Basketball is a sport where scoring plays a vital role in the outcome of the game. From long-range jumpers to thunderous dunks, every point matters. And in this game of scoring, there are some players who have elevated it to an art form. These players are the ones who have established themselves as the greatest scorers in NBA history.
Let’s take a look at some of these unstoppable scoring machines, who have left a lasting impact on the game.
1. Michael Jordan: Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, Michael Jordan is also one of the best scorers in NBA history. Jordan racked up 32,292 career points, averaging 30.1 points per game in his 15-year career. The 6-time NBA champion’s scoring feats include ten scoring titles and a 37.1 point per game average in the 1986-87 season.
2. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the most dominant big men in NBA history. The 7-foot-2 center accumulated 38,387 career points, making him the league’s all-time leading scorer. Abdul-Jabbar’s go-to move was the skyhook, which helped him score from almost any position on the court. He also averaged 24.6 points per game over his 20-year career.
3. Kobe Bryant: Kobe Bryant was one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, with an incredible ability to put the ball in the basket from anywhere on the court. The 18-time All-Star amassed 33,643 points in his 20-year career, averaging 25 points per game. Bryant is also known for his scoring records, including a 81-point performance against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.
4. Wilt Chamberlain: Wilt Chamberlain was an unstoppable force on the court, towering over his opponents at 7’1″. The Hall-of-Famer scored an impressive 31,419 points in just 15 seasons, averaging 30.1 points per game. Chamberlain is best known for his recorded 100-point game in 1962, becoming the first and only player to score that many points in a single game.
5. LeBron James: LeBron James is one of the most versatile players in NBA history, able to score from the perimeter, drive to the basket, and post up inside. James has amassed 34,241 points (and counting) in his 19-year career, averaging 27 points per game. James is also a 4-time NBA champion and a 4-time NBA MVP.
These five players have left their mark on the game of basketball, each with their distinctive style of scoring. Their passion for the game and the fans’ love for them have made them legends. And even though they may have retired from the game, their records and legacy will always be etched in NBA history.