Ranking Kevin Durant and the NBA's Top 15 Pure Scorers of All Time
Kevin Durant just passed Michael Jordan for fifth on the NBA's all-time scoring ladder. It's a remarkable achievement for one of the absolute best and "purest" scorers the league has ever seen.
And it has us wondering: Who's in KD's league when it comes to that second adjective?
"Pure" is a word you often hear attached to Durant's name. It's not hard to see why. His jumper is mechanically and aesthetically flawless (or at least close to flawless). He's a genuine three-level scorer. He's never been reliant on the whistle to get his points. And even without the freebies, he's wildly efficient.
So, which other players across league history check those boxes? Which players are dominant enough in some that they can get away with weakness in others?
We came up with an exercise to answer those questions.
What Makes a 'Pure' Scorer?
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If you take the top 100 players in NBA history by points per 75 possessions (minimum 10,000 minutes) and sort them by the average of their ranks in that number, relative true shooting percentage (the player's true shooting percentage minus the league average of the time) and free-throw-attempt rate (unlike the other two, that one's ranked lowest to highest), you get an order that nearly passes the sniff test.
But since no list like this can be truly objective, we added a lot of weight to the scoring average and a little relative true shooting percentage (thus making the free-throw-attempt rate the smallest part of the recipe).
The reason to emphasize points is obvious. Getting buckets is the name of the game. The higher that players are in that specific column, the more defensive attention you can expect them to have received.
Efficiency was the second-most important ingredient, because "pure" scorers should be adding value on as many possessions as possible. Players like Russell Westbrook, Ja Morant and Pete Maravich scored plenty of points, but they did it with a below-average true shooting percentage.
Finally—and this is like the secret ingredient in the family cookie recipe—we gave the slightest nod to players who put up their gaudy numbers without tons of free throws.
In a vacuum, there's nothing wrong with a lot of trips to the line. As you'll see, some of the highest-volume foul grifters in league history made the top 15. But "purity" suggests plenty of the points came from the field, without flopping, selling or otherwise gaming officials into handing out free throws.
Now that you know what's in this special sauce, let's get to some painful omissions.
Painful Omissions
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Using per-possession averages is crucial in an exercise like this.
Jalen Green is a career 20.0-points-per-game scorer, but he's putting up those numbers in an incredibly fast-paced era. Comparing his per-game numbers to those of someone who played in the dead-ball era that immediately followed Michael Jordan's career isn't fair to the one from the early 2000s.
But going with the per-possession numbers also meant potentially cutting out two of the top eight in total points scored since they're only tracked back to the 1973-74 campaign. Wilt Chamberlain retired just before then. And several of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's best scoring seasons predate the per-possession averages, too.
But don't worry. Thanks to Basketball Reference's pace estimates dating back to the NBA's first season (when it was actually the BAA), we can still run the numbers for Wilt and Kareem individually.
Believe it or not, Wilt's estimated average of 19.4 points per 75 possessions isn't even in the top 100 all-time. Kareem's 22.7 is also outside the top 50. Ultimately, that doomed their chances of making the top 15 of this exercise
Others barely edged out by the formula include Damian Lillard (who was 32nd in the group in relative true shooting percentage) and James Harden (who got a ton of his points from the free-throw line). Dominique Wilkins, Adrian Dantley, Dirk Nowitzki and Carmelo Anthony also nearly made the list.
Some of those names (as well as others) being here rather than in the top 15 is going to ruffle some feathers. This exercise isn't perfect. You'll see some inclusions that require more explanation than others.
But the closer we get to No. 1, the harder this list will be to nitpick.
15. Karl Malone
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Points per 75 Possessions (PTS/75): 25.8 (16th among the group)
Relative True Shooting Percentage (rTS%): 4.7 (19th)
Free-Throw-Attempt Rate (FTAr): 50.3 (90th, this one is ranked in reverse order)
There's a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation here. Karl Malone is third all-time in career points scored, but he spent the bulk of his career playing alongside the NBA's career assist leader.
At least to some extent, Malone owes some of the credit for his absurd scoring numbers to John Stockton.
But he certainly doesn't owe all of it.
Malone was nicknamed "The Mailman" because he delivered on so many of the assist opportunities generated by his point guard. Whether he was set up at the rim, in the post or from the mid-range, Malone could always be relied upon to finish at a high rate.
