Potential timeline of LeBron James passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the NBA’s All-Time scoring list
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James
Robert Hanashiro - USA TODAY Sports
As of writing, LeBron James currently has 36,985 points. He's just 1,403 points away from overtaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who stands number one on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
James, (who has a career average of 27.1 points a game) is currently scoring the highest points average in his storied 19-year-career with 30 a game.
The four-time MVP and champion is on pace to reach the mountain top of the all-time scoring list. The season has been about racking up points for James, whose team currently stands in the ninth seed (31-41) in the Western Conference.
Although this season might be a massive disaster for the Lakers, it's the opposite for James, who recently passed Karl Malone for second place on the prestigious list.
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When will James overtake KAJ?
If the superstar continues to average 30.0 points a game, there's a good chance that he ends next season with more than 1,403 points. According to statistical expert, The Ringer's Zach Kram, James could be the NBA's best all-time leading scorer in mid-January or mid-February 2023.
That is, of course, if James finishes the next ten games for the Lakers and plays most of next season with the same pace.
LeBron had exceeded 1,403 points in every season of his career except last year when he was sidelined due to a right ankle injury. It didn't help that COVID significantly affected the regular season last year, as each team only played 72 games. But at least, the King is making up for all that lost time this year as he is in contention to win this season's scoring title.
LeBron wants it to happen organically
After passing Malone for second place in the all-time scoring list, James said that he isn't thinking too much about overtaking KAJ for first place.
"I will not allow myself to think about it," James said post-game after Saturday's loss to the Wizards. "I've always played the game the way I've been playing it over the years, and these things have just happened organically by just going out and playing the game the right way. Hope to accomplish that at some point in my career, but I won't think about it too much," James said.
James might not be thinking about Kareeem's record too much, but basketball fans are. As he inches closer to first place on the all-time scoring list, all eyes will be on one of the greatest basketball players of all time as he makes another case in the "GOAT" debate.
The Lakers' title hopes next season remain a blur, but if there's one milestone to look forward to, it's James overtaking Abdul-Jabbar as the best scorer in NBA history.
