Kareem Abdul-Jabbar might have mixed feelings when his scoring record gets broken ... but John Salley says the Lakers legend should ultimately be proud to pass the torch to LeBron James when he passes the Hall of Famer on the all-time list.
The 4-time NBA champ broke it down for TMZ Sports at LAX ... comparing the situation to another sports record that many believe to be impossible to break.
"The same way my boy Eric Dickerson thinks about anybody trying to break his record ... you don't want nobody to break your record!" the 58-year-old told us.
Nonetheless, Salley still believes Kareem will come around and give James his flowers when the Lakers star beats his record of 38,387 points.
"I think Kareem will take his hat off to him, be proud of him," Salley said. "He should."
Salley's comment may come off as shocking since he didn't believe LeBron was gonna break Kareem's record to begin with ... saying on Shannon Sharpe's Club Shay Shay podcast a few months ago, "I think they’re not going to let him get it."
He's obviously had a change of heart since then ... saying, statistically, James will be "the greatest player to ever play" and the way he carries himself off the court is admirable.
"What he's doing in television, film, the dude has definitely set the bar what a professional athlete is supposed to do," Salley said.
"I said I didn't think anybody was ever gonna break his record, but I'm so happy LeBron is breaking his record."
James is only a few points away from becoming the all-time scorer ... and barring something crazy, it's definitely happening.
Get those champagne bottles ready!!