You know what still gives me chills? Watching old footage of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's skyhook. That unstoppable move helped him rack up points for two decades. But here's the thing about tracking the top NBA scorers of all time - it's not just about numbers. It's about eras, rule changes, and how the game evolved. I remember arguing with my cousin about whether modern players have it easier with no hand-checking. Maybe. But putting the ball through the hoop consistently over 15+ seasons? That's legendary stuff regardless.
The Mount Rushmore of NBA Scoring
Let's cut straight to what you came for: the official list of highest scorers in NBA history. This isn't just stats - it's 75 years of basketball history in one table. Notice how the top spots are dominated by guys who played forever AND stayed elite? That's the real secret sauce.
| Rank | Player | Total Points | Years Active | Teams | PPG Average | Signature Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LeBron James | 40,254 | 2003-Present | CLE, MIA, LAL | 27.1 | Chase-down layups |
| 2 | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 38,387 | 1969-1989 | MIL, LAL | 24.6 | Skyhook |
| 3 | Karl Malone | 36,928 | 1985-2004 | UTA, LAL | 25.0 | Pick-and-roll master |
| 4 | Kobe Bryant | 33,643 | 1996-2016 | LAL | 25.0 | Fadeaway jumper |
| 5 | Michael Jordan | 32,292 | 1984-2003 | CHI, WAS | 30.1 | Mid-range perfection |
| 6 | Dirk Nowitzki | 31,560 | 1998-2019 | DAL | 20.7 | One-legged fadeaway |
| 7 | Wilt Chamberlain | 31,419 | 1959-1973 | PHI, GSW, LAL | 30.1 | Power dunks |
| 8 | Shaquille O'Neal | 28,596 | 1992-2011 | ORL, LAL, MIA, PHX, CLE, BOS | 23.7 | Drop-step dunk |
| 9 | Carmelo Anthony | 28,289 | 2003-2022 | DEN, NYK, OKC, HOU, POR, LAL | 22.5 | Triple-threat jab |
| 10 | Moses Malone | 27,409 | 1976-1995 | BUF, HOU, PHI, WAS, ATL, MIL, SAS | 20.6 | Offensive rebounding |
*Regular season points only. Source: NBA Official Records
Looking at these top NBA scorers of all time, something jumps out. Only three guys averaged over 30 PPG - Jordan, Wilt, and LeBron. Makes you appreciate Durant's scoring even more, though he's sitting at #12 currently.
Breaking Down the Scoring Kings
Points are points, right? Wrong. How these legends scored tells us everything about basketball history. The 60s were playgrounds for athletic freaks like Wilt. The 80s? All about post moves and mid-range. Today's game? Three-point barrages and drives to the rim.
The Longevity Masters
LeBron James
Still adding to his total at age 38. Crazy. I watched his 61-point game against Charlotte in 2014 - he was hitting turnarounds like prime MJ. What separates him?
20+ PPG Seasons
20
Highest Season PPG
31.4
Oldest 50-pt Game
Age 37
Scored 30+ PPG at age 38 - unprecedented for a 20-year veteran
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
That skyhook was basketball's cheat code. Saw it live in '85 - defenders knew it was coming but couldn't touch it. His secret? Playing 20 seasons at All-Star level.
Most Seasons Played
20
Scoring Titles
2
Points After Age 35
7,160
Averaged 23.4 PPG at age 38 during 1985 championship run
The Scoring Phenoms
Michael Jordan
Here's my hot take: MJ could average 40 today with modern spacing. His mid-range was automatic. Remember the "flu game"? Dude dropped 38 while dehydrated. Insane.
Scoring Titles
10
Career PPG
30.1
Highest PPG Season
37.1
Scored 40+ points in 211 games - 2nd all-time behind Wilt
Wilt Chamberlain
100 points in a game. Let that sink in. Old-timers swear defenders hung on him like Christmas ornaments. His 1962 season? Averaged 50.4 PPG. Absurd numbers.
50+ PPG Seasons
1
40+ PPG Seasons
2
100-pt Game
March 2, 1962
Averaged 48.5 minutes per game in 1962 (yes, more than regulation)
The Modern Hunters
Current players climbing the ladder. Durant's already top 15 but health is his enemy. Curry? That three-pointer could push him into top 5 territory if he plays long enough.
| Active Player | Current Points | All-Time Rank | Projected Final Rank | Points Needed for Top 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Durant | 27,331 | #12 | Top 8 | 4,309 |
| James Harden | 25,119 | #24 | Top 15 | 6,521 |
| Stephen Curry | 22,225 | #34 | Top 7 | 9,335 |
| Russell Westbrook | 24,857 | #27 | Top 20 | 7,786 |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | 16,484 | #115 | Top 25 | 15,176 |
Durant's efficiency is scary - career 49.9% FG while taking tough shots. But durability worries me. Curry's different. Saw him drain 11 threes against Portland in 2019. If he stays healthy, 30,000 points is doable despite his late start.
Underrated Scoring Machines
Everyone debates MJ vs LeBron, but some top NBA scorers of all time never get proper respect. Moses Malone was a beast on the offensive glass. Dominique Wilkins? Most explosive dunker before Vince Carter.
