The NBA has been graced by a host of prolific scorers throughout its history.
In this retrospective, we’ll delve into the players who have etched their names into the annals of basketball history by amassing the most points of all time—players who could effortlessly fill the basket, often referred to as “walking buckets.” Among them are some of the most illustrious figures in NBA lore. These statistics have been sourced from Basketball Reference and are current as of the conclusion of the 2022-2023 NBA season.
LeBron James: 38,652 points (active)
Attempting to encapsulate LeBron James’ illustrious career in a few paragraphs seems almost unjust. Nevertheless, the King himself recently ascended to the throne as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer during the midst of the 2022-23 season.
He was anointed as the Chosen One in Cleveland and later made a dramatic move, infamously declaring he was “taking his talents to South Beach” to join forces with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh for the Miami Heat. In his prime, LeBron secured consecutive championships in the 305 area code. Subsequently, he returned to his hometown of Cleveland and orchestrated a historic comeback, clinching the Cavaliers their first championship in 2016. The Cavs defied the odds by rallying from a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the formidable 73-9 Golden State Warriors.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: 38,387 points
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the top pick in the draft for the Milwaukee Bucks, heralded as the savior of the city’s basketball fortunes. He brought Milwaukee a championship in 1971, teaming up with Oscar Robertson. Following his tenure in Milwaukee, he graced the bright lights of Los Angeles and became a cornerstone of the Showtime Lakers, alongside luminaries like Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Michael Cooper. In his illustrious career, he claimed six MVP awards, six NBA championships, and an astonishing 19 All-Star Game appearances. Kareem is renowned for his signature Skyhook shot.
Karl Malone: 36,928 points
Malone spent the majority of his career with the Utah Jazz, where his imposing presence as a power forward dominated the paint. Partnering with point guard John Stockton, they formed a pick-and-roll partnership that gave Jazz fans plenty to cheer about. This dynamic duo propelled the Jazz to consecutive finals appearances, though they were thwarted by Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls on both occasions. Post-retirement, Malone has chosen a more private life, making few public appearances.
Kobe Bryant: 33,643 points
Kobe Bryant aspired to be the very best, patterning his game after the legendary Michael Jordan and emulating him at every turn. From their matching scoring prowess to their relentless competitive spirit, Kobe and Jordan shared striking similarities. Kobe achieved his goal of emulating his idol by amassing five championships, earning 18 All-Star selections, two scoring titles, and even conquering the Slam Dunk Contest. His historic feats included scoring 81 points in a single game and concluding his career with a memorable 60-point finale. Kobe is immortalized as the greatest Laker of all time.
Michael Jordan: 32,292 points
Michael Jordan, known as Air Jordan, is universally recognized as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time). His illustrious career featured six NBA championships, five MVP awards, 10 scoring titles, a Defensive Player of the Year accolade, and a Rookie of the Year honor. Jordan achieved stardom at the University of North Carolina and promptly became a sensation when he donned the Chicago Bulls jersey. Overcoming formidable adversaries like the Pistons, Celtics, and Lakers, he endured a seven-year wait for his first championship. Jordan’s global appeal extended beyond the court, thanks to his personal brand and iconic sneakers. Following his tenure with the Bulls, he returned to the game briefly with the Washington Wizards. His extraordinary journey is immortalized in the Netflix documentary series, “The Last Dance.”