NBA, Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Lebron James 20,000 points, Lebron James 5,000 assists
Lost in the madness surrounding Manti Te'o and the ridiculous story about his fake dead girlfriend, LeBron James became the youngest player ever to score 20,000 points in the NBA.He also recorded his 5,000th assist, while dropping 25 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds in the Heat's 92-75 win over the Warriors.
As of yesterday, LeBron was 28 years, 17 days old. Kobe Bryant previously held the record at 29 years, 122 days old.
In terms of games played, James was the 7th fastest to reach 20,000. He has played in 726 games. Wilt Chamberlain accomplished the feat in only 499 games.
LeBron is already 42nd on the NBA's all-time scoring list, and 56th all time in assists. And he's only 28 years old.
Assuming he plays another 8-10 years, even taking into account the normal decline for age, it's not out of the question that LeBron could retire as the all-time scoring leader, and among the top 5-7 in assists.
Currently, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer with 38,387. LeBron now has 20,008, midway through his 10th season, at age 28. It's definitely not unreasonable to think that he could finish with more than Kareem.
If it's possible to achieve such a significant accomplishment quietly, LeBron has done it.
It's almost like we expect greatness from him on a nightly basis. Games like this one, with a stat line of 25/7/10 almost aren't even impressive anymore.
Where do you think LeBron will finish on the all-time scoring list when his career is over? Top 5? Top 3? Number 1? Let us know in the comments section below.
1/22/13 | orangemen90 | 1924 respect
We all take James for granted now.. Great player.. Won a championship.. We are all looking for the next great one!
1/20/13 | PurrsAlot | 1555 respect
Wilt actually did it in less games. He was older but took him considerably less games to reach 20k
1/19/13 | Nebraska4life
Hmmm nope, it's the NBA who cares. No one watches until the final game of the playoffs, even then to much whininy, traveling, carrying the ball, double dribbling, all the stuff we try to teach our kids not to do. Worst thing that can happen is a kid watch that crap. Be nice if NBA went under, a new league that actually followed rules, and paid them for what they are really worth. Fingers crossed.