A secretly recorded LeBron James conversation shows his true mindset as the 38-year-old superstar broke the NBA all-time scoring record.
James needed 37 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder to break Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record, which has stood since 1984 as the legend in attendance to see if 'King James' could achieve the feat.
After scoring 20 points in a close first half, James gave himself a good chance to break the record, with many expecting him to do so towards the end of the game. But a dominant third quarter followed, in which he scored 18 points - officially standing alone atop of the scoring leaderboard.
What followed was an emotional moment for James. A man who has had so much pressure on him to come into the NBA and be the next Michael Jordan - with hype surrounding his career ever since he was in high school back in 2002.
James hugged his two sons who were sat courtside, and could both be playing in the NBA within the next five years, and shed a few tears as he thanked the Los Angeles Lakers fans who he was able to break the record in front of.
But a video from some weeks ago shows the true mindset of James. Like Michael Jordan, he isn't truly interested in personal achievements - he wants NBA championships.
Speaking to a fan who looked to be secretly recording a conversation, James was asked if he'd cry when he breaks the scoring record. James shakes his head and responds: "I'll cry if we win another championship - not no scoring record. I didn't even try to do it."
It has been a frustrating few years for James, who missed the playoffs last season and looks destined to do so again this year, with the Lakers struggling ever since winning the championship in 2020.
That year, the playoffs were held in a bubble at Walt Disney World in Orlando, after the Covid-19 pandemic, with Laker fans not seeing James, Anthony Davis and this team win in front of them.
As well as wanting to win in front of the fans, James continues to chase Jordan, who has six championships.
The Lakers are unlikely to compete for a championship this season, but will be able to make roster moves this summer when they have enough cap space to add another superstar alongside James, with Draymond Green and Kevin Durant both linked.
