Another day, another record set by LeBron James.
The 19-time All-Star became the first player in NBA history to score 39,000 points during the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night.
James’ latest achievement seems inevitable — he’s been one of the NBA’s best players for nearly two decades — but people still forget that he turned 39 at the end of December. He shouldn’t be so good.
With the start of the 2023-24 season, James officially joins the Lakers for longer than he has been with the Heat, a team close to the Akron, Ohio, native. Nonetheless, in four seasons in Miami, James scored 7,919 points (about 20% of his career total) and provided fans with countless highlight moments and, of course, back-to-back championships.
So, in honor of James’ historic achievement, we’re taking a look back at five of his most iconic moments as a member of the Heat.
December 6, 2010, Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers Bucks
This may be the most iconic image of the Heat era.
You know the drama. Your mother knows this drama. Your mother’s mother knows this drama.
Dwyane Wade fast break. James made a smooth, no-look pass and launched a fierce dunk with his right hand.
Simple beauty. The best part is, it’s the start of their four-year run. Although Wade scored 25 points and 14 rebounds and the Heat defeated the Bucks 88-78, LeBron did not play his best game. But it doesn’t matter. What matters is the image of Wade spreading his arms and James dunking hard.
Ah, what an era to live in.
January 29, 2012, Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers Bulls
5 feet 11 inches.
This is how tall John Lucas III is.lebron still Somehow he managed to jump over him and complete a one-handed alley-oop grand slam.
LeBron cleared him like it was nothing. What James did should be illegal in the United States. Lucas has a mother. To father. To brother.And James still Is he like this?
The look James then gave him made it ten times worse. Hopefully Lucas is somewhere living his best life.
February 12, 2014, Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers Warriors
You might have thought this was a slam dunk. Guess again.
With time winding down and the Heat trailing the Warriors by two, LeBron took a few dribbles to his left, then landed on his right foot, beating Andre Iguodala’s outstretched shot with 0.1 seconds left. A huge step-back 3-pointer off the arm.
Then LeBron’s now-infamous celebration was born: the silencer.
Although the Heat defeated the Warriors 111-110, the Warriors became a thorn in LeBron’s side for the next few years.
March 18, 2013, Heat VS Heat Celtics
If what LeBron did to Lucas was disrespectful, then what LeBron did to Jason Terry was downright insulting.
The Celtics and Heat have been feuding for some time. The tension was further heightened when LeBron caught a lob from Norris Cole and put Terry on the poster.
What’s special about this game is that it’s the Heat’s first victory in Boston since the formation of the Big Three, and this game occurred during the Heat’s 27-game winning streak (the second-highest in NBA history).
Also, you’re not going to make me believe that LeBron didn’t put in any extra effort in this major since Terry was a member of the Dallas Mavericks that embarrassed the Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals. Revenge is everywhere.
December 20, 2013, Heat vs. Los Angeles Lakers Kings
What LeBron did to rookie Ben McLemore might be considered child abuse in some countries.
McLemore, 19, saw LeBron driving down the lane and decided to skate over and try to catch the ball. result? Right-hand tomahawk and new poster courtesy of LeBron James Sr.
All respect to McLemore’s efforts in business, but is it really worth it? You are only 19 years old! You’re just a few months into your NBA career! Just get out of the way!
For James, this might just be another dunk. But for McLemore, who likely grew up watching LeBron, this is a moment his friends will likely laugh at for a long time.