Top Ten Thursday: Top Ten Scorers in NBA History

Every Thursday I will post a top ten list and this weeks top ten was inspired by the discussion by Colin Cowherd of ESPN Radio about Carmello Anthony.  He brought up a excellent point I have said for many years: a Great Scorer is different than a Great Player.  For example, Carmello Anthony is a great scorer, but LeBron James is a great player.  Great players can score but they also play defense, rebound, and make their teammates better.  Great Scorers can become Great Players, but the two are not the same, as you will see by my top ten list.  Some of the all time greats are on there, but some names you may not recognize or remember. 

To be on my list, here are my requirements: Must of scored an average of 20 points per game in atleast 9 seasons and have led the NBA in scoring atleast once.  This standard eliminates

*Carmelo Anthony (who never led the NBA in scoring but has averaged 20 plus per game 12 times)

*Julius Erving (Who led the ABA in scoring 3 times, not the NBA, averaged 20 plus per game nine times)

*Tracy McGrady (Only averaged 20 plus ppg eight times but led NBA in scoring twice)

*Earl Monroe (never led NBA in scoring and only averaged 20 plus seven times in his career)

*Rick Barry (Led the NBA in scoring once but only averaged 20 plus ppg eight times in the NBA, four times in the ABA)

So here is my list:

10. Bernard King

*Averaged 20 plus points per game: 11 seasons
*Led NBA in scoring: 1 time - 1984-1985
While many people remember Bernard King for his amazing playoff scoring output while he was a New York Knick, he averaged 20 plus points for four different teams (Nets, Knicks, Bullets, and Warriors).  King was not the most amazing scorer in NBA history but he was consistantly a scoring threat for over a decade.  Remember, we put guys in the Hall of Fame for longevity, so why not a place for these guys on a top ten list?

9. Alex English

*Averaged 20 plus points per game: 10 seasons
*Led NBA in scoring: 1 time - 1982-1983
For ten seasons Alex English was a Denver Nugget and for those ten years who was an electric scorer.  He gets overlooked in NBA history because he played for the Nuggets when they were a lackluster franchise in the 1980's.  Yet English was a eight time All-Star and was more than a great scorer, he was also a good rebounder and defender.  Of course being a "good" all around player gets you money and staying power in the NBA.

8. LeBron James

*Averaged 20 plus points per game: 10 seasons
*Led NBA in scoring: 1 time - 2007-2008
James has average 20 plus points every year he has been in the NBA!  There is only one other player on this list who has gone his entire career averaging 20 plus per game.  The story of James' career is still being written but a scoring title, 3 NBA MVP awards, and nine All-Star Game selections is a great resume to start with.

7. Shaquille O'Neal

*Averaged 20 plus points per game: 14 seasons
*Led NBA in scoring: 2 times - 1994-1995 and 1999-2000
When I think of Shaq, I think of a dominant center and one of the all time greats in NBA history. But along with being 15 time All-Star and 3-time NBA Finals MVP, O'Neal was a dominant scorer. He would be higher on my scoring list if it wasnt for injuries as his career came to a finish and mediocre free throw shooting through out his career. In his prime if Shaq wanted to score, none of his peers were stopping him. And thats the truth.

6. Kobe Bryant

*Averaged 20 plus points per game: 14 seasons
*Led NBA in scoring: 2 times - 2005-2006, 2006-2007
One of the reasons Kobe is a great all-time scorer is because he is one of the most competitive players in NBA history.  Kobe has this "switch" which allows him to score at will and he is one of the most clutch scorers in the game.  He also scored 80 plus points in a game.  He may end up higher on this list when his career is over and may finish top three all time in scoring in NBA history.

5. George Gervin

*Averaged 20 plus points per game: 9 seasons
*Led NBA in scoring: 4 times - 1977-1978, 1978-1979, 1979-1980, 1981-1982
"The Iceman" was a leathal scorer and gets overlooked at times because he played for the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls back in the day when the Spurs and Bulls never made deep playoff runs.  He is one of the few players who was able to translate his game from being a dominant ABA star to being a great scorer in the NBA also. 

4. Allen Iverson

*Averaged 20 plus points per game: 14 seasons
*Led NBA in scoring: 4 times - 1998-1999, 2000-2001, 2001-2002, 2004-2005
The smallest player on this list is also one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history.  Iverson found numerous ways to score and he was able to do so even when his team had no other scoring option but him.  Everyone knew Iverson was going to score and defenses still couldnt stop him many times.  Being a steal master on defense also helped add to his threat as a scorer because of his blazing speed in transition.  Iverson also crossed up the legendary Michael Jordan and then scored on a jumper.  How many other players in NBA history can say "I crossed up Jordan and scored"?

