NBA Power Rankings: The Greatest Scorers in Each Team's History
These players are usually the ticket sellers. They're the ones who put the fans in their seats and on their feet. As the main scorers and offensive producers of the team, they hold the responsibility of not only bringing fans to the stadium, but also to lead their team to victory. Whether they can shoot it from deep or spend most of the time in the post, these players are the key reasons behind a team's success and for how long.
A team needs defense more than anything to win a championship, but they could also use these players on the offensive end of the spectrum to get some wins as well. Most of the players on this list have either reached All-Star games, won championships for their team, or have a first ballot to the Hall of Fame for their exploits as a player. Some of the greatest players in league history were renowned scorers that led their team to titles.
For the past 60 years, these players have shocked and surprised us of what they are capable of when a basketball is in their hands. All 30 of these players are legends in their own right and they have made a name for themselves during their time and on the face of their franchises forever. Even the youngest of teams can feature scorers that can hold their own against players that were wowing crowds decades ago.
For each franchise, there has been a player who has led the teams offense at one time or another better than anyone else. These 30 players have perfected the art of putting a ball into a basket and at one point in their careers were able to lead their team on offense.
Even today, you still sometimes have to be in awe of what some of these players can do.
Atlanta Hawks: Dominique Wilkins
1 of 30
The Man: Dominique Wilkins
The Years: 1982-1994
The Stats: 26.4 points per game with Atlanta, 24.8 overall.
Dominique Wilkins earned the nickname "Human Highlight Reel" for reason. He was one of the league's best at throwing it down and made a career out of his high flying acrobatics. What most people don't realize though is that Wilkins was actually one of the best scorers of his time. Wilkins averaged over 30 points per game twice and would average over 20 per game in 11 consecutive seasons with the Atlanta Hawks.
Wilkins would win one scoring title in his career and it would come during the 1985-'86 season when he averaged 30 points per game. 'Nique never averaged under 15 points per game until his last year in the league.
Boston Celtics: Larry Bird
2 of 30
The Years: 1979-1992
The Stats: 24.3 ppg overall.
High ppg with team: 29.9 in 1987-'88.
The life of a basketball player becomes easy once you master the art of the perfect jump shot. Larry Bird was that player and he made a career out of that silky smooth jump shot that always appeared to go in from the second the ball was released. Larry would average at least 20 points per game in all but two seasons and would even end his career averaging 20 points per game with the Boston Celtics.
Bird was extremely consistent throughout his career and would shoot nearly 50% for his career and would make at least half of his shots three times throughout the 13 years he was in the league. Bird's career was legendary and it explains why he led his Celtics to three NBA titles.
Charlotte Bobcats: Stephen Jackson
3 of 30
The Years: 2009-present
The Stats: 19.8 points per game with Charlotte, 16.3 overall.
High ppg with team: 21.1 in 2009-'10
Even though he's only been with the team for barely two seasons, Stephen Jackson has already emerged as the franchises top scorer. Jackson hasn't let his age deter him either as he recently averaged a career high of 21 points per game at 32 years old in his first season with the Charlotte Bobcats. Stephen also led the 'Cats to their first post season in franchise history last year. At 33, he was able to lead Charlotte in scoring with 19 points per game.
Jackson didn't have much competition when it came to who would be the franchise's top scorer. The only other competitor would have been Gerald Wallace and he lacks the offensive game that Jackson possesses as an all-around shooter.
Chicago Bulls: Michael Jordan
4 of 30
The Years: 1984-1993; 1995-1998
The Stats: 31.2 points per game with Chicago, 30.1 overall
Highest ppg with team: 37.1 ppg in 1986-'87
Think it might be tough to average 30 points per game for an entire season? Try doing it for seven consecutive seasons and you might be on the level of Michael Jordan. In only his third year in the league and coming off of a season where he only played in 18 games, Jordan averaged his career high of 37 points per game. It was the closest anyone has ever been to Wilt Chamberlain's record of 50 points per game. Michael would only average 35 the next year.
Even after his retirement, Jordan would come back and average 30 points per game for one more year. Over the entirety of his career, Michael would never average less than 20 points per contest and would never shoot below 41%.
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
5 of 30
The Years: 2003-2010
The Stats: 27.8 points per game with Cleveland, 27.7 overall.
Highest ppg with team: 31.4 in 2005-'06.
It doesn't happen every year when you average 31 points per game and still can't come away with a scoring title. If not for Kobe Bryant having a Michael Jordan-like year from the field, James could have two scoring championships to his name, but for now he'll have to live with just the one he earned in 2007-'08 when he averaged 30 points. LeBron hasn't fallen off since joining Miami either, as he put up 27 points per game in his first year with the team.
