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Lebron James: Cavaliers’ Star Ranks Tenth In NBA History For Points

By Pete Camarillo
Published on: 08:27 PST, Nov 6, 2016

LeBron James became the NBA’s tenth ranked all-time scorer as his Cleveland Cavaliers (6-0) defeated the Philadelphia 76ers (0-5).

James said the milestone was a blessing and an honor. He ranks No. 12 in scoring on the combined ABA/NBA list, according to theUSA Today.

“I am just blessed to have had a chance to play with so many great players in two great organizations that have allowed me to blossom,” James said after Saturday’s win via UPI.

The King is the Cavaliers’ career scoring leader with 19,051 points, according to ESPN. James is one of four players in Cavaliers history with more than 10,000 points. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Brad Daugherty, and Austin Carr are the others.

LeBron is also the fourth leading scorer in Miami Heat history. James scored 7,919 points in four seasons with the Heat.

LeBron James ranks top ten in NBA all-time scoring and assists
Cleveland Cavaliers forward Lebron James is the only player ranked top-10 scoring and top-20 assists [Image by Chris Szagola/AP Images]

The Cavs forward also became the only player in NBA history to rank in the top-10 of career points and top-20 of career assists per ESPN. With 6,879 career assists, James is second behind Chris Paul among active NBA players.

In the middle of the first quarter, LeBron James converted the fast-break layup that put him on the top-10 all-time scoring list.

The previous three attempts at the milestone were misses. His first attempt at passing the record was a highlight-reel block by Philadelphia center Joel Embiid.

Embiid scored 22 points and converted four points of his 3-point attempts against the Cavaliers.

James finished the game with 25 points, which put him over Hakeem Olajuwon on the all-time scoring list. Olajuwon finished his career with 26,946 points.

According to Yahoo Sports,the 32-year-old James is the youngest player ever to reach 26,947 points. Kobe Bryant and Wilt Chamberlain were 32 when they got there. Nobody else was younger than 34.

James’ lowest single-season scoring output — 1,654 points as a rookie — would easily move him past Elvin Hayes (27,313) and Moses Malone (2,478) this season. He could also catch Shaquille O’Neal (28,597) at No. 7 with a great scoring year. Otherwise, Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (29,522) at No. 6 is the only other active player in the top ten.

Chamberlain (31,419), Michael Jordan (32,292), Bryant (33,643), Karl Malone (36,928) and Kareem Abdul-Jabaar (38,387) compose the top-five scoring list. James is on pace to pass all of those guys per Yahoo Sports, barring any unforeseen circumstances over his next ten seasons.

LeBron added 14 assists and eight rebounds in the 102-101 victory over the 76ers on Saturday. James’ teams have won 27 consecutive games when he records 20 points and 10 assists. Only Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain (30) and Gary Payton (28) have a longer streak per ESPN.

At one point, the 76ers turned an early 18-point deficit into a late five-point lead.

Philadelphia lead 96-91 with 6:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. Both teams exchanged clutch jumpers in the final quarter.

Embiid answered a James’ one-handed dunk with a jumper of his own. LeBron followed with a three-pointer to pull the Cavs within 98-96.

A J.R. Smith 3-pointer gave the Cavaliers a one-point lead before an Ersan Ilyasova shot put the Sixers back on top by two. Ilyasova finished the game with 21 points.

LeBron James found Channing Frye for an open 3-pointer that gave Cleveland a 102-101 advantage with 1:05 left in the game. After a Philadelphia turnover, Smith missed a 3-pointer that would have gave the Cavaliers control of the lead.

76ers forward Gerald Henderson attempted a drive to the basket with about seven seconds left. He turned the ball over, and Cavs guard Iman Shumpert grabbed it as the final buzzer sounded.

Cleveland moves on to their best start since winning their first eight games in 1976. Cleveland outlasted a Sixers team that outscored them 16-9 in the final 5:50.

“We will clean it up,” James said. “It’s a great learning experience for us. It’s always great to have these kinds of games. I know we have room for improvement.”

This 6-0 start is the best start by a James-lead team. He has been on three 5-1 teams that went on to win NBA championships later that same season.

After six games, James averages 24.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 2016. LeBron James and the Cavaliers play the Atlanta Hawks next at 7:00 p.m. EST on Nov. 8.

[Featured Image by Chris Szagola/AP Images]

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