What a time to be alive! On February 7th of 2023, The Los Angeles Lakers faced off against The Oklahoma City Thunder in a home game that would change the course of the NBA. I never had the pleasure to watch MJ play, but watching LeBron, I understand what the viewers of MJ must have felt. To witness something like a 40-year record being broken by the debated greatest basketball player of all time was definitely exciting to see.
Every quarter was close, Leaving the Thunder with a victory (133-130). All stats were similar between teams, such as Rebounds (37-41), Assists (32-27), and Blocks (2-3). Some other statistics showed more of a distance between numbers. The Thunder had made 5% more from the 3 point line which ultimately helped them secure the bag, especially with 90% accuracy on the free throw line. The Lakers folded with 20 turnovers, compared to the Thunder’s 12. Tremendous efforts on behalf of both teams were given, yet there was greater purpose for some on the court.
Throughout each quarter, the Lakers put up about 32.5 points per quarter, and Lebron scored 37 throughout the entire game. Although they lost, the Lakers gained something great, a legendary player became the NBA’s leading scorer. This record has been held since 1984 by Kareem Abdul-Jabar and has lasted decades. Forces on the Thunder like Jalen Williams, Josh Giddey, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander prevented a close scoring game.
In a post-game interview, Lebron Said,” I didn’t set this as a goal, so that’s probably why it’s so surreal and so weird to me… I never talked about being the all-time scorer in NBA history … until my numbers started getting closer and closer, and I was like, ‘Oh wow, this is crazy. This is weird, but I guess I’m doing it.’” Although the Lakers have declined since their Championship Victory in 2020, The team is still held in high regard due to their outstanding history, and this record by James will be set in stone for decades to come.
Lebron was accompanied by his family, friends, and the man whose record he just broke. Kareem Abdul-Jabar was present in Crypto Arena on the night the record was broken and showed great sportsmanship and respect throughout. Now where do we go from here? The debate for the greatest of all time has definitely taken a giant step towards Lebron, and I believe that even more people now will call him the greatest basketball player who ever lived, more than before. The Lakers next Matchup will be against the Milwaukee Bucks at home on Thursday, February 9th.
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