4 milestones LeBron James could reach during 2022-2023 NBA season
LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history. With his 20th NBA season underway, James is looking to win his fifth NBA title. Along the way, assuming he stays healthy, he will reach several NBA milestones.
1. LeBron James can pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for first place all-time in scoring
LeBron has the opportunity to make history in a major way in 2022-2023. For nearly four decades, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has held the NBA's all-time scoring record. James' combination of talent and longevity has him in a position to pass Abdul-Jabbar later this year. Following a 31 point performance on Opening Night, James sits just 1,294 points behind Abdul-Jabbar. Barring injury and a significant absence, James should be expected to pass Abdul-Jabbar at the beginning of 2023.
2. LeBron James can pass Magic Johnson for sixth place all-time in assists
James' combination of scoring and passing has made him one of the NBA's most talented players of all-time. While he can pass Abdul-Jabbar atop the all-time scoring list, James has the opportunity to pass Abdul Jabbar's former teammate, Magic Johnson, for sixth place all-time in assists. Johnson is widely regarded as the greatest passer in NBA history, averaging the most assists per game. His career, however, was cut short in his prime. Despite this, passing Johnson in assists is a very impressive feat. Following 8 assists on Opening Night, James sits 88 assists behind James on the all-time list. James could theoretically climb as high as fourth all-time in assists in 2022-2023.
3. LeBron James can move into eighth place all-time in steals
In his prime, LeBron was a very strong defender. The 6-time All-Defensive Team selection has the opportunity to climb into eighth place in all-time steals, passing Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler along the way. While James isn't quite the defender that he was in his prime, he did average 1.3 steals in 2021-2022. Assuming James is healthy, maintaining that average would move him past both Olajuwon and Drexler. After failing to pick up a steal on Opening Night, James remains 24 and 71 steals behind Olajuwon and Drexler, respectively.
4. LeBron James can move into seventh place all-time in three-pointers made
James has expanded his arsenal as he has aged, utilizing three-pointers more than he did in his youth. After making three three-pointers on Opening Night, James currently sits in a three-way tie with Damian Lillard and Paul Pierce for ninth place on the all-time three-pointers made list with 2143 made three-pointers. Vince Carter, who currently sits in sixth place, made 2290 three-pointers in his career. While it is possible for James to pass Carter, Jason Terry, and Jamal Crawford this season, it should be expected that Lillard will make more three-pointers. Both players sit 147, 139, and 78 three-pointers behind Carter, Terry, and Crawford, respectively. If James passes the trio, but winds up behind Lillard, he will finish the season 7th on the all-time three-pointers made list.