08 February 2023 , 11:09
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LeBron James believes he is the greatest basketball player of all time after breaking the NBA scoring record.
James hit 38 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record, that has been in place since 1984.
James wasn't even alive then but has now cemented his status among the sport's best ever players, with many suggesting he is in fact the GOAT.
Abdul-Jabbar was courtside to watch James break the record at the end of the third quarter while another legend in Shaquille O'Neal was covering the match for TNT.
Speaking after the match, Shaq put the question to James on where he ranks himself among basketball's iconic figures.
LeBron James edges closer to NBA scoring record with jaw-dropping Lakers display
"I am going to let everybody else decide who that is or just talk about it - but it is great barber shop talk," the 38-year-old said.
"I am going to take myself against anybody that has played this game but everyone is going to have their favourite. I know what I bring to the table every single night and what I can do on the floor.
"I always feel like I am the best to ever play this game but there are so many great ones and I am just happy to be a part of it."
LeBron James offers his verdict on GOAT status (Twitter - @NBAonTNT)The likes of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant are also considered by many to be in contention for GOAT status but James has pulled clear in the scoring stakes.
After making history, James was clearly emotional over the achievement. "I thank you guys so much for allowing me to be a part of something I've always dreamed about,” James said in a short speech, after being joined by his wife and three children on court. "I would never in a million years have dreamt this to be even better than what it is tonight."
Discussing his record being broken, 75-year-old Abdul-Jabbar said: "I thought it had every chance. LeBron's career is one of someone who planned to dominate this game. You have to give him credit for just the way he played and for the way he's lasted and dominated."
A number of sporting legends paid tribute to James after his record-breaking achievement while POTUS Joe Biden hailed him for 'challenging and inspiring the nation to be better'.