Dirk Nowitzki addresses GOAT discussion between LeBron and Jordan / News - Basketnews.com

Dirk Nowitzki says he has always been on the side of Jordan in the GOAT debate, but if LeBron James surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the NBA scoring record, he is sort of running out of arguments for Michael.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

On Christmas Day, Dirk Nowitzki received special recognition from the Dallas Mavericks franchise with an impressive statue outside the American Airlines Center.

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Following the ceremony, Nowitzki addressed his former NBA Finals competitor's -- LeBron James' -- place in NBA history and the GOAT race between the Los Angeles Lakers leader and legendary Michael Jordan.

"It's tremendous that he can still play like this in Year 20. His athleticism is incredible, I'm happy for him," Nowitzki praised 'King James'.

"I always say Michael Jordan is the GOAT, but if [James] really surpasses Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] with the scoring record, I'm sort of running out of arguments for Michael," Nowitzki pointed out.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the NBA's all-time top scorer with 38,387 points. Second-placed LeBron James is trailing by 629 points, as he has dropped 37,758 throughout his career.

LeBron, 37, is expected to break Kareem's record during the 2022-23 season.

He averages 27.8 points over 25 games this season. The Lakers are set to play 49 more matches in 2022-23.

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