Top 10 Scorers in the NBA Today

Over the long and illustrious history of the NBA, many players have come and gone.

The Jordan's, Bird's and Abdul-Jabbar's have left their mark on the league, leading their team to success through their unique abilities with the basketball. While each brought something different to the game, they all shared one thing in common: they could flat out score the basketball.

Today, there is a new generation of scorers. The athletes, the shooters, the big men; no matter how they do it, they all find a way to put up points in bunches.

But who are the elite? What 10 players truly make the cut as the best of the best?

While statistics could answer that for some, the true value of a scorer isn't always measured in statistical form. It's their timing, their versatility, and the flat out impossibility of impeding them from succeeding in reaching their goal.

Some players on this list you'll have expected, while some you will have not. Some you'll argue statistically deserve this honor, while others you'll argue are overrated.

The fact is, each of these players scores the ball better than the rest of the NBA for one reason or another. The only question is, who does it best?

Honorable Mention: Joe Johnson

From 2005 to 2010, Johnson was an elite scorer in terms of production, topping 20 points in each of those five seasons.

While his past two seasons have seen his average drop below 20 a game, with totals of 18.2 and 18.4 respectively, he remains an elite scorer because of his versatility in finding the hoop.

While sub-20 point per game numbers might throw up the caution flags, what must be remembered about Johnson is how many ways he can score. He's athletic enough to blow by defenders, and at 6'7", is taller than most of the players defending him.

As he attacks the basket, his leaping ability and height, alone, make him a danger, but it's his creativity that gets him so many points.

Tack on the fact that Johnson has one of the biggest verticals of any player on his jump shot and you can see why he's so difficult to defend. He may not be the 25.0 points per game scorer he used to be, but his team is a lot deeper.

When Joe Johnson wants to score, it's near impossible to stop him from doing so.

Honorable Mention: Kevin Martin, Houston Rockets

This one might be a little surprising, but Kevin Martin is one of the most well-rounded scorers in the NBA.

In 2011, Martin was one of the league-leaders in both three-pointers made and free throw percentage.  He finished the season at  seventh in the NBA with 23.4 points per game. At 6'7", it's hard enough to get a hand in his face. Utilizing an unpredictable first step, Martin makes it that much more difficult to defend him as he drives the lane.

He's made a living as one of the best And-One converters currently playing.

Martin's career average of 18.5 points per game has gone quietly unnoticed, despite posting greater than 20 points per game in four of his six seasons in the league. In year seven, Martin has posted 18.0 points per game, all while battling injuries.

Now at full health, Martin is coming off of a 28 point game in which he hit five three-pointers and went 9/10 from the charity stripe. This is the type of performance that Rockets fans have come to expect.

Whether you look at his career in Sacramento or down in Houston, Kevin Martin has made one thing very clear: he is one of the Top-10 best scorers in the NBA, today.

10. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

As soon as Dwight Howard develops a consistent low-post game, he will be at the top of this list. Until then, he sits a little lower than his physical ability would suggest.

There's no denying how D-12 gets a majority of his points; he's, arguably, the best offensive rebounder in the game today, and when he's close the basket, he's throwing it down with authority.

He has freakish leaping ability, a wingspan longer than most NBA players, and will always clean up after a miss. When the rebound goes to the opposition, expect Howard right back on the defensive end, blocking a shot to set his team up for another scoring opportunity.

So where's the weakness I'm talking about?

Well, as of now, there is none.

But Howard's still young and athletic enough to dominate with that alone. As Shaq learned and adapted, it takes a wider array of skills to make it last.

If Howard can add a go-to move in the post, such as a baby hook or even just a polished spin move towards the basket, he'll go a long way towards improving his long-term ability as a dominant player in the NBA.

Regardless, Howard remains one of the best scorers on the face of the Earth and in the NBA, today.

9. Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors

You can credit the system he plays in, but before you do that, save your integrity and acknowledge Ellis' unreal scoring ability.

At just 6'3", Ellis is a true force in the paint, utilizing his quickness and ball skills to blow past any defender on the perimeter. Once he approaches the hoop, both his creativity and flexibility come into play as he's become one of the true kings of the circus shot. He has a surprising ability to dunk, and when tasked with overcoming a taller defender, knows how to draw contact and head to the line.

