Top 5 players on the all-time NBA scoring list featuring LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and more

Modified Jan 08, 2023 09:06 GMT

LeBron James is getting closer to beating the all-time NBA scoring record. As of this writing, James is 423 points away from surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The "King" had another spectacular night against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday when he nearly put up a triple-double. LBJ had 37 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal.

While LeBron James is chasing the NBA record, it makes you wonder who he got past to get to this point. With that said, let's look at the five players with the most career points in the history of the NBA.

Top 5 NBA Players with the most career points

#1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387 points)

Kareem Abdul-Jabar is one of the most defensive players in NBA history. Standing at 7-foot-2, Abdul-Jabbar was a dominant force in the paint. He easily out-rebounded his opponents and swatted a plethora of shots per game. What made Kareem extra special was the fact that he also had the ability to score. He's well-known for the unstoppable sky hook, which has helped him score his entire career.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar averaged 24.6 points, 11.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game in his career.

#2 LeBron James (37,965 points and counting)

Nobody can deny the greatness of LeBron James. Throughout his NBA journey, the basketball world knew he was destined for greatness. True enough, James delivered and even exceeded expectations, aligning himself with the likes of Michael Jordan. Now playing in his 20th season, LBJ is on a path to beating Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record.

LeBron James is currently averaging 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game in his career. Depending on how he performs in the following seasons, James' stats could either rise or decline.

#3 Karl Malone (36,928 points)

Karl Malone is somewhat of a dark horse in NBA history. He's one of the greatest to ever play the sport but was never able to win any championships in his career. Malone was a scoring machine throughout his playing years, especially from inside the paint. However, "The Mailman" has his trusted duo, John Stockton, to thank for assisting him in scoring all those points over the years.

Karl Malone averaged 25.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game in his career.

#4 Kobe Bryant (33,643 points)

People often forget just how great Kobe Bryant was. He was always seen as an afterthought next to LeBron James and Michael Jordan. But let's not forget that this man was a lethal scorer, especially during his prime years.

Who could forget when Bryant scored 81 points for the Toronto Raptors in 2006? If only "Mamba" had the same durability as LeBron, he could've beaten Kareem too.

Kobe Bryant averaged 25.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game in his career.

#5 Michael Jordan (32,292 points)

For someone who has focused mostly on scoring in his career, it's surprising that Michael Jordan isn't the NBA's all-time leader in career points. To be fair, "His Airness" did retire on several occasions. Had he played all 19 years, it's possible that Jordan would've been the all-time scoring leader.

Michael Jordan averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game in his career.

Will LeBron James surpass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387 points? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!