Who Are the NBA Best Scorers of All Time? Ranking Basketball's Elite Scorers

When I first sat down to rank the greatest scorers in NBA history, I immediately thought about what truly separates elite scoring from just putting up big numbers. See, I've always believed scoring isn't just about points per game - it's about consistency, efficiency, and that special ability to score when everyone in the building knows the ball is coming your way. Let me walk you through how I approach evaluating basketball's most legendary scorers, because honestly, there's an art to this that goes beyond just looking at stat sheets.

The first step in identifying the NBA's best scorers of all time is establishing what actually matters in scoring greatness. I always start with longevity - you can't just have one or two explosive seasons and make this list. That's why Kareem Abdul-Jabbar immediately comes to mind with his 38,387 career points. But here's where many fans get it wrong - they focus solely on totals without considering efficiency. When I analyze scorers, I look at true shooting percentage alongside volume. That's why Steph Curry's combination of volume and efficiency (career 62.7% true shooting) puts him in my personal top five, even though he doesn't have the raw totals of some older players.

Now let me share my method for comparing across eras, which is probably the trickiest part. I adjust for pace and defense, because scoring 30 points in today's game isn't the same as doing it in the 1960s. This is where advanced metrics come in handy, though I'll admit I sometimes disagree with them. For instance, Michael Jordan's 10 scoring titles at 30.1 points per game would be impressive in any era, but when you consider he did it in slower-paced, more physical defensive eras? That's just insane to me. Meanwhile, watching James Harden's 36.1 points per game in 2018-19 was incredible, but the modern rules definitely favor perimeter scorers more than back in the day.

Here's something crucial that often gets overlooked - situational scoring. This reminds me of that quote from Coach Cone about preparation and matchups: "First game surprised us," Cone said, referring to Game 2 when Fajardo played as a second stringer for the first time. "We really had no clue that June Mar wasn't going to start so our rotations kind of got screwed up when he came out of the game, and Japeth (Aguilar) was tired. So this time, we tried to save Japeth a little bit and match him up to June Mar." See, that's exactly what separates good scorers from legendary ones - the ability to force opponents to completely change their defensive schemes. Players like Kevin Durant force these kinds of adjustments constantly because there's simply no good way to defend them.

When I'm evaluating all-time great scorers, I also pay close attention to playoff performance. Regular season numbers are nice, but how you perform when defenses are specifically game-planning against you tells the real story. That's why LeBron James moves up my list significantly - his 7,491 playoff points are nearly 2,000 more than second-place Michael Jordan. And he's done it with remarkable consistency across different teams and systems. Meanwhile, while I adore Allen Iverson's fearless scoring mentality, his efficiency drops in my estimation when you look at his 40.1% playoff shooting percentage.

Let me give you my personal ranking method that I've refined over years of watching basketball. I use a three-part system: peak scoring (their best 3-5 year stretch), longevity (sustained excellence), and "unfairness factor" - that special quality where you just feel bad for the defender. For me, Michael Jordan tops the list because he excelled in all three categories. Kareem comes in second with his unstoppable skyhook and incredible longevity. Then I've got LeBron third, though I know some will argue Kobe Bryant belongs there. Honestly, Kobe's 81-point game was legendary, but his efficiency throughout his career keeps him just outside my top three.

The conversation about the NBA's best scorers of all time wouldn't be complete without mentioning the modern three-point revolution. Steph Curry has fundamentally changed what's possible in scoring, and while he might not catch Kareem in total points, his impact on the game might be even more significant. I mean, the man scored 402 threes in a single season! That's just video game numbers. Meanwhile, watching Giannis Antetokounmpo develop his scoring has been incredible - from a raw athlete to someone who can drop 50 in an NBA Finals closeout game.

At the end of the day, ranking the NBA's best scorers of all time comes down to more than statistics - it's about that special combination of skill, mentality, and that undeniable ability to put the ball in the basket when it matters most. The greats all share this quality, whether it's Jordan's fadeaway, Kareem's skyhook, or Curry's limitless range. They force coaches to make desperate adjustments, they score when everyone knows what's coming, and they leave us with moments we'll remember forever. That's what truly makes someone among basketball's elite scorers.