Richard Jefferson compares LeBron’s scoring record to Joe DiMaggio

LeBron James passed Michael Jordan to move to first on the all-time NBA Playoff scoring list, and Richard Jefferson says that, by the time he’s done, it will be among the most untouchable records in sports.

“I want to be the first one to say this: His record when he’s done, will be unbreakable. I want to put this out there, like, the Joe DiMaggio hit streak, some of these records, Wilt Chamberlain scoring 100. There are certain records that will unbreakable. Whoever tries to get to that is going to have to play in 10 NBA Finals and average 30 points a game to get there. Let’s put that in perspective. That’s impossible. What he’s doing right now is obviously on a level that has never been seen before, to pass Michael Jordan when you’re still in the prime of your career, one of the greats of all time. That record will be unbreakable. If he adds another 1,000 points, who is going to be able to come in and go to 10 NBA Finals in this modern age, in this modern day, just to have an opportunity to do that?”

Assuming there is no calamitous injury to James, Jefferson isn’t wrong here. James has averaged 581 points per playoffs over his last six runs to the Finals, not including this year’s run, which could have him around the 600-point mark.

If the Cavaliers make even two more runs to the Finals, which seems comfortably in the realm of possibility, James will be more than 1,000 points ahead of his competition. That’s just two more seasons. Even if the Cavaliers don’t continue making the Finals, it’s not like they’ll fall out of the Playoffs any time soon. James is likely going to add at least 2,000 points here, and that feels pretty insurmountable.

Some of the greatest players to ever play the game only made six or seven Finals, and LeBron is already on trip eight to the final round of the Playoffs. It’s certainly possible we have a new android that takes over the league that never gets hurt while scoring at an unbelievable consistency while also being savvy enough to make sure that he’s playing for title contenders.

But it’s certainly not likely.