Los Angeles (AFP)

LeBron James, author of 29 points making 33.655 since the start of his career, surpassed Kobe Bryant to become the 3rd best scorer in NBA history, Saturday during the Lakers' defeat in Philadelphia (108-91) .

It was by entering, with a double penetration in the middle of the third quarter, his 17th and 18th points of the match that James beat Bryant (33.643 points), the former legend of the Lakers born in ... Philadelphia .

"Kobe was immortal offensively because of his ability (to score a lot). And here I am here in Philadelphia, wearing the (same) Lakers jersey. The universe sometimes causes these things ... It's not supposed to have a sense, but there it is, it just happens, "said LBJ moved, after the meeting.

"Being part of the chat with Kobe Bryant makes me happy. He's one of the greatest basketball players of all time, one of the greatest Lakers in history, the one with two numbers removed from the ceiling of the Staples Center. C 'is just crazy, "added the" King "who for this occasion had scribbled" Mamba 4 Life "on his shoes in tribute to his glorious elder so nicknamed.

"It's great. It's great for him. He worked so hard during his career, he was consistent, I find it huge. There is such respect between the players, we know the time spent and the job done to get there, "Kobe Bryant said of James recently.

LeBron is now on the most prestigious podium in terms of individual performance in the North American Basketball League, behind Karl Malone and Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

The "Mail Man" ended his career with 36,928 points in 18 seasons with Utah plus one with the Lakers. Quite far from the 38.387 marked in twenty seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Lakers by the legendary pivot, as famous for its formidable "sky hook" (rolled arms) as its googles (glasses).

If he maintains his pace of 25 points per game this season, LeBron, who has just celebrated his 35 years and still does not mention a possible retirement, could overtake Malone in the 2021-22 season. To approach Abdul Jabbar, he will probably have to wait for the 2022-23 season.

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