Kareem speaks again on LeBron’s record-breaking moment: “LeBron has earned it”

NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has recently spoken out again about LeBron James surpassing his long-standing all-time scoring record, commending James for his work ethic while subtly acknowledging their differing views on the game and its evolution.

The historic moment occurred in February 2023, when James etched his name in the record books with a fadeaway jumper against the Oklahoma City Thunder, officially becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. 

Although the Los Angeles Lakers lost the regular-season matchup, the spotlight was firmly on James’ milestone, which marked the end of a record that Abdul-Jabbar had held for nearly four decades.

Abdul-Jabbar, who was in attendance that night at Crypto.com Arena, had remained relatively reserved about the moment until his recent comments, which have once again drawn public attention to the iconic achievement.

LEBRON JAMES REACHES 40K CAREER POINTS 👑🔥 pic.twitter.com/7q60ofAkrJ

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 3, 2024

“LeBron has earned it. He’s worked hard. I mean, more power to him… You know,” the six-time MVP player remarked. “I didn’t really play to… uh, deal with records. I wanted to lead my team to the championship. I was fortunate enough to be on the winning team six times, and I was Finals MVP twice, and I’m satisfied with that,” Abdul-Jabbar said in a recent appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, where the NBA icon spoke about the moment once again.

The comments have reignited discussion among fans and analysts about the legacy of both players and how the game has transformed over the decades.

With LeBron continuing to add to his scoring tally, the record he now holds appears likely to stand for years to come—just as Abdul-Jabbar’s did before him. 

The latter part of his statement has led many to speculate whether the well-known tension between James and Abdul-Jabbar still lingers. While he didn’t openly downplay James’s accomplishment, his remarks were seen by some as reflecting a contrast in their philosophies and approach to the game. 

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