LeBron James is coming for Kobe, Kareem, and the NBA all-time scoring title.
If LeBron James simply meets his yearly points average on the nose in his first season with the Lakers, he will pass Kobe Bryant for third place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list while rocking Lakers purple and gold and wearing MJ’s No. 23.
There’s nothing more disrespectful to past Lakers greats than that.
6’7-Eleven Inches on Twitter
Kobe watching LeBron James snatch all the Lakers records like https://t.co/bdzGXi9fpi
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record is a more elusive milestone for LeBron but still possible if James continues to perform at an All-star level for three or four more years as most basketball enthusiasts insist he will. Even if LeBron averaged the 2,609.2 points per season that he has over his 15-year career for the next three seasons with the Lakers, he’d need to play half a fourth season to eclipse Kareem’s record of 38, 387 career points.
If Bron is able to maintain his body and desire and surpass “The Skyhook”, that would be the ultimate slap in the face for every Lakers player that built the Showtime culture, gutted and grinded to find the perfect chemistry to not only win championships but excel individually at a level few have ever risen to.
Kevin Modesti on Twitter
If you go by @bball_ref’s win shares, #LeBronJames’ arrival means 10 of the 27 greatest NBA players have been #Lakers at some point. Six were in their prime (or is James still in his prime too)? Seven (and counting?) won championships here. https://t.co/QNTwIiyXw5
LeThanos has already been credited with captivating the sports world with Michael Jordan prominence. He’s considered by many to be the best player, businessman and modern-day social activist, the NBA has seen. His incomparable legacy has weakened the portfolio of those icons who played before him.
Vincent Bonsignore on Twitter
Important to remember LeBron changed teams two previous times as a free agent. The fact his #Lakers jersey is now setting sales records is a testament to the iconic franchise he is joining. It’s two incrddible forces coming together. | GQ https://t.co/k7grLm30hn
Magic Johnsons PR machine would take full advantage of LeBron becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. Especially if the championship pieces needed to make this Lakers team elite never materialize. He still needs to sell out the Staples Center. The presence of LeBron James alone will do that, but becoming the all-time leading scorer in NBA history as a Laker would immediately elevate him into the “Greatest Laker of All-Time” conversation.
Its almost too flagrant and foul to consider, but its a reality. God forbid they retire his jersey when it’s all said and done.
By the time LeBrons four-year tenure in LA is complete, he should also be second on the all-time field goals made list passing Kobe and Wilt “The Stilt” along the way. He’ll finish his LA contract first or second all-time in field goal attempts, once again knocking Kobe down a notch on that list.
LeBron will also most likely wind up second all-time in free throws made, surpassing Bryant and Lakers legend Jerry West (The Trophy) in his rise up the stats board. He’s sure to pass Kobe and Shaq on the free throws attempted list and he has a great shot at surpassing Wilt for second place all-time.
He’s also just 44 turnovers behind Kobe Bryant for third place on the all-time turnover list.
LeBron’s Lakers stint will be one huge retirement coronation and celebration of his ghost chasing and legacy building. He will further bury his contemporaries and the Mount Rushmore candidates that preceded him. Many of them wore Lakers uniforms. Ain’t that a bitch.