When Ellis has to shoot the ball from the outside, he's able to manage.

While his 3-point shooting percentage is down this year, he's generally a decent option from behind the arc as he averages at least one a game. His mid-range game is improving year by year, as well, making him a dangerous scorer from anywhere on the floor.

For those who have seen Monta Ellis play in person, it's pretty clear that listing his height at 6'3" is quite generous. Nevertheless, Ellis' elite speed in the open court, creativity close to the basket, and deep range makes him one of the Top-10 scorers in the NBA, today.

8. Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies

Before you go crazy about this choice, try watching him play.

Randolph is as old school as they come, putting his shoulder down, backing his body up, and taking his opponent deep into the paint.

Once Randolph gets his defender there, it's game over: Zach Randolph is going to score.

The 260-pound Power Forward dominated the first seed Spurs in last year's NBA Playoffs. After leading Memphis to a shocking second round appearance, he nearly brought the Grizzlies to victory over the favored Oklahoma City Thunder.

His wide array of low-post moves, as well as his ferocious work on the offensive glass, helped him post 22.2 points per game and 10.8 rebounds in 13 playoff appearances. In the regular season, his numbers weren't much different, as he posted averages of 20.1 points and 12.1 rebounds a night.

Randolph's ability to shoot from distance is just an added bonus to his top-notch low-post game, making him one of the most dangerous and efficient scorers in the NBA, today.

7. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player has a tremendous mixture of body control, focus, and creativity.

With all of these factors combined, Derrick Rose has become one of the most dominant scorers in the NBA. And to think, he's only 6'3".

As awe-inspiring as it is to see Rose hammer down a two-handed slam, the biggest reason he made this list is the depth he's added to his scoring ability. Just two seasons ago, Derrick Rose was a 26.7% Three-Point Shooter, shying away from any shot that wasn't a finger roll or slam.

In 2011, Rose proved that hard work truly does pay off, shooting a career-high 33.2% from beyond the arc. His mid-range game saw a drastic improvement, as well, as he was often found pulling up for jumpers instead of hitting the lane and drawing a foul.

Unfortunately for opposing defenses, both methods worked.

Should Rose repeat as MVP, he'll need to keep adding to his game. He is a very physical player, which has begun to take it's toll with his numerous injuries in the young 2012 NBA Season. In order to maintain a high level of play, it would behoove Rose to continuously develop his shot, as well as adding in a low-post game to lower the level of physical force he receives on every possession.

6. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

If there was an award for most creative scorer, Dwyane Wade would be the run away winner.

The master of the circus shot has picked up where he left off, already connecting on some of those ridiculous 360, no-look layups. The fact that he's a career 48.5% shooter isn't too bad, either.

While Wade has made the highlight reel with his play in the paint, including some of the best dunks you've ever seen, he's made a career out of being able to score from anywhere on the post.

If any shooting guard in the league can hit a turn-around jumper at the level of Kobe, it's Wade, and his pull-up J isn't too bad either. While he's never been a proficient three-point shooter, he is one of the most clutch players in the NBA and can make a shot from anywhere on the court when need be.

His NBA Championship Ring from 2006 is just the frosting on the cake to one of the most well-rounded careers in NBA history. His career average of 25.3 points per game is the birthday candle.

5. LeBron James, Miami Heat

In five to seven years, I don't think LeBron James will be half the dominant scorer he is today.

He remains heavily dependent on his athletic ability and has yet to develop a consistent low-post or mid-range game. Regardless of that fact, this article is about right now, and when a 6'8", 250-pound man made of pure muscle is running with a full head of steam, you get the hell out of his way.

James is one of the best at throwing down a powerful dunk, shifting the momentum of a game further into his corner with every touch he makes. He can drive to the hoop as well as anyone in the history of the league, and is easily the most dominant transition player in the NBA on both ends of the floor.

No matter who it is that thinks that they can hold down the paint, no one is going to stop a man with his physical ability when his eye is on the prize.

There's so much to say, but so few ways to say it, so let's just put it in the simplest terms possible. LeBron James is the most dominant player in the NBA today, and when he wants to score, he does.

4. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

At 6'9", Kevin Durant is already a lot to handle.

Pair that with his range, quickness, and athletic ability and you can understand why he's so high up this list.

