Top Scoring Threat at Every NBA Position

Opening tip-off is just days away, and while there has never been more uncertainty surrounding the league, its top players should still continue to impress us with their larger-than-life talents.

Many teams have undergone a major overhaul in terms of roster moves since last season, which is sure to shake up which scorers stand out above all the rest.

Is LeBron James a bigger scoring threat than Kevin Durant? Who is the most dangerous threat to score at the power forward position? Which shooting guard is posed to rack up the most points?

Despite a delayed start to the season, the aforementioned are all questions we are able to answer. The success of certain teams may be a mystery, but the league's top scoring threats are anything but.

Point Guard: Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose just inked himself a fat contract, and if anyone deserves such a deal, it's him.

The reigning MVP averaged 25 points per game last season and emerged as one of the league's highest flying acts. He is is much stronger and quicker than most point guards, which allows him to penetrate with ease. Rose is no one-trick offensive pony, though, as he has improved his outside game a great deal as well.

There is no player in the league the Chicago Bulls could add—not even Dwight Howard—that would motivate them to change the dynamic of the team's offense. Every play runs through Rose, as he is not only the facilitator, but the most dangerous scoring threat.

Deron Williams and Chris Paul are fantastic point guards, who can score more than their share of points, but neither one is as adept at it as Rose.

The only question surrounding Rose's offensive game this season is how many sets of ankles he will break on his route to the basket.

Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade

Sorry, Kobe Bryant advocates, but Dwyane Wade is the league's top scoring threat at the shooting guard position.

The argument for Wade goes beyond his 25.5 points per game with regard to Bryant. At 33, the Lakers star has had to resort to becoming more of a perimeter player rather than an inside threat as well. It is not unwise on Bryant's part, in fact, it's just the contrary. His body simply cannot hold up to the rigors of taking the ball to the basket on every possession.

The 29-year-old Wade's can.

Wade is as elusive as ever and breaks almost as many ankles as Derrick Rose. Wade takes the ball to the hole with authority and flies through the air with reckless abandon. He is near unstoppable when he gets inside the paint and has even developed into an outside threat as well.

As far as shooting guards go, there isn't one in the league who can score on command the way that Wade can.

Small Forward: Kevin Durant

Naming Kevin Durant as the NBA's biggest threat to score at the small forward position is not an insult to LeBron James.

James is a threat to score every time he has the ball in his hands. That being said, he looks to pass more than Durant does. Durant has Russell Westbrook to facilitate his offense, while James is his team's greatest facilitator and creates most of his own offense.

We cannot take anything away from Kevin Durant here, though. He can score from anywhere on the court. Whether it's jacking up a 32-foot three-pointer or taking the ball to the inside, Durant is a near lock to score whenever the ball touches his hands.

Durant has already averaged over 30 points per game in one season of his illustrious four-year career, and it is not illogical to believe that he could do it again. 

The 23-year-old Durant is poised to remain the greatest scoring threat at the three-spot for years to come, even before James.

Power Forward: Blake Griffin

Before the Chris Paul acquisition, this spot would have belonged to Dirk Nowitzki or even Amar'e Stoudemire, but instead, it belongs to Blake Griffin.

Griffin may not have as much range as some of his fellow power forwards, but Paul provides him with a legitimate opportunity to average 30 or more points per game this season. On his own, he has excellent low-post moves, but now with an all-star caliber point guard to lead the way, look for him to improve his mid-range jumper.

After this season, it will become abundantly clear that Griffin is good for much more than flying through the air and dunking the ball. Instead, expect him to be the league's highest scoring power forward.

Center: Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard boasted an improved offensive game last season on his way to the most productive year of his career on that end of the floor.

There are arguably some other centers who could be deemed more talented on offense, but Howard's sheer size in terms of height and muscle mass makes him impossible to stop. Think of him as a Shaquille O'Neal, but lighter and quicker while possessing the same amount of strength.

Scary, isn't it?

Howard has been the league's best center for at least the past two or three years, but he always seemed to slightly neglect his offensive sets. Now, however, Howard actually looks to score and has developed a strong post-up game.

The star center's production on offense last season was only a taste of what's to come.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.