LeBron James’ Career Points Total: How Many Points Has He Scored?
The Evolution of LeBron James’ Scoring Ability Over the Years
LeBron James is one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his scoring ability is a big reason why. Since entering the NBA in 2003, LeBron has consistently been one of the league’s top scorers, and he’s amassed an impressive career points total as a result. However, the way LeBron scores has changed over time, as he’s adapted his game to fit the needs of his team and his own skill set.
Early in his career, LeBron relied heavily on his athleticism and his ability to get to the rim to score points. He was a dominant scorer from the moment he stepped onto an NBA court, averaging 20.9 points per game in his rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his second season, he increased his scoring average to 27.2 points per game, and he continued to improve in the years that followed.
As LeBron entered his prime, he began to develop other aspects of his game, including his mid-range jumper and his three-point shot. He also became a more willing passer, which helped him to become an even more effective scorer by keeping defenses off-balance. During his time with the Miami Heat, LeBron became one of the most complete players in the NBA, averaging over 26 points per game in each of his four seasons with the team.
In recent years, LeBron has continued to evolve as a scorer, even as he’s gotten older and his athleticism has declined somewhat. He’s become a more effective shooter from long range, and he’s also improved his post-up game, allowing him to score from a variety of positions on the court. Despite these changes, LeBron remains one of the most dominant scorers in the NBA, and his ability to put points on the board will likely be a key factor in his continued success in the years to come.
Comparing LeBron’s Points Total to Other NBA Greats: Where Does He Rank?
LeBron James’ career points total is one of the highest in NBA history, but how does it compare to other all-time greats? Let’s take a look at where LeBron currently stands in the ranks of the NBA’s top scorers.
As of the 2021-2022 NBA season, LeBron has scored a total of 36,367 points over the course of his career. This puts him third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, behind only Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. Abdul-Jabbar holds the top spot with 38,387 points, while Malone is second with 36,928 points.
While LeBron is still several thousand points behind Abdul-Jabbar, he has a chance to catch him if he continues to play at a high level for several more seasons. However, he’ll need to stay healthy and maintain his current scoring pace in order to make up the ground.
In terms of scoring average, LeBron currently ranks 12th all-time with an average of 27.0 points per game. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story, as LeBron has played more seasons than many of the players ahead of him on the list. When you look at total points scored, LeBron’s ranking is more impressive.
Overall, LeBron’s career points total is a testament to his longevity and his consistent scoring ability. While he may not hold the top spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, he’s certainly among the greatest scorers the league has ever seen.
How LeBron’s Points Total Impacts His Legacy as a Basketball Player
LeBron James’ career points total is just one aspect of his legacy as a basketball player, but it’s an important one. His ability to score at a high level throughout his career has helped him establish himself as one of the greatest players in NBA history, and it’s a major reason why he’s been so successful on the court.
When you look at LeBron’s points total in the context of his overall career, it’s clear that he’s been an incredibly productive and efficient scorer. He’s scored over 30,000 points while shooting 50.4% from the field, which is an impressive feat. He’s also been an excellent free throw shooter, making 73.4% of his attempts from the line.
LeBron’s scoring ability has helped him win four NBA championships, four NBA MVP awards, and two Olympic gold medals, among other accolades. He’s also been selected to the NBA All-Star Game 18 times, which is tied for the most in NBA history.
Of course, LeBron’s legacy as a basketball player extends far beyond his points total. He’s also known for his exceptional passing ability, his defensive prowess, and his ability to elevate the play of his teammates. However, his scoring ability is a major part of what makes him such a dominant force on the court, and it’s a big reason why he’s considered one of the greatest players of all time.
A Breakdown of LeBron’s Points by Season and Team
LeBron James has played for three different NBA teams over the course of his career, and his points total has varied from year to year as a result. Let’s take a closer look at how LeBron’s scoring has evolved over the years, and how it has been impacted by his team and his role on the court.
LeBron began his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, and he immediately established himself as a dominant scorer. He scored 20.9 points per game as a rookie, and he continued to improve in the years that followed. In his final season with the Cavs before leaving for the Miami Heat, he averaged 29.7 points per game.
During his time with the Miami Heat, LeBron’s scoring numbers dipped somewhat as he adjusted to playing alongside other star players like Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. However, he still averaged over 26 points per game in each of his four seasons with the team, and he helped lead them to two NBA championships.
After returning to Cleveland for four seasons, LeBron joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. He’s continued to be a productive scorer for the Lakers, averaging over 25 points per game in his first two seasons with the team. However, injuries have limited his playing time somewhat in recent years.
Overall, LeBron’s scoring numbers have been impacted by a variety of factors over the course of his career, including his team, his role on the court, and his age. However, he’s remained one of the NBA’s top scorers throughout his career, and his ability to put points on the board has been a major reason for his success.
Can LeBron Catch Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the All-Time Leading Scorer in NBA History?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar currently holds the top spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, with 38,387 points scored over the course of his career. LeBron James is currently third on the list with 36,367 points, but he’s still actively playing and has a chance to catch Abdul-Jabbar if he continues to produce at a high level.
Assuming LeBron stays healthy and continues to play for several more seasons, it’s certainly possible that he could surpass Abdul-Jabbar’s point total. However, it won’t be easy. LeBron would need to average around 1,800 points per season for the next three seasons to pass Abdul-Jabbar, and he’d likely need to play for at least four more seasons beyond that to create a comfortable cushion.
Of course, there are many factors that could impact LeBron’s ability to catch Abdul-Jabbar. Injuries, team dynamics, and changes in LeBron’s playing style could all play a role. Additionally, LeBron will need to continue playing at a high level into his late 30s and beyond, which is a difficult feat even for the greatest players in NBA history.
Regardless of whether LeBron ultimately catches Abdul-Jabbar on the all-time scoring list, he’ll still be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever step onto an NBA court. His scoring ability, combined with his passing, rebounding, and defensive skills, have made him one of the most well-rounded and dominant players in league history.