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

[lakersin4]

in all fairness,

you had people like Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing who had smooth offensive games. All of them had automatic post-up games.

The only truly finess offensive players right now are Lebron, Kobe, Melo, KD.... and only 3 of the 4 are in their prime, aka really able to hit 50. Out of those, only 2 have a post game.

What's funny is the only guy you named currently able to hit 50 is also the one you named as being out of his prime.

[King d]

in all fairness,

you had people like Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing who had smooth offensive games. All of them had automatic post-up games.

The only truly finess offensive players right now are Lebron, Kobe, Melo, KD.... and only 3 of the 4 are in their prime, aka really able to hit 50. Out of those, only 2 have a post game.

Add LaMarcus Aldridge, the guy can be a scoring machine, if he is assertive enough. Pure finess

uh... LaMarcus is great and I respect him a lot,

but a 50 point scorer? He is not.

Heck, he barely averages 20.

You making it sound like averaging +20 ppg was something easy nowadays. Did you know only 11 players are doing it this year?

LMA has been one of the most consistent elite scorers in the league for the last 3 years

[bledredwine]

You making it sound like averaging +20 ppg was something easy nowadays. Did you know only 11 players are doing it this year?

LMA has been one of the most consistent elite scorers in the league for the last 3 years

Only 11 people are doing it this year because our superstars suck at scoring compared to the 2000s with shaw t-mac etc. and especially the 90s

like it's easy "nowadays"

Are you trying to imply that for some reason, it's harder? Are you implying that Lamarcus Aldridge would average 25 in the 90s? Are you implying that the top 15 stars now are awesome? The reason why there's only 11 people averaging that is because our superstars do not compare... it's been on a steady decline for years now and players aren't forced to learn an effective post-game like they had to when defenses were tough.

Dude, in terms of scoring, we are in a particularly weak era. That's just the way it is. You can't argue for this era because Kobe is STILL a top scorer in the league.....

Jrue Holiday is a top 15 scorer this last year. So was Brandon Jennings. WTF?? P.P. KG are still relevant and desired as player in old old age, Dirk just won a championship.... you can't say it's hard to score nowadays, esp. since the rule changes in 1999-2001 caused perimeter scoring to shoot up.

Jordan, Malone, Barkley, Ewing, Olajuwon, Shaq, Kemp, Drexler, Robinson, Pippen, Miller, Mourning, Hill, T. Hardaway, Ritchmond, Mullin... the 90s were frickin stacked with talented, finess scorers.

These guys were ALL better scorers than LMA with the exception of maybe Pippen. How many of them during seasons of barely averaging 20, had 50 point games?

LMA can't score 50 points without multiple overtimes. Quote me on that, sig it, do whatever.

[Bodhi]

You making it sound like averaging +20 ppg was something easy nowadays. Did you know only 11 players are doing it this year?

LMA has been one of the most consistent elite scorers in the league for the last 3 years

"nowadays"

Are you kidding me? Are you implying that Lamarcus Aldridge would average 25 in the 90s? Are you implying that the top 15 stars now are awesome? The reason why there's only 11 people averaging that is because our superstars do not compare... it's been on a steady decline for years now and players aren't forced to learn an effective post-game like they had to when defenses were tough.


Dude, in terms of scoring, we are in a particularly weak era. That's just the way it is. You can't argue for this era because Kobe is STILL a top scorer in the league.....

Jrue Holiday is a top 15 scorer this last year. So was Brandon Jennings. WTF??

Jordan, Malone, Barkley, Ewing, Olajuwon, Shaq, Kemp, Drexler, Robinson, Pippen, Miller, Morning, Hill, T. Hardaway, Ritchmond

were all better scorers than LMA. LMA can't score 50 points without multiple overtimes. Quote me on that, sig it, do whatever.

It's not a strong era for scorers but I wouldn't call it weak. In 1998 the 4th highest scorer was Mitch Richmond at 23.2. And from 1995/6 to 1999, there were only 11 50 point games

[bledredwine]

You making it sound like averaging +20 ppg was something easy nowadays. Did you know only 11 players are doing it this year?

LMA has been one of the most consistent elite scorers in the league for the last 3 years

"nowadays"

Are you kidding me? Are you implying that Lamarcus Aldridge would average 25 in the 90s? Are you implying that the top 15 stars now are awesome? The reason why there's only 11 people averaging that is because our superstars do not compare... it's been on a steady decline for years now and players aren't forced to learn an effective post-game like they had to when defenses were tough.