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

*Averaged 20 plus points per game: 17 seasons
*Led NBA in scoring:  2 times - 1970-1971, 1971-1972
The All time leading scorer in NBA history is not just because of longevity, it was because he had the ultimate weapon for player over seven feet tall: the Skyhook.  With that famous shot and his prowess for scoring, Kareem was more than a great scorer, he was dominant in an era with numerous talented big men attempting to stop him.  He also has the most 20 plus ppg seasons in NBA history on his resume.

2. Wilt Chamberlin

*Averaged 20 plus points per game: 14 seasons
*Led NBA in scoring: 7 times - 1959-1960, 1960-1961, 1961-1962, 1962-1963, 1963-1964, 1964-1965, 1965-1966
If leading the league in scoring for 7 straight years isnt amazing enough, Wilt averaged a minimum of 30 points per game nine times!  One of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game was such a prolific scorer the rules were changed to stop him.  From the NCAA banning dunking in the collegiate game to the Five Seconds In the Paint rule in the NBA, players and rules committees all tried to stop Wilt from scoring.  Instead of stopping Chamberlin, he found new ways to score each year.

1. Michael Jordan

*Averaged 20 plus points per game: 11 seasons
*Led NBA in scoring: 10 times - 1986-1987, 1987-1988, 1988-1989, 1989-1990, 1990-1991, 1991-1992, 1992-1993, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, 1997-1998
The man who is known by many as the "Greatest Of All time" was also the greatest scorer.  He led the NBA in scoring ten times, averaged minimum of 30 points per game ten times, and had numerous game winning shots through out his career.  He was the most competitive and driven man in NBA history and that attitude allowed him to score against all odds and see openings in defenses that other players never thought of.  Jordan was more than a great scored, he scored whenever he wanted.  Even at age 39, Michael was averaging 20 points per game.

Honorable Mentions for Great NBA Scorers: Jerry West (13 seasons 20+ ppg), Dominique Wilkins (13 seasons 20+ ppg), Dwayne Wade (9 seasons 20+ ppg), Pete Maravich (8 seasons 20+ ppg), Kevin Durant (6 seasons 20+ ppg)

Thoughts on 2011 NBA Finals

It took six games and a couple comebacks but the Dallas Mavericks reigned in their first NBA Championship in franchise history. This championship is a big deal for many of the players on the Mavs because they have played many years in the NBA awaiting their chance to get a ring. The average age of their starting lineup in Game 6 is 31.4 years of age. Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Tyson Chandler, Jason Terry, DeShawn Stevenson, Peja Stojakovic, and Brendan Haywood have all been in the league for atleast 9 years so this year was their shot at getting a title. All of those guys were First Round draft picks who have had very productive careers and half of the players on the Mavs roster have been NBA All Star selections at some point in their careers.

In contrast, the Miami Heat's starting lineup for Game 6 had an average age of 27 years old and only three players got any serious playing time had been in the league atleast 10 seasons. As the series came to a close the Heat as a team played with no urgency or passion. It was as if in the back of their minds they believed that they would get more chances at winning a title so they backed off against the Mavs. LeBron James passed up numerous shots, Dwayne Wade had an off shooting night, while Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem looked lost at times.

One of the difficult answers to figure out is whether the Heat's poor fourth quarter play in this series is a reflection of their Head Coach Erik Spoelstra or a reflection of team leadership. Spoelstra has said all the right things in this series until Game 6 when he used the term "mental stability" in describing his team. I remember back when Spoelstra said during the regular season that players were "crying" in the locker room after a loss and then the team caught fire heading into the Postseason. But to question professional athletes "mental stability" when talking to the media is not a shrewed move by a man who has been around NBA players for decade.

On the flip side, the players after the game seemed disapointed yet fine with the fact that they lost the series. For all the whitty comments and professional experience in the NBA and international competition, both Wade and LeBron had nothing productive or insightful to say after the game. While Wade came across as if he felt like it was all a weird dream, LeBron has grown spiteful towards the public and media. When he said at the post-game press conference that he is going to "enjoy" his life while everyone complaining about him have to wake up to "their lives" he was basically giving the middle finger to the world. For a guy who came from almost poverty, has wanted people to like him, and has had a tumultuous personal life, he has taken the position of him against the world.

LeBron and Dirk are polar opposites in how they have handled criticism over the last few years. While the criticism and negativity has fueled the drive in Dirk to become great, LeBron has reacted as to say "So winning back to back MVP awards and taking a mediocre team to the NBA Finals is not good enough for everyone?!?" LeBron is still 26 year old super talent and he has the opportunity to be considered as one of the greatest of all time in NBA history, if he wants it bad enough.

Yet Dirk, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Jason Terry and the Mavericks wanted to defy the odds and reach for what they have worked their entire careers for: a championship. With age comes wisdom and the Mavs are a roster full of clutch, veteran saavy guys who were willing to sacrifice ego for the ring. When the Mavs acquired Tyson Chandler in the off season he filled a major void of a defensive leader. Dallas has been known for over a decade as a team with many offensive weapons but their defense had been lousy for years so Chandler helped change their play as a team.