Like his teammate Dwyane Wade, James has made a career out of driving. However, James' freakish athleticism allows him to hold an advantage over just about every player in the league that is forced to defend him.
Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki
6 of 30
The Years: 1998-present
The Stats: 23 ppg overall.
High ppg with team: 26.6 in 2005-'06.
It's because of Dirk Nowitzki that now we have a myriad of 7 footers thinking that they can now shoot from the outside. The only problem is that none of those players are Dirk and don't possess the skill set that he possesses as one of the best shooters in league history. Nowitzki's feathery, rainbow jumper is one of the most deadly shots in the game and is also one of the hardest to stop due to his height and the arc he puts into every shot.
Nowitzki has led his Dallas Mavericks to 11 consecutive seasons of winning 50 plus seasons, but only has one NBA Finals appearance to show for it. He is currently contesting for another one and will need to win one soon if he wants to finish his illustrious career with a ring.
Denver Nuggets: Alex English
7 of 30
The Years: 1979-1990
The Stats: 25.5 points per game with Denver, 21.5 ppg overall.
Highest ppg with team: 29.8 ppg in 1985-'86
Before there was Carmelo Anthony scoring at absurd clips with the Denver Nuggets, there was a rainbow warrior by the name of Alex English that was just as prolific a scorer in his tenure with Denver. Alex not only was a prolific scorer, but he was an efficient one as well considering that he averaged 51% shooting for his career and made over half his shots for six consecutive years at one point during his illustrious career.
Alex would average nearly 30 points per game for his career high, and he would lead the league in scoring in the 1982-'83 season when he averaged a little over 28 per and hit 52% of his shots.
Detroit Pistons: Bob Lanier
8 of 30
The Years: 1970-1980
The Stats: 22.8 points per game with Detroit, 20.1 overall.
High ppg with team: 25.7 in 1971-'72.
One of the most underrated big men in NBA history, Bob Lanier hasn't been remembered as vividly as he should be during his time with the Detroit Pistons. Lanier averaged over 20 points per game for nine consecutive seasons and averaged his career high of 26 points per game in only his second season in the league where he also posted 14 rebounds per contest as well.
Lanier would finish in the top five of MVP voting twice in his career.
Golden State Warriors: Wilt Chamberlain
9 of 30
The Years: 1959-1968
The Stats: 36.1 points per game with Golden State, 30.1 overall.
Highest ppg with team: 50.4 ppg in 1961-'62.
You can call his stats inflated or blame the competition at the time, but you can't claim that Wilt Chamberlain wasn't one of the most dominant forces in the league. He averaged 38 points and 22 rebounds in his rookie year and would average that benchmark of 50 points per contest only two years later. During that year, he was averaging over 48 minutes per game, hitting over 50% of his shots, and taking 17 free throws per game.
Whether he was in San Francisco or Philadelphia, Chamberlain absolutely dominated the league as an individual and as a statistical oddity.
The closest that anyone has come to that 50 points per game from a player not named Wilt Chamberlain? 37 points per game 30 years later by the greatest to play the game.
Houston Rockets: Hakeem Olajuwon
10 of 30
The Years: 1984-2001
The Stats: 21.8 points per game with Houston and overall.
Highest ppg with team: 27.8 ppg in 1994-'95.
Put a center like Hakeem Olajuwon in the league today and he'll probably average over 30 points per game. It's not only because the NBA is low on capable centers, but because it would take years for defenses to figure out every one of his post moves. Olajuwon has become the staple and the mentor for giving out tips on post moves and made a career out of it as he led two Houston Rockets teams to championships.
Take one look at how well Dwight Howard's offensive game has improved this season and you'll see just how valuable some post moves taught by 'The Dream' could be.
Indiana Pacers: Reggie Miller
11 of 30
The Years: 1987-2005
The Stats: 18.2 ppg overall.
Highest ppg with team: 24.6 in 1989-'90
Reggie Miller was never a prolific scorer, but he was good enough of a scorer to top the Indiana Pacers franchise when it comes to the most effective producer on offense. Unless you've been living under a rock, you would know that Miller is most well known for his ability to crush the heart's of opposing teams with his clutch shooting. His three-point shooting is by far some of the most deadly that the league has ever seen and it makes it even scarier when the game is on the line and the ball in his hands.
Miller hit nearly 40% of his three-pointers over his career and made as much as three per game in the 1996-'97 season when he was hitting 43% of his shots from beyond the arc. Reggie never averaged less than 35% shooting from beyond the arc until his final year with the team, 18 years after he joined the NBA.
