LeBron James Breaks Michael Jordan’s 30-Point Game Record
LeBron’s Historic Milestone
Los Angeles (AP) — LeBron James broke Michael Jordan’s NBA record for 30-point games during the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over Atlanta on Friday night. With a turnaround jumper with 5:58 to play for the last of his 30 points, James reached at least 30 points in the regular season for the 563rd time in his career, surpassing the mark established by Jordan in 2003.
A Humbling Achievement
"It’s very humbling," James said. "Anytime I’m mentioned with any of the greats, and arguably the greatest ever to play the game, super-cool. It’s someone I idolized in my childhood, and I wear 23 because of him. So to know that I can sit here and be in the room or in the conversation or whatever it is, you mention MJ, it’s like super-duper dope for me, being a kid where I’m from."
James’ Journey
James turned 40 last week, and he is among the few remaining active players who personally witnessed Jordan in his 1990s prime with the Chicago Bulls. He studied and admired Jordan during his childhood in Akron, Ohio.
A Superlative in Perspective
When James passed Jordan for fourth place on the NBA’s career scoring list back in March 2019, the moment moved him to tears on the Lakers’ bench. He called Jordan “an inspiration” and “the lightning in a bottle for me, because I wanted to be like him."
The Lakers’ Reaction
The Lakers heralded James’ latest statistical superlative in their locker room after the Lakers’ 119-102 win over Atlanta. Chicago native Anthony Davis also made sure James kept his achievement in perspective, however.
James’ Mastery of the Turnaround Jumper
James scored his final two buckets on turnaround, fadeaway jumpers that looked more than a little bit like the famed shot at the heart of Jordan’s midrange game. James said youth coaches didn’t always like his attempts to emulate Jordan’s turnaround fade because it compromises a shooter’s balance, but he has spent his entire basketball life honing it into a weapon.
Additional Accomplishments
Coincidentally, James also passed Dirk Nowitzki (1,522) for the fourth-most games played in the regular season in NBA history Friday night. James has already played the most postseason games (287) in NBA history.
Conclusion
LeBron James has cemented his place in basketball history with this latest achievement. His dedication to the game and his ability to adapt to different situations have made him a truly unique player.
FAQs
Q: How many times has LeBron James reached at least 30 points in the regular season?
A: 563 times
Q: How many games did it take Michael Jordan to set the 30-point game record?
A: 1,072 games over 15 seasons
Q: How many games has LeBron James played in the regular season?
A: 1,523
Q: Is LeBron James still playing in his 40s?
A: Yes, James turned 40 last week
