NBA Fans React to LeBron James Passing Kobe Bryant on All-Time Scoring List

After surpassing 33,643 points, James trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabaar and Karl Malone on the all-time list.

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Image via Getty/John McCoy

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Whether or not you think LeBron James is the GOAT, it's impossible to deny that he's getting awfully close. 

On Saturday, King James passed Kobe Bryant on the NBA's all-time scoring list. James went into the night's matchup against the 76ers needing only 18 points to pass the Lakers legend.

After surpassing 33,643 points, James trails only Kareem Abdul-Jabaar (36,928) and Karl Malone (38,387) on the all-time list.

"I don't know if people want that or want to have this kind of contentious thing where you don't want records to be broken or people there to surpass you," Bryant said in an interview with USA Today earlier this week. "You should be happy for the person that comes after you to be able to surpass things that you've done. It's kind of juvenile to think or to behave any other way."

Bryant was quick to offer his congratulations after James hit the milestone.

Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames. Much respect my brother 💪🏾 #33644

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) January 26, 2020

He wasn't the only one. 

.@KingJames received a standing ovation from the crowd after passing Kobe Bryant 👏 pic.twitter.com/6zCB9DWlK9

— ESPN (@espn) January 26, 2020

Congratulations to @KingJames! One Laker great passing another Laker great for number 3 on the all-time scoring list!!

— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) January 26, 2020

Nothing but love for LeBron from his teammates after passing Kobe ✊

(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/IMJWYqviH2

— ESPN (@espn) January 26, 2020

LeBron James has scored more career points than Kobe or MJ.

LeBron has dished out more career assists than Isiah Thomas or Bob Cousy.

LeBron has grabbed more career rebounds than Larry Bird or Willis Reed.#DontTakeLeBronForGranted

— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) January 26, 2020

Just a reminder that LeBron James is better than Kobe Bryant in literally every conceivable way

— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) January 26, 2020

“I couldn’t be happier for LeBron, third all time in scoring and he’s doing it wearing purple & gold. It’s just that Kobe always been my guy but in the end they’re both GOATS. Overall, it’s F the Celtics & Clippers”https://t.co/AK4MmCvglf

— GoldenKnight (@GoldenKnightGFX) January 25, 2020

Kobe fans and Lebron fans can never be this friendly with each other 😂 https://t.co/GFBzVHJdjD

— DopeItsJunior (@JoseAlejandre95) January 26, 2020

I always loved Kobe's game, but the Kobe dorks trying to detract from LeBron are funny. LeBron's a vastly superior overall player and he passed him in three fewer seasons.https://t.co/Y5W0bCU7IG

— Jeff Ermann (@Jeff_Ermann) January 26, 2020

James is averaging 25.2 points, a career-high 10.8 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game this season.

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