NBA All-Time Scoring Ladder: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Current NBA Stars
Most people know that Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant are two of the most prolific scorers in NBA history, and are currently busy cementing their legacies. Barring injuries both will end their careers having at one time been at least in the top five in scoring, with Shaq already there.
A further look at the all time scoring list shows that there are actually six current NBA players (or seven if you believe Allen Iverson is making a comeback), including Kobe and Shaq, making personal assaults on the record books by being among the elusive top 30 scorers of all time. Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Ray Allen and Tim Duncan all will nail a few more buckets as they continue their climbs as well.
This slide show will examine the ten current players that will end up with the most career points. Who will end up with the most? Where will Lebron James and Dwyane Wade rank? Will Kobe wind up with more points than Shaq?
Does Kareem Abdul Jabbar have to start looking over his shoulder?
Any comments and differing opinions will be appreciated.
Young Guns and Honorable Mentions
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Young Guns
It will be possible for a couple of the rookies, sophomores or other young guns in the NBA to eventually climb up the rankings, but none of them have exploded out of the gate points wise as of yet. For now let's just say that with a lot of work, health and luck Tyreke Evans, Blake Griffin, Stephen Curry and Eric Gordon could see their names on the charts.
Honorable Mentions
Derrick Rose, depending on whether he chooses to focus more on scoring or distributing as his career progresses, could definitely end up with enough points to qualify for this list. It would be extremely difficult as a point guard (only Oscar Robertson and Gary Payton are currently in the top 30 all time), and the Bulls have surrounded him with some quality pieces early in his career, so he doesn't have to hoist shots for 3-5 years while waiting for his team to get better.
While Monta Ellis and Danny Granger have outside chances of usurping a position, I just don't think they have enough health or time.
Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison and Tracy McGrady have scored a lot of points, and will score a few more, but will not be able to hold off a wave of hard charging talent.
Amare Stoudemire may have had a chance if it weren't for his injuries and subsequent long recoveries.
Dwight Howard may have had a chance with a few less chuckles and a lot more free throws.
Chris Bosh may have had a chance on another team and with a right hand that worked.
10. Kevin Garnett
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First of all, I hope that all of the players mentioned are able to remain healthy and play entire seasons so that we can see, what will be, ten of the all time greats continue to excel and thrive at this game we all love. The players are ranked according to their predicted highest possible outlook. I did some simple math to get the final numbers and rounded them slightly to offer more presentable numbers. I didn't want exact numbers as trying to figure out how long people will play isn't an exact science. Lastly, these are just my opinions and meant to entertain.
Facts
Garnett has screamed his way to almost 23.000 points in his career. He's currently averaging 15ppg for the Boston Celtics as a 34 year old and has played in 1160 regular season games.
Outlook
It seems that KG has almost entirely shifted his focus and frightening intensity to defense in the waning stages of his career. I'm sure no Celtics fans are complaining. I guess all those years carrying the Timberwolves on his back have caught up with him as he has mainly become a jump shooter. The emergence of Glen Davis and the addition of Shaq have also allowed him to pick his spots offensively. He should go into full Tim Duncan mode soon, start saving himself for the playoffs, and average about 12-13ppg over the next 3-4 seasons to end his career between 25,500 and 26.500 points.
9. Dwyane Wade
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Facts
Wade has crashed and attacked his way to just over 13,000 career points. The soon to be 29 year old is averaging 25 points a game for the Miami Heat and has played in 515 career games.
Outlook
Ninth? The low prediction may surprise you until you remember a few things. First, he is already 29 years old (it's crazy that he's only three years younger than Kobe). Second, he gave up some points in order to chase championships with the Heatles. Third, his style of play isn't conducive to a long, healthy career. He should play another 6-8 years (with just a couple of fully healthy seasons sprinkled in) and, based on his longevity, finish with somewhere between 23,500 and 27,000 points.
8. Ray Allen
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Facts
The soon to be 3 point king has amassed close to 22,000 points in his career. He's currently averaging 17ppg for the Boston Celtics this season as a 35 year old and has played in 1,070 regular season games.
Outlook
Allen is a workaholic and keeps himself in incredible shape. His numbers will probably decline in the coming years as he feels his age more and more, and as other players on the Celtics inevitably take on more prominent roles. He should play another 2-4 years at about 15-16ppg to end up somewhere between 24,500 and 27.500 points.
7. Carmelo Anthony
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Facts
Carmelo is rapidly approaching 14,000 career points as a 26 year old for the Denver Nuggets. He is currently averaging 24ppg and has played in just over 550 career regular season games.
Outlook
Melo is having a sub-par year by his standards, excluding the Allen Iverson years. The constant trade rumors are partly to blame, as are the decimation of Denver's front court. He hasn't seemed all that engaged this year. That being said he is still averaging 24ppg. He is expected to align his star with another shot happy superstar (Amare?) in the near future, so the 24ppg seems about right as a prediction for the next few years before he slowly declines. Let's say he plays another 8-9 years (can't see Melo playing past his mid thirties) at about an average of 22ppg to place his final tally somewhere between 27,000 and 29,000 career points.
6. Paul Pierce
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Facts
The third Celtic to already grace this list, Pierce has ridden his mid range game to almost 21,000 career points. The 33 year old is currently averaging 19 points a game and has played in 930 career regular season games.
