Yankees star CC Sabathia celebrates LeBron James' epic feat of becoming NBA's all-time leading scorer
New York Yankees hero CC Sabathia took to Twitter to congratulate Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James for surpassing Kareem- Abdul Jabbar as NBA's all-time leading scorer on Tuesday (February 7) night.
NBA superstar James went past Kareem-Abdul Jabbar's record of 38,387 points in the third quarter of LA's 133-130 defeat against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Kareem-Abdul Jabbar held the record for nearly 40 years. The 38-year-old James took 150 games fewer than Abdul-Jabbar to reach the milestone.
Sabathia tweeted on history being made:
LEBRON MF JAMES!!!! Salute @KingJames. History is made!!
🏾LEBRON MF JAMES!!!! Salute @KingJames. History is made!! 🙌🏾
There was a brief pause in proceedings as James was congratulated on-court by NBA commissioner Adam Silver and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. James said:
“I just want to say, thank you to the Laker faithful. You guys are one of a kind,” James said. “To be able to be in the presence of such a legend as great as Kareem, it’s very humbling. Please give a standing ovation to the Captain, please.”
Thanking his family and fans, James added:
“I thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I’ve always dreamed about,” said James.
The 38-year-old finished the record-breaking night with 38 points on 13-of-20 shooting along with seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
38,388 POINTS
LeBron James hits the fadeaway jumper to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer! #ScoringKing https://t.co/P5LyTZAZn3
CC Sabathia's love for basketball
CC Sabathia has previously spoken about his love for basketball. In an interview with USA Today in 2016, he said:
“Oh I’m good. I played in high school and stuff. You know I’m very confident. You know more confident on the basketball court than the baseball field.”
When asked who the best player in the Yankees team was, he responded:
“Me, by far. No I mean Dellin Betances, we play a lot during the offseason, Brian McCann; he’s pretty good.”
In 2009, an article published on the New York Post also shed some light on Sabathia's high school basketball career, where he played as a power guard.
“Hoop, I love, man,” Sabathia said. “Partly because we had a really good team, we never lost.”
From a young basketball talent to a baseball career at the highest level, that is some serious sporting versatility.