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Who is the best scorer in NBA history? My previous thread was strictly the regular season, to which multiple people responded that the order would be different if I did the playoffs. Obviously, the playoffs matter A LOT, so here it is, my list of the best playoff scorers: https://twitter.com/jmkeele/status/1283567186628550658
The assumptions are the same, except I took a player’s top 5 playoff scoring runs (instead of top 8 regular seasons) when they made it to at least the conference finals, so first round scoring juggernauts where their teams lost are not included.
Honorable mention:
Kobe Bryant (eraPPG: 31.2, rTS%: +2.8% in 01, 04, and 08-10)
Kobe’s playoff volume is high, but his efficiency holds him back again. However, his two most efficient playoff seasons were more efficient than his best regular season effort.
Kobe Bryant (eraPPG: 31.2, rTS%: +2.8% in 01, 04, and 08-10)
Kobe’s playoff volume is high, but his efficiency holds him back again. However, his two most efficient playoff seasons were more efficient than his best regular season effort.
Number 10:
Steph Curry (eraPPG: 26.7, rTS%: +7.0% in 15-19)
Not the highest volume, but Curry’s crazy efficiency, even in the face of better playoff defense, is pretty incredible. One might argue that his teammates get him more open looks, but his gravity tells another story.
Steph Curry (eraPPG: 26.7, rTS%: +7.0% in 15-19)
Not the highest volume, but Curry’s crazy efficiency, even in the face of better playoff defense, is pretty incredible. One might argue that his teammates get him more open looks, but his gravity tells another story.
Number 9:
Elgin Baylor (eraPPG: 30.7, rTS%: +4.2% in 60-63, 66)
Baylor’s three year efficiency and volume tear in 60, 61, and 62 land him on this list (he was left off the RS list because of a short peak), despite having to face Russell’s Celtics twice in that three year span.
Elgin Baylor (eraPPG: 30.7, rTS%: +4.2% in 60-63, 66)
Baylor’s three year efficiency and volume tear in 60, 61, and 62 land him on this list (he was left off the RS list because of a short peak), despite having to face Russell’s Celtics twice in that three year span.
Number 8:
Wilt Chamberlain (eraPPG: 28.4, rTS%: +5.7% in 60, 62, 64, 65, and 67)
Despite playing a lot of games against one of the best defensive players in NBA history, Wilt still managed to be efficient and score a lot of points, despite his drop in volume in the playoffs.
Wilt Chamberlain (eraPPG: 28.4, rTS%: +5.7% in 60, 62, 64, 65, and 67)
Despite playing a lot of games against one of the best defensive players in NBA history, Wilt still managed to be efficient and score a lot of points, despite his drop in volume in the playoffs.
Number 7:
Hakeem Olajuwon (eraPPG: 28.8, rTS%: +6.0% in 87, 93, 94, 95, and 97)
Hakeem’s ranking on a lot of all-time great lists comes largely from his defense, but his impact on the offensive end was impressive, especially in the playoffs.
Hakeem Olajuwon (eraPPG: 28.8, rTS%: +6.0% in 87, 93, 94, 95, and 97)
Hakeem’s ranking on a lot of all-time great lists comes largely from his defense, but his impact on the offensive end was impressive, especially in the playoffs.
Mid thread correction: I initially stated that I only counted conference finals and later, which was an error. I counted any playoff year in which a player won at least one series, which changed Kobe’s numbers to: eraPPG: 32.2, rTS%: +2.8% in 01, 03, and 08-10.
Number 6:
Shaquille O’Neal (eraPPG: 32.3, rTS%: +5.3% in 98 and 00-03)
From 1998-2003, Shaq was an absolute monster and dominated in the regular season and the playoffs. Second only on the list to MJ in volume, Shaq is again hurt some by his poor FT shooting.
Shaquille O’Neal (eraPPG: 32.3, rTS%: +5.3% in 98 and 00-03)
From 1998-2003, Shaq was an absolute monster and dominated in the regular season and the playoffs. Second only on the list to MJ in volume, Shaq is again hurt some by his poor FT shooting.
Number 5:
Kevin Durant (eraPPG: 29.8, rTS%: +7.6% in 11, 12, 15, 17, and 18)
Durant’s high efficiency and volume again place him on the this list, three times with the Thunder and twice with the Warriors. Curry’s gravity does make it slightly less impressive, though.
Kevin Durant (eraPPG: 29.8, rTS%: +7.6% in 11, 12, 15, 17, and 18)
Durant’s high efficiency and volume again place him on the this list, three times with the Thunder and twice with the Warriors. Curry’s gravity does make it slightly less impressive, though.
Number 4:
Jerry West (eraPPG: 30.9, rTS%: 6.9%, in 62, 65, 66, 68, and 69)
People who say West didn’t show up in the playoffs (or finals) are mistaken, facing the loaded Celtics many times. Despite having Russell at the rim, The Logo still scored a lot and did it efficiently.
Jerry West (eraPPG: 30.9, rTS%: 6.9%, in 62, 65, 66, 68, and 69)
People who say West didn’t show up in the playoffs (or finals) are mistaken, facing the loaded Celtics many times. Despite having Russell at the rim, The Logo still scored a lot and did it efficiently.
Number 3:
Michael Jordan (eraPPG: 32.4, rTS%: +4.3% in 89-93)
Jordan’s sheer volume again lands him high on this list, absolutely tearing up the playoffs on the offensive end for 5 years, losing twice to the Bad Boy Pistons, but winning the next three.
Michael Jordan (eraPPG: 32.4, rTS%: +4.3% in 89-93)
Jordan’s sheer volume again lands him high on this list, absolutely tearing up the playoffs on the offensive end for 5 years, losing twice to the Bad Boy Pistons, but winning the next three.
Number 2:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (eraPPG: 31.4, rTS%: +10.2% in 70, 74, 77, 80, and 83)
For the top two playoff scorers, narrowing it down to two seasons was tough! Kareem went 13 years in between his best playoff seasons, which shows just how unstoppable the sky hook was.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (eraPPG: 31.4, rTS%: +10.2% in 70, 74, 77, 80, and 83)
For the top two playoff scorers, narrowing it down to two seasons was tough! Kareem went 13 years in between his best playoff seasons, which shows just how unstoppable the sky hook was.
Number 1:
LeBron James (eraPPG: 32.2, rTS%: +8.2% in 09, 10, 14, 17, and 18)
The haters may be triggered by this one, but LeBron’s volume and efficiency in the playoffs, while still having to create most of his own offense, has been nothing short of astounding.
LeBron James (eraPPG: 32.2, rTS%: +8.2% in 09, 10, 14, 17, and 18)
The haters may be triggered by this one, but LeBron’s volume and efficiency in the playoffs, while still having to create most of his own offense, has been nothing short of astounding.