Outlook
Paul Pierce is aging well. He is having the most efficient season of his career and has adapted his game to compensate for the accumulating years. He could play quite a few more seasons if he so chooses. His ppg shouldn't drastically decrease as his jump shot isn't going anywhere, and actually looks like it's still improving. He could also decide to hang up his sneakers and ride off into the sunset with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett in a few seasons. Pierce should continue to average 18ppg for another 4-6 years to finish somewhere between 26,500 and 29,000 career points. Pierce is ranked above Melo because, in my opinion, he has a greater chance of reaching 29,000 points.
5. Shaquille O'Neal
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Facts
The Big Shamrock has scored more than 28,500 points in his great career. This number is even more staggering when you factor in that he has missed more than 5,300 free throws. Regardless, the 38 year old is currently averaging slightly over 9ppg as the fourth Celtic on this list and has played in 1,200 career regular season games.
Outlook
I know, Shaq is currently fifth all time in scoring and I'm predicting that four current players will end up with more points than him? What can I say, with modern medicine, workouts and health consciousness, players are able maintain a high level for longer than they used to. If this isn't his last year, then next one will be, and he may be able to reach 29,500 points before all is said and done.
4. Dirk Nowitzki
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Facts
Disco Dirk has been a match up nightmare throughout his career and has amassed over 22,000 points for the Dallas Mavericks. The 32 year is currently averaging a little over 23ppg and has played in 960 career regular season games.
Outlook
The same logic applied to Paul Pierce applies here as well. Dirk's shot isn't going anywhere, and he doesn't have to constantly abuse his body running around screens (like Ray Allen) to get an open look. He simply shoots over people. He can do this for many more years and you will have to respect his shot until the day he decides to retire. I see Dirk playing another 4-6 years (and it definitely could be longer as the longevity of his career may end up being championship based) and average 20ppg along the way. Disco's final tally would therefore be between 28,000 and 31,000 points. Give the man some props.
3. LeBron James
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Facts
Love him or hate him, there is no denying that he is an athletic marvel. He can do things no one else can. Unfortunately for his assault on the record books, leading a team to a title isn't one of those things. Therefore, LeBron sought out a tremendous amount of help at the expense of a city's dignity and personal stats. LeBron is averaging 26ppg as a 26 year old for the Heat and has played in 600 career regular season games. He has scored more than 16,500 points.
Outlook
Without question LeBron gave up a lot of points to join Wade's team in South Beach. There is nothing wrong with what he did, just how he did it. He understands that he is Wilt Chamberlain to Kobe Bryant's Bill Russell and that will not change until he wins at least two championships (it is interesting, however, that before the days of extensively relying on stats and not value, it was Russell winning more MVP's than Chamberlain). Rings are everything if you want to be included in the pantheon of the NBA's top legends (don't believe me? When was the last time you heard anyone talk about Karl Malone? He's second all time in scoring, recently retired, and he's already being talked about less and less), and he has put himself in a situation in which he should contend for years. He had an outside chance of ending up as the top scorer in history before joining the Heat. While that will most likely no longer happen, he'll be happier with the rings. If the Heat do not win this year, they will add another piece or two in the offseason and his scoring should drop down even further. When making projections for King James, it is important to note that he rarely misses games. He has many interests besides basketball, but will hopefully still play into his mid to late thirties. I see LeBron playing another 9-10 years and averaging 23ppg along the way. He will end his career with between 33,500 and 35,500 points.
2. Kobe Bryant
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Facts
The man with the Black Mamba alter ego needs no introduction or last name. He has amassed over 27,000 points in his career, all with the Los Angeles Lakers. He is currently averaging over 25ppg as a 32 year old and has played in 1,070 career regular season games.
Outlook
Kobe is the ultimate competitor and will not retire while he thinks he has even a chance of winning more championships, and the Lakers will continue to provide him with those chances. If the Dwight Howard wanting to come to the Lakers rumors end up coming to fruition Kobe will play until he's 40, or close to. The two time reigning Finals MVP (it's an award for the series Bill Simmons, not for one game) has the toughness and work ethic to continue to excel for many years to come. If he's not currently the best player in the NBA, then he's at least the best second best since the Magic-Bird rivalry. His knee is worrisome, but we all know he'll play through it for as long as possible. Bryant will play another 5-6 years at about 23ppg to finish between 36,000 and 38,000 points.
1. Kevin Durant
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Facts
Durantula came into the NBA already knowing how to score quickly and often. His jump shot is sublime and has carried him to over 7,000 points halfway through his fourth NBA season. The 22 year old is averaging 29ppg for the Thunder this season. He has played in 280 career games.
Outlook
Kevin Durant takes basketball seriously. I love watching players that I can tell truly love the game and aren't playing simply for the paychecks and because of their athleticism, especially when they have the abilities of Durant. He is a once in a decade type talent with an incredible work ethic and an unquestionable desire to constantly improve his game. There is the chance that he eventually aligns with more stars but it will most likely be with the Thunder, where he will always be the alpha star. Similar to other players that rely on skill rather than athleticism (although he has both), he will have a long and productive career. I see him playing another 14-16 seasons at an average of 26ppg to end his career between 35,000 and 39,000 points. It is still early in his career, and a lot can happen, but if everything goes right Kareem may have to start preparing a speech.
