Kyrie Irving Hails Former Teammate LeBron James As He Edges Closer to Making History

• Kyrie Irving has lauded ex-teammate LeBron James for his incredible career
• The Brooklyn Nets star said the Lakers veteran should always be celebrated
• James is set to become the NBA's all-time scorer in history by February 2023

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving enjoyed a hugely successful three years together with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

They produced one of the biggest upsets in sports history in 2016, coming back from 3-1 down to win their first-ever NBA title when they beat the Golden State Warriors 73-9.

The two left the team a few seasons later, to varying degrees of success: James won the 2020 NBA title with the Lakers, while Irving is still looking for his second championship.

Both players were the first picks in the NBA Draft for the Cavaliers. James went No. 1 in 2003, while Irving was selected first in the 2011 draft. They went to the NBA Finals in 2015, 2016 and 2017, before Irving left for the Boston Celtics.

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After losing the 2018 NBA Finals - to the Warriors again - James left to join the Lakers in free agency and took them to the finals two years later.

The 38-year-old is now a few points behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA record of 38,387. The Lakers icon has been on top of the list since 1984.

Irving lauds James

James, who is playing in his 20th season, has been breaking records this season. He recently became the first player to score at least 40 points against every NBA team he's ever faced.

Irving has since congratulated James on his longevity, per ESPN.

"We gave the keys to the whole entire business to an 18-year-old kid and now he's 38 years old and he's still dominating. I don't think we should be surprised. I think we should congratulate and celebrate him as much as possible. Continue to enjoy the shows that he put on because it's not going to be for too much longer."

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Barring any serious injury, the Lakers' superstar will become the all-time NBA scoring leader and it may take another four decades before someone else breaks it.

He is 117 points away from the record, and ESPN projects that he will surpass Abdul-Jabbar sometime in February 2023.

James makes All-Star history

The four-time NBA MVP tied Abdul-Jabbar for the most All-Star appearances in NBA history.

The 2023 event will be the sixth consecutive year James is a captain and the 19th consecutive year that he'll be an All-Star, per CBS Sports.

The only other active players with double-digit appearances in the All-Star game are Kevin Durant (12), James Harden (10) and Chris Paul (12).

Irving on James: fans react

@LeBronican:

"'We gave the keys of the entire business to an 18 year old kid' - that’s fire"

@itsdilli:

"I think it would be cool if lebron picked kyrie for his all star team, wanna see both of em on the same side again."

LeBron James reminded hilariously reminded how long he's been in the NBA

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@sharmake_b:

"Ppl tried to turn them into enemies couple of months ago but they are brothers, blessed to have been able to watch that duo fr."

@OnMySooie

"Haters worst nightmare is hearing anyone speak kindly about LeBron."

@JoshM__92:

"Rare, very rare, extremely rare, Kyrie W."

James on breaking his record

Sports Brief earlier reported on James naming a few players who could surpass his inevitable scoring record.

The Lakers star said Kevin Durant is the most likely player to outdo him because of his versatility on the court.

He also added that the likes of Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Irving have a chance if they stay healthy.