.jpg?itok=BDaCUXGg&ssl=1 "LeBron James is the greatest scorer in history: his stats compared to Jordan, Kareem, Kobe and others")
Death, taxes and haters of Lebron James. Even after the Akron native surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the leading scorer in NBA historyTV shows, podcasts, press, social networks and ChatGPT will do little to downplay this historic achievement.
They’ll say he’s a stat-stacker and that speaks volumes for his time in the league. They will say it isn’t clutch and will point to his 4-6 record in the NBA Finals. They will point to his only title and wonder why he never won more. They will mock their time and the hand control while somehow pretending that the 1980s NBA was a carbon copy of the UFC.
If you came in looking for arguments to disparage LeBron, this is the wrong place.
lebron james neither Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Wilt Chamberlain or Abdul-Jabbar, he is the best scorer ever seen. I will explain why.
Sure, the debate about the top goalscorers of all time and their ranking may go nowhere. It is very subjective and there is no real consensus. But what’s the fun in that argument?
These are the cases of the other five best goalscorers of all time and why none ultimately compare to Lebron James.
Click here to go to my full list of the 15 greatest scorers in NBA history.
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The Kareem Abdul-Jabbar case
Match Summary:
- 38,387 points: 2nd in history
- 2 top scorer titles
- Your trademark: He skyhook
Out of respect for the 39-year-old record holder, it’s only fair to start with Abdul-Jabbar.
No player in league history has scored more points and no one has had a more unstoppable shot. skyhook. Were others more complete? Sure. But if your best move beats everyone else’s, that’s a lot.
In his prime it can be argued that no other goalscorer was more efficient. For example, his titles as a leader at points in 1971 and 1972. If you list everyone who has achieved this distinction by field goal percentage, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ranks first and second. This is the best summary of a terrible goalscorer.
LeBron’s response: The best argument for Kareem being the all-time leading scorer is already gone. Also…can the greatest scorer in NBA history be someone outside the top 20 in playoff average? In the Finals, James is averaging 5 more points than Abdul-Jabbar with a whopping 8-1 edge in 40-point games. While the forward may not have his own version skyhook he’s someone far more complete with more answers for increasingly complex defenses.
The case of Michael Jordan
Match Summary:
- 10 Top Scorer Titles: More than anyone
- 30.1 points per game average: More than anyone
- 33.5 in the playoffs: More than anyone
Making the case for Michael Jordan is pretty simple: No one won more titles and no one averaged more points. He also led the Bulls to 32 of their 35 Finals appearances, an undeniable talent for seizing the moment on the biggest stage. Do you think Jordan would ever score 8 points in 45 minutes in a ring game?? Of course not.
Many today confirm that the young Jordan would average 45 points in the current NBA. The guard was the most explosive goalkeeper in the world at the beginning of his career, who developed into the most lethal mid-range scorer of all time. All the defenders knew what was coming and nobody could do anything about it.
LeBron’s response: There are strong arguments to be made that LeBron used more technical resources to score than #23 of the Bulls. Although Jordan perfected it fade and after the game late in his career, James also added an equally undefended jump shot.
There’s no doubt that young MJ was a force of nature going to the rim, but even he can’t match James’ physique and ability to get where he wants to go. Add to that the forward’s development as an outside shooter, and it’s clear that James can beat opponents in more ways than Jordan.
His passing ability and natural affinity for getting others involved in the game have undoubtedly reduced his scoring numbers throughout his career. Could James have won more scoring titles or averaged 35 or 40 if he really wanted to?
The Wilt Chamberlain Affair
Match Summary:
- The 100-point race: NBA record
- 32 performances of 60 points or more: more than anyone in history
- Averaged 50.4 points in one season: NBA record
Chamberlain’s video game numbers will never be matched.
His 32 60-point games are five times more than any other player. With 118 games with 50 goals takes 87 from Jordan, the second. Whenever a player has a significant stat, it’s very likely that Wilt had it a long time ago.
Chamberlain’s critics claim his absurd numbers were inflated, but they are simply a product of their time. And yet, in a six-year stretch in which he won six straight titles, the infielder averaged nearly 10 more points than anyone else. In fact, Chamberlain’s distance to second was greater than that of second to eighth. No one in his generation came close to matching his dominance.
