"I think he thought he was going to have it forever" - Magic Johnson believes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar could have hard time accepting LeBron James breaking his record
LeBron James is expected to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's scoring record midway through the season. It will be a historic feat for James, but Magic Johnson thinks Abdul-Jabbar could have a hard time accepting someone breaking his record.
In an appearance on the "Club Shay Shay" podcast, Johnson spoke about his former teammate's possible reaction to "The King" becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer. The Hall of Fame guard reckons Abdul-Jabbar never thought that his record would ever be broken, especially by a fellow Laker.
"Let's be honest," Johnson said. "And the fact that it's a dude playing for the Lakers too. It's a dude playing in LA. I think it will be a hard pill to swallow. ... I think he thought he was going to have it forever."
It will be interesting to see how Abdul-Jabbar reacts to James breaking his record. Abdul-Jabbar and James do not have a relationship of any kind. Abdul-Jabbar even criticized James last season for the latter's vaccine stance, as well as his on-court celebrations.
Magic Johnson thinks he could help the two have a relationship, but not at the moment. He wants James to have his moment, while Abdul-Jabbar watches history.
"I think that one day that's going to happen, and if I can play a part in that, I would love to," Johnson said. "But let him (James) pass him (Abdul-Jabbar) first. Let that soak in for a minute, and then put the two men together because they are going to find out they are similar."
LeBron James admits no relationship with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
LeBron James was asked about his relationship with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after one of the Lakers' preseason games.
James' answer was not really surprising, given Abdul-Jabbar's criticism of "The King."
"No thoughts and no relationship," James said.
LeBron was asked about his thoughts & relationship with Kareem.
“No thoughts & no relationship.”
https://t.co/9SSi59aMYH
James had a warmer response during the LA Lakers' Media Day when asked about breaking Abdul-Jabbar's record this season. The four-time champ told reporters that he feels humbled to have the opportunity to rewrite history.
"To know that I’m on the verge of breaking probably the most sought-after record in the NBA," James said. “Things that people say would probably never be done, I think it’s just super humbling for myself. I think it’s super cool."
When could LeBron James become NBA's all-time leading scorer?
LeBron James needs just 1,244 points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and become the NBA's all-time scoring king. James is averaging 27.3 points per game in his first three games this season. If he continues to score at that rate, he will need just 46 more games to break the record.
If James stays healthy or plays the next 46 games, he will break the record on January 20 against the Memphis Grizzlies. That game will be at home, so fans inside the Crypto.com Arena could give him a standing ovation.
It's also possible for Abdul-Jabbar to be present in the arena and congratulate James for the landmark achievement.