Much credit should be given to Dallas Head Coaach Rick Carlisle. Carlisle had been prematurely fired twice in his career when had done a good job with both the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers. He was never given the chance by those franchises to finish the job he started. Mavs owner Mark Cuban understood this and was willing to give Carlisle the time needed to not just change the culture in Dallas but also fail. People forget that the best coaches and players are not the one's who are immediate successful but those who learn through experience how to be great. Carlisle deserves a lot of credit for how he coached this team, how he managed player's minutes and how he allowed veterans such as Kidd, Chandler, and Dirk to lead this team through their playoff run.

In the end, the team that wanted it more and was deeper talent wise won the 2011 NBA Finals. Sure Miami has the Big Three of LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh but the rest of their roster is full of guys who are past their primes or are just solid role players. Meanwhile the Mavericks have five players who have been multiple time All Star selections and are a roster of true professionals. Maybe instead of being indifferent the Miami Heat should take the time to learn something for the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks.

In Defense of LeBron James

I have always been conflicted about LeBron James. Coming out of High School I felt there was too much hype. When he took the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals I applauded him and his ability to carry a team on his back. When he had "The Decision" on ESPN I thought he was being arrogant but respected his desire to want to win. I am not really a "LeBron Fan"; I respect him and think he is the best all-around player in the NBA today. But after last night's game with the media and fan backlash that has been thrown his way, I think someone needs to defend LeBron James.

I do not understand the excessive vitriol that has been directed towards LeBron James. On one hand people expect too much of him. He is not the "Next Michael Jordan" and there will never be another MJ. The closest thing we have in the Post-Jordan era of the NBA that can be considered to be "Like Mike" is Kobe Bryant. But even Kobe's numbers and all around game is not exactly on par with Jordan. LeBron James is similar to Michael Jordan in one major aspect: there never has and there may never be another player like him. LeBron grew up watching MJ and every kid at some point wants to be "Like Mike". But LeBron is three inches taller then Jordan, physically stronger, and is a better passer then MJ. LeBron James is basically a taller, stronger, more athletic modern day version of Oscar Robertson.

Also, I do not understand the "LeBron Haters". What has LeBron done that is worth anyone hating him? Has he raped or abused women? Has he killed dogs? Has he killed someone while drinking and driving? Has he been accused or caught using steroids or other perfomance enhancing drugs? Has he lied to the public about something of moral relavence? The answer to all of these questions is NO! Yet, we have given numerous athletes second chances who have done all of the above, but people despise LeBron? I understand some people are tired of hearing about LeBron James. I know some people hold the whole Decision fiasco against him (although we forget that the media enabled him to have such a platform in the first place). The fact that there are so many "LeBron haters" out therer only shows me that too many people have their priorities mixed up. Kobe Bryant cheated on his wife (atleast one time we know for sure about) and yet Kobe is "respected" as a winner.

Have we forgotten that LeBron James is 26 years old? I ask that question seriously because aside from Kobe Bryant, no High School to NBA star player has won an NBA championship at a young age. Yet Kobe had the help of a superstar (Shaquille O'Neal), a legendary Head Coach (Phil Jackson) and was surround by veteran players who were leaders on and off the court. When LeBron James went to his first NBA finals his supporting cast consisted of a Center who had trouble staying healthy for a full season (Zydrunas Ilgauskas), a player who was drafted ahead of Paul Pierce to be the wing-man for Allen Iverson (Larry Hughes), their best 3-point shooter was two years younger then LeBron (Daniel Gibson) and their Head Coach was in his second season as an NBA Head Coach (Mike Brown).

So when are we going to give LeBron James some kind of slack? This is his first season playing with a other star level players in their primes and with a supporting cast who has atleast been to a few all star games in the past. LeBron carried this team during the Heat's run to the NBA Finals. But yet he gets labelled on Twitter "LeBrick" after one game? Sure he went 3-11 from the field, but what about that game Chris Bosh had earlier this postseason where he made one shot out of almost 20? Where is the criticism of Dwayne Wade who late in the fourth quarter missed a big free throw shot and turned the ball over in crunch time? Where is the criticism of Heat Head Coach Erik Spoelstra for not giving his players better offensive plays in the fourth quarter? Instead everything is LeBron James fault?

The fact that I have to defend LeBron James is a reflection of the reality that fans and the media have become so reactionary. The criticism of LeBron has been over the top and excessive. Let us not forget he led the Heat last night in assists and rebounds, so its not like he didn't do anything all night. LeBron is one of the most talented basketball players to ever play in the NBA but we really need to stop comparing LeBron to the greatest players of all time and expecting him to be what he is not. Remember he is only 26 years old so he has many more years to become better and make his legacy. We do not remember all of "bad" games that Jordan, Magic, or Bird had, so why should we hold this one game against him?