s vocabulary anyway. He won every final series he reached.
For comparison: LeBron James has lost six of his ten Finals series.
Platz 20: Vince Carter
– Points: 25,728 (⌀ 16.7 points per game)
– Games: 1,541
– In the NBA from: 1998-2020
– Teams: Toronto Raptors, New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks© Imago/Getty
19th place: Kevin Garnett
– Points: 26,071 (⌀ 17.8 points per game)
– Games: 1,462
– In the NBA from: 1995-2016
– Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets© Imago/Getty
Platz 18: John Havlicek
– Points: 26,395 (⌀ 20.8 points per game)
– Games: 1,270
– In the NBA from: 1962-1978
– Team: Boston Celtics© Imago/Getty
Platz 17: Paul Pierce
– Points: 26,397 (⌀ 19.7 points per game)
– Games: 1,343
– In the NBA from: 1998-2017
– Teams: Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Clippers© Imago/Getty
Platz 16: Tim Duncan
– Points: 26,496 (⌀ 19 points per game)
– Games: 1,392
– In the NBA from: 1997-2016
– Team: San Antonio Spurs© Imago/Getty
Platz 15: Dominique Wilkins
– Points: 26,668 (⌀ 24.8 points per game)
– Games: 1,074
– In the NBA from: 1982-1995, 1996-1997, 1998-1999
– Teams: Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic© Imago/Getty
Platz 14: Oscar Robertson
– Points: 26,710 (⌀ 25.7 points per game)
– Games: 1,040
– In the NBA from: 1960-1974
– Teams: Cincinnati Royals (heute: Sacramento Kings), Milwaukee Bucks© Imago/Getty
13th place: Hakeem Olajuwon
– Points: 26,946 (⌀ 21.8 points per game)
– Games: 1,238
– In the NBA from: 1984-2002
– Teams: Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors© Imago/Getty
Platz 12: Elvin Hayes
– Points: 27,313 (⌀ 21 points per game)
– Games: 1,303
– In the NBA from: 1968-1984
– Teams: San Diego/Houston Rockets, Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets (heute: Washington Wizards)© Imago/Getty
Platz 11: Moses Malone
– Points: 27,409 (⌀ 20.6 points per game)
– Games: 1,329
– In the ABA/NBA from: 1974-1995
– Teams: Utah Stars (ABA), Spirits of St. Louis (ABA), Buffalo Braves (heute: Los Angeles Clippers), Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Bullets (heute: Washington Wizards), Atlanta Hawks, Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs© Imago/Getty
Platz 10: Carmelo Anthony
– Points: 28,289 (⌀ 22.5 points per game)
– Games: 1,260
– In the NBA from: 2003-2022
– Teams: Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Lakers© Imago/Getty
Platz 9: Kevin Durant
– Points: 28,342 (⌀ 27.3 points per game)
– Games: 1,038 and still active
– In the NBA from: 2007-present
– Teams: Seattle SuperSonics/Okalahoma City Thunder, Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns© Imago/Getty
Platz 8: Shaquille O’Neal
– Points: 28,596 (⌀ 23.7 points per game)
– Games: 1,207
– In the NBA from: 1992-2011
– Teams: Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics© Imago/Getty
7th place: Wilt Chamberlain
– Points: 31,419 (⌀ 30.1 points per game)
– Games: 1,045
– In the NBA from: 1959-1973
– Teams: Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (heute: Golden State Warriors), Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers© Imago/Getty
Platz 6: Dirk Nowitzki
– Points: 31,560 (⌀ 20.7 points per game)
– Games: 1,522
– In the NBA from: 1998-2019
– Team: Dallas Mavericks© Imago/Getty
5th place: Michael Jordan
– Points: 32,292 (⌀ 30.1 points per game)
– Games: 1,072
– In the NBA from: 1984-1993, 1995-1998, 2001-2003
– Teams: Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards© Imago/Getty
Platz 4: Kobe Bryant
– Points: 33,643 (⌀ 25 points per game)
– Games: 1,346
– In the NBA from: 1996-2016
– Teams: Los Angeles Lakers© Imago/Getty
Platz 3: Karl Malone
– Points: 36,928 (⌀ 25 points per game)
– Games: 1,476
– In the NBA from: 1985-2004
– Teams: Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers© Imago/Getty
2nd place: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
– Points: 38,387 (⌀ 24.6 points per game)
– Games: 1,560
– In the NBA from: 1969-1989
– Teams: Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers© Imago/Getty
Platz 1: LeBron James
– Points: 40,017 (⌀ 27.1 points per game)
– Games: 1,474 and still active
– In the NBA from: 2003-present
– Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers© Imago/Getty
LeBron James with longer endurance
If the Bulls had extended with Coach Phil Jackson, Jordan’s era of success would probably have been even longer. So the superstar said goodbye once again, only to have a failed comeback with the Washington Wizards years later.
James shows incomparable endurance and has managed to be one of the most dominant players in the league for over two decades thanks to his talent, his physicality and also his mental health. He also won his championships with three different teams.
But: In order to approach Jordan’s status, he would have to win two more championships and draw level with Jordan. Hard to imagine, especially since the Lakers are no longer among the league’s crème de le crème.
That’s why: James is unique in the history of the NBA and will probably remain the all-time top scorer. But the shower of points isn’t enough – the “GOAT” is and remains Jordan.
2024-03-03 16:08:48
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