LeBron James Reacts On Passing Kobe Bryant On The NBA’s All-Time Scoring List

The Los Angeles Lakers lost the game to the Philadelphia 76ers, but LeBron James made history. The king of basketball passed Kobe Bryant for third on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

LeBron finished Saturday night’s game with 29 points, seven boards, eight assists, one steal, and eight turnovers in his 35 minutes in the 91-108 loss to the 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. Los Angeles has lost three of its last six games but still dominates the Western Conference with a 36-10 record. Philadelphia improved to 30-17.

LeBron reacted to his achievement after the game and shared his thoughts.

“I believe I was playing (a high school game) in New Jersey and the All-Star Game, if I’m not mistaken, and you all can correct me, was in Philly,” he said. “That Saturday, me and Maverick (Carter) drove to the Intercontinental (hotel) in downtown Philadelphia, and he gave me a pair of his shoes which I ended up wearing that following night. It was the red, white and blue Kobes. I was a (size) 15 and he was a 14 and I wore them anyways.

“I sat and just talked to him for a little bit. He gave me the shoes, and I rocked them in the game and it was the same night we played Oak Hill against ‘Melo (Anthony). Then, I saw what he was able to do the next night winning MVP here in Philly that following night.”

Jumping up on the All-Time Scoring list

Following LeBron’s 29-point game in the 108-91 loss to Philadelphia, LeBron spent more time talking about his appreciation for Bryant. He wasn’t really focused on his own achievement.

LeBron couldn’t really believe that he passed the player he admired. He signed with the same team Bryant played his entire career.

King James also remembers Bryant speaking at the ABCD camp for great high school players. He was listening carefully, and tried to soak up everything that he could. He still remembers one of the things Bryant said.

“If you want to try and be great at it or be one of the greatest, you have to put the work in. There’s no substitution to work.”

LeBron entered the NBA in 2003, and his admiration for Bryant continued. He may have passed Bryant, but he admits that Bryant was a more gifted scorer. The Black Mamba has 25 50-point games and LeBron has 20.