LeBron’s response: Adding up his 16 Finals appearances, James owns the top five scoring averages and eight of the top nine. As dominant as Chamberlain was during the regular season, his averages dipped in the playoffs in each of his 13 seasons. In contrast, LeBron’s career average is nearly two points higher than it was during the regular season.
The Kevin Durant case
Match Summary:
- 36.2 points average through seven games: better than ever
- Best true shooting percentage among players with +25,000 points
More than 600 players in NBA history have played multiple seventh games. Durant averages more points than either of them. It’s one thing to rack up top-scoring titles or impressive averages in a season. It’s one thing to add 40 in a Game 5 of the first round. But there is no greater pressure than in a Game 7 and in the heat of the moment no one has scored like Durant.
There has never been a player with the combination of size and ability. And there has never been a scorer with his ability to do it effectively at all levels.
Oh, and when it comes to LeBron? Durant has the lead in total points in all 35 meetings in which they have met.
LeBron’s response: With the game underway, Durant’s reputation cannot match LeBron’s results. Not only do KD’s three career game-winners pale in comparison to James’ 7, but he has never hit one in the playoffs. Meanwhile, King James adds 5, the most on record.
Of course, clutch stats go beyond simply hitting game winners. In his playoff experiences, James easily outscored Durant in terms of game-tying or last-minute shots.
| James | Durant | |
|---|---|---|
| field goal | 21-44 | 9-35 |
| Rate of field visits | 48% | 26% |
| threefold | 4-9 | 3-16 |
| Three-point success rate | 44% | 19% |
The case of Kobe Bryant
Match summary:
- 4 games in a row with +50 points
- 2 top scorer titles and 4 times runner up
Defenders of Kobe Bryant’s scoring prowess will point to his impeccable footwork, maniacal competitive ability and unparalleled work ethic. When Team USA in 2008 won gold at the Olympics, it was with a top Kobe. Not James, Dwyane Wade or Carmelo Anthony, who took the lead and led the team, taking charge against Spain.
Bryant’s confidence to to take and score any shot with many defenders at the top he is unmatched.
LeBron’s response: With games up in the air, James has more ways to win. The forward can dominate and outmaneuver defenders to get to the rim at will. Threes, layups, mid-range shots… Instead of settling for the impossible, LeBron constructs good options in high-scoring zones better than anyone in league history.
Not only does he have the most game-winners in league history, but his shooting percentage is double that of Bryant. If Bryant’s case is based on the saga of the Warriors, James’ is based on the record books based on historical results.
The greatest scorers in NBA history
Although I have already analyzed the cases of the five main ones, it is necessary to do a quick review of the remaining 15 members.
Baylor was the first perimeter threat to hit the mark and owns the third-best scoring average in league history. Jerry West holds the third-highest scoring record in Finals history behind Rick Barry and Jordan.
For all of Harden’s playoff failures, it’s hard to argue against his ability to flush. He’s not for everyone, but his three-point and free-throw production nearly turned the Warriors around in 2018.
Joel Embiid has the highest points per minute average of all time. His wide range of moves and resources put him on par with any legend.
Rick Barry scored 36.3 points per game in the Finals, the most in a title series.
Before Durant came along, there was Gervin. Like KD, the Iceman won three straight titles and four in five seasons.
Irving’s recent scoring success shows his magic on the ball, which makes him unmatched. An incredible player creating his shot or finishing close to the basket.
How many players could just decide to play left-handed and score a 47? Larry Bird did it for the Blazers in 1986, making 10 of his 21 shots with his left foot.
And finally…Iverson, who earns the final spot over Tracy McGrady, Stephen Curry and Bob Pettitte thanks to four scoring titles in a very productive season for that matter. His playoff average is 29.7, second most.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1. | Lebron James |
| 2. | Michael Jordan |
| 3. | Kevin Durant |
| 4. | withering chamberlain |
| 5. | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
| 6. | Kobe Bryant |
| 7. | Elgin Baylor |
| 8. | Jerry West |
| 9. | James Harden |
| 10. | Joel Embiid |
| eleven. | Rick Barry |
| 12. | George Gervin |
| 13. | Kyrie Irving |
| 14. | Larry Bird |
| fifteen. | Allen Iverson |
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