Dude, in terms of scoring, we are in a particularly weak era. That's just the way it is. You can't argue for this era because Kobe is STILL a top scorer in the league.....

Jrue Holiday is a top 15 scorer this last year. So was Brandon Jennings. WTF??

Jordan, Malone, Barkley, Ewing, Olajuwon, Shaq, Kemp, Drexler, Robinson, Pippen, Miller, Morning, Hill, T. Hardaway, Ritchmond

were all better scorers than LMA. LMA can't score 50 points without multiple overtimes. Quote me on that, sig it, do whatever.

It's not a strong era for scorers but I wouldn't call it weak. In 1998 the 4th highest scorer was Mitch Richmond at 23.2

You're right that by 1998 it was dying down and players were getting old/retired

But, 1998 was still stronger than now. You had MJ, Shaq, Malone all averaging similar numbers to our top 3 scorers in KD/Melo/Lebron, but you had 14 20+ point scorers compared to today's what, 11?

It was definitely a weak year, but so is this. We're really experiencing a low hear compared to the 90s, and even 00s.

BUT I do think that there are a lot of exciting young players that will turn it around, among them Kyrie, Rose, Westbrook, Durant, Love, 2008 draft in particular etc... all young with tons of potential and upside going forward

[King d]

You making it sound like averaging +20 ppg was something easy nowadays. Did you know only 11 players are doing it this year?

LMA has been one of the most consistent elite scorers in the league for the last 3 years

Only 11 people are doing it this year because our superstars suck at scoring compared to the 2000s with shaw t-mac etc. and especially the 90s

like it's easy "nowadays"

Are you trying to imply that for some reason, it's harder? Are you implying that Lamarcus Aldridge would average 25 in the 90s? Are you implying that the top 15 stars now are awesome? The reason why there's only 11 people averaging that is because our superstars do not compare... it's been on a steady decline for years now and players aren't forced to learn an effective post-game like they had to when defenses were tough.

Dude, in terms of scoring, we are in a particularly weak era. That's just the way it is. You can't argue for this era because Kobe is STILL a top scorer in the league.....

Jrue Holiday is a top 15 scorer this last year. So was Brandon Jennings. WTF?? P.P. KG are still relevant and desired as player in old old age, Dirk just won a championship.... you can't say it's hard to score nowadays, esp. since the rule changes in 1999-2001 caused perimeter scoring to shoot up.

Jordan, Malone, Barkley, Ewing, Olajuwon, Shaq, Kemp, Drexler, Robinson, Pippen, Miller, Mourning, Hill, T. Hardaway, Ritchmond, Mullin... the 90s were frickin stacked with talented, finess scorers.

These guys were ALL better scorers than LMA with the exception of maybe Pippen. How many of them during seasons of barely averaging 20, had 50 point games?

LMA can't score 50 points without multiple overtimes. Quote me on that, sig it, do whatever.

You don't need to write the bible for this. Everybody knows the 90's had the better players. But that doesn't change the fact that LMA IS an elite scorer since 3 years. You can't change that. I see you are probably a bulls fan hurt by losing LMA for the amazing Tyrus Thomas. But you must let it go man

[bledredwine]

You making it sound like averaging +20 ppg was something easy nowadays. Did you know only 11 players are doing it this year?

LMA has been one of the most consistent elite scorers in the league for the last 3 years

Only 11 people are doing it this year because our superstars suck at scoring compared to the 2000s with shaw t-mac etc. and especially the 90s

like it's easy "nowadays"

Are you trying to imply that for some reason, it's harder? Are you implying that Lamarcus Aldridge would average 25 in the 90s? Are you implying that the top 15 stars now are awesome? The reason why there's only 11 people averaging that is because our superstars do not compare... it's been on a steady decline for years now and players aren't forced to learn an effective post-game like they had to when defenses were tough.

Dude, in terms of scoring, we are in a particularly weak era. That's just the way it is. You can't argue for this era because Kobe is STILL a top scorer in the league.....

Jrue Holiday is a top 15 scorer this last year. So was Brandon Jennings. WTF?? P.P. KG are still relevant and desired as player in old old age, Dirk just won a championship.... you can't say it's hard to score nowadays, esp. since the rule changes in 1999-2001 caused perimeter scoring to shoot up.

