The NBA world waited in breathless anticipation as LeBron James inched closer to passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s career scoring record of 38,337 points. Many were discussing if passing this landmark would change people’s opinion on the Jordan versus Lebron for the greatest of all time debate, an argument that has been examined and re-examined every year since Lebron’s grand entrance into the league in 2003. Professional Basketball player Cade Cunningham spoke on the LeBron versus Jordan debate, “I’ve seen all the Michael Jordan stuff, dude is different. I can’t argue with the fact that you think he’s the GOAT but in my eyes I say LeBron.”

In a close game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Los Angeles Lakers trailed 97 to 104 with 15.5 seconds left in the third quarter. Off of a short pass from Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook at the free throw line, LeBron turned his back to the basket and began to back down Kenrich Williams. LeBron then shot one of his most iconic shots: the fadeaway, a spinning, 180-degree mid-air shot. The shot that sealed the fate of countless other games that Lebron had played in would now determine NBA history. The shot’s arc was a perfect rainbow, sailing over William’s head, through the air, and straight through the hoop.

LeBron James, in his 20th NBA season, has just changed NBA history, but he’s not done yet. Although Lebron is lauded often for his scoring prowess, he is also a superb passer. Before he passed the scoring record, he also moved up two spots on the all-time assists list. On January 31, against the New York Knicks, LeBron finished with 11 assists, pushing him to 10,338 assists throughout his career, passing Mark Jackson’s and Steve Nash’s records of 10,334 and 10,335 respectively, placing him at fourth all-time, behind only Chris Paul (11,246), Jason Kidd (12,091), and John Stockton (15,806). LeBron’s scoring, passing, versatility, and longevity all prove that he should be considered the greatest basketball player of all time, not Michael Jordan or any other basketball great, either past or present.