Longtime LeBron James critic Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to be on hand for scoring record

The passing of the torch will reportedly be seen next week between two of the best people in the NBA who aren’t best friends.

According to Reuters, former Los Angeles Laker and Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will be in attendance at Crypto.com Arena when LeBron James overtakes the six-time NBA champion and 19-time All-Star as the NBA All-Star. will become Time scoring leader.

The pair have had disagreements in the past, leading to a testy relationship. Abdul-Jabbar has commented on James’ celebrations, calling them “stupid and childish” and accusing him of not using the platform he has enough for social causes.

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“Some of the things he’s done and said are really beneath him, as far as I can see,” Abdul-Jabbar told ESPN.com in April 2022. “Some of the great things he’s done, he’s stood on both sides. The fence almost, you know? It’s hard for me to accept that when he’s committed to separating himself from everything. It’s hard to know where he stands. You have to check it every time.”

James scored 26 points in his most recent game against the Pacers on Thursday and moved within 63 of Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 points.

In October of this past year, Magic Johnson admitted on Shannon Sharpe’s “Club She She” podcast that “it’s going to be a tough pill to swallow” once James breaks Abdul-Jabbar’s 1984 record.

When asked in September about his relationship with Abdul-Jabbar and his passing record, James responded softly. “No idea and no relationship,” he said.

The Lakers are in New Orleans on Saturday to face the Pelicans at 6 p.m. and return home for two games against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday and the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.

James is averaging 30.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game so far in his 20th season at age 38.