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Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James looks toward fans after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Mark J. Terrill/AP
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Mark J. Terrill/AP
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James looks toward fans after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Los Angeles.
Mark J. Terrill/AP
Basketball star LeBron James on Saturday became the first NBA player to reach 40,000 career points in the regular season. James, 39, said he was proud to reach the milestone, but described the game as “bittersweet” as his Los Angeles Lakers lost 124-114 to the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets.
“Being the first player to do something, it’s cool in this league, just knowing the history, the greats that have come through the league, and then seeing some of the greats on the court tonight, it was cool to compete,” James said. , who scored 26 points that night.
“But for me the main thing, as always, is winning, and I hated that that had to happen in a loss.” James has accomplished the feat in 1,475 regular-season games, reaching double-digit points in each of the last 1,205 of them.
James also spoke about the intense pressure that has been on him since he started as a young player more than 20 years ago. “For the first time in a long time, I’ve seen the commercial that was shown before my first game,” James said. “I think they mentioned all the greats who ever played basketball, like Big O, Michael, Kareem and Kobe, and they forgot who the others were in that commercial. And then it was like, ‘next up, LeBron James.'”
“I didn’t see that commercial when it happened, but when I saw it today, I thought, what the hell? That expectation on an 18-year-old like that, it was crazy to think about.”
Last February, James surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s previous NBA career record of 38,387 points, which had stood since 1989. James is also a great passer in basketball. He ranks fourth in career assists with 10,847, for a high average of 7.35 per game.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 2, 2024. in Los Angeles.
Yannick Peterhans/AP
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Yannick Peterhans/AP
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, March 2, 2024. in Los Angeles.
Yannick Peterhans/AP
James said most people didn’t imagine he would surpass 40,000 points when he started the game. “There are certain things you just don’t believe are going to happen,” he said. “I guess for years people said Kareem’s record wouldn’t be broken. I was able to eclipse him. But like I said, you have to have very good luck, you have to play at a high level for a long time.” , and then we see.”
“I come to work and prepare mentally, physically and spiritually every night when it’s time to play, and I just try to go out and contribute,” he said. “I’ve been able to do it for over 20 years, including this year. When I go out on the court and I feel pretty good, I feel like I can make plays.
“I can still do the things I did 10 years ago. And some things I did 20 years ago, which is a strange thing to say.”
It will likely be a long time before James’ record is broken. Of current active NBA players, Kevin Durrant has the second-highest total of career regular season points scored, with 28,372. The 35-year-old is expected to retire long before James’ total is affected.
In addition to the NBA regular season, James has also played three and a half seasons of playoff games, en route to four titles in 10 NBA Finals appearances. Throughout his career, he has largely avoided major injuries.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who worked with James on the Cleveland Cavaliers, paid tribute to the player’s incredible career. “I remember being in Cleveland, being in the weight room with our weight and strength coaches, and there’s no way you’re doing what you’re doing at this stage of your career if you don’t spend a lot of time on your body, on your diet. . ., his dream, all those things that really matter,” Malone said before the game.
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