At just 23-years of age, Durant is already a two-time NBA Scoring Champion. His silky-smooth mid-range game and deadly shot from behind the arc make him a threat in any game. That's not even what's most surprising from the scrawny scorer, though.

Durant's ability to finish above the rim is what has taken him to the next level, utilizing his skinny frame to weave between defenders and throw it down hard on any who stand in his way.

So how do you stop Kevin Durant?

We could throw out ideas left and right, but the fact is, you can't. He's dissected zone and man defenses from the best minds and bodies in the NBA, and there is no reason for him to slow down.

While Jordan remains the king of the scoring crowns, Kevin Durant could sure give him a run for his money. It's truly a privilege to watch the former Longhorn become a superstar right before our eyes.

3. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

You can argue that some players post more points per night, and even claim that others display more versatility in scoring the basketball.

Before you do, answer me this: what's your plan to defend a 7" athlete who can hit a fade-away jump shot ten times out of ten?

Nowitzki torched the Western Conference last year with that very move, dominating the likes of Serge Ibaka, LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol. There wasn't any drop-off when he faced the Eastern Conference champion Heat, torching Chris Bosh and Udonis Haslem in the same way.

So how do you stop the 10-time All-Star?

His combined 62 points in the Fourth Quarters of last year's NBA Finals are a testament to how clutch he is. His NBA-record 24 consecutive made Free Throws in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals are a testament to his focus and dedication. The fact that he's one of the Top 40 greatest Three-Point Shooters of All-Time proves he's impossible to defend.

So you've had some time to think, now I'd like an answer...W

hat's your plan to defend a 7" tall man who can hit a fade-away jump shot ten times out of ten?

2. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Since Carmelo Anthony burst onto the scene in 2002 with the Syracuse Orange, he has been considered a premier scorer.

His averages of 22.1 points and 10.0 rebounds were good enough to make him the 3rd Overall Draft Pick, despite playing just one year of college ball. While with the Denver Nuggets, he proved worthy of that pick, posting greater than 25 points per game on 5 different occasions.

The five-time All-Star is now a part of his home-city Knicks, but the location hasn't changed the production: Melo can light up the scoreboard. Despite being plagued by injury throughout the season, Anthony has posted 22.3 points per game, worthy of seventh in the NBA.

Ranking seventh doesn't necessarily make a player seem worthy of being called the second best scorer in the league, but it's important that we look at his skill set and situation.

Currently, Melo is splitting the scoring with another superstar, Amare Stoudemire. On top of that, we're in a day and age where players like LeBron James and Blake Griffin find their points close to the basket due to their athletic ability.

Melo, on the other hand, is a danger to score no matter where he is on the floor, as he has one of the best shots in the NBA from both mid-range and distance. His strength and deceiving quickness make him just as big of a threat to score from in close.

Carmelo Anthony was born to score, and since arriving in the NBA, he has done just that.

His career average of 24.8 points per game is proof of such.

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

15 years in and Kobe Bryant is still the NBA's Leading Scorer.

You can say what you want about the Black Mamba, but what can't be denied is his elite scoring ability. He recently passed Shaquille O'Neal for 5th all-time on the NBA's Scoring List, and his 81-point outburst in 2006 remains the second highest point total accumulated by any player in a single game.

Second, of course, to the 100 points by Wilt Chamberlain. Chamberlain, of course, is the player who is less than 3,000 points ahead of Kobe on the all-time scoring list.

In today's game, Kobe is in a class of his own.

He has registered five—60-point games, 24—50-point games, and 111—40-point games.

That's 140 games accounting for greater than 6,000 points. That's a two-season span of games in which Kobe Bryant has averaged 42.9 points per game. His string of four consecutive forty-point games last month proved that he hasn't lost a step.

While LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and the rest of the up-and-coming scorers wow crowds across the NBA, no one has been able to get it done like Kobe.

He's still at the top of his game, posting an NBA-leading 29.4 points a night, and is keeping the Lakers slightly above .500 in doing so. His turn-around J is still the sweetest shot in basketball, and his ability to attack the basket is still amongst the best.

If you're looking for points, rings or buzzer beaters, look no further than Kobe Bryant.

The King of the Kobe System still draws double-teams, still shoots over them, and still makes the most ridiculous shots you've ever seen.

There's no question about it, Kobe Bryant is the best scorer in the NBA.