The Sportsletter - Milestone Moments 🏀

BY JEFF YODER

MAR. 4, 2024 | SUBSCRIBE | WEB VIEW

Welcome Back 👋

Some days the news writes itself. There were no debates about top stories on this near-Spring Monday morning. Two basketball icons achieved some unbelievable scoring milestones, and one NFL prospect broke the 40-yard dash record at the combine (and simultaneously set the internet on fire). It’s a 3-up, 3-down week-starter as we continue the countdown to Madness…

⌛️ Selection Sunday: 13 Days

Letter Rip!

NBA

LeBron's 40K: Untouchable?

Photo: Kevork Dejansezian / Getty Images

LeBron James Eclipses 40,000 Career Points — Here’s Why That Record Might Never Fall

The moment came on Saturday night with the Lakers hosting the Nuggets. Early in the second quarter, LeBron James took a full head of steam into a spinning left-hand layup for another highlight we’ll be seeing replayed throughout time — the one that reached the 40,000-point milestone. Unfortunately for the Lakers, the Nuggets pulled away late (124-114) as Denver continues to spoil L.A.’s big moments. The Lakers (33-29) are still teetering on mediocrity, but that’s not our story here. LeBron’s achievement of 40,000 points is mind-blowing, and it’s a record that may never fall. In fact, I’m definitively telling you — it won’t.

NBA’s All-Time Scoring List

1. LeBron James (40,017 points)

2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,287 points)

3. Karl Malone (36,928 points)

4. Kobe Bryant (33,643 points)

5. Michael Jordan (32,292 points)

Why 40,000 Points is Untouchable

No matter where you fall on the GOAT debate (personally, I’m a 90s kid and it will always be Michael Jordan), there’s no denying LeBron’s 40K point record is likely going to stand the test of time. To put it in perspective, Stephen Curry (23,254) and Damian Lillard (20,733) would need to combine career points to surpass 40,000. They’re both 35 and 33, respectively. In order for a future challenger to emerge, a player would need to match LeBron’s scoring output — 27.1 ppg over a 21-year career — and somehow post better longevity and availability numbers. LeBron started in 62-plus games (out of 82) in 16 of his 20 seasons, and he’s on pace for it again (17/21) by this year’s conclusion. The man just never got hurt until recent minor injuries, and even then he continues to defy logic and play at a high level as he nears 40 years old.

Here are some of the active NBA superstars (top-8) and where they stand in comparison to LeBron’s record:

NBA Active Scoring Leaders

1. LeBron James (40,017 points) — Age 39

11. Kevin Durant (28,372 points) — Age 35

24. James Harden (25,628 points) — Age 34

29. Russell Westbrook (25,098 points) — Age 35

36. Stephen Curry (23,254 points) — Age 35

40. DeMar DeRozan (23,002 points) — Age 35

42. Chris Paul (22,074 points) — Age 38

50. Damian Lillard (20,733 points) — Age 33

LeBron finished Saturday night with 26 points in the loss. He’s averaging 25.3 ppg and a career-best 40.8 percent 3-point shooting this season. The Finals appearances and championships have begun to evade him more and more as he gets older, but we may never again see a player do what James is doing in Year 21.

Watch: LeBron James Breaks 40,000-Point Milestone

B/R: 6 NBA Players Most Likely to Challenge LeBron James’ 40K Points Record

🏀 Other NBA Highlights

Celtics def. Warriors (140-88)

*Boston’s 3rd 50-Point Win, 11 Straight

Clippers def. Timberwolves (89-88)

*Kawhi Leonard Puts L.A. Ahead Late

Spurs def. Pacers (117-105)

*Victor Wembanyama (31-12-6) Leads SA

Knicks def. Cavaliers (107-98)

*Josh Hart Notches Triple-Double (13-19-10)

Thunder def. Suns (118-110)

*Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (35-8-9) Leads OKC

Bucks def. Bulls (113-97)

