ESPNReading: 7 minutes
LeBron James’ record within reach
Sebastian Martinez Christensen explains the historic value of LeBron’s easily broken record.
Introducing the most significant milestones, streaks and anniversaries we hope to celebrate during the 2023-24 NBA season.
this NBA Season 77 is about to begin, and fans are getting excited for the intense competition that’s coming. But people always have higher expectations for important milestones and anniversaries that can be celebrated.
Basketball fans don’t have to look far for the heated drama, however; league awaits outcome of team change request Damian Lillard and james harden.both All-Star Finding your milestones: Lillard, all-time leader in scoring and 3-pointers portland trailblazers, he’s just 169 shy of surpassing the franchise record for assists in that category.Harden, in the midst of his legend Philadelphia 76erswho may also be looking for a career high, finds himself 220 3-pointers away from surpassing ray allen And won the second place in the history of long-range shooters.
Players who try to get their names printed in the record books in chapters of individual feats like this LeBron James and Russell Westbrook; until the moment of iconic confrontation and victory-locked moments in important games is remembered.
milestone
points leader
LeBron had one of the most important accomplishments in the NBA last season, beating the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Became the league’s all-time scoring leader with 38,652 points. In the following season, he will close another record, 1,348 points away from 40,000 points, becoming the first player to achieve this score. It’s a fairly achievable feat for the Kings (he totaled 1,590 points last season), and if his career scoring average (27.2 points) is any guide, he could have scored in Game 49 of the tournament. achieve this feat.
As far as he is concerned, Kevin Durant Aim for the top all-time scoring list, needing 518 points to surpass Hakeem Olajuwon, Elvin Hayes and moses malone And occupy the tenth place in the list of the best scorers in NBA history.Durant will look to establish himself in his second year phoenix sunsHe battled injuries for most of the last game and ended up scoring just 208 goals. But if he can stay healthy and consistent and add up to his career scoring average (27.3), he’ll hit that mark in his 18th game of the season.
If Durant wants to be in the top ten, he needs to add 1705 points to surpass Shaquille O’Neal and carmelo anthony And became the eighth scorer in NBA history. It’s possible he could reach that milestone in 63 games; however, Durant hasn’t appeared in more than 55 games in a single season since 2018-19.
Are stripes dangerous?
Two of the NBA’s greatest stars will seek to continue their scoring record in the upcoming tournament.
LeBron entered his 21st season in the league and scored at least 10 points in 1,151 consecutive regular-season games.James will seek to extend the longest winning streak in NBA history starting with the Lakers’ season opener against the defending champions on Oct. 24 denver nuggets.
stephen curryThe record holder with 3,390 3-pointers will look to keep his record for long-distance shots after surpassing Ray Allen in 2021. Curry has made at least one three-pointer in 245 consecutive regular season games, the longest streak in NBA history.In addition, in the figure golden state warriors Holds the record for consecutive three-pointers in the regular season, currently 56 games. Curry and the Warriors will be looking to return to the Western Conference: They face direct rivals the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 24.
The importance of the triple double
Russell Westbrook currently holds the NBA record with 198 triple-doubles. The All-Star point guard will be playing in his 17th season in the league and defending his NBA career for the first time in a full tournament. los angeles clippersTwo triple-doubles away from becoming the first player to hit 200 career points.
The closest active player to Westbrook’s record is LeBron, who surpassed Jason Kidd for fourth place in history with 107 triple-doubles by one point. However, the Nuggets star and 2021-22 Finals MVP Nikola Jokic He’s not far behind, with 105 triple-doubles.
James Harden could also move up the all-time list. 76ers guard five triple-doubles away from knockout Wilt Chamberlain And won the seventh place on the list.
anniversary
With several historic anniversaries next season, fans will be able to celebrate pivotal moments that shaped the NBA. From record wins to the most memorable goals, here are some of the biggest moments to be celebrated this season.
Popovich celebrates five years since his historic win: April 13, head coach san antonio spurs Gregg Popovich Will celebrate his fifth anniversary with 1,413 wins, passing Lenny Wilkens as the most victorious coach in NBA history. Popovich has been the head coach of the Spurs since 1996, leading the team to five NBA championships.In early August, “Pop” was promoted as Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fameand in the new season he will seek the Spurs to return to the playoffs after missing the playoffs for four consecutive times.
James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh mark 20 years in the NBA: On October 29, 2003, some of the most iconic basketball players made their NBA debuts; among them, LeBron James (cleveland cavaliers), Carmelo Anthony (Nuggets) and Chris Bosh (toronto raptors). LeBron, the No. 1 pick in the 2003 draft, had 25 points, nine assists and four steals as a 19-year-old in the team’s 106-92 loss sacramento kings.
30th Anniversary of Michael Jordan’s First Retirement: October 6, 1993 Michael Jordan Announced his first retirement from the NBA. After nine seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan announced his early retirement four months after leading the Bulls to their third straight championship with a six-game win over the Chicago Suns. charles barkley.
Jordan’s iconic painful rim known as “The Shot” in the 1989 postseason is turning 35: On May 7, 1989, in Game 5 against the Cavaliers, Jordan caught and shot to help the Bulls win the series 101-100. The moment Jordan celebrated by leaping into the air and raising his fist multiple times is famous.