One year ago, LeBron James broke Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA all-time scoring record and placed himself on top of the NBA’s points list. Earlier this year, he was voted to start his 20th All-Star Game, again moving past KAJ, who had 19 All-Star game appearances.
Last Sunday, James played in his record-breaking 20th NBA All-Star Game. But L.A.’s forward also left Indianapolis by breaking yet another Kareem record – the most losses in the league’s midseason classic with 10.
East beats West in a crazy shootout
Last Sunday Night, the East All-Stars defeated LeBron’s West team 211-186 in the highest-scoring All-Star Game ever. The Teams combined 397 points and shattered the previous record of 374 set seven years ago, while their aggregate 193 half-time points broke the mark of 191, which was set last year. Furthermore, the East team’s 104 points at the half was the most ever in the game’s 73-year history.
Damian Lillard won MVP honors after scoring 39 points on 14-26 shooting, including 11-23 from behind the three-point arc. His starting backcourt partner and hometown hero Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers also waxed hot with 32 points on 11-15 shooting, including 10-14 from long distance.
Both teams shot pretty well from the floor in a game where only three total fouls were committed. But the East made 42 three-pointers out of 97 attempts, or a 43.3% clip. Karl Anthony Towns led the West with 50 points, while LeBron had 8 points in 14 minutes. But more than his numbers, Bron set multiple records by playing in Sunday’s special.
LeBron loses record 10th All-Star Game
Aside from a record 20th All-Star game selection, King James’ 20 consecutive selections, 20 consecutive starts, 20 consecutive games played, and 536 total minutes played are also All-Star Game leading stats.
But among all the broken records last Sunday, LeBron suffering his record 10th All-Star Game loss was the one no one didn’t want to have. In 20 All-Star Games played, James has an even 10-10 record. He was 5-1 during the All-Star Draft format but is just 5-9 when playing in the traditional East vs West format.
Ohio native starting in the All-Star Game in his 21st NBA season is a herculean feat by itself. Not only that, but he is also having the best Year 21 season of any player, ever. As long as Bron continues to play, more records will fall. But as they say, longevity is a double-edged sword, and for every impressive mark he sets, James also puts himself in a position to set the records that nobody wants.
