LeBron James added another milestone to his illustrious career during the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 119-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, surpassing Michael Jordan for the most career 30-point games in NBA history. With his 563rd 30-point performance, LeBron etched his name atop yet another leaderboard, further solidifying his case as one of basketball’s all-time greats. Reflecting on the achievement during the post-game press conference, LeBron shared his thoughts on passing Jordan—a player he has idolized since childhood.
When asked about surpassing Jordan in career 30-point games, LeBron said,
“Anytime I’m mentioned with any of the greats and arguably the greatest ever to play the game. Super cool. Somebody who I idolized my childhood and I wear 23 because of him.”
“So to me like I sit here and be in a room or in a conversation or whatever it is. MJ is like a super duper dope for me being a kid from where I’m from. “
LeBron’s deep admiration for Jordan has been evident throughout his career. From wearing No. 23 as a tribute to Jordan to studying his game, LeBron has long acknowledged Jordan’s influence on his journey. This milestone, achieved in his 22nd season, is a testament to LeBron’s longevity, adaptability, and relentless work ethic.
LeBron’s record-breaking performance came with a touch of poetic justice, as he passed Jordan on a fadeaway jumper—one of MJ’s signature moves. Reflecting on the moment, LeBron said:
“Yeah, for sure. He was more of a left-shoulder fadeaway guy. I kind of go the opposite way. But just two masters of their craft. Just putting in work and work and work to a point where it’s kind of becomes unguardable.”
“You know, and you know, it’s just work, it’s just work and dedication. Obviously, you know, watching MJ, you know, move the ball in the air, fade in the way, you know, but still being on balance.”
“Sometimes when you’re growing up, a lot of little league coaches and stuff, they hate that shot because you’re fading away from the basket and they don’t think you have a lot of balance.”
“But I’ve watched MJ a lot and saw how on balance he was even though he was fading away from the basket. So I just want to try to match that as my career has grown in years.”
LeBron credited years of watching Jordan for helping him perfect the fadeaway. He explained how coaches often discourage the shot due to balance concerns, but studying Jordan’s ability to fade while staying on balance inspired him to incorporate it into his own arsenal.
While it took LeBron more than 450 games to surpass Jordan, this does not diminish the accomplishment. The difference in era, style of play, and individual roles accounts for the disparity in games played. LeBron’s achievement highlights his unparalleled consistency over a career spanning two decades, during which he has often prioritized playmaking and team success over pure scoring.
This latest accolade adds to LeBron’s staggering resume, which already includes four NBA championships, four MVP awards, and countless other records. At 40 years old, LeBron continues to defy expectations, proving that age is just a number. For him, this milestone is not only a personal triumph but also a reflection of the enduring legacy of his hero, Michael Jordan.
As LeBron put it, being mentioned alongside Jordan is “super duper dope.” With milestones like these, LeBron cements his own legacy while honoring the players who came before him, bridging the past and present of basketball’s greatest era.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