Jordan, Malone, Barkley, Ewing, Olajuwon, Shaq, Kemp, Drexler, Robinson, Pippen, Miller, Mourning, Hill, T. Hardaway, Ritchmond, Mullin... the 90s were frickin stacked with talented, finess scorers.

These guys were ALL better scorers than LMA with the exception of maybe Pippen. How many of them during seasons of barely averaging 20, had 50 point games?

LMA can't score 50 points without multiple overtimes. Quote me on that, sig it, do whatever.

You don't need to write the bible for this. Everybody knows the 90's had the better players. But that doesn't change the fact that LMA IS an elite scorer since 3 years. You can't change that. I see you are probably a bulls fan hurt by losing LMA for the amazing Tyrus Thomas. But you must let it go man

lol i really don't care, yes I'd love him in a Bulls jersey... I'm a LMA fan ... not sure why you're butthurt

But you really think he can score 50? He can't. He's barely averaging 20. If he did manage to get to 50, it'd be the most unexpected random occasion. You expect 50 point games from players like Melo, Kobe, KD, Lebron... actual elite of the elite scorers, you don't even expect a 50 point game from Rose, and he's a better scorer than LMA.

[King d]

lol i really don't care, yes I'd love him in a Bulls jersey... I'm a LMA fan ... not sure why you're butthurt

But you really think he can score 50? He can't.

He scored 42 already so yes,I think he is pretty capable of scoring 50 points in 1 night

[MartyConlonJr]

More amazing is that in 2000-2009 Shaq had 0 50 point games. I'm surprised.

71 of those 81 games were by guards/swingmen, mostly by 2 guards. Todays best 2 guards are on stacked teams and there is not a tonne of good 2 guards anyway - Wade, Kobe, Harden, then dropping right off the cliff to the next tier of Joe Johnson, Monta Ellis etc. Death of the 2 guard has a lot to do with the dropoff.

Even the SF's like Lebron, Carmelo, Durant and the scoring point guards like TP, CP3, Westbrook are on stacked squads.

Harden is the best bet for 50 point games in the future.

[bledredwine]

lol i really don't care, yes I'd love him in a Bulls jersey... I'm a LMA fan ... not sure why you're butthurt

But you really think he can score 50? He can't.

He scored 42 already so yes,I think he is pretty capable of scoring 50 points in 1 night

Oh cool, yeah.

CJ Watson scored 40.

I bet he can score 50 too!

Will it happen?

Nope.

[acrossthecourt]

Sorry, but your presentation of the 50 point games was not adequate. Break it down by year, and by the top scorers. There are actually really interesting results. I thought Kobe and Iverson would influence the results a lot. I was right.

2000:
4 total

2001:
9 total
1 by Kobe
2 by Iverson

2002:
6 total
1 by Kobe
1 by Iverson

2003:
7 total
3 by Kobe

2004:
5 total
1 by Iverson

2005:
8 total
0 by Kobe
3 by Iverson

2006:
12 total
6 by Kobe
1 by Iverson

2007:
18 total
10 by Kobe

2008:
5 total
2 by Kobe
1 by Iverson

2009:
12 total
1 by Kobe

2010:
Jennings, 55
Andre Miller, 52
Carmelo, 50

2011:
James, 51
Carmelo, 50

2012:
Deron Williams, 57
Love, 51
Durant, 51

2013:
50, Durant

That huge total you have for last decade? That's mainly because of Kobe's huge scoring binge in 2006 and 2007. However, the number of 50 point scorers has gone down, but it was never really that high. In 2000, there were only 4 such games.

[qm22]

Many players are smarter these days and don't go for a high individual games from the start of the game or to pad stats later.

Let's see if the people who shoot the most field goal attempts shows anything. You have Wade on this list a few times, and if you check the game where he took that many attempts it was because of efficiency. Some people take a lot of FGA without worrying of efficiency and have more chances at 50 point games.

