LeBron broke Kareem’s all-time record in SAC, where he started first appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
It’s full-time fun LeBron James in Sacramento.
With his 10th minute played in the Los Angeles Lakers game against the Kings at Golden Center 1 on Thursday, James passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record for most NBA regular-season minutes played with 57,447 minutes.
James, 39, who made his NBA debut against the Kings in Sacramento back in 2003, entered Thursday having played 57,437 minutes — just nine shy of Lakers and NBA record Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 57,446 minutes.
Abdul-Jabbar’s record stood for 35 years after he broke Elvin Hayes’ mark of 50,000 on December 14, 1986.
Records have to be broken, but as it stands, it will take time for someone to break the Lakers star’s record, with San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul having played the second-most career minutes by an active player at 44,052 minutes.
Two of the many stops in James’s legendary, 22-year career are career ethics and longevity.
“I’m sure you know how to make me feel old,” James told a reporter when asked about breaking the record after shooting in Los Angeles before Thursday’s game.
“It’s just a commitment to the craft and to the love and passion I have for the game. I didn’t get much time in the offseason.
“A little more time now, I don’t take much time in command, even if I’m making 10 Finals appearances back to back and I’m always trying to keep myself in top-shape.”
The four-time NBA MVP, four-time champion and former 20-time All-Star is now the league’s all-time minutes leader, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s previous record of 66,297 minutes in 2023.
James, who is averaging 22.8 points on 49.2-percent shooting, with 8.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists in 24 games this season, also owes his low volume of injuries and overall presence.
“And I’ve been able to play a lot of minutes and for the most part of my career is injury-free and available,” James added. “I don’t want to say injury-free.
“We all have our injuries in this league and in this sport. But to be the most to my teammates, to the three franchises that I play for is something that I take seriously. “
Few understand James’ long tenure as Sacramento.
