The 2017-2018 NBA season is just about to come to a close. The Golden State Warriors are the overwhelming favorites for this year’s title and have their sights set on many more championships over the next few years. Though it will be hard, there might still be hope in Cleveland as LeBron James has been playing out of his mind lately, including winning back-to-back scoring titles that he took from Michael Jordan when they were both with the Chicago Bulls.
The “which of these teams joined the nba from the aba?” is a question that asks which team was in the NBA before the New York Knicks. The answer is Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls, who won their third consecutive scoring title.
Basketball is about much more than simply scoring points, yet it is also the most efficient method to win games. Scorers in the NBA have demonstrated time and time again that they can overcome adversity and always be the ones to get their team baskets when they are needed.
LeBron James, whose Los Angeles Lakers haven’t won a game when he hasn’t scored at least 50 points since the All-Star break, is one player who is living by that philosophy this season. That’s a lot of faith in one of the league’s oldest players, who is scoring at a pace that no other player his age has ever managed.
James is locked in a battle with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Kevin Durant for the scoring crown. If LeBron does it, he will become the NBA’s oldest player to win the scoring championship by a significant margin. So, who are the people who have previously accomplished this?
Pete Maravich (10th) – 31.1 PPG (29 years and 313 days)
NBA Season 1976-77
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‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich had a chance to be hailed as one of his generation’s best players. Over the course of his brief career, he was an automatic scorer, averaging 24.2 points a game. Maravich played 10 seasons in the NBA for four different teams, but his best season was 1976-77 with the New Orleans Jazz, when he led the league in scoring.
Maravich is without a doubt one of the most skilled offensive players in NBA history, with a game that would readily adapt to the present league. With his amazing ability to hit consistent shots from all over the floor while also finishing at the rim, he established himself as an all-time guard. Due to injuries, Maravich’s career was cut short, and he died at the age of 40.
Allen Iverson (9th) – 30.7 points per game (29 years and 328 days)
NBA Season 2004-05
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‘The Solution’ Allen Iverson will go down in history as one of the most influential cultural figures to emerge from the NBA. His early-2000s popularity was unsurpassed, with his dazzling on-court displays attracting even more admirers to his game. While his finest season was the one in which he was named MVP, his achievements throughout the 2004-05 season enabled him lead the league in scoring and beat Maravich by 15 days to ninth place. This was Iverson’s fourth and last scoring championship. He had previously topped the league in scoring three times.
This season, Iverson would set a new career best with 60 points against the Orlando Magic. In addition, his efforts were critical in the 76ers’ ability to reach the playoffs this season. Iverson’s 76ers career came to an end the following season when he was moved to the Detroit Pistons.
8. George Gervin – 32.3 points per game (30 years and 3 days)
NBA Season 1981-82
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‘The Iceman’ is a fictional character. George Gervin is regarded as one of the NBA’s most unappreciated players. When it comes to the best scorers in NBA history, Gervin’s name has to be mentioned. His last championship came in the 1981-82 season, making him a four-time scoring champion. Gervin’s fourth scoring championship in five years cemented his position as the league’s greatest scorer before a certain UNC Tar Heel was picked by the Chicago Bulls (more on him later).
In 1981-82, the Spurs enjoyed a fantastic regular season with Gervin. The squad finished second in the Western Conference, but were swept in the Western Conference Finals by the Los Angeles Lakers. This was Gervin’s last season of competing for an NBA championship at such a high level. As a consequence, Gervin is often considered to be one of the finest players in NBA history who has never won a championship.
Michael Jordan – 32.6 points per game (30 years and 72 days)
NBA Season 1992-93
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Our is the first time Michael Jordan has made an appearance on this list, but we all know it won’t be the last. When we look at seasons like 1992-93, Jordan’s argument for being the greatest of all time becomes quite strong, since he would not only win a scoring championship but also complete the first Chicago Bulls three-peat.
There isn’t much that can be said about Jordan’s offensive game that hasn’t already been addressed. This season, Jordan was his usual self, with gorgeous mid-range fadeaways and explosive rim finishes, and he used his whole arsenal to average 32 points and win the scoring title.
6. James Harden – 34.3 points per game (30 years and 247 days)
NBA Season 2019-20
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As a scorer, James Harden has had stronger seasons, with his previous season standing out with a mind-boggling 36.3 point average. However, given Harden was playing with Russell Westbrook, who averaged 27 points per game, replicating the accomplishment with a 34.3 point average next season is just as astounding.