Rank Player FGA Date Tm
1. Michael Jordan* 49 1993-01-16 CHI

2. Kobe Bryant 47 2002-11-07 LAL
Chris Webber 47 2001-01-05 SAC

4. Kobe Bryant 46 2006-01-22 LAL

5. Kobe Bryant 45 2006-12-29 LAL
6. Kobe Bryant 44 2008-01-14 LAL
Kobe Bryant 44 2007-03-30 LAL

8. Michael Jordan* 43 1990-02-14 CHI
Michael Jordan* 43 1987-01-15 CHI
Michael Jordan* 43 1986-11-28 CHI

11. Allen Iverson 42 2002-01-15 PHI
Dominique Wilkins* 42 1988-02-19 ATL

13. Kobe Bryant 41 2012-12-22 LAL
Kobe Bryant 41 2006-01-07 LAL
Kobe Bryant 41 2003-02-14 LAL
David Robinson* 41 1994-04-24 SAS

17. Zach Randolph 40 2007-01-27 POR
Kobe Bryant 40 2002-11-15 LAL
Allen Iverson 40 2001-01-21 PHI
Allen Iverson 40 2000-02-06 PHI
Hakeem Olajuwon* 40 1997-01-30 HOU
Shaquille O'Neal 40 1996-03-22 ORL

23. Monta Ellis 39 2010-01-18 GSW
Dwyane Wade 39 2009-03-14 MIA
Kobe Bryant 39 2007-03-16 LAL
Kobe Bryant 39 2006-03-20 LAL
Michael Jordan* 39 1997-11-03 CHI
Michael Jordan* 39 1992-11-20 CHI
Michael Jordan* 39 1991-11-29 CHI
Dale Ellis 39 1989-11-09 SEA
Dominique Wilkins* 39 1988-02-13 ATL
Michael Jordan* 39 1987-03-04 CHI
Michael Jordan* 39 1987-02-01 CHI
Dominique Wilkins* 39 1986-04-04 ATL

35. Kobe Bryant 38 2009-03-01 LAL
Kobe Bryant 38 2006-12-15 LAL
Kobe Bryant 38 2006-03-31 LAL
Kobe Bryant 38 2003-02-18 LAL
Michael Jordan* 38 2001-12-29 WAS
Allen Iverson 38 2000-01-03 PHI
Michael Jordan* 38 1997-11-21 CHI
Bernard King 38 1991-02-26 WSB
Michael Jordan* 38 1987-11-21 CHI
Michael Jordan* 38 1987-04-16 CHI
Michael Jordan* 38 1986-12-06 CHI

46. Kobe Bryant 37 2010-01-08 LAL
Kobe Bryant 37 2008-03-28 LAL
Kobe Bryant 37 2007-03-22 LAL
Richard Hamilton

The top 46 in FGA/g is composed of 14 players. Didn't count exactly but looks like Kobe and Jordan are 70% of the list. But I guess we can ignore FGA and just call whoever has the most points in a game special on that alone.

[HitMan52]

Sorry, but your presentation of the 50 point games was not adequate. Break it down by year, and by the top scorers. There are actually really interesting results. I thought Kobe and Iverson would influence the results a lot. I was right.

2000:
4 total

2001:
9 total
1 by Kobe
2 by Iverson

2002:
6 total
1 by Kobe
1 by Iverson

2003:
7 total
3 by Kobe

2004:
5 total
1 by Iverson

2005:
8 total
0 by Kobe
3 by Iverson

2006:
12 total
6 by Kobe
1 by Iverson

2007:
18 total
10 by Kobe

2008:
5 total
2 by Kobe
1 by Iverson

2009:
12 total
1 by Kobe

2010:
Jennings, 55
Andre Miller, 52
Carmelo, 50

2011:
James, 51
Carmelo, 50

2012:
Deron Williams, 57
Love, 51
Durant, 51

2013:
50, Durant

That huge total you have for last decade? That's mainly because of Kobe's huge scoring binge in 2006 and 2007. However, the number of 50 point scorers has gone down, but it was never really that high. In 2000, there were only 4 such games.

Are you counting playoff 50s as well because 2001 Iverson seems like it's missing some 50 point games.

Also Playoff 50 point games are really rare in this era. Last person to do it was Ray Allen against the Bulls.

[CthulhuRerises]

in all fairness,

you had people like Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing who had smooth offensive games. All of them had automatic post-up games.

The only truly finess offensive players right now are Lebron, Kobe, Melo, KD.... and only 3 of the 4 are in their prime, aka really able to hit 50. Out of those, only 2 have a post game.

That's weird...you forgot the guy with the most automatic post-up game of the last six years. Dirk Nowitzki. And he's done 50 three times.

