LeBron not interested in passing Kareem while Lakers are losing

LeBron not interested in passing Kareem while Lakers are losing

LeBron James wants the Los Angeles Lakers to be competitive when he passes Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time scoring record.

“I want to win. (Losing is) not sitting well with me,” James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I don’t like having accomplishments, and it don’t feel right, when it comes in a losing effort. … So as we sit here right now as a franchise and as a team that’s below .500 – we’ve been playing some good basketball as of late, but we want to, and I want to win at the highest level. Breaking records or setting records or passing greats in a losing effort has never been a DNA of mine.”

Winners of four straight after Friday’s 130-114 victory against the Atlanta Hawks, the Lakers sit 12th in the Western Conference standings. However, Los Angeles is only one game out of the No. 10 position.

James scored 25 points against the Hawks. He needs 460 points to pass Kareem’s record and is projected to do so in the next 17 games, potentially on Feb. 9 against the Milwaukee Bucks, according to ESPN. The 38-year-old is averaging 28.9 points per game on 51.1% shooting from the field, including 60.3% on 2-pointers.

“To be able to go out and still be a focal point of my opponent’s scouting reports lets me know I’m still playing at a high level,” James said. “I want to continue to play at a championship level and still be respected every time I touch the floor as a threat throughout whatever minutes I’m playing.”

Rather than play in two more games to be eligible to win the scoring title, LeBron sat out the final five contests of last season to heal an ankle injury while the team was eliminated from playoff contention.

“Me being out on the floor, trying to get the scoring (title) in games that don’t matter, it felt so corny to me,” said James, who averaged 30.3 points last season. “That has never mattered to me unless it was about winning.”

The Lakers are on the second night of a back-to-back on Saturday, taking on the Sacramento Kings on the road. Tipoff is slated for 10 p.m. ET.

Got a story or tip for us? Email Sports Gossip editors at tips@sportsgossip.com 

Want More From Sports Gossip? 

For all the latest breaking Sports Gossip, be sure to follow SportsGossip.com on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.

You can view the original article HERE.

‘Too Hot to Handle’ Star Kayla Richart Says She’s Moving on From Seb Melrose
‘Too Hot to Handle’ Star Kayla Richart Says She’s Moving on From Seb Melrose
Kim Kardashian Shows Off Long Legs in Revealing Skirt on ‘All’s Fair’ Set
Kim Kardashian Shows Off Long Legs in Revealing Skirt on ‘All’s Fair’ Set
Original ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Host Chuck Woolery Dead at 83
Original ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Host Chuck Woolery Dead at 83
‘Wicked’ Moviegoers Dress Up in Outfits Inspired by Characters
‘Wicked’ Moviegoers Dress Up in Outfits Inspired by Characters
Love Actually Filmmaker Says He’ll Never Direct Again
Love Actually Filmmaker Says He’ll Never Direct Again
Ted Danson Stars in Lovely, Moving “A Man on the Inside” | TV/Streaming
Ted Danson Stars in Lovely, Moving “A Man on the Inside” | TV/Streaming
Every ‘Karate Kid’ Actor Who Came Back for ‘Cobra Kai’
Every ‘Karate Kid’ Actor Who Came Back for ‘Cobra Kai’
The Finale Sets Up a Wild Season 2
The Finale Sets Up a Wild Season 2
SZA confirms new album will release “before the year is over”
SZA confirms new album will release “before the year is over”
Sex Pistols’ Glen Matlock on being asked to play bass for “boring” Oasis and why he never found Johnny Rotten’s lyrics “sincere”
Sex Pistols’ Glen Matlock on being asked to play bass for “boring” Oasis and why he never found Johnny Rotten’s lyrics “sincere”
Sean Ono Lennon says he started making music to “fill the void” after John Lennon’s death
Sean Ono Lennon says he started making music to “fill the void” after John Lennon’s death
Watch Jon McClure recreate ‘Love Actually’ cards sequence in Reverend and the Makers Christmas Number One bid
Watch Jon McClure recreate ‘Love Actually’ cards sequence in Reverend and the Makers Christmas Number One bid
Wemby scores 25 in return as Spurs sink Warriors
Wemby scores 25 in return as Spurs sink Warriors
Nuggets use strong 2nd half to dominate Lakers
Nuggets use strong 2nd half to dominate Lakers
Pacers’ Haliburton after loss to Bucks: ‘I’ve got to be better’
Pacers’ Haliburton after loss to Bucks: ‘I’ve got to be better’
49ers’ Purdy, Bosa out vs. Packers due to injuries
49ers’ Purdy, Bosa out vs. Packers due to injuries
John Candy’s Last Movie Was in Michael Moore’s Only Fiction Film
John Candy’s Last Movie Was in Michael Moore’s Only Fiction Film
10 Best Big-Budget Sequels Coming in 2025
10 Best Big-Budget Sequels Coming in 2025
TV Shows Doing Nostalgia Right (Without Making It Cringe)
TV Shows Doing Nostalgia Right (Without Making It Cringe)
‘Arcane’ Poster With AI Enhancements Slammed By Fans and Removed by Netflix
‘Arcane’ Poster With AI Enhancements Slammed By Fans and Removed by Netflix
Editor’s Pick: Orveda Bio-Tech Emulsion
Editor’s Pick: Orveda Bio-Tech Emulsion
Inside The Alexis Bittar Dinner at The St. Regis
Inside The Alexis Bittar Dinner at The St. Regis
New CEO’s at Saint Laurent & Balenciaga, Massive Editor Exits, & More Moves To Peruse!
New CEO’s at Saint Laurent & Balenciaga, Massive Editor Exits, & More Moves To Peruse!
Hearst Layoffs Backlash, Bergdorf Goodman’s Holiday Windows
Hearst Layoffs Backlash, Bergdorf Goodman’s Holiday Windows