LeBron on brink of breaking M.J. record

CLEVELAND» A generation of kids wanted to be like Michael Jordan. They bought his redand-black Nikes and sported his No. 23 Bulls jersey. They mimicked Jordan’s spin move and fadeaway jumper and even wagged their tongues the way he did on a flight to the rim.

While millions worshipped Jordan, only a handful entered his rarefied air.

LeBron James lives there. Without a father in his life, James viewed Jordan as a role model — and Friday night the indomitable Cleveland Cavaliers star, playing at an MVP level in his 15th NBA season, likely will surpass a record held by a player he once admired “like a god.”

Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., James equaled Jordan’s NBA mark by scoring in double digits in 866 consecutive games, an extraordinary run of consistency and durability.

Once he scores 10 points against New Orleans, probably at some point in the first half Friday, James will surpass Jordan’s record and add another check mark to his side in the “greatest player of all time” debate.

To put the streak in context, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ranks third at 787 games, followed by Karl Malone at 575. Among current players, the Houston Rockets’ James Harden is second to James with 257 games, according to ESPN research.

“It’s just another feat for me to be appreciative and humbled by what I’ve been able to do,” James said. “And just knowing where I come from, I look at it and say, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I’m in this position,’ knowing where I come from.”