Los Angeles Clippers: Bob McAdoo
12 of 30
The Years: 1972-1977
The Stats: 27.6 points per game with Los Angeles, 22.1 ppg overall.
Highest ppg with team: 34.5 ppg in 1974-'75.
In only his second year in the league, Bob McAdoo averaged 30 points and 15 rebounds per game with the Buffalo Braves. He decided to one up himself the next season by averaging nearly 35 points per game to go along with 14 rebounds per. McAdoo would extend the trend of high scoring seasons by posting 31 points per game for a third consecutive year. Bob would shoot at least 49% in all of those seasons.
Unfortunately for the Braves franchise, they decided that trading him for John Gianelli and some money would be a good idea in 1977. McAdoo would go on to win two championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant
13 of 30
The Years: 1996-present
The Stats: 25.3 points per game.
Highest ppg with team: 35.4 ppg in 2005-'06.
Those years without Shaquille O'Neal were painful from a team standpoint, but it was a statistician's dream as Kobe Bryant was posting up numbers that had not been seen in nearly 20 years. The 35 points per game was the most since Michael Jordan averaged 37 points in his third season in the league. The closest a player has come to that was a few years ago when LeBron James was scoring 31 per contest.
Even today at 31 years old, Bryant is still recognized as one of the most prolific scorers in the league and is currently leading the Los Angeles Lakers in an attempt to win the team's third consecutive title.
Memphis Grizzlies: Pau Gasol
14 of 30
The Years: 2001-2008
The Stats: 18.9 points per game with Memphis, 18.8 overall.
Highest ppg with team: 20.8 ppg in 2006-'07.
The spotlight on Pau Gasol has certainly brightened since joining the Los Angeles Lakers, but it seems that everyone tends to forget how good of a player Gasol was when he joined the Memphis Grizzlies. He had some of his best individual seasons with Memphis and even led the team to some of their first post season appearances. His size, length, and post moves allowed him to have his way with many opposing power forwards.
For Memphis, they'll probably have a better scorer arise in the future now that Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol are developing into young superstars.
Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade
15 of 30
The Years: 2003-present
The Stats: 25.4 points per game.
Highest ppg with team: 30.2 in 2008-'09
Dwyane sacrificed plenty when LeBron James and Chris Bosh came to the Heat, but it doesn't seem to have affected his stats too much considering that he just averaged nearly 26 points per game on 50% shooting. During the teams down period when Wade was surrounded by rookies and aging veterans, he was able to take advantage by scoring a career high 30 points per game and winning his first and only scoring title.
Wade has made a career out of sacrificing his body by driving to save his team. It has taken a toll on his body and it has showed, but he has managed to play through the pain and continue to put his health on the line for the love of winning some games for his teams.
Milwaukee Bucks: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
16 of 30
The Years: 1969-1975
The Stats: 30.4 points per game with Milwaukee, 24.6 ppg overall.
High ppg with team: 34.8 ppg in 1972-'73.
Most NBA players need a few years in the league before they become adjusted to their teams system and the faster pace of an actual professional game. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar wasn't one of those players and he proved that by averaging over 28 points per game in his first four years in the league. In only his second and third years in the league, Abdul-Jabbar would lead the league in scoring with per game averages of 31.7 and 34.8.
Kareem's famed sky hook would become one of the most lethal shots in the history of the game. His wiry 7'2" frame and his absurd length gave him an advantage over most other centers in the league and it made it even more difficult for defenders when they saw Abdul-Jabbar's post game.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett
17 of 30
The Years: 1995-2007
The Stats: 20.5 points per game with Minnesota, 19.5 overall.
Highest ppg with team: 24.2 ppg in 2003-'04.
Before taking his talents to Boston, Kevin Garnett was an absolute force with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He earned an MVP for his efforts and was the sole reason why the Wolves were a relevant team in the Western Conference, as you can tell by their records over the past few years. Despite having nearly the same body type of Chris Bosh, Garnett has power and strength that was unmatched thanks to the emotion and desire he puts into every game he plays.
Garnett is a career 50% shooter and averaged over 20 points for nine consecutive years at one point during his career.
New Jersey Nets: Drazen Petrovic
18 of 30
The Years: 1990-1993
The Stats: 18.5 ppg with New Jersey and 15.4 overall.