His consistency over nearly two decades was remarkable. For his career, Malone had 17 seasons with at least 500 minutes and a 20-plus-point-per-game scoring average. Only LeBron James (23) and KD (18) have more.
14. Donovan Mitchell
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PTS/75: 27.2 (7th)
rTS%: 0.4 (71st)
FTAr: 26.0 (17th)
This one's a bit of a stunner, but Donovan Mitchell's scoring profile is far more impressive than people realize.
First of all, he's eighth in NBA history in points per 75 possessions. Yes, eighth. And among the 100 players examined for this exercise, he has the 17th-lowest free-throw-attempt rate.
Statistically speaking, he's one of the most ethical bucket-getters we've ever seen.
He's also just a joy to watch score. His signature windmill gather still catches defenders off guard. He actually jumps on his jump shot, like a '90s or early 2000s shooting guard. And occasionally, he'll still blow up the rim with a huge dunk.
As hard as it may be to believe, Mitchell has absolutely forced his way into this conversation by averaging at least 23 points in eight of his first nine seasons.
13. Shaquille O'Neal
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PTS/75: 26.4 (11th)
rTS%: 5.4 (14th)
FTAr: 57.8 (99th)
"Pure" scorer may not come to mind when you think of Shaquille O'Neal.
His range as a jump shooter didn't extend too far outside the paint. He was a terrible free-throw shooter. And though he's probably underrated as a ball-handler considering his size, he doesn't have a ton of highlights where he's breaking defenders down off the dribble and finishing the play with a smooth finish.
But Shaq's size and the numbers that came with it were undeniable.
He could physically overpower anyone of his era (and probably any other). His spin move in the post was unbelievably quick. His drop-step was unstoppable. His touch inside the paint was better than you remember.
And that high free-throw-attempt rate wasn't his fault. Shaq wasn't foul-baiting. Opponents were often forced to wrap him up because defending him straight-up was useless.
Sometimes, our definitions need a little melding. Even if O'Neal's game doesn't scream "pure," it's not that difficult to see how he got here.
12. Kyrie Irving
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PTS/75: 25.7 (17th)
rTS%: 2.8 (36th)
FTAr: 23.5 (8th)
Now this one's a lot easier to explain.
Kyrie Irving's game does scream "pure" scorer. He's a wizard with the ball in his hands. He can rock seemingly any perimeter defender to basketball sleep with his handle. And the moment that defender drifts, Irving makes him pay.
He can get around those defenders or pull up in their faces with a picturesque jumper. He's incredibly efficient, even without a ton of free throws. And some of his finishes around the hoop look as much like performance art as they do basketball.
All of that has added up to a whopping 12 seasons with 500-plus minutes, a 20-plus scoring average and a free-throw-attempt rate under 30, a total that's tied with Stephen Curry for the all-time high.
11. Giannis Antetokounmpo
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PTS/75: 27.0 (8th)
rTS%: 5.2 (16th)
FTAr: 52.5 (93rd)
This is our first (and I'd argue last) potential hiccup for the recipe.
In a vacuum, most people wouldn't argue that Giannis Antetokounmpo is a purer scorer than Nikola Jokić or Luka Dončić. But there's something to be said for figuring out what you're great at and spamming it into the history books.
Giannis is, without question, one of the most physically dominant slashers and interior finishers the NBA has ever seen. He's had decent years from the mid-range in the past, but attacking the rim is his specialty. That's what makes him such an efficient high-volume scorer.
Regardless of what schemes are sent at him, Giannis can typically find a way to knife, slither or bludgeon his way through or around them. And once he gets within reach of the rim, he typically puts the ball through it with authority. Over the course of his career, he trails only Gobert in made dunks.
10. Kobe Bryant
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PTS/75: 26.8 (9th)
rTS%: 1.8 (52nd)
FTAr: 38.2 (67th)
Kobe Bryant barely making the top 10 is not going to sit well with a lot of people.
While it's fair to point out that the active players ahead of him don't have as many non-peak seasons dragging their numbers down, it's also worth noting that Kobe was outside the top 50 of the group in relative true shooting percentage.
