The passing of the torch reportedly might be witnessed next week between two of the NBA’s finest who aren’t the best of friends.
Per Reuters, former Los Angeles Laker and Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar might be in attendance at Crypto.com Arena when LeBron James is prone to surpass the six-time NBA champ and 19-time All-Star to turn into the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
The pair have had their disagreements previously, resulting in a testy relationship. Abdul-Jabbar has commented on James’ celebrations, calling them “silly and childish” and has accused him of not using the platform that he has enough for social causes.
“Among the things he’s done and said are really beneath him, so far as I can see,” Abdul-Jabbar said to ESPN.com in April 2022. “Among the great things that he’s done, he’s standing on either side of the fence almost, you recognize? It makes it hard for me to just accept that when he’s committed himself to a unique tackle all the pieces. It’s hard to work out where he’s standing. You’ve got to ascertain him out each time.”
James scored 26 points against the Pacers in his most up-to-date game on Thursday to maneuver inside 63 of Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 points.
In October of this past 12 months, Magic Johnson admitted on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club Shay Shay” podcast that “it’ll be a tough pill to swallow” once James breaks the record Abdul-Jabbar has held since 1984.
James curtly responded when asked in September about his relationship with Abdul-Jabbar and surpassing his record. “No thoughts and no relationship,” he said.
The Lakers are in Recent Orleans on Saturday to face the Pelicans at 6 p.m. and can return home for 2 games against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday and the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.
James has been averaging a whopping 30.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and seven.1 assists per game to this point in his twentieth season at 38-years-old.