LeBron James offered an immediate update on his future after becoming the NBA’s highest point scorer.
The 38-year-old broke the long standing record of Kareem Abdul Jabaar by scoring 38 points in a 133-130 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The LA Lakers star received a standing ovation from the home crowd after achieving the remarkable feat.
Though disappointed to lose the match, a huge smile was etched across the face of the basketball legend as he explained how much longer he would like to continue playing. “I know I can play a couple more years, the way I'm feeling, the way my body's been reacting to me throughout this course of the season, I know I can play a couple more years," he told TNT.
“I feel like for any group of guys, for any franchise, I can go out there and still help win multiple championships or win a championship, so that's my mindset. It's so surreal because it's something I never made a goal of mine or set out to do.”
James went into the game needing 36 points to overtake the record of 38,387 - set by Abdul-Jabbar way back in 1989. James’ magical moment came with 10.9 seconds remaining in the third quarter with a trademark fadeaway jumper. He raised his hands in the air in delight and was mobbed by excited teammates before being embraced by his sons, Bronny and Bryce, along with wife, Savannah.
After James struck the fadeaway dagger at the end of the third quarter the game was stopped and he addressed the crowd on the floor. “I just want to say thank you to the Laker faithful, you guys are one of a kind," James said.
“To be in the presence of such a legend and great as Kareem it means so much to me, it's very humbling. Please give a standing ovation to the captain, please.” Speaking to his family, he added: “To my beautiful wife, my daughter, my two boys, my friends, my boys, my family, my mother.
“Man, everybody that's been a part of this run with me these last 20+ years. I just wanna say thank you so much because I wouldn't be me without y'all. All y'all help, all y'all passion, all y'all sacrifice has helped me get to this point. And to the NBA, to Adam Silver, to the late, great David Stern, I thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I've always dreamed about.
“I would never, ever in a million years dreamt this any better than what it is tonight. F*** man, thank you guys,” he concluded. The record is another feather in the cap for James and another case for him being dubbed as the greatest player of all time.
One of the TNT panelists Shaquille O’Neal asked James directly if he was now the undisputed Greatest Of All Time (GOAT). He laughed, initially trying to deflect for others to have their say and make up their own mind, before the former dominant Lakers centre pushed him for an answer.
“I'm going to take myself against anybody that's ever played this game,” the four-time NBA champion said. “I always feel like I'm the best to ever play this game but there's so many other great ones and I'm just happy to be a part of their journey.”
