Confident LeBron James Presents GOAT Credentials in Interview With Shaquille O’Neal: Video

• Shaquille O’Neal asked LeBron who the GOAT is after he broke the all-time scoring record
• James made an interesting remark on why he was the greatest basketball player in history
• Fellow NBA players tweeted support for James in the GOAT debate after he set the scoring mark

LeBron James is making it tough for Michael Jordan fans to argue that 'His Airness' is the GOAT and not him.

The Los Angeles Lakers star added one more achievement to his long list of accolades, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s career-scoring leader on Tuesday night.

Needing 36 to eclipse Kareem’s long-standing record, LeBron went past what was required, scoring 38 points in the loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The record now stands at 38,890 career points, with James set to extend that mark in the years ahead, according to CBS Sports.

LeBron James stands alone: Lakers star passes Kareem Abdul Jabbar to become NBA’s all time scoring leader

NBA

Jordan, who is LeBron’s main rival in the NBA's GOAT race, is just ranked fifth in that department, with a total of 32,292 points to his name.

Shaq asks the GOAT question

Shaquille O’Neal, who covered the game for TNT, talked to James after the contest and asked him about the GOAT race.

Shaq asked LeBron if he believes that becoming the league’s career scoring leader cements in his mind his status as the greatest ever to play in the NBA.

LeBron tried to deflect the Big Diesel’s question, saying:

"I'm going to let everybody else decide who that is, or just talk about it. But it's great barbershop talk."

O’Neal was not having LeBron’s reply, though. He pressed the four-time MVP to give a more direct and honest answer, telling him:

NBA players and legends react to LeBron James breaking the scoring record

NBA

"I want to hear you say it, Bron Bron."

Backed into a corner, James finally let out his true feelings about the GOAT race.

"Listen big fella, me personally, I'm going to take myself against anybody that's ever played this game."

James ceded that every person had their favourite, but he knows what he has brought to the table.

"...What I can do out on this floor. I always feel like I'm the best to ever play this game, but there are so many other great ones, and I'm happy to just be a part of their journey."

Players react to LeBron's achievement

Sports Brief recently reported on NBA players’ reactions to LeBron breaking the NBA's all-time scoring record.

Among the stars to tweet congratulations to the Lakers forward were Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry, Jaylen Brown and Larry Nance Jr.

Brown and Nance Jr. lent their support to LeBron in the GOAT debate, writing that James is indeed the greatest ever.