Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has become the NBA’s all-time leader in made field goals, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during a recent game against the Denver Nuggets. Despite this personal achievement, the Lakers were unable to secure a win, falling 120-113 to Denver.
James reflected on his accomplishment after the game. “At the end of the day, just my name being linked to some of the greatest that have ever played this game has always been humbling and it’s a pretty cool thing. I grew up watching, reading, idolizing a lot of the greats. If I was ever able to be a [part] of the NBA, I wanted to put myself in position where I could be named with some of the greats by doing something right. So that’s pretty cool,” James said via Spectrum SportsNet.
However, James noted that celebrating was difficult given both his injury and the team’s loss. “It doesn’t hit me at all right now. All I feel is my elbow and the loss. Obviously it’s a pretty cool feat, but it’s hard for me to kind of wrap my head around it and what it looks like… I’ve never had a goal to have that record. I came into this league understanding that I had to start from scratch. I was the No. 1 player in the country, wanted to start from scratch and get myself up back possibly to being the best player in the world again. That was my only mindset. Throughout that, I’ve been able to hit some milestones and I had some goals that I put on myself and some that I did not. Tonight was not one of the goals, but it’s a pretty cool feat. It’s an unbelievable feat. To see the list, to see the players that have done it, to see the players that have come through this league, I don’t know how many players have played in the NBA, but it’s the greatest players in the world. For my name to be mentioned with the greats and be at the top of it is awesome.”
During his 23rd season in professional basketball, James continues to perform at a high level despite physical changes over time. He relies on his experience and knowledge of basketball as much as his athletic ability.
James has spoken openly about his upbringing in Ohio and credits his mother for raising him under challenging circumstances as a single parent.
