LeBron James Passes Tim Duncan In The Record Books, Proving Duncan Is A Prophet

As Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James passes Tim Duncan in the record books again, it only serves as a reminder that his ascension was prophesied by Duncan nearly a decade ago.

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James has passed Tim Duncan for 13th all-time in career field goals made, an accolade that comes on the heels of James passing Duncan for 14th all-time in career points and 5th all-time in postseason field goals made.

In what turned out to be one of the best performances of James’ season, one in which he scored 17 points in the fourth quarter as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love sat out for the entire period, James made a bit of history with his eight field goal. With that field goal, James passed Duncan for 13th all-time in career field goals made (regular season).

For those that may not remember, James passed Duncan for 14th all-time in career points last March and 5th all-time in career postseason field goals last May.

By the way, James only needs 104 points to pass Shaquille O’Neal for 4th all-time. For his career, James averages 506.5 total points in the postseason. So we’ll be revisiting the story of James passing a legendary big man in the history book in just a few months.

James passing Duncan in virtually every record, while the latter is known as perhaps the best power forward to ever play the game, is symbolic of two things. First, it’s symbolic in the sense that with Duncan retiring, the most respected player in the NBA right now is unequivocally James. Passing Duncan in that sense is like a passing of the torch.

Passing Duncan is also symbolic in the sense that Duncan had been a part of one of the greatest basketball dynasties in NBA history but now it’s James that’s seen as the dynasty. I say James and not a team because history has shown us that, in this decade, it doesn’t matter what team James chooses.

That’s not to say he reaches the NBA Finals without help, although he’s carried injured and beat-up superstars to the Finals on more than one occasion. It’s simply another way of stating what many believe about James. When he comes to a franchise that franchise becomes him. He will ask for the players he wants and expects to get them or someone with a similar talent level.

The offensive system that the Cleveland Cavaliers use is starting to heavily resemble the Miami Heat’s offense of the LeBron James-era. There were always shooters and a secondary ball-handler but now, with Kyrie Irving playing in the post a la Dwyane Wade, there is little difference between the Miami Heat of old and New Age Cleveland Cavaliers.

Tristan Thompson is a completely different player than Chris Bosh but Channing Frye, like Bosh spaces the floor for the team on a consistent basis. The Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t afraid to use Love as a small-ball center either. Thompson, like Chris Andersen, is an exceptional offensive rebounder and always available for lobs.

There’s also symbolism in the sense that James and Duncan have mutual respect for each other going back to James’ first ever NBA Finals series. One in which the more talented and experienced San Antonio Spurs swept James’ Cleveland Cavaliers.

After the series, this is what Duncan had to say to James:

Boy, was he right. James has been to six straight NBA Finals and won three championships in this decade (so far). He’s expected to reach the NBA Finals every year now, a symbol of how far he’s grown as a player and how special a talent he is.

Because the Boston Celtics played in a league that only had 10 teams, the only player that has come close to accomplishing that feat is Michael Jordan (Jordan retired after his third consecutive championship and went to three NBA Finals afterwards).

James has never had a coach like Gregg Popovich or Phil Jackson though, one who demands respect based on the accolades and legacy he’s built during his time in the NBA, which deserves more attention than it’s gotten. When he’s on the floor, James is that coach who deserves respect based on his accolades and legacy. He’s a legendary basketball mind as well.

What other similarities do the two bear?

James is known for saying “trust the process”. Duncan is “The Big Fundamental”. Both are models of efficiency. Like James, Duncan was a dynamic two-way player, especially for his time. Both try to play the game the right way, represent the league the right way and make the right plays every time down the floor. For both, team is bigger than just them taking over as scorers.

James doesn’t have the demeanor of Duncan. James is boisterous, he can be crass, and he speaks out and up as much as possible. Duncan, like his heir Kawhi Leonard, was a quiet killer.

Nonetheless, after facing each other in three NBA Finals, the two will forever be linked together in NBA history. James passing Duncan in the record books, for me, isn’t about James’ ranks in the all-time scoring department. It’s about James doing exactly what Duncan told him he would do.

It’s about James taking over the league.

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How do you see LeBron James’ career? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.