One game ago, LeBron James stood equal with Michael Jordan. Tonight, emulating the iconic fadeaway, the same shot that gave him the scoring record, the King went past His Airness. In his 30-point clinique against the Hawks, James surpassed MJ as the player with the most 30-point games in NBA history. For the 40-year-old, breaking records has now become a norm he follows. But how impressive is his latest achievement?

Having played nearly 500 games more than Jordan, the record for scoring seemed to be an obvious interception point for LeBron James. However, when one factor in his mindset as a ‘playmaker’, it adds some weight to the accolade. Robert Horry though is seeing things beyond that. He acknowledges James by spotting a niche talent that exists only in generational players.

The seven-time NBA champ played with Kobe Bryant, a certified workhorse. “Every day he was adding something to his game. That’s what the great ones do,” Horry said on Lakers Recap. Those qualities are what he also sees in LeBron James having found various ways to remain highly productive even in his 22nd season.

“His three-point percentage was kinda down, it went up. His assists were down, they went up. So that’s a testament to him as a player who wants to always get better. Because I’ve played with a lot of great players who didn’t want to work to get better. This guy is on the other side of the hill going down and he’s still working to get better and he’s getting better,” said an awestruck Robert Horry.

What’s common between the trifecta of most basketball fans’ greatest three players is their work ethic. With 22 years and an illuminating career, LeBron James is still hungry. He not only enjoys being the first one in the gym but considers it to be his duty for the goals he has set out for. It’s hardly possible to witness someone adorn their game with more gifts this late in their career.

But as an “amazed” Horry proclaims, the great ones just find a way.

How LeBron James is improving in his 22nd season as a player

When you think about it, LeBron James has had phases of his career where a certain skill has been his highlight. As an 18-year-old rookie, his nuclear athleticism made him unreachable in transition. Then as he matured, his fundamentals began to reach their pinnacle. Today, James can’t just over the rim or move as quickly as he can.

However, he still does it at an elite standard. Even at 40, the Akron Hammer is only one of the most prolific transition scorers in this league. Yet, for the first time he is playing a different role away from the ball and as the second fiddle to Anthony Davis. Still, these last two years have been some of the best of his career.

Of his top three three-point shooting seasons, two have been in the last two years. This year, his 38.2% from range is the second-highest for the Los Angeles Lakers. Another improvement comes with his efficient playmaking. In terms of usage, this season ranks as the third-least for LeBron James, an expected mark.

However, he is still producing close to nine assists while posting one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios of his career. That’s the quality of an all-time great. No matter the shift in era or his own role, LeBron James finds ways to continue being a threat to the opposition. This season, his jump shooting and playmaking have heightened under JJ Redick.

And it still feels like he has a lot more to offer to the game even when he is at the twilight of his glistening career.