Miami’s LeBron James close to joining 20K club

MANILA, Philippines – Miami Heat star LeBron James is set to become the youngest player in NBA history to score 20,000 points.

The three-time regular season MVP will have his first crack at becoming the 38th player to eclipse the 20,000 plateau when the Heat visit the Golden State Warriors on Thursday (Manila time). James needs only 18 points to reach the historic mark.

James will take the honor and record away from Kobe Bryant – who eclipsed the mark when he was 29 years and 122 days old – as the 2012 Finals MVP will be 28 years and 17 days if he achieves the feat in his next game.

James is mindful of the impending achievement and is excited to be part of a special club.

"It'll be big time. I'm not going to shy away from that. I'm not a big stats guy as far as individual, but that'll be pretty cool," James said in a report by The Associated Press.

James has broken numerous youngest records in what is clearly becoming a first-ballot Hall of Fame career. These include winning the Rookie of the Year Award, recording a triple-double, scoring 1,000 and 10,000 points, and winning MVP honors at an All-Star game.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar holds the record for most career points with 38,387, while James’ idol, Michael Jordan has amassed a total of 32,292 points in his NBA career.

James is on pace to get past his boyhood idol and has a legitimate shot to break the record for most points scored if he keeps up this pace and play until his 40’s like the durable Jabbar.