LeBron James Breaks Long-Standing Scoring Record, Asserts Case For 'GOAT' Status

The NBA is no stranger to big storylines gracing its long history, but none of them come close to LeBron James.

Late in the third quarter, James staked his claim to NBA glory by claiming the all-time scoring record from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with his patented fadeaway from the top of the key.

The Crypto.com Arena erupted in cheers for the celebration of James' achievement with a quick speech from "The King" while social media showered him in adulation, with many stating that he has officially claimed the title of "Greatest of All Time (GOAT)."

As is always the case when it comes to James and his career, the highly subjective "GOAT" conversation has begun to make its rounds on the internet, but James has always proven that he, at the very least, deserves to be mentioned.

No other player in the history of the NBA has been subject to the level of hype and pressure that James had early in his career.

Being enshrined as the "Chosen One" on the February 18, 2002 issue of Sports Illustrated, skeptics began to question whether he truly deserved the title of surpassing Michael Jordan.

In an almost poetic moment ahead of the 2003 NBA draft, his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers selected him first overall and from that point on, the pressure to perform only continued to mount.

Disappointment would hang like a dark cloud over James' first seven NBA seasons with playoff exits against the Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic, but the summer of 2010 would forever be remembered in infamy – at least for the most ardent detractors of James.

His fourth season saw an NBA Finals berth, but were severely outmatched against the San Antonio Spurs and it would be the first time James was swept in the playoffs which brought up questions of whether he really was the "Chosen One".

On July 8, 2010, a free agent James announced in an ESPN special dubbed "The Decision" that he was taking his talents to South Beach and joining the Miami Heat which drew him nuclear levels of heat from the fans.

Dubbed a traitor by Cavaliers fans, James was initially hesitant to take on the heel role as a member of the "Heatles."

But him embracing the negativity to lead them to two titles, James began to curry favor with fans again.

He would make his grand return to Cleveland in June 2014 in a first-person essay on Sports Illustrated and his promise of delivering the franchise's first-ever title bore fruit in 2016—arguably the greatest NBA Finals series played.

James had the sports world eating out of the palm of his hands at that point and a fourth title with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 Orlando Bubble only continued to add to his legacy.

Despite him not having the same number of championship rings as other consistent "GOAT" contenders like Jordan and Kobe Bryant, the "Kid From Akron" has the resume to back it up.

On his resume alone, he has four NBA championships and Finals MVPs, four regular season MVPs, 19 All-Star selections, three All-Star Game MVPs, 18 All-NBA selections (13-time First Team, three-time Second Team, two-time Third Team), six All-Defensive selections, and the 2004 Rookie of the Year trophy.

He also has the distinction of being the first and only player to average a triple-double in the NBA Finals, despite a record of 4-6.

Add in the fact that he likewise has records such as being the youngest to 1,000 all the way to 31,000 points and the lone player in NBA history to be in the top 10 for points (first), rebounds (sixth), assists (second) and steals (first) in the playoffs, his status as the "NBA GOAT" in the eyes of many is justified.

James spoke with the NBA on TNT panel following the game and Laker legend Shaquille O'Neal jovially prodded him to respond to the question of whether he sees himself as the GOAT.

"I'mma let everyone else decide who that is or just talk about it. It's great barbershop talk," James initially remarked.

O'Neal continued to press James for a definitive yes-or-no answer and he finally gave one.

"I'mma take myself against anybody that's ever played this game. Everyone's gonna have their favorites, but I know what I bring to the table every single night and what I can do out on this floor. I always feel like I'm the best to ever play this game."

James has nothing left to prove on the floor, and the end may soon come for his career after detailing his desire to play his final season with his son Bronny James, who is currently projected for the 2024 NBA draft.