lebron passes 39,000 career points

[mscott59]

did it tuesday night in a 131-99 lakers win over utah, the 1st player in nba history to cross that bar. scored 17 pts in that game playing just 24 minutes, but for the season so far (his 21st) he's averaging over 26 pts, over 8 rebounds and 6.5 assists a game. and he'll be 39 yrs old next month. kudos to the king.

[Walter]

BITD I honestly thought that Kareem's career point total was one of those untouchable records. But the change in the game along with LBJ's amazing talent made it happen.

40,000 is up next.

Fun fact: James still trails Jabbar in actual field goals made by roughly 1000 baskets.

[mscott59]

Nov 24, 2023 14:57:36 GMT -5 Walter said:

BITD I honestly thought that Kareem's career point total was one of those untouchable records. But the change in the game along with LBJ's amazing talent made it happen.

40,000 is up next.

Fun fact: James still trails Jabbar in actual field goals made by roughly 1000 baskets.

that skyhook was so impossible to defend you couldn't even foul jabbar as he was making it. plus the 3 point shot wasn't a factor back then, which james was able to take advantage of. you also have to factor in just how amazing lebron's attention and dedication to his fitness has contributed to his longevity. even w/him starting his pro career directly out of akron st. vincent/st. mary's hs (a school I played against 25+ yrs before james arrived there-lol) you just don't see guys last 2 decades in the nba.

[Walter]

Nov 24, 2023 15:54:49 GMT -5 mscott59 said:

Nov 24, 2023 14:57:36 GMT -5 Walter said:

BITD I honestly thought that Kareem's career point total was one of those untouchable records. But the change in the game along with LBJ's amazing talent made it happen.

40,000 is up next.

Fun fact: James still trails Jabbar in actual field goals made by roughly 1000 baskets.

that skyhook was so impossible to defend you couldn't even foul jabbar as he was making it. plus the 3 point shot wasn't a factor back then, which james was able to take advantage of. you also have to factor in just how amazing lebron's attention and dedication to his fitness has contributed to his longevity. even w/him starting his pro career directly out of akron st. vincent/st. mary's hs (a school I played against 25+ yrs before james arrived there-lol) you just don't see guys last 2 decades in the nba.

It must be a much harder shot to perfect than it looks because as you say, it was unstoppable; and one would think because of that, others would follow in his footsteps and there would be tons of people doing it.
In addition, everyone must have at least tried to perfect IT at sometime in their career. Heck, I even practiced it as a kid. But in all the years since, NOBODY has been able to do it consistently, at any level?

That's UNREAL.

[daleko]

Nov 24, 2023 15:54:49 GMT -5 mscott59 said:

Nov 24, 2023 14:57:36 GMT -5 Walter said:

BITD I honestly thought that Kareem's career point total was one of those untouchable records. But the change in the game along with LBJ's amazing talent made it happen.

40,000 is up next.

Fun fact: James still trails Jabbar in actual field goals made by roughly 1000 baskets.

that skyhook was so impossible to defend you couldn't even foul jabbar as he was making it. plus the 3 point shot wasn't a factor back then, which james was able to take advantage of. you also have to factor in just how amazing lebron's attention and dedication to his fitness has contributed to his longevity. even w/him starting his pro career directly out of akron st. vincent/st. mary's hs (a school I played against 25+ yrs before james arrived there-lol) you just don't see guys last 2 decades in the nba.

An ageing Wilt, and back then a decade older was a lifetime, got a few. Through his 20s, Wilt might have been the best BB athlete ever. Maybe even best athlete ever. But Father Time has never been beat. Though Lebron comes as close as anyone I have seen. He works at it and, today, adherence to proper nutrition is much better for those that do last. Add in time management and Lebron could play until he, like Wilt, gets bored w it all. 

IMO, add as the most unstoppable shot, that wasn't a dunk, Wilt's fade, mid-range, bank shot. Not a focus in today's NBA, but for a couple of really talented big men, today, it also would be unstoppable, even w the wider lane of today. All it would take is repetitions. But young people and old today are all focused on the 3 ball. And the sky hook/fade bank collect dust.

[arkon]

Dec 12, 2023 15:27:17 GMT -5 daleko said:

Nov 24, 2023 15:54:49 GMT -5 mscott59 said:

that skyhook was so impossible to defend you couldn't even foul jabbar as he was making it. plus the 3 point shot wasn't a factor back then, which james was able to take advantage of. you also have to factor in just how amazing lebron's attention and dedication to his fitness has contributed to his longevity. even w/him starting his pro career directly out of akron st. vincent/st. mary's hs (a school I played against 25+ yrs before james arrived there-lol) you just don't see guys last 2 decades in the nba.

An ageing Wilt, and back then a decade older was a lifetime, got a few. Through his 20s, Wilt might have been the best BB athlete ever. Maybe even best athlete ever. But Father Time has never been beat. Though Lebron comes as close as anyone I have seen. He works at it and, today, adherence to proper nutrition is much better for those that do last. Add in time management and Lebron could play until he, like Wilt, gets bored w it all. 

IMO, add as the most unstoppable shot, that wasn't a dunk, Wilt's fade, mid-range, bank shot. Not a focus in today's NBA, but for a couple of really talented big men, today, it also would be unstoppable, even w the wider lane of today. All it would take is repetitions. But young people and old today are all focused on the 3 ball. And the sky hook/fade bank collect dust.

I loved Wilt's fade-away turn-around jumper. I got to be pretty good at it, too...but that coward Chamberlain would never accept my 1 on 1 challenge. 😄
Also, if ya notice, Jabbar pretty frequently used his left arm to keep away the defender ~ there's a specific rule against that~ on a lot of those sky hooks.
And LeBron ain't the GOAT either!

...end of rant