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WITNESSing Greatness: LeBron Moves Ahead of Shaquille O’Neal

By Omar Josef Guerrero

Jan 12, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) motions to the Dallas Mavericks bench during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) motions to the Dallas Mavericks bench during the first half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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LeBron James continues to pass legends. Day by day, week by week we continue to be impressed.

A new NBA legend’s record has fallen at the hands of LeBron James after the Cleveland Cavaliers took down the Dallas Mavericks 110-107 in overtime Tuesday night. Shaquille O’Neal was taken down from his stature as the sole owner of 19th spot in all-time career free-throws made with LeBron now occupying the position.

Jan 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dunks against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 95-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) dunks against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 95-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

In that exciting game against the Mavs, James also moved past one of the game’s greatest point guards in Portland Trailblazers legend Terry Porter after making three three-pointers in the game.

James has been on fire of late and was recognized for his accomplishments by recording his history-leading 50th NBA Player of the Week honors. The King was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played from January 4 to 10. According to NBA.com,

"“James led the Cavaliers to a 4-0 week behind averages of 26.0 points (tied-first in the Eastern Conference), 7.8 rebounds and 7.0 assists (tied-seventh in the conference). He posted two point-rebound double-doubles and two games with 30-plus points. James connected on 15-of-22 field goals en route to 37 points and added nine assists and seven rebounds during a 95-85 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 10.”"

This is James’ second time to receive the award this season.

As for Lebron’s historic accomplishments career-wise the past week, we break them down for you below.

  • Free-Throws Made – As mentioned above, James is now 19th in free-throws made (5,938) after passing Shaquille O’Neal (5,935) as he made 6 of 8 free-throws vs. Dallas (1-12-16)
  • Three-Pt Field Goals Made – James took possession of 34th place (1,299) in three-point field goals made, passing Terry Porter (1,297) after he made three trifectas in the same game against the Mavs (1-12-16)
  • Turnovers – James (3,183) is tied with Robert Parish for the 18th spot. He moved past Garnett (3,179) this week also in the game against the Mavs. Not a good category to move ahead but as I mentioned previously, the top 20 are some of the best players ever in the game showing that the greats accomplish a lot because they risk a lot, too.

James (1,606 and 30th overall) is two steals away from Mark Jackson (1,608) who is currently at the 29th spot overall.

In the categories where James is about to surpass all-time greats, he is once again closing in on some of the NBA most accomplished luminaries.

  • Scoring – LeBron’s 25,817 career points places him at 17th all-time trailing Kevin Garnett (16th with 26,064) by a little more than 200 points. Since Garnett is playing limited minutes this season and producing less points than usual, James can pass him in the next 20 games. From there, he’ll move ahead of both active and retired NBA legends.
  • Assists – James (6,513) is only 64 assists shy of passing Derek Harper (6,577) to move him into the top 20 assists men of all-time. With his 6.1 apg average, LeBron will get there more or less in 11 games.

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  • Steals – James (1,606 and 30th overall) is two steals away from Mark Jackson (1,608) who is currently at the 29th spot overall. Averaging two steals a game the past eight games, the game against the San Antonio Spurs this Thursday, January 14, could be the one where James either ties Mark Jackson or passes him depending on how many steals he accumulates.

That’s the summary of James’ accomplishments for the past week! There’s more records to break and more all-time greats for King James to honorably move ahead of soon.

Stay right here on KingJamesGospel.com for upcoming installments of WITNESSing Greatness as I chronicle LeBron James’ career feats during the 2015-16 season.