The game of basketball is all about scoring points, and putting the ball in the basket is what separates the elite players from the average ones. Throughout the history of the NBA, there have been players who have dominated the game offensively, putting up incredible scoring numbers season after season. Here are the ten best scoring seasons in NBA history and the players who had the most dominant offensive performances.
1. Wilt Chamberlain – 1961-62: 50.4 PPG
Wilt Chamberlain’s 1961-62 season remains the gold standard for scoring in the league. The Big Dipper put up an eye-popping 50.4 points per game, a record that still stands today more than five decades later. Chamberlain accomplished this incredible feat while shooting over 50% from the field and leading the league in rebounds.
2. Michael Jordan – 1986-87: 37.1 PPG
Michael Jordan had a year for the ages in 1986-87, scoring 37.1 points per game while leading the Chicago Bulls to a playoff appearance. Jordan did it all on the offensive end, shooting an efficient 48% from the field and 85% from the free-throw line.
3. Kobe Bryant – 2005-06: 35.4 PPG
Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest scorers of his generation, and his 2005-06 season was his best. Bryant averaged 35.4 points per game, leading the league in scoring for the first time in his career. He also added 5.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, highlighting his all-around skills as a player.
4. Wilt Chamberlain – 1962-63: 44.8 PPG
Wilt Chamberlain’s dominance continued in the 1962-63 season, as he averaged 44.8 points per game while leading the Philadelphia Warriors to a playoff appearance. Chamberlain also led the league in rebounds and field goal percentage, cementing his place as one of the greatest players of all time.
5. Elgin Baylor – 1961-62: 38.3 PPG
Elgin Baylor was a scoring machine in the early 1960s, and his 1961-62 season was one of the best in NBA history. Baylor averaged 38.3 points per game while leading the Lakers to the NBA Finals. He also added 18.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, showcasing his all-around skills as a player.
6. Michael Jordan – 1987-88: 35.0 PPG
Michael Jordan’s incredible scoring stretch continued in 1987-88, as he averaged 35.0 points per game while leading the Bulls to a playoff appearance. Jordan also added 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game, demonstrating his versatility as a player.
7. Rick Barry – 1966-67: 35.6 PPG
Rick Barry was one of the great scorers of the 1960s, and his 1966-67 season was one for the ages. Barry averaged 35.6 points per game while leading the San Francisco Warriors to the playoffs. He also added 9.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game, making him one of the most versatile players of his era.
8. LeBron James – 2005-06: 31.4 PPG
LeBron James burst onto the scene in 2005-06, averaging 31.4 points per game while leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the playoffs. James also added 7.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, showcasing his all-around talent and potential as a player.
9. Bob McAdoo – 1974-75: 34.5 PPG
Bob McAdoo was one of the great scorers of the 1970s, and his 1974-75 season was his best. McAdoo put up 34.5 points per game while leading the Buffalo Braves to the playoffs. He also added 14.1 rebounds per game, making him one of the most dominant forces on the court.
10. George Gervin – 1979-80: 33.1 PPG
George Gervin was a scoring machine in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and his 1979-80 season was his best. Gervin averaged 33.1 points per game while leading the San Antonio Spurs to the playoffs. He also added 5.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, making him one of the most complete players in the league.
In conclusion, these are the ten best scoring seasons in NBA history and the players who had the most dominant offensive performances. From Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 1961-62 season to Michael Jordan’s incredible scoring stretch in the late 1980s, these players transcended the game with their scoring prowess and left an indelible mark on the NBA record books. While the game may have evolved over the years, the ability to score the basketball at a high level remains one of the most prized skills in all of basketball.