*NBA Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is speaking out about his longstanding record being broken this week by LeBron James.
EUR reported previously, via CNN, that James on Tuesday became the association’s all-time leading scorer in the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, surpassing the record that Abdul-Jabbar, a six-time NBA MVP, had held for 39 years.
James has scored more points than any NBA player in history, racking up an all-time points high of 38,388, breaking Abdul-Jabbar’s career 38,387 points.
In an article published on Substack Wednesday, Abdul-Jabbar praised James for his accomplishment but also shared his regret for not developing a bond with him.
READ MORE: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Apologies for Taking Aim at LeBron James
“In the months leading up to LeBron breaking my record, so much was written about how I would feel on the day he sank that record-breaking shot that I had to laugh,” Abdul-Jabbar writes. “I’d already written several times stating exactly how I felt so there really wasn’t much to speculate about. It’s as if I won a billion dollars in a lottery and 39 years later someone won two billion dollars. How would I feel? Grateful that I won and happy that the next person also won. His winning in no way affects my winning.”
In his letter, Abdul-Jabbar references a video of James telling reporters that the pair had “no relationship.”
“LeBron said we don’t have a relationship,” Abdul-Jabbar writes. “He’s right — and for that, I blame myself. Not for anything I did, but perhaps for not making more of an effort to reach out to him.”
The former Los Angeles Lakers star points out that his age difference from James is one reason they never properly connected.
“I established my scoring record in 1984 – the year LeBron was born,” he writes. “When he started to make a name for himself, I was already pretty removed from the NBA world.”
“I think the main reason that I never formed a bond with LeBron (again, entirely my fault) is simply our age difference,” Abdul-Jabbar explains. “I established my scoring record in 1984—the year LeBron was born. When he started to make a name for himself, I was already pretty removed from the NBA world.”
Abdul-Jabbar also notes that while he has been publicly critical of James for not initially endorsing the COVID-19 vaccine, he commends him on his social justice work.
“While it’s true that I have taken a couple minor jabs at him over vaccine protocols—which in my mind was the kind of nudging one teammate does with another—I know that LeBron is too accomplished, mature, and savvy to hold a grudge over something so petty,” Abdul-Jabbar writes. “That’s why I don’t want my fans to in any way tarnish or equivocate his enormous achievement. This is all about LeBron doing something no one else has done, about scoring more points than anyone has been able to in 75 years. There are no “yeah, buts,” just praise where it is rightfully and righteously due.”
Abdul-Jabbar writes in conclusion, “Whenever a sports record is broken—including mine—it’s a time for celebration. It means someone has pushed the boundaries of what we thought was possible to a whole new level. And when one person climbs higher than the last person, we all feel like we are capable of being more…That is the magic of sports. To see something seemingly impossible, reminding us that if one person can do it, then we all somehow share in that achievement.”
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