It has never been Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s habit to take pride in his own accomplishments. On April 5, 1984, the Los Angeles Lakers great and NBA all-time scoring leader eclipsed Wilt Chamberlain’s record for points scored. Despite his humility, he was honored. The current record holder, Abdul-Jabbar, acknowledged that he was never one to celebrate milestones but expressed immense satisfaction when it was eventually finished.
Kareem-Abdul Jabbar used his trademark skyhook to pass Wilt Chamberlain.
Towards the end of the 1983–84 NBA season, Abdul-Jabbar needed 21 points to pass Chamberlain when the Lakers visited the Utah Jazz. He scored 22 in the end. In the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 129-115 triumph, the Lakers center hit his milestone bucket with his trademark skyhook, so it seemed only right.
With the basket, Abdul-Jabbar broke Chamberlain’s record of 31,419 career points with 31,421 points. The media attention surrounding something that wasn’t even at the top of Abdul-Jabbar’s list had made the trip there difficult. He had to exceed Oscar Robertson even before he could surpass Chamberlain.
When the commotion of leaping to the No. 2 spot ended in 1981, he felt relieved.
After overtaking Robertson, he reportedly remarked, “It’s a relief that it’s over,” as reported by United Press International. “Milestones are really important to certain people, but not to me.
Nevertheless, it’s a unique day and an honor. My motivation to play is not primarily to score points. For me, there is nothing more thrilling than winning.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had to endure conversations about the scoring record all the time.
Abdul-Jabbar may have been relieved after beating Robertson, but he had no idea that for the following three years, he would continue to hear discussions about the all-time scoring record. Abdul-Jabbar was just ready for the record-breaking game versus the Jazz to end. It was difficult for him to relish the moment.
Abdul-Jabbar reportedly remarked, “I’m trying to enjoy it,” according to UPI. “At least I won’t have to respond to every question when I break it. Every day I go without hearing from someone precisely how many points I have and how many more I need.
“I’m attempting to focus on our season. Everybody believed early in the season that I couldn’t succeed. I’m getting close to the point where I can move on from this and focus on our main goals.
Abdul-Jabbar is unable to avoid the subject even now. 3,200 points behind Abdul-Jabbar in third place on the all-time scoring list is LeBron James. Karl Malone, a former forward with the Utah Jazz, is second with 36,928 points. The former center for the Lakers wants James to surpass his ceiling.
According to The Sporting News, Abdul-Jabbar declared, “We all win when a record is broken, and if LeBron breaks mine, I will be right there to cheer him on.”