But we're not here to nitpick Bryant's case. Being the 10th-purest scorer of all time is a major accomplishment. And like Malone, Bryant got here with remarkable consistency and longevity. He had 15 seasons with 500-plus minutes and a scoring average of at least 20.
If "pure" is the adjective that comes to mind for Durant's scoring, "relentless" or "calculated" could be the descriptors for Kobe. Often through sheer force of will, Kobe could get to 25 or 30 points and force his team to victory, but he wasn't reckless about it.
His footwork, whether in the post or with pivots up high, was as precise as anyone's we've ever seen. And the moment he was able to force or find his defender off balance or out of position, he'd strike.
9. Nikola Jokić
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PTS/75: 25.6 (20th)
rTS%: 7.6 (3rd)
FTAr: 32.8 (42nd)
As soon as we get past Kobe, we have a bit of a surprise.
Nikola Jokić has long been known more as a distributor than a scorer. Just last week, he had a game with 14 assists and seven field-goal attempts.
But when Jokić puts his mind to it, he's one of the most devastating post scorers in league history. His touch both from the mid-range and from just outside layup range is unparalleled.
Over the course of the play-by-play era (which started in 1996-97), he has the best mid-range field-goal percentage in the NBA by far.
Perhaps this is a discussion for another day, but being top 10 all-time in a skill that isn't even his personal best says an awful lot about the three-time MVP.
8. Luka Dončić
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PTS/75: 30.5 (2nd)
rTS%: 1.9 (51st)
FTAr: 40.4 (71st)
Now this is probably a little closer to what you were expecting from the get-go.
With the possible exception of his rookie campaign, Luka Dončić has spent his entire career dominating opposing defenses as a mega-high-volume scorer.
Right now, he's second all-time in career points per possession, and he piles them up from all over the floor. Luka can light up just about any defender with a stepback three, fadeaway from the mid-range or soft bank off the glass after decelerating in the paint.
That last shot type is maybe the most underrated one from Luka's arsenal.
Despite not being an above-the-rim finisher, Dončić has Rudy Gobert-like numbers within three feet of the rim. Over the last three seasons, he's made a whopping 81.2 percent of his attempts in that range.
It really doesn't matter what part of the floor a defense forces him to or what kind of defender is waiting for him when he gets there. When Luka wants to score, he typically does.
7. George Gervin
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PTS/75: 26.4 (11th)
rTS%: 4.0 (27th)
FTAr: 34.2 (49th)
Lest you were worried this list might be dominated by recency bias, we move to No. 7 with George "The Iceman" Gervin, one of the smoothest scorers we've seen in any era of NBA basketball.
With a deadeye mid-range jumper and his signature "finger roll" layup, Gervin could break down just about any opposing defense and score from all over the floor.
He won four scoring titles after his San Antonio Spurs were adopted into the league as part of the ABA-NBA merger.
Over a five-year stretch from 1977-78 through 1981-82, he eclipsed 30 points per game twice and averaged 29.8 overall.
And he did all that with the three-point line only being around for a portion of his career (and players not really embracing it for decades after he retired).
6. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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PTS/75: 27.4 (5th)
rTS%: 4.2 (22nd)
FTAr: 41.8 (79th)
Whether he's earned the distinction or not, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has sort of become the face of modern foul-baiting in the NBA.
For fans who struggle to watch that aspect of the game, seeing SGA climb this high up the list may be tough.
But what he does without free throws is undeniably spectacular. Gilgeous-Alexander has become a near-automatic bucket from the mid-range. Defenders cannot keep him from getting to his spots. And once he's there, he's incredibly quick and effective in getting the ball to the bottom of the net.
For years, there was at least the hope that you might be able to force him into a missed three, but even that's a risky approach now. Over the last two seasons, he's shooting 37.8 percent from deep.
Again, this may feel a little lofty or early for some, but we're talking about a soon-to-be-two-time MVP who's averaged at least 30 points in each of the last four seasons.
At some point, we all have to recognize that SGA is one of the absolute best scorers the game has ever seen.
5. LeBron James
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PTS/75: 27.3 (6th)
rTS%: 4.1 (23rd)
FTAr: 38.2 (67th)
Like Jokić, LeBron often looks like he wants to distribute more than score. At his core, he may be more Magic Johnson than Michael Jordan.
