‘Face of the NBA’ LeBron James fuels GOAT debates after 50,000th point creates 11,721 points-plus separation from Michael Jordan 

LeBron James, the face of the NBA, has achieved a new milestone that will fuel GOAT (greatest of all time) debates between him and Michael Jordan for the next few weeks. In Tuesday's clash against the New Orleans Pelicans, the four-time MVP recorded his 50,000th career point in the regular season and playoffs combined. James achieved the feat in the first quarter. James hit a 3 from the left wing.

Here's the play:

He created an 11,723-point (and counting) separation from Michael Jordan, who finished his career with 38,279 points. LeBron James needed one point to achieve the one-of-one milestone. He was also the first and only player to reach 40,000 points in the regular season.

James has 41,841 points, and counting in the regular season alone, more than what Jordan scored combined, including his playoffs tally. However, Jordan didn't play as long as James. He retired twice before returning and lost significant time in the NBA. After debuting in 1985, Jordan played 15 seasons. He played only 18 games in his second year because of injury.

Michael Jordan suited up in 17 games during the 1994-95 season after unretiring and re-joining the Bulls. He made the playoffs 13 times and played 179 postseason games. The six-time NBA champion still has the best points-per-game average, though. Jordan scored 30.1 ppg in the regular season and 33.4 ppg in the playoffs.

On the other hand, LeBron James has averaged 27.1 ppg in the regular season and across 22 years and 28.4 ppg in the playoffs in 17 postseason appearances.

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LeBron James and Michael Jordan's fans engage in heated arguments after Lakers superstar's 50k points milestone

As expected, it didn't take too long for LeBron James and Michael Jordan's fans to engage in aggressive debates about who the GOAT is after the Lakers superstar scored his 50,000th point on Tuesday, outscoring Jordan by over 11,721 points. While some believed the debate was over and James was ahead by miles, others said Jordan was still the best, despite his successor's one-of-one record.

Here's what one fan on X wrote:

"Stats versus sheer will to win - MJ all day, everyday for all time."

Another said:

"It was over after Bron beat the 73 win Warriors. The gap is now a country mile."

One fan wrote:

"What happened? Did they magically give LeBron more rings?"

One fan said:

"The GOAT conversation was over in 2018."

One fan tweeted: