Second on the all-time scoring list? Durant looks at the numbers and reflects: The legends have set the bar too high

On January 31st Beijing time, where would Durant rank in total points scored upon retirement? Recently, he calculated the numbers with a reporter and then remarked that the predecessors have set the threshold too high.

NBA reporter Ellis told Durant after doing the math: To overtake Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and claim the second spot on the all-time scoring list, Durant must average 25 points per game across the next 268 contests he participates in.

Durant admitted he is uncertain if he can achieve this, and also mentioned that this might not be a goal he intentionally pursues.

“I never want to put limits on myself, but those who came before set the bar way too high,” Durant said. “Just look at the top three or four scorers in history — you have to compete in the league for at least 20 seasons to even approach that mark, and maintain elite performance throughout those 15 to 20 years. So I prefer to take it naturally — play in the league a bit longer, maybe over 20 years, and then see where I end up. If I do make it into that group, great; if not, I just want to keep playing basketball in the league.”

The reporter also mentioned not calculating LeBron James’s points because he felt Durant wouldn’t catch up to LeBron.Durant responded, “No one can catch his record.”

At 37 years old, Durant is in his 18th NBA season, which is also his first season with the Houston Rockets.

Despite his age, Durant is still posting an average of 26.5 points per game this season. Since his rookie year in 2007-08, he has never averaged below 25 points in any single season.

As a 15-time All-Star, 4-time scoring champion, 2-time NBA champion, 2-time Finals MVP, and 1-time regular season MVP, Durant currently ranks sixth on the all-time scoring list with 31,736 points, trailing only LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan.

Surpassing LeBron James’s all-time scoring record of 42,821 points seems unrealistic, but the gap between Durant and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 points is within a more achievable range.

Of course, Durant’s health will be the key factor in whether he can reach this goal, and injuries have troubled him in recent years.

However, two seasons ago Durant played 75 games, and so far this season with the Rockets, he has appeared in 44 out of 46 games, suggesting that his pursuit of Kareem’s record might not be entirely out of reach.