Reaction to LeBron James becoming the NBA’s career scoring leader
Reaction from social media and elsewhere poured in after LeBron James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
The video of the record-setting points:
The iconic photo:
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver:
“Congratulations to LeBron on breaking one of the most hallowed records in all of sports by becoming the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. It’s a towering achievement that speaks to his sustained excellence over 20 seasons in the league. And quite amazingly, LeBron continues to play at an elite level and his basketball history is still being written.”
Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson:
“Wow, never in my lifetime did I think I would see two NBA athletes score over 38,000 points! I still remember when my Showtime teammate, the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, broke the record. It was an honor to be the guy to pass it to him and cement his legacy!”
He also posted this on Twitter:
NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal:
Entertainer John Legend, on Twitter:
“Congratulations (at)KingJames!!!! This man has been in the spotlight and burdened with the highest expectations since he was a teenager. And he’s done nothing but exceed those expectations and build a historic legacy. What an incredible accomplishment!”
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving:
“We gave the keys to the whole entire business to an 18-year-old kid and now he’s 38 years old and he’s still dominating. I don’t think we should be surprised. I think we should congratulate him and celebrate him as much as possible, continue to enjoy the shows that he puts on.”
Golden State guard Stephen Curry, on Twitter:
“Congrats (at)KingJames … legendary stuff right there #38388”
Former teammate Dwayne Wade on Twitter:
Former running back Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s career leader in yards rushing, on Twitter:
“Congrats on the achievement! @KingJames, you’ve shown that we can do it at the highest level welcome to the All-Time club.”
Lakers Hall of Famer and Spectrum SportsNet analyst James Worthy:
“I never thought anyone would break Kareem’s record. But being here tonight, knowing that LeBron would probably go on to break the record, and having Kareem here simultaneously, was an iconic night. LeBron James pretty much copied, but just enhanced the formula that Kareem had. … I don’t think anyone else will break LeBron’s record.”
Former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy, now an analyst for TNT:
“The most important individual record in the sport, a record that most people thought would never be broken.”
ESPN is posting many video highlights on Twitter today:
Los Angeles Lakers coach Darvin Ham:
“This record says a lot about who he is and how multifaceted he really is. He’s an elite caliber of player. He’s one of one. We hadn’t seen anything like him before, his size, his athleticism, his shooting capabilities, his playmaking capabilities. And he’s all about team. That’s the thing that shines through.”
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich:
“LeBron, he’s a confident man. He knows he’s a hell of a player. He knows what he’s accomplished. But he still has his humility. He hasn’t lost it.”
And, of course, advertisers and marketers are going to jump on. including Nike.
Star-Telegram sports editor Dave Ammenheuser used different sources, including an Associated Press story, to put this story together.
This story was originally published February 8, 2023 at 9:11 AM.