How many points is LeBron James behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Tracking the last 5 performances of LA Lakers star
With the LA Lakers' record of 13-18, consistent questions over LeBron James' performances have appeared in the backdrop of him being less than 77 points behind the NBA's highest scorer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
James currently sits fourth on the all-time scoring list. With his impressive scoring ability and longevity in the league, it is only a matter of time before he surpasses Abdul-Jabbar for the top spot.
James has been a prolific scorer in his career, averaging 27 points per game. He has also been consistent, recording 20 or more points in over 1,000 consecutive games. This level of scoring consistency is unmatched in NBA history.
Despite the LA Lakers' consistent roster and injury issues this season, LeBron has continued to rack up the numbers, although his scoring methods might have changed to some extent.
This article looks at his last five performances and his scoring record compared to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
LeBron James' last five performances: A look back
The LA Lakers have won only two of their last five games, but their issues are not limited to LeBron James's decline.
It is no secret that Russell Westbrook does not fit on the roster and does not complement the pick-and-roll method both James and Anthony Davis prefer. Add to that Davis' consistent injuries, the lack of size on the perimeter in his absence, and the lack of long-range shooters; the Lakers were always going to struggle to win games.
In Westbrook, they have a $47 million man competing for the Sixth Man of the Year Award. While James himself had been streaky with his shooting for much of the season, things seem to have changed in the last five games.
James has scored more than 56 percent in his last five games. He has scored at least 30 in each appearance. The 35-year-old was absent against the Phoenix Suns, as his team struggled to keep up and registered a 26-point loss, with Dennis Schroder top-scoring with 30 points.
In the recent loss against the Kings, LeBron put up 31 points, 11 assists, and six rebounds. The performance meant that he had averaged 31.2 points, 7.6 assists, and 5.6 rebounds in his last five matches. This includes the 35 points against the Detroit Pistons, which was the first time the Lakers won in three games. LeBron also produced 33 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in the loss against the Boston Celtics and was unlucky to finish on the losing team.
LeBron has been heating up over his last five games 🔥 https://t.co/6uS6zU7aVV
The King responded with his second-best shooting performance of the season, as he scored 30 points, converting more than 61 percent of his overall shots. In his next appearance against the Washington Wizards, Lebron produced another match-winning display, scoring 33 and putting up nine dimes and seven rebounds.
The LA Lakers have won three out of the last five games that LeBron has played. The fact that the Lakers were without their big stars against the Suns means they are now hoping to snap a two-game losing streak against the Charlotte Hornets, who are 14th in the Eastern Conference.
With some solid trades and continued improvement, the LA Lakers can indeed emerge as playoff contenders in the coming months. That in itself did not seem likely until a few weeks ago.
How many points is LeBron James behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored a whopping 38,387 points during his NBA career. He was a dominant force on the court, leading the Bucks to their only NBA Championship in 1971 and earning the NBA's Most Valuable Player honor a record six times.
In addition to his scoring, Abdul-Jabbar was a dominant rebounder and shot blocker. He led the league in rebounds twice and blocks four times, cementing his place as one of the greatest centers in the history of the NBA.
Two NBA legends.
LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar stand at the top of the all-time scoring list 🙌 https://t.co/RGmpjzVCd6
Despite his success with the Bucks, Abdul-Jabbar ultimately left the team in 1977 to join the Los Angeles Lakers. He continued to dominate in Los Angeles, winning five more NBA Championships and further solidifying his place as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
While Kareem still has many records to his name, the scoring record will soon change hands as LeBron is only 701 points behind, with a total of 37,686 points. The fact that James has reached this mark despite playing more than 5,000 minutes less than Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is another huge achievement.