*Giannis Drops 46 in Bucks’ 5th Straight Win

NCAA

Hawkeye History: Clark On Top

Photo: Matthew Holst / Getty Images

Caitlin Clark (35 Points) Breaks Pete Maravich’s NCAA Scoring Record — All That’s Left is an NCAA Title

With 0.3 seconds left in the first half of #6 Iowa’s senior night on Sunday afternoon, Caitlin Clark stepped to the free-throw line for a technical foul shot and a piece of history — 3,668 points. Clark passed Pete Maravich’s NCAA scoring record (men or women) in the final home game of her four-year Hawkeye career. She finished with 35 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds as #6 Iowa held on to beat #2 Ohio State (93-83) in the clash of the Big Ten’s two best teams. The Iowa faithful said goodbye to their scoring legend as she walked off the floor at Carver-Hawkeye Arena with 3,685 total points. Clark has single-handedly rewritten a host of NCAA records this season, almost too many to list. She declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft late last week. At this point, there’s only one thing she doesn’t have — an NCAA Tournament title.

Watch: Caitlin Clark Breaks Pete Maravich’s NCAA Scoring Record With Pair of Free Throws

Watch: #6 Iowa Gets Revenge on #2 Ohio State (93-83) on Senior Night

Clark Madness: Fans might recall it was Clark and Iowa who put a stop to South Carolina’s perfect season last March in the Final Four. The Gamecocks are once again undefeated as we enter March 2024, and it may take another Clark moment to topple Dawn Staley’s juggernaut. Ultimately, Iowa lost to LSU and Angel Reese in last year’s National Championship. There’s no doubt, with the record-breaking moments behind her, Clark’s only goal is raising the trophy in Cleveland on April 7.

The Athletic: Tracking Caitlin Clark’s Scoring Prowess as Iowa Senior Passes Pete Maravich

🏀 Other NCAA Highlights

W: #1 South Carolina def. Tennessee (76-68)

*SC's 2nd Straight Unbeaten Regular Season

W: Virginia def. #5 Virginia Tech (80-75)

W: #9 LSU def. Kentucky (77-56)

M: #1 Houston def. Oklahoma (87-85)

M: #2 Purdue def. Michigan State (80-74)

M: #3 UConn def. Seton Hall (91-61)

M: #4 Tennessee def. #14 Alabama (81-74)

M: #12 Creighton def. #5 Marquette (89-75)

M: #15 Baylor def. #7 Kansas (82-74)

NFL

Combine Notes: The Fastest 40

Photo: Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images

Texas WR Xavier Worthy Breaks NFL’s 40-Yard Dash Record (4.21 Seconds)

A weekend of NFL Combine action has come and gone in Indianapolis, and one moment stood out above the rest. Texas WR Xavier Worthy ran a 4.25-second first attempt in the 40-yard dash and wasn’t satisfied. He had the record (John Ross’s 4.22) on his mind. In his second run, Worthy tied it with an unofficial 4.22 and went bananas as he ran around the field. His record-setting moment broke the internet. After a few minutes of technical details (per usual), it was confirmed that Worthy clocked an official 4.21-second 40 — the new NFL combine record. He’s officially the fastest prospect in NFL Combine history.

Watch: Texas WR Xavier Worthy Breaks Combine Record With 4.21 40-Yard Dash

NFL Combine Notes

Nix, McCarthy & Penix Jr. Shine in QB Drills (Video)

Grades for Top Receiver Prospects

Top Takeaways From DL & LB On-Field Workouts

*Top prospects QB Caleb Williams (USC), QB Jayden Daniels (LSU) and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (OSU) did not participate.

ESPN: Xavier Worthy’s 40-Yard Dash Combine Record Amazes Athletes

HIGHLIGHTS 🎥

🏒 NHL

Predators def. Avalanche (5-1)

*Nashville Wins 8th Straight

Islanders def. Bruins (5-1)