James ‘humbled’ to be chasing record
CLEVELAND A generation of kids wanted to be like Michael Jordan. They bought his red-and-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 the indomitable Cleveland Cavaliers star, playing at an MVP level in his 15th NBA season, on Friday likely will surpass a record held by a player he once admired “like a god.”
On Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C., James equalled Jordan’s NBA mark by scoring in double digits in 866 consecutive games, an extraordinary streak of consistency and durability that may not end until James wants it to. No one else seemingly can stop him.
Once he scores 10 points against New Orleans, probably at some point in the first half, 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 is third at 787 games, followed by Karl Malone at 575. Among current players, James Harden is second to James with 257 games, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
James typically avoids talking about his accomplishments, saying that’s what he’ll do once he retires.
But the double-digit scoring streak, which dates to Jan. 5, 2007, an eight-point game against Milwaukee in his fifth season, has turned him somewhat reflective.
“I’ve stayed available, obviously,” James said following a 41-point, 10-rebound, eight-assist performance in a win over the Hornets. “I haven’t played every game, but for the most part I’ve played over 70 per cent of my games throughout that journey. It’s just another feat for me to be appreciative and humbled by what I’ve been able to do.”