Highest ppg with team: 22.3 in 1992-'93
Along with Len Bias, the death of Drazen Petrovic is one of the biggest tragedies in NBA history. He led the forefront for European players integration into the league and had the potential of becoming one of the league's top players. In his short time with the New Jersey Nets, Petrovic showed signs of being a quality player and scorer as he averaged 22 points per game on 52% shooting the year before his untimely death.
Drazen had the range to go along with an already dangerous offensive game. He averaged 44% from deep for his career and made nearly two three-pointers per game in his first full season with the Nets.
New Orleans Hornets: Glen Rice
19 of 30
The Years: 1995-1998
The Stats: 23.6 points per game with Charlotte, 18.3 overall.
Highest ppg with team: 26.8 ppg in 1996-'97
He only spent three years with the team then known as the Charlotte Hornets, but Glen Rice left his mark on the franchise with his high-powered scoring. Rice had the best statistical years of his career with the Hornets when he scored as much as 27 points per game and hit over two three-pointers per game for all of those three years with Charlotte. During the 1996-'97 campaign, he hit nearly three-pointers per game on 47% shooting.
Even though Chris Paul could be in the argument for best scorer of the Hornets franchise, he's just not as prolific a scorer as Rice was back in his heyday. Glen's career high in points came when he was a member of the Miami Heat when he dropped 56.
New York Knicks: Patrick Ewing
20 of 30
The Years: 1985-2000
The Stats: 22.3 points per game with New York, 21 ppg overall.
High ppg with team: 28.6 in 1989-'90
If not for the exploits of Michael Jordan and the devastation caused by Reggie Miller, Patrick Ewing could have a significant accolade to go along with him being the top scorer in franchise history. In two decades where centers ruled the NBA world, Ewing was one of the best as he led his Knicks to countless post season appearances and only a game away from winning their first title in 20 years. Patrick's strength was unmatched by just about anyone in the league.
Ewing averaged over 20 points per game for his first 13 seasons in the league and never averaged less than 15 points per game as a member of the Knicks.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant
21 of 30
The Years: 2007-present
The Stats: 25.9 points per game.
Highest ppg with team: 30.1 ppg in 2009-'10.
On a franchise that's had the likes of Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp on the court, it's a player in his fourth year that heads the franchise as the top scorer. At 21 years old last season, Kevin Durant became the youngest player in NBA history to win a scoring championship when he averaged 30 points. The next year he became the youngest player in league history to win back to back scoring championships when he posted up 28 per game.
Durant's length and feathery jump shot allow him to be a threat from deep while also being one when driving to the rim. In only four short years, he has turned Oklahoma City around from a cellar dweller to a championship contender.
Orlando Magic: Tracy McGrady
22 of 30
The Years: 2000-2004
The Stats: 28.1 ppg with Orlando, 20.4 overall.
Highest ppg with team: 32.1 in 2002-'03
In a few years when Dwight Howard continues to polish his offensive game, he might be able to take the top spot. However, it's tough to beat out a player that once averaged 32 points per game and won back-to-back scoring titles. Tracy McGrady may be nothing more than a role player now, but at one time in his career he was one of the most prolific and dangerous scorers in the NBA. It was in Orlando where he hit two three-pointers per game for the only time in his career.
McGrady wasn't the best at picking and choosing his shots considering he shot 43% for his career, but his scoring and high flying acrobatics gave him plenty of recognition around the league for nearly a decade.
Philadelphia 76ers: Allen Iverson
23 of 30
The Years: 1996-2007; 2009-2010
The Stats: 28.2 points per game with Philadelphia, 26.7 overall
Highest ppg with team: 33 ppg in 2005-'06
Was the 2005-'06 campaign the year of the scorer? With Kobe Bryant leading the way at 35 points per game, Allen Iverson's attempt at a second back-to-back and fifth scoring title were put to a halt. It would also be the last time that Iverson would average over 30 points per game after doing it four times in his career. When it came to being a prolific scorer in the 2000's, there weren't many players who could do it better than Allen Iverson.
At 6' and 185 pounds, Iverson was one of the best little men to play the game. His speed and ability to weave through defenses were keys in his offense as it allowed him to find open shots that most average basketball players couldn't find.
Phoenix Suns: Amare Stoudemire
24 of 30
The Years: 2002-2010
The Stats: 19.9 points per game with Phoenix, 21.9 overall.
Highest ppg with team: 26 ppg in 2004-'05.
Remember when we thought Steve Nash was the reason for all that scoring? Turns out it was Amare Stoudemire the whole time. With the New York Knicks, Stoudemire fell a few percentage points of tying his career high in points per game with a little over 25. Prior to leading the Knicks to their first post season in a decade, he was leading the Phoenix Suns to some of their best seasons in franchise history.
