LEBRON James blew straight past an NBA record that his great adversary Michael Jordan didn’t even get close to.

The 38-year-old passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the highest scorer in the league’s history on Tuesday night.

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LeBron James is the leading scorer in NBA historyCredit: Getty

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The 38-year-old cemented his legacy further with another recordCredit: Getty

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LeBron is often compared to Michael Jordan with the two considered the greatest everCredit: AFP – Getty
James surpassed the 38,387 points Abdul-Jabbar racked up during his iconic career – and in 150 games fewer.

It’s yet another feather in LeBron’s cap during a career that led to him being regarded by many as the greatest player ever.

James has spent a large part of his career in the same conversation as Jordan about being the best to play the game.

He has been destined for greatness ever since being drafted as an 18-year-old straight out of high school in 2003 by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers.

The pair are almost inseparable on the court – even if Jordan was only fifth on the all-time scoring list on 32,292 points.

Jordan won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s and was named NBA Finals MVP on all six occasions.

He was a five-time NBA MVP and named to the All-Star Game 14 times.

And his incredible points haul came in just 1,072 games while LeBron has played 1,410.

James, meanwhile, is a four-time NBA champion but has won his titles with three different teams.

He also won the Finals MVP during every championship year, just like Jordan did.

LeBron is a four-time NBA MVP and has been to the All-Star Game 19 times.

The 38-year-old left Cleveland in 2010 after seven years to move to the Miami Heat and pursue an NBA title.

He teamed up with one of the league’s best players at the time in Dwyane Wade to win back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.

Wade had won one previous title in Miami before James showed up and the pair are now close friends.

In a recent interview, Wade said: “I can’t use the word surprised if I’m going to say LeBron James’s name in anything.

“I think sometimes we’re living in the LeBron James era of life, and we haven’t had the chance to step back and look at it just yet.

“And as we step back and look at it, it’s going to get even better than it is right now with what he’s done.

“Obviously what he’s done away from the game, definitely what he’s done on the court.”

James returned home to Cleveland in 2014, and delivered the franchise’s starved fans their first ever NBA title two years later.

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James was the No 1 overall pick in 2003 straight out of high schoolCredit: Getty

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He won his first two NBA titles with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013Credit: Getty

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He returned to Cleveland to deliver his hometown team their first ever title in 2016Credit: Getty

And he won a fourth title in 2020 with the Los Angeles LakersCredit: Getty
His fourth championship came in 2020 after moving to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he still plays.

Jordan’s greatness is tied to what he achieved off the court during the 1990s.

He was largely responsible for the NBA’s transformation from the 1980s when arenas were half empty, drug abuse was believed to be rife among players and the finals weren’t even shown live.

The NBA became a commercial success during Jordan’s peak years.

HOLLYWOOD BALL

He starred in the iconic Space Jam movie and was a magnet for endorsements while playing.

Jordan now has his own clothing brand with Nike and owns the Charlotte Hornets – the NBA franchise close to where he played in high school and college.

James has followed suit in recent years by doing more off the court to improve his legacy.

Moving to the Lakers allowed him to be closer to film industry bosses in Los Angeles.

He recently starred in a remake of the Space Jam movie with Bugs Bunny and now has his own production company.

LeBron also has a deal for life in place with Nike which was the biggest contract in the sportswear giants’ history.

And he has used his voice in society too with America gripped by racial tension and social injustice in recent years.

James also wasn’t scared to stand up to former president Donald Trump at a time when the nation was divided.

In an interview during Trump’s presidency, LeBron said: “Obviously I’ve been very outspoken about the situation that’s going on at the helm here, and we’re not going to let one person dictate us, us as Americans, how beautiful and how powerful we are as a people.

“Equality is all about understanding our rights, understanding what we stand for and how powerful we are as men and women, black or white or Hispanic.

“It doesn’t matter your race, whatever the case may be, this is a beautiful country and we’re never going to let one person dictate how beautiful and how powerful we are.”

LeBron’s achievement this week is testament to his consistent excellence, even if Jordan was better at his peak.

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LeBron has starred in a remake of Space Jam and has his own production companyCredit: Alamy

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He’s also used his voice to protest against social injusticeCredit: Getty

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LeBron hasn’t been shy to use his platform to impact changeCredit: Getty Images – Getty