At LeBron’s age, 39,000 career points sounds like an unreachable scoring record, but he achieved it through decades of hard work and efficient training. Lesson being, in today’s NBA there is fierce competition, and new stars with phenomenal skills are coming up every day. We can be sure somewhere across the globe the next record-breaker is out there training, the question is who will achieve it first?
Scoring at an Elite Level
LeBron’s record isn’t just about greatness; it’s about pointing numbers every single season. On platforms like melbet.com/en/live/basketball – try live basketball betting, fans can follow those who score big every game. Having an average of over 25 points per game for several years in a row with no missed seasons is next-level consistency.
Dončić and Tatum have elite scoring ability even at a young age. They also get favored by the current era of the NBA which is shifting towards offense. They get more possessions, shots, and opportunities to score. But it’s not just about skill; it is about stamina too.
Age and Career Longevity Matter
To come close, a player would need to begin playing from a young age and continue staying on top for several years. Only a handful of prominent athletes today look like:
- Luka Dončić – Averaged more than 27PPG at 19 years old after joining the NBA.
- Jayson Tatum – Has a consistent scoring output and relatively no injuries.
- Anthony Edwards – Young career potential is very strong.
- Victor Wembanyama – A long-term scoring weapon assuming he stays healthy.
Everyone is watching them.
The Real Contenders in the Race
Achieving such records requires a great deal of talent, time, health, and a ridiculous consistency. To break his record, a player has to average more than 25 points for almost two decades and avoid injuries throughout. There are already two players on track for that and proving it game after game.
Luka Dončić
Luka is not just gifted; he is a walking bucket. He joined the NBA at 19 and in his first five years in the league, he had an astonishing average of over 27 points a game. In Dallas, he is considered the franchise player and he has earned that accolade with his extremely high usage rate. With these numbers, it is no surprise that his offensive contributions are of an elite level – and on top of that, he guarantees fantastic stats.
Luka’s unique skill set is also not very athletic, so it may lengthen his career. Furthermore, his shooting ability is an asset which improves with age. If he continues to perform at this level, stays fit, and maintains good health, he has a realistic shot at reaching the 40,000 point career mark by the time he’s in his mid-late thirties.
Jayson Tatum
Tatum started in the league at 19 and has improved his scoring every year. By age 25, he’d already achieved several seasons averaging above 30 points and had deep playoff runs with Boston. He’s not only good, he’s dependable and tough.
Tatum’s edge is consistency. He usually doesn’t get injured, plays a lot of minutes, and is multi-dimensional in the ways he scores. He does not depend too much on strength and speed which will prolong his career. Even though his averages are a bit lower than Luka’s, his consistent improvement and ability to lead a top-tier team make it possible for him to be a serious contender to that scoring ladder year after year.
Can Records Still Fall in Today’s NBA?
No one will achieve their highest score for quite some time. The NBA has changed to ha igh paced game with lots of scoring, quicker possessions, and heavy use of 3-point shots. During the 2023-24 season, it was reported that each team scored an average of over 115 points, which is the highest it’s been since the 1960s. Players are scoring at an increasingly quicker rate at younger ages which makes the possibility of breaking LeBron’s record more likely.
Just because something is possible, does not mean it is easy. Devoted effort, consistency, and supporting players/ coaches are required. LeBron was able to do it because he sustained a high level for decades with minimum injuries. While neophyte athletes could benefit from the pace of today’s game, it doesn’t change the fact that achieving that level of success consistently is incredibly difficult. Records might be reachable — but only for those created with strong foundations.
What Fans Should Watch For
Caution for: Increasing PPG averages, time on court, and past injuries. These indicators will show who is after the history and who is just fantasizing “hot” for the moment.