While Harden had a few subpar games here and there, he was explosive offensively for the most of the season. There were real talks about him averaging 40 points at some point throughout the season. Harden’s status as one of the game’s oldest scorers was overlooked at the time, but ‘The Beard’ finally deserves his roses.
Jerry West (5th) – 31.2 PPG (31 years and 337 days)
NBA Season 1969-70
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‘The Logo’ is a fictional character. Jerry West is one of the best point guards in basketball history. While it’s terrible that his trophy cabinet is empty due to the Boston Celtics, West has a long list of personal achievements. The 1969-70 season scoring championship is one of the highlights of his trophy collection.
West was on a vengeance mission to win his first NBA championship after being awarded Finals MVP as the sole Finals loser. West’s ability to handle the ball confused everyone he played with at the time, as he was hitting defenders with moves he’d never seen before. He had higher scoring seasons previously, but despite being in the later part of his career, this was the year he topped the league in scoring. West only had nine games this season when he scored less than 20 points, and he was a reliable scorer throughout.
4. Stephen Curry – 32 points per game (33 years and 47 days)
NBA Season 2020-21
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Last season, Stephen Curry, the defending scoring champion, had a historic duel with Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal to win the scoring championship on the last day of the season. Curry became the oldest scoring championship winner whose initials aren’t MJ as a result of this. Curry had a spectacular offensive year, attempting to carry the Warriors on his own before losing in the play-in game to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Curry appeared like he’d win another scoring crown this season, putting him third on the record, but a sluggish start has knocked him out of contention. Despite this, Curry put on a performance practically every night of the 2020-21 season to commemorate his full-time return to basketball after an injury-plagued 2019-20 season. Curry had one of his finest offensive seasons, including a 60-point game, two 50-point games, and seven 40-point games.
3. Michael Jordan (30.4 points per game) (33 years and 72 days)
NBA Season 1995-96
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Jordan was able to three-peat with the NBA scoring championship, just like he did with the NBA titles. MJ is a 10-time scoring champion, with his last three awards cementing his status as one of the all-time top scorers. Jordan’s second season after returning from baseball was 1995-96, when he helped the Bulls reclaim their championship form by capturing the first of their second three-peat.
Jordan was able to achieve the championship by being consistent. Although there were no standout scoring efforts, MJ promised that he would come up every game and give it his all. Jordan had one fifty-point game against his old Detroit Pistons opponents, as well as a number of 40-point games, but he scored 30 points or more 39 times this season. Jordan would go on to demonstrate the importance of consistency.
2. Michael Jordan (29.6 points per game) (34 years and 72 days)
NBA Season 1996-97
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After winning his fourth NBA championship, Jordan returned the next season with the same determination to win more. However, MJ’s scoring output decreased somewhat, but it was still more than enough to lead the league in scoring. MJ had won the title the season before by consistently performing in the upper 30s. MJ did a lot of the same things this season, scoring 30 points 36 times.
He had two games with 50 points, including a season-high 51 points against the New York Knicks, as well as outstanding efforts against the Seattle SuperSonics (45), Cleveland Cavaliers (45), and Miami Heat (45). (50). With Jordan at the helm, the Bulls went on to capture another NBA championship.
1. Michael Jordan (28.7 points per game) (35 years and 72 days)
NBA Season 1997-98
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Finally, we’ve arrived at ‘The Last Dance.’ Jordan’s last season with the Bulls not only saw him secure the team’s second three-peat, but it also saw him become the NBA’s oldest scoring leader. While LeBron James is attempting to break this record, Jordan earned this slot by guiding his team through a difficult season to become NBA champions.
Jordan’s scoring averages dropped from previous seasons, but his efficiency remained the same. This season, he didn’t have any 50-point games, with his greatest point total coming against the Los Angeles Clippers at 49. Jordan also wasn’t scoring 30 as often as he had been in previous seasons, reaching that mark just 23 times this year. Despite it all, Jordan outpaced the competition and retired as a 10-time scoring champion and six-time NBA champion with the Bulls. Perhaps he, like LeBron James, is an ageless marvel. By the conclusion of the 21-22 season, we’ll know.
The “nba head coach steve kerr still holds what record from his playing days?” is a question that has been asked many times. Michael Jordan is the No. 1 NBA Scoring Champion, and he is followed by Jerry West at No. 2 and Elgin Baylor at No. 3.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many scoring titles does Jordan have?
A: Jordan has five scoring titles.
Who won the NBA scoring title in 2008?
A: The NBA scoring title was won by Kobe Bryant.
Who has the highest ppg in NBA history?
A: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, career 34.5ppg
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