A look back at LeBron James’ most iconic Heat buckets after hitting 39,000-point mark

Another day, another record set by LeBron James.

The 19-time All-Star became the first player in NBA history to score 39,000 points Tuesday evening in the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the Utah Jazz.

James’ latest achievement might have seemed like the inevitable – he has been one of the NBA’s best players for nearly two decades – yet people still forget that he turns 39 at the end of December. He shouldn’t still be this good.

With the start of the 2023-24 season, James officially has been a Laker longer than he was a member of Heat, an organization that is near and dear to the Akron, Ohio native’s heart. Still, in his four seasons in Miami, James scored 7,919 points – roughly 20 percent of career total — and treated fans to countless highlights and, of course, back-to-back championships.

So in honor of James’ historical achievement, here’s a look back at five of his most iconic moments as a member of the Heat.

Dec. 6, 2010, Heat vs. Bucks

This might be the most iconic image from the Heatles era.

You know the play. Your mother knows the play. Your mother’s mother knows the play.

Dwyane Wade on the fast break. A smooth, no-look drop off to James who throws down a thunderous, right-hand slam.

Simply beautiful. The best part is, this was at the beginning of their four-year run. And while the Heat ended up besting the Bucks 88-78 behind Wade’s 25 points and 14 rebounds, LeBron didn’t have the best game. But that doesn’t mater. All that matters is the image of Wade, arms spread wide , as James powers home the dunk.

Ahhh what a time to be alive.

Jan. 29, 2012, Heat vs. Bulls

5-foot-11.

That’s how tall John Lucas III is. LeBron still somehow managed to jump over him to finish the one-handed alley-oop slam.

LeBron cleared him like it was nothing. What James did should be illegal in the United States. Lucas has a mother. A father. A brother. And James still did him like that.

The look James gave him afterwards just made it 10-times worse. Hopefully Lucas is somewhere living his best life.

Feb. 12, 2014, Heat vs. Warriors

You probably thought this was going to be all dunks. Guess again.

With the clock winding down and the Heat down by two to the Warriors, LeBron took a few dribbles to his left before planting his right foot and hitting a huge stepback three over the outstretched arm of Andre Iguodala with just .1 second on the clock.

Then came the birth of LeBron’s now infamous celebration: the silencer.

Although the Heat would get the best of the Warriors 111-110, the Dubs would become a thorn in LeBron’s side for subsequent years.

March 18, 2013, Heat vs. Celtics

If what LeBron did to Lucas was disrespectful, what LeBron did to Jason Terry was downright insulting.

The Celtics and the Heat have had bad blood for quite some time. And when LeBron caught the lob from Norris Cole and put Terry on the poster, the tensions only rose.

What made this game particularly special was that it was the Heat’s first win in Boston since the Big 3 formed and the dub occurred during the Heat’s 27-game win streak, the second highest in NBA history.

Plus, you’re not going to convince me that LeBron didn’t put a little extra on this slam as Terry had been a member of the Dallas Mavericks squad that embarrassed the Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals. Revenge comes in all packages.

Dec. 20, 2013, Heat vs. Kings

What LeBron did to rookie Ben McLemore could be considered child abuse in some countries.

A 19-year-old McLemore saw LeBron driving down the lane, decided to slide over and try to take the charge. The result? A right-hand tomahawk and new poster courtesy of LeBron Raymone James Sr.

Much respect to McLemore for trying to stand on business, but was it truly worth it? You were just 19! Only a few months into your NBA career! Just get out the way!

For James, it was likely just another dunk. But for McLemore, who likely grew up watching LeBron, it’s a moment that his friends probably roasted him about for for quite some time.