3 NBA records LeBron James can break with Lakers this season

2. Oldest NBA MVP in history

Three of the greatest players to ever play the game, Karl Malone, Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, hold the distinction for being the oldest players to ever win NBA MVP. Malone was the oldest as he won the award at 35 years old (which Jordan also did) but turned 36 in July of that year. Jordan didn’t turn 36 until January of the following year.

As of right now, LeBron James is already 36 years old and would be 37 by the time the award is handed out. If he were to capture MVP honors, he would undoubtedly be the oldest to ever do so above those other legends.

The big keys for James winning NBA MVP are two-fold. First, the Lakers have to turn their season around. Despite his elite numbers this season, the award isn’t going to LeBron if he’s on a barely-above .500 team. Beyond that, though, James has to stay on the floor. He’s already missed 12 games this season. But if those two things happen, the numbers are there for him to be heavily in consideration, speaking to his greatness.

1. Pass Karl Malone for second on all-time scoring list

Before his career ends, one of the records that James is chasing is the aforementioned Kareem’s record of being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer. The Lakers superstar won’t hit that mark this season — but he could move into second past another legend already mentioned, Malone.

The Mailman currently holds down the No. 2 spot with 36,928 career points scored in the league. Through 28 games in the season and 16 games played, James sits at 35,787.

Currently averaging 26.3 points per game, if he could play 45 more games — which would give him leeway to miss five additional contests — James would end the season with 36,970 career points, putting him ahead of Malone and leaving only Abdul-Jabbar left to surpass.