Players never seem to score 50 in a game anymore...

[BlackDog]

^^^^^

Didn't we have a thread about this a while ago? It's the defenses.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... nners-gone

[MrBigShot]

LeBron, Durant and Melo are the only ones capable of putting up multiple 50 point games in a season at this point. Durant could probably score 60 considering his ability and efficiency, but he'll never take take enough shots to get that much, partially because he doesn't need to.

I wonder how many of those 18 in 06-07 were Kobe's. One 50 point is special these days, his 4 straight including 2 60s is mind-boggling in hindsight.

[Stolen Team Fan]

LeBron, Durant and Melo are the only ones capable of putting up multiple 50 point games in a season at this point. Durant could probably score 60 considering his ability and efficiency, but he'll never take take enough shots to get that much, partially because he doesn't need to.

I wonder how many of those 18 in 06-07 were Kobe's. One 50 point is special these days, his 4 straight including 2 60s is mind-boggling in hindsight.

Partially? Ooh! I know the other reason why...

[Pimpwerx]

I don't think circumstances have allowed for it much lately. If someone gets to 40 in a blowout, the prevailing thought is to sit them to avoid injury or showboating. For contenders, in particular, this is just smart if you take the longview of the season. Bron certainly could've stayed in some games and gone for more 40+ games or triple-doubles, but Spo isn't bout dat life. Hell, Durant too. Brooks doesn't leave him in there to hang big numbers on the opposition. So basically, the two best scorers in the league have leashes that keep them from beasting more often. PEACE.

[MrBigShot]

LeBron, Durant and Melo are the only ones capable of putting up multiple 50 point games in a season at this point. Durant could probably score 60 considering his ability and efficiency, but he'll never take take enough shots to get that much, partially because he doesn't need to.

I wonder how many of those 18 in 06-07 were Kobe's. One 50 point is special these days, his 4 straight including 2 60s is mind-boggling in hindsight.

Partially? Ooh! I know the other reason why...

Well played...that gif is gold.

[branny]

There's always a thread similar to this posted

[branny]

It's the combination of defense, 'superteams' and less volume scorers

[B2Bhoops]

I wonder how many of those 18 in 06-07 were Kobe's. One 50 point is special these days, his 4 straight including 2 60s is mind-boggling in hindsight.

Like that other guy said (I just looked it up to confirm) 10 of the 18 50+ point games that season were done by Kobe. He was just on another level entirely.

[Alize]

“Superteams” don’t require 50 point scorers, according to the Media.

Even Lebron's had only 9 50 point games in his career.

That's not a lot considering he's the best in the league. Of course he will have less on the Heat now that he has plenty of help alongside Bosh/Allen/Wade and co.

he passes a lot, i think he could drop some 50 point games, he has done it as a heat member against orlando

[C0bR]

Lebron just does not care about it. He said, if he sees open teammate, he just has to pass it, it is his mindset. He is not going to gun for it just for the sake of thing. If it is needed, he will get it.

I am not sure about Kobe scoring 50 this year, because it often does not help his team and they need to win.

I am pretty sure Durant will have at least one more 50 point game with 20+ FTAs this year.

There was a game like two weeks ago where Melo had 36-38 points at the end of the third quarter, so I expected him to make it, but he had 4 points in 4th quarter. He is going to have one this year too.

[DRose4MVP]

James Harden will be next.

[Huesos]

^^^^^

Didn't we have a thread about this a while ago? It's the defenses.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... nners-gone

Thanks for sharing. This seems like a sound explanation. It gives you a general sense of the game's recent evolution.

[An Unbiased Fan]

Again, the best scorers are on better teams now.

Kobe
Lebron
Wade
Durant
Westbrook
Melo

all are capable of scoring 50, but they're not int he position to do so as much. If Harden was still on OKC would he be dropping 46 in a game, not likely.

Even that list from 2001-2009 was mostly Kobe, AI, Tmac, and other scorers. It's not like just anybody could score 50 back then, it was really just a few players who scored it multiple times.

[SoulInTheHole7]

Harden will hit 50 eventually. Hell, who knows, could happen this season.

Kyrie will probably hit it at some point.

Had Rose never gotten injured, he had the potential to hit 50.

Hitting 50 is a big accomplishment, but it's when you hit 60 that it becomes pretty special.

There's been plenty mediocre/just good players over the years who have hit 50. Brandon Jennings went for 55 for God's sake, and Damon Stoudamire had a 54 point game once.

60 and above usually requires a special type of offensive player.

Who knows when the next time we'll see a 60 point game.

Durant would likely be the next one to go for 60, or Harden when he hits his peak. Melo is capable of a 60 point game as well.

[bledredwine]

Again, the best scorers are on better teams now.

Kobe
Lebron
Wade
Durant
Westbrook
Melo

all are capable of scoring 50, but they're not int he position to do so as much. If Harden was still on OKC would he be dropping 46 in a game, not likely.

Even that list from 2001-2009 was mostly Kobe, AI, Tmac, and other scorers. It's not like just anybody could score 50 back then, it was really just a few players who scored it multiple times.

Really man?

Wade capable of 50? Has he even scored 50 since 2009? That's 4 years!

and Westbrook? His career high is 45.

Even if they do manage to score 50, it'll be a one time thing.... not like Kobe/T-Mac/AI level of scoring where they're obviously more talented offensively.

Melo was in great position to score 50 with the Nuggets, and did it only twice. On the Heat, Dwyane Wade had as much of the offensive load as possible with any team, and he's scored 50 only 3 times... now he's not near the player he used to be. When he joined forces with Lebron, his PPG only dropped by 1.

I don't think that people realize how difficult scoring 50 is... just because MJ/Kobe did it so many times we take it for granted. But we have yet to see a player with such unstoppable/automatic offensive game like those two.