Today I’m continuing my series of Wednesday top five blogs and also my best NBA award winners series. You can’t hate on a two for one scenario! It’s funny though this week. The scoring title is one of the most popular awards, but also one of the least respected. The NBA barely acknowledges the award’s existence. Still, the fans love it and so do the players. The most popular aspect of basketball is the scoring. As cool as I may think a good rebounder is, the fans will always reward the scorer over all else. So, here I am, doing my part with honoring the best scoring champions of all time.
5. Rick Barry, 1967 35.6 ppg
The other four selections on today’s list could’ve been seen from a mile away. Though, as it is with many top five lists, the toughest selection is generally the last one. You would think that maybe George Gervin, Allen Iverson or maybe even Bob McAdoo would warrant the #5 spot. I figured it would be Allen Iverson, but that’s why you have to do research. In 1967 Ricky Barry average 35 ppg! I always knew Barry was a good player and a legend when it came to free throws, but 35 ppg? I didn’t expect that!
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1972 34.8
Kareem is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. We all know that he has the all-time career scoring record, but what’s forgotten is that in his prime Kareem could score with the best of them. Kareem would win two scoring titles, both with him average over 30 ppg. I think he’s remembered most for being one the most durable NBA players ever, but in his early days, Kareem could light it up. In the last ten years only has the #3 selection topped Kareem’s 1972 average of 34.8 ppg.
3. Kobe Bryant, 2006 35.4 ppg
Kobe may be starting to show signs of decline, but two seasons ago he put up one of the greatest scoring years in NBA history. We all know about the night of 81, but to be able to average 35 points a game is totally remarkable. Kobe Bryant couldn’t really have any bad nights. To get an average like that you have to be “on” every night. Kobe’s scoring that year brought back memories of the number two selection. That’s not something that’s easy to do on a credible level. In 2006, Kobe Bryant did just that.
2. Michael Jordan 1987 37.1 ppg
When it comes to greatest scorer in NBA history most of the fans are split. It’s either Wilt or Michael. No one else can seriously claim to warrant discussion. Wilt has the highest scoring games, but Michael dominated the NBA’s scoring for longer. Wilt scored 100, but Michael won 10 scoring titles. Though when it comes to an individual year, Michael falls all the way to the second spot. 37 ppg is almost unthinkable in today’s NBA. Kobe Bryant had to play at an unconscious level in 2006 just to get his average to 35 ppg. Michael’s scoring in 1987 is a consistency in that area that we’ve yet to see surpassed since.
1. Wilt Chamberlain, 1962 50.4 ppg
Okay, this is the obvious winner. Who would truly argue that this shouldn’t be the top season? I remember seeing an interview with Wilt when he was asked what the toughest thing he’d ever done in his career was. He responded that everyone loves the night that he scored 100, but he felt that average 50 ppg for an entire season was much harder. He said that every night, if you he didn’t score 50, he wasn’t doing what he was supposed to do. Can anyone even imagine that in today’s NBA?
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