That's what makes his exploits as a scorer all the more impressive.
As mentioned already, he has an unfathomable 23 seasons with an average of at least 20 points. He's first all-time in total points scored. And over the course of a whopping 292 playoff games, he's averaged 28.4 points there.
LeBron also deserves credit for the variety with which he's scored throughout his career.
When he started, it was all about his jaw-dropping end-to-end speed and vertical explosiveness. As he gained more muscle, he started to look like a freight train in transition.
At some point with the Miami Heat, shooting efficiency became his pursuit. And he captured whatever he was after there. Now in his 40s, craftiness is starting to make up for some of the athleticism he's lost.
All in all, there really isn't a form of scoring that LeBron didn't master at some point in his career.
4. Joel Embiid
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PTS/75: 31.7 (1st)
rTS%: 4.5 (21st)
FTAr: 54.7 (94th)
As mentioned above, players were dinged (though only slightly) for hefty free-throw-attempt rates. Among the 100 players sampled for this exercise, only seven had higher free-throw-attempt rates than Joel Embiid.
So, how did he still make it all the way up to the fourth spot here? Well, having the single-highest per-possession scoring average in NBA history sure helps.
Joel Embiid has averaged over 30 points in three different seasons. He has two scoring titles. Over the last five seasons, his minutes per game (33.3) have barely outpaced his points (30.9).
And his dominance in this category is about a lot more than trips to the charity stripe.
Embiid's precision as a mid-range jump shooter defies traditional notions of what centers can do. His simple jab step leading into that jumper is as difficult to handle as about any other move in the league. His footwork in the post is impeccable.
Even with the injuries that have nagged him throughout his career, Embiid may be as close to unguardable as any player in the NBA when he's healthy.
3. Michael Jordan
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PTS/75: 30.3 (3rd)
rTS%: 3.7 (30th)
FTAr: 35.8 (60th)
Michael Jordan might take this personally.
At 30.1, he's first all-time in career points per game. He averaged over 30 in eight different seasons, which is an all-time high. He won 10 scoring titles. Based on the basic numbers, not having him first overall looks kind of silly.
But believe it or not, MJ is 29th in the group in relative true shooting percentage. That held him back a bit.
And like Kobe (just on a grander scale), Jordan's production was often more about force than "purity." That may seem like semantics, but it's the reason why we're here.
We were looking for numbers that would match what it means to be a "pure" scorer. The two players who wound up above Jordan absolutely fit that definition.
2. Kevin Durant
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PTS/75: 27.7 (4th)
rTS%: 6.8 (5th)
FTAr: 39.1 (69th)
For almost 20 years now, KD has been a metronome of consistent, ethical and pure scoring.
With his quick-release, slingshot jumper that feels every bit as effective from the mid-range as it is from three, he has 617 career games with at least 20 points and a 50-plus field-goal percentage. That's nearly 100 more than Jordan.
And among the four players above him in total 20-point, 50-field-goal-percentage games, three are bigs (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Shaquille O'Neal), and the other is LeBron.
To this day, in his age-37 campaign, 20 points in a game from Durant feels about as inevitable as anything in the NBA. With that still being the case, he's likely not done moving up the all-time scoring leaderboard.
Kobe is next, and he's within reach. KD would only need to average around 17 points per game over his next 82 games to get there.
1. Stephen Curry
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PTS/75: 26.7 (10th)
rTS%: 7.1 (4th)
FTAr: 24.2 (10th)
Pure scoring isn't entirely about jump shooting. But when you're as far clear of the field—and by field, we mean all of NBA history—as Stephen Curry is as a shooter, it's tough to deny him this spot.
Among the top 10 in career points per 75 possessions, only Durant is anywhere near Curry's scoring efficiency, and he's needed a far higher free-throw-attempt rate to get there.
Curry has put together his seemingly impossible combination of scoring volume and efficiency with a huge diet of contested, way-too-deep-for-anyone-else or on-the-move threes, a handful of mid-range shots and far-better-than-you-realize finishing around the rim.
He's a three-level scorer. We just don't talk about him like one because the way he scores from the deepest one is spectacular enough to draw all of our attention.
Curry isn't just the greatest shooter in NBA history. He's its purest overall scorer, too.