[HitMan52]

There have only been 19 50+ point games in the playoffs since 1985-86 season. Only four are still in the league. (Kobe, Dirk, Vince Carter, Ray Allen). Only two players have done it more than once (Jordan, Iverson). Jordan did it eight times one of which was the all time record 63 points.

Ray Allen's 51 was the highest points in a playoff game since Iverson scored 55 in 2003.

[BlackDog]

You making it sound like averaging +20 ppg was something easy nowadays. Did you know only 11 players are doing it this year?

LMA has been one of the most consistent elite scorers in the league for the last 3 years

Only 11 people are doing it this year because our superstars suck at scoring compared to the 2000s with shaw t-mac etc. and especially the 90s

like it's easy "nowadays"

Are you trying to imply that for some reason, it's harder? Are you implying that Lamarcus Aldridge would average 25 in the 90s? Are you implying that the top 15 stars now are awesome? The reason why there's only 11 people averaging that is because our superstars do not compare... it's been on a steady decline for years now and players aren't forced to learn an effective post-game like they had to when defenses were tough.

Dude, in terms of scoring, we are in a particularly weak era. That's just the way it is. You can't argue for this era because Kobe is STILL a top scorer in the league.....

Jrue Holiday is a top 15 scorer this last year. So was Brandon Jennings. WTF?? P.P. KG are still relevant and desired as player in old old age, Dirk just won a championship.... you can't say it's hard to score nowadays, esp. since the rule changes in 1999-2001 caused perimeter scoring to shoot up.

Jordan, Malone, Barkley, Ewing, Olajuwon, Shaq, Kemp, Drexler, Robinson, Pippen, Miller, Mourning, Hill, T. Hardaway, Ritchmond, Mullin... the 90s were frickin stacked with talented, finess scorers.

These guys were ALL better scorers than LMA with the exception of maybe Pippen. How many of them during seasons of barely averaging 20, had 50 point games?

LMA can't score 50 points without multiple overtimes. Quote me on that, sig it, do whatever.

Blah blah blah everything was better back in my day blah blah blah. The talent level in the league is the same as it always has been. The difference is defensive schemes, and consequently ball movement, are much better and more complex these days.

Read this article:

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

[tsherkin]

You making it sound like averaging +20 ppg was something easy nowadays. Did you know only 11 players are doing it this year?

LMA has been one of the most consistent elite scorers in the league for the last 3 years

When did LMA become an elite scorer? That has not happened at all, he's a decidedly mediocre volume scoring weapon.

[CthulhuRerises]

You making it sound like averaging +20 ppg was something easy nowadays. Did you know only 11 players are doing it this year?

LMA has been one of the most consistent elite scorers in the league for the last 3 years

When did LMA become an elite scorer? That has not happened at all, he's a decidedly mediocre volume scoring weapon.

While I agree, it's certainly not unreasonable that LMA puts up 50 one day. Juwan Howard did it, and he was a similar efficiency/volume scorer. I'd give him a soft 40% of pulling it off.

[tsherkin]

While I agree, it's certainly not unreasonable that LMA puts up 50 one day. Juwan Howard did it, and he was a similar efficiency/volume scorer. I'd give him a soft 40% of pulling it off.

Juwan Howard's career high is 42, not 50...

[Infinite Llamas]

slow pace, few possessions
basketball philosophy has really changed

game is at it's peak right now
as much as you want to see someone go off, the ball movement, the offensive and defensive schemes, and just the overall amount of pure talent is just so fun to watch

To me, it's almost broken down TOO much, as if they're really trying to turn it into a science. Which really kind of bores me. I love variables. It's the reason a lot of people honestly watch games.

Again, team ball is great, but there's something very exciting about great indiviudal scoring games. I can only imagine watching David Robinson scoring 71 to steal the scoring crown, or watching Willie Burton pour in 50+ against the Heat. Or Vince raining 3's in the playoffs? They're, more or less, statistical outliers. Hell, I'll never forget watching Acie Earl drop 40 against the Celtics. Great statistical feats create games that are forever etched into our minds while watching them.

Maybe my greater point is that the league has become almost too predictable in terms of defensive schemes started by Thibs/Pop (and how somebody posted that many other teams are following suit), and while it might create a more "efficient" game, it also creates a decreased chance for these variables to present themselves. I guess that players like Tmac/Iverson truly are an extinct breed.

This must have been an INSANE game to watch:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198312130DEN.html