The Top 10 Scorers in the NBA This Season

The various ways to score in the NBA are virtually unlimited.

There are so many scorers, from the clever Steve Nash and Chris Paul to the hard-earned points of Dwight Howard. The international game has also put a stamp in the NBA with scorers like Hedo Turkoglu, Mickael Pietrus and Pau Gasol.

This list of 10 scorers is based off who can truly create their own shots and wreak havoc on a defense.

The list itself may or may not surprise you, but the order might ruffle some feathers.

Props to those that didn't make the final cut, like Jamal Crawford, James Harden, Nate Robinson and Paul. 

10. Monta Ellis

Monta Ellis is a true scorer that doesn't have the luxury of a couple really good big men to rebound his misses that occasionally come in abundance.

At six feet three inches he's not quite as big as your typical shooting guard and isn't really anticipating pass over shot which doesn't allow him to be a point guard.

As the season progresses, it is undeniable that Ellis is an elite scorer in the league.  He is a current mainstay in the top of the scoring list and is an impact player for his team.

The Golden State Warriors aren't going to win a championship anytime soon but have Ellis's highlight scoring for now.

9. Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce is "The Truth."  He's trying to adjust after a recent injury and the naysayers say he's old. 

Pierce is strong in all aspects of the game without a glaring weakness when he's healthy.  He can shoot all the mid-range jumpers and the three.

Pierce has a shooting touch that hasn't just been practiced, but has been perfected over the years.  He can rebound, handle the ball well and move with ease in transitional fast-breaks.  

Pierce may talk a big game to the disliking of some, but he is old school for real.  He plays a brash game and makes his free throws.  Never trade him.

8. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook has a ferociousness to his game but his jumper still needs polish.  There's no question that when his game is clicking and he's on, he's really on.

There are some factors that contribute to Westbrook having slumps and success on the court.

Westbrook is as quick as they come and can get to the rim at will.  The knock on him is that although he can create his own shot, sometimes his timing of when to shoot is questionable. 

Playing alongside Kevin Durant should make things a lot easier for Westbrook but he appears to be caught up in the theatrics of being angry as opposed to focusing and allowing his true talent to takeover.

If Westbrook pulls it all together in a full playoff run, the Thunder could possibly take over the NBA.

7. Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk Nowitzki has been a problem for defenders since he learned how to really play the game in the NBA. 

Nowitzki is a deadly perimeter player and a classic shooter that shoots the three with ease and his free throw are counted for two at the line before he even shoots his foul shots. 

Dirk shook the stigma of being soft and not able to get it done by defeating the Miami Heat in last years Finals. 

The Dallas Mavericks lost a lot of the cohesiveness they had but the core is still there with a couple good extras.  Nowitzki is used to carrying the scoring load, so it should be another good season in Dallas. 

6. Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose can get to the rim at a moments notice and has developed a nice three-point jumper from the top.

Rose is the Bulls most legitimate scorer and carries the responsibility with pride and a humbleness that show.

Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau and his defensive schemes have made Rose a complete player that plays the passing lanes extremely well.

With the crossover and body control Rose possesses, he is bound to continue scoring at any time and any place on the basketball court.

5. Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony knows how to use his body to get space and make a defender back off.

When Melo shoots, it's as if every shot on the court is his sweet spot but his lack of defense is his only fault.

His current struggles with the Knicks are starting to show some ball-hogging tendencies that may or may not be true depending on how you want your star to score.

Melo can light a team up for 40-plus on any given night and show no signs of exhaustion doing it.  If it was all about shooting and scoring, Melo could easily be No. 1 on the list.   

4. LeBron James

LeBron James size and strength allow him to dominate a whole game. 

When James is coming down the lane, most defenders play it smart and get out of his way. 

His recent inability to make key free throws in the fourth quarter put him further down the list than anticipated but if f James can keep his focus in the games closing moments he would be the NBA's best.

The Miami Heat rely on his versatility and his willingness to pass before shoot make him the consummate teammate and basketball player.

3. Kobe Bryant

Originally sixth on the list for forcing shots and not caring at all about doing it.

After watching Bryant drop 48 live at the Staples Center here in Los Angeles along with his recent scoring escapade, there was no option but to pay respect and move him back up to where he belongs and some probably don't think that's high enough.

This is Black Mamba and that Nike commercial is on point.  Kobe is taking the last shot and has the best footwork in the NBA, maybe. 

KB24 and his IQ of the game are inferior to none and he still has more rings than this whole list combined so the argument is apparently solid.

2. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade has a jumper and footwork that are impeccable, and he has the slight edge over Kobe. 

Chris Bosh recently said who should take a last second shot for the Miami Heat so now, even we know who the leader of that team really is.

Wade glides in real life like he does on NBA 2K12.  Smooth.

Let him shoot the last-second jumper over Kobe?  That's really the debate.

1. Kevin Durant

Nobody scores like Kevin Durant. 

Durant has a fluid jumper and can pull up anywhere on the court at anytime, on anybody.

Durant is really the most potent of scorers at a legit 6'9" and can take off for a dunk at any moment from 12 feet out.

The West goes through Oklahoma City as of right now, and those two teams in red, white and black out East better not rest a moment either.