Scoring Record is in Jeopardylife nbc tv series

As sports fans, we love records. From Joe Dimaggio's unbreakable 56 game hit streak or Eric Dickerson's 2,105 rushing yards which every hot headed rookie thinks he will eclipse by week 12, we know them all. Some records are shrouded in controversy- does Roger Maris really still hold the single season home run record? Others are simply hilarious like Barry Bonds drawing 120 intentional walks in 2004. While we may never see most of these records broken, Kobe Bryant is hot on the trail of basketball's all-time scoring record.

Standing at 7'2 and armed with the sky-hook, the most unguardable shot in basketball history, Kareem Abdul Jabbar had his way with the league from his rookie season (then known as Lew Alcindor) when he put up 28.8 points per contest with the Milwaukee Bucks. For the next 18 years, Jabbar averaged over 25 ppg on near 60% shooting. By the time he retired in 1989 at the age of 41, he had amassed 38,387 points, a record that has stood since.

Kobe Bryant is arguably the most prolific scorer in the league's history and even at the age of 34 he hasn't lost a step. Sixteen years into his illustrious career he is leading the league in scoring at 28.4 ppg. With an arsenal containing pretty much every offensive weapon in the game and the fact that he started his NBA career at the age of 18, the Black Mamba is the perfect candidate to break Kareem's record. Since turning 30 years old, Kobe has averaged near 27 ppg and seems to be winning the battle against Father Time. Kobe should need about five years to reach Kareem's scoring total, adjusted for a slight drop in production. This may be too much to ask of a man who has expressed interest in early retirement several times and has already clocked 16 years on the hardwood in addition to 220 playoff games, but if anyone has the desire and work ethic to go the distance, it's Kobe Bryant.

Let's say Kobe decides to hang 'em up early and never breaks the record; who is next in line? I would have to say it's a no brainer for LeBron James. Starting at 18 years old as well, LeBron has averaged 27.6 ppg over his career, good for third all time. LeBron can score at will and there really isn't anything he can't do on a basketball court (although his free-throw percentage leaves something to be desired). His robotic ability to stay healthy and his absolutely freakish athleticism should keep him on the court for the long haul, making him a strong candidate for the title. The King has also been the youngest person to reach every scoring milestone up to 19,000. He has a long way to go, but at the age of 27 LeBron is halfway to the record and he's not going anywhere soon.