'Stat' has averaged 54% shooting from the field over his career and nearly hit 60% in the 2007-'08 season when he was posting up over 25 per contest.
Portland Trail Blazers: Clyde Drexler
25 of 30
The Year: 1983-1995
The Stats: 20.9 points per game with Portland, 20.4 overall.
Highest ppg with team: 27.2 ppg in 1989-'90.
Most remembered for his high-flying acrobatics, Clyde Drexler also had a storied career with the Portland Trail Blazers where he averaged over 27 points per game twice. One of his most impressive seasons came during the 1987-'88 campaign when he not only scored 27 points per contest, but also hit above 50% of his shots. Clyde also was able to lead his Trail Blazers to the NBA Finals in 1992, a level that Portland hasn't achieved since then.
Drexler hit 47% over his career and could have hit at a much higher clip had he not taken over two three-pointers per game.
Sacramento Kings: Oscar Robertson
26 of 30
The Years: 1960-1970
The Stats: 29.2 points per game with Sacramento, 25.7 overall.
PPG high with team: 31.4 ppg in 1963-'64
Turns out that Oscar Robertson did more than just average a triple-double for an entire season. One of the 'Big O's strongest suits was scoring as he averaged nearly 30 points per game after a decade of playing with the Cincinnati Royals. Robertson was the modern-day Sacramento Kings first superstar and for good reason from the numbers he posted up on a yearly basis.
Oscar led the league in scoring once in his career and shot 48% over his career. His size gave him an advantage over any other point guard in the league at the time.
San Antonio Spurs: George Gervin
27 of 30
The Years: 1973-1985 (Including his time with San Antonio when it was a part of the ABA)
The Stats: 27 points per game with San Antonio and overall.
Highest ppg with team: 33.1 in 1979-'80
You don't get called 'The Iceman' for nothing. Former San Antonio Spur George Gervin was as cool as it got on the court, especially when it came to playing offense and doing something as simple as putting a ball in a basket. For three consecutive seasons, Gervin won the scoring title and then won his fourth the year after winning the third one. George averaged more than 30 points per game twice in his career.
As a scorer, it makes it all the more impressive that Gervin wasn't even a three-point shooter. Gervin was averaging 30 points per game and was a 27% career three-point shooter that never averaged more than 0.4 three's per game.
Toronto Raptors: Vince Carter
28 of 30
The Years: 1998-2005
The Stats: 23 points per game with Toronto, 22.2 overall
Highest ppg with team: 27.6 in 2000-'01
He might not be liked by the city of Toronto now, but for a time Vince Carter was the most beloved athlete in Toronto that wasn't on a hockey team. Carter stepped on to the scene and made his impact felt fast as he averaged nearly 28 points per game in his third year in the league. He was also hitting over two three-pointers per game for two consecutive seasons and hit around 40% on both occasions. In his time with Toronto, Carter averaged under 20 points per game only once.
If he left on better terms, the city of Toronto maybe would appreciate the fact that Carter has been the teams most prolific scorer in franchise history. Maybe in a few years, they can hope that DeMar DeRozan will take the top spot.
Utah Jazz: Karl Malone
29 of 30
The Years: 1985-2003
The Stats: 25 points per game with Utah and overall.
Highest ppg with team: 31 ppg in 1989-'90.
Most people remember Karl Malone as one of the best to play the game of basketball and not come away with a title, but he deserves a lot more recognition for what he accomplished in nearly two decades worth of work. Malone averaged over 20 points per game for 17 consecutive seasons with the two exceptions being his rookie year and his final year in the league when he was 40 years old. That means even at 39 years old, Malone was still averaging over 20 points per game.
Karl hit at a 52% clip and also averaged 10 rebounds per game for his career.
Washington Wizards: Gilbert Arenas
30 of 30
The Years: 2003-2011
The Stats: 24.2 points per game with Washington, 21.2 overall.
High ppg with team: 29.3 in 2005-'06
It's been quite the fall from grace for Gilbert Arenas since injuries and legal troubles began to pile up. Before being recognized as Quickdraw McGraw off the court, he was El Kabong on it as he hit countless absurd buzzer beating game winning three-pointers. When he was in a rhythm, Arenas became one of the most dangerous players in the league with range that sometimes exceeded 30 feet. The Wizards have suffered without him on the court and it is painfully obvious through their past few seasons.
Arenas got a little too happy from beyond the arc and it lasted a few seasons as he averaged over six three-point attempts in four consecutive seasons. He hit over 35% from deep in all four of those seasons.
