LeBron James Ties Kobe Bryant And Charles Barkley In NBA Record Book

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers embarrassed the Toronto Raptors last night in a game that was over from the time the ball was tossed up for tip-off. In the process, James joined Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant in the history books.

Stop me if you heard this one this one before. Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James joins the company of all-time greats in the record book. This time, James made history against the Toronto Raptors as he dominated Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, tying himself to Charles Barkley and Kobe Bryant in the process.

James had a double-double with 35 points and 10 rebounds and added in four assists, one steal and one block while continuing to keep his turnovers down (3 turnovers in 41 minutes). He shot 13-23 from the field, 2-5 from three-point range and 7-8 from the free-throw line.

He called it a “feel out” game and he truly didn’t look like he was pressing, or that there was pressure for the Cavs, at any moment. In his postgame interview, James stood on the court and said that he could be “better”.

I’m sorry for your loss Toronto.

Within the first three-minutes of the game, James finished an alley-oop off the glass after directing Kyrie Irving to throw the lob off the backboard. The fans almost tore the roof down after that play.

The Cavs, and the King, were just getting started.

James flew around on both ends of the court, disrupting ball-movement and shot attempts while finding his way inside the restricted area time and time again for easy baskets and foul attempts. He hit outside jumpers. He fake-sipped a beer after missing a layup attempt.

He was a man among boys and a King holding court with serfs.

P.J. Tucker, who the Raptors hoped would slow James down, was invisible. Before the game Tucker didn’t believe he would have an effect on the King’s performance and he was right (quote transcribed by Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun.

"“I don’t think his game changes,” said Tucker. “I think for the most part, when he’s aggressive and he’s trying to score the ball and he’s going, I don’t think it matters (what I do).”"

In fact, when James tied Kobe with 88 career playoff games of 30 or more points, a feat that has only been surpassed by Michael Jordan’s 109 playoff games of 30 or more points, James ran right through Tucker on his way to the rim.

With his final rebound of the game, James tied Barkley for 12th in playoff history with 92 career double-doubles.

It’s interesting that James has once again matched up with Bryant in the record-books as passing him in scoring-related category in the playoffs, including 30-point games, should shift the narrative on James’ ability to not only elevate his game in the playoffs or be an outstanding scorer within them at the level of Bryant (whose ability to elevate his game in the playoffs and be a scorer within them was the closest to Jordan’s).

Tying Barkley, who the King has called “a hater”, is interesting as well. Barkley was one of the forefathers of the undersized point-forward or tweener-forwards that we see prevalent in the NBA today. James, who is the best point-forward or “tweener” in NBA history, matching Barkley in playoff double-doubles is an ode to their scoring and passing prowess in addition to their toughness and strength inside.

James only needs 25 points to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in career playoff points. He could get that done as early as Game 2, which would be an incredible sight and memory for the home crowd.

Related Story: Is The Kobe-LeBron Debate Finally Over?

What do you think of LeBron James making history, again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section or Twitter @KJG_NBA.