Forgotten Legends
Alex English - 8 straight 2,000-point seasons in the 80s. Smooth lefty who never forced shots.
Adrian Dantley - Shot 54% FG for his career as a 6'5" forward. Master of drawing fouls.
Bernard King - Dropped 60 on Nets in 1984. Came back from devastating knee injury.
Funny how Karl Malone gets heat for no rings but nobody questions his scoring. Dude was automatic from 15 feet. Still hate how he bullied smaller defenders though.
Scoring Across Eras
Comparing scorers is messy. Rule changes completely shifted strategies:
- Pre-1980s: Physical post play, minimal three-pointers
- 1980s-2000s: Mid-range kings, hand-checking allowed
- Post-2004: No hand-checking, three-point explosion
Wilt's 100-point game in 1962? No three-second violations back then. Big men camped in the paint. But also - no modern training or nutrition. Guys smoked cigarettes at halftime!
Jordan's era featured brutal physicality. Pistons literally hammered him. But zone defenses were illegal - pure man-to-man. Today's defenses are more complex but less physical.
Your Top NBA Scorers Questions Answered
Who has the best scoring average among the top NBA scorers of all time?
Michael Jordan leads with 30.12 PPG. Wilt Chamberlain is second at 30.07 PPG.
Can anyone catch LeBron as the top NBA scorer ever?
Realistically? Probably not. Luka Doncic averages 27.6 PPG but started younger than LeBron. Needs 25+ PPG for 18 more seasons. Durant would need to play till 43 at current pace.
Why isn't Shaquille O'Neal higher on the list?
Free throws. Shaq shot 52.7% from the stripe. Missed over 5,000 FT attempts. Also battled weight issues later in career.
How many points did Kobe score in his 81-point game?
81 points on January 22, 2006 vs Toronto. Shot 60% from the field. Craziest part? Only hit 7 threes.
Who scored the most without a scoring title?
Karl Malone. Finished second in scoring 4 times but never won the title. Jordan blocked him three times.
The Psychology of Great Scorers
Scoring 30,000+ points isn't just physical. It's mental. Kobe's "mamba mentality" wasn't marketing fluff. Saw him take 900 shots pre-game during 2012 London Olympics. At 5 AM.
Durant's different. Quiet assassin. Remember his dagger over LeBron in 2017 Finals? Stone cold. Contrast that with Westbrook's explosive energy. Different paths up the mountain.
The Scoring Mindset Checklist
- Amnesia: Forget missed shots immediately
- Ruthlessness: Attack mismatches without mercy
- Conditioning: Maintain form in 4th quarters
- Ego Control: Take bad shots only when necessary
- Adjustment: Evolve as athleticism declines (see: Jordan's post game)
Carmelo Anthony was fascinating. Elite scorer but never quite figured out that last point. Stubborn about adapting his game until Portland years.
Scoring Milestones That Matter
Reaching these marks separates good scorers from all-time greats:
| Milestone | Players Who Reached It | Most Recent |
|---|---|---|
| 30,000 points | 7 players | Dirk Nowitzki (2017) |
| 25,000 points | 23 players | James Harden (2023) |
| 20,000 points | 52 players | DeMar DeRozan (2022) |
| Single-game 70+ | 6 players | Devin Booker (2017) |
That 30K club is exclusive for a reason. Requires 25 PPG for 15 seasons without major injuries. Durant would've gotten there earlier if not for the Achilles tear.
Controversies in Scoring Records
Not everyone agrees these rankings tell the full story. ABA points aren't counted - Dr. J scored over 11,000 there. And pace changes everything. Wilt's Warriors averaged 125 possessions per game. Today's Kings led league at 101.
Some argue three-point era makes scoring easier. I disagree. Yes, there are more points now but defenses are smarter. Closeouts are faster. Analytics killed the mid-range game many legends relied on.
Biggest debate? Whether longevity matters more than peak scoring. Karl Malone vs Allen Iverson is the perfect example. Malone scored more through consistency. Iverson's 2001 season was more electrifying. Saw him drop 52 on Hornets while nursing injuries. Different animals.
Scoring Stats That Will Shock You
Let's geek out on some absurd numbers:
- Michael Jordan scored 40+ points in 211 games - LeBron has "only" 75 such games
- Kobe Bryant once scored 62 points in three quarters (outscored Mavericks 62-61)
- Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50.4 PPG and 48.5 MPG in 1961-62
- LeBron James has scored against 35% of all players in NBA history
- Karl Malone missed only 10 games in first 13 seasons
Here's one that blows my mind: If Jordan never retired (first retirement cost him ~150 games), he'd likely have 38,000+ points. But would he have maintained that killer instinct? Doubt it.
Final Thoughts on Top NBA Scorers
Tracking the top NBA scorers of all time is like watching basketball history unfold. LeBron passing Kareem wasn't just stats - it was two generations colliding. Kareem played against plumbers and teachers (just kidding... mostly). LeBron faces specialized athletes.
Will anyone ever top LeBron? Probably not in our lifetime. The combination of scoring, playmaking and durability is freakish. But that's why we watch. Maybe Luka will prove me wrong. Kid dropped 73 last season after all. The climb continues.
Leave a Message