While the Los Angeles Lakers ended up losing to the Denver Nuggets 115-99 last night, there was at least one reason to celebrate as LeBron James dropped 31 points and surpassed Michael Jordan for fourth all-time on the NBA scorers list. James was just 12 points back of Jordan before the game so it was almost a guarantee that LeBron would be able to achieve the record. In the second quarter, James dropped a layup which put him at 14 points for the game. After achieving the milestone, the game stopped and there was a little moment to honor LeBron and all of his accomplishments.
"Of all the stuff I've done in my career, this ranks right up there at the top with winning a championship," James said according to ESPN. "For a kid from Akron, Ohio, that needed inspiration and needed some type of positive influence, MJ was that guy for me. I watched him from afar, wanted to be like MJ, wanted to shoot fadeaways like MJ, wanted to stick my tongue out on dunks like MJ, wanted to wear my sneakers like MJ. I wanted kids to look up to me at some point like MJ and it's just crazy, to be honest. It's beyond crazy."
James now has 32,311 career points and is chasing Kobe Bryant for third on the all-time list. Karl Malone is currently second, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is in first.
As for the Lakers, well they sit at a record of 30-35 and are looking as though they will miss the playoffs.