LeBron James has surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to become the NBA's all-time leading scorer, whereas Michael Jordan did not achieve this feat. There are several factors that contributed to this outcome.
Firstly, longevity played a significant role. LeBron has played 20 seasons in the NBA compared to Jordan's 15. Jordan took a break from basketball and retired multiple times, missing out on several seasons where he could have accumulated more points.
Secondly, the timing of their careers played a part. LeBron entered the NBA at the age of 18, while Jordan made his debut at 21. This three-year head start allowed LeBron to accumulate more points early in his career. Additionally, LeBron had physical advantages over a young Jordan that gave him an edge in scoring.
Shooting and changes in the game also affected their scoring records. Jordan played in an era before the three-point revolution, making only 581 three-pointers in his career. In contrast, LeBron has embraced the modern style of play, making 621 three-pointers during his time with the Lakers alone. The increased emphasis on three-point shooting in today's game allowed LeBron to score more points from behind the arc.
The offensive schemes they played under also influenced their scoring. Jordan played in a system that focused on team play and discouraged individual scoring for the sake of winning championships. This resulted in slightly lower scoring numbers for Jordan compared to his peak potential. LeBron, on the other hand, has expressed a belief that he could win the scoring title every year, indicating a different mindset towards scoring.
Contrary to popular belief, the era in which they played did not significantly impact their scoring records. The average offensive ratings and pace of the game were comparable between Jordan's and LeBron's eras. Both players faced different styles of defenses and adapted to the changing nature of the game.
In conclusion, LeBron James broke the NBA's all-time scoring record due to his longevity, timing, three-point shooting, offensive mindset, and ability to adapt to the changing game. While Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, several circumstances aligned for LeBron that allowed him to surpass Jordan and become the scoring king.
