The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the premier professional basketball league in the world. It has seen some of the greatest players of all time, from Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan to LeBron James and Steph Curry. But who is the best NBA player statistically?
The Debate Over Who is the Best NBA Player
The debate over who is the best NBA player of all time is a long-standing one. It’s impossible to definitively say who is the best, as there are many factors to consider. Some people argue that stats are the most important factor to consider, while others point to championships, awards and individual accomplishments.
The stats-based approach is often used to determine the greatest players, as it provides an objective way to compare players. Statistics can provide insight into a player’s individual performance, team performance, and overall impact on the game. Therefore, the best NBA player statistically can be determined by analyzing the numbers.
Statistical Analysis of the Best NBA Player
When it comes to evaluating the best NBA player statistically, there are several criteria that can be used. The most commonly used criteria are points per game, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, rebounds per game, assists per game, steals per game, blocks per game, and player efficiency rating (PER).
Points Per Game
Points per game is a measure of how many points a player scores per game. The all-time leader in points per game is Michael Jordan, with an average of 30.12. Other notable players in the top ten include Wilt Chamberlain (30.07), LeBron James (27.67), and Kobe Bryant (25.46).
Field Goal Percentage
Field goal percentage is a measure of how accurate a player is when shooting from the field. The all-time leader in field goal percentage is Shaquille O’Neal, with an average of 58.2%. Other notable players in the top ten include DeAndre Jordan (67.2%), Dwight Howard (60.3%), and Tim Duncan (50.8%).
Three-Point Percentage
Three-point percentage is a measure of how accurate a player is when shooting from beyond the three-point line. The all-time leader in three-point percentage is Stephen Curry, with an average of 43.6%. Other notable players in the top ten include Klay Thompson (41.9%), Kyle Korver (41.4%), and Ray Allen (40.0%).
Rebounds Per Game
Rebounds per game is a measure of how many rebounds a player grabs per game. The all-time leader in rebounds per game is Wilt Chamberlain, with an average of 22.9. Other notable players in the top ten include Bill Russell (22.5), Dennis Rodman (18.7), and Dwight Howard (13.8).
Assists Per Game
Assists per game is a measure of how many assists a player records per game. The all-time leader in assists per game is Magic Johnson, with an average of 11.2. Other notable players in the top ten include John Stockton (10.5), Chris Paul (9.7), and Jason Kidd (8.7).
Steals Per Game
Steals per game is a measure of how many steals a player records per game. The all-time leader in steals per game is John Stockton, with an average of 2.9. Other notable players in the top ten include Chris Paul (2.2), Michael Jordan (2.3), and Jason Kidd (2.0).
Blocks Per Game
Blocks per game is a measure of how many blocks a player records per game. The all-time leader in blocks per game is Hakeem Olajuwon, with an average of 3.1. Other notable players in the top ten include Dikembe Mutombo (2.8), David Robinson (2.5), and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (2.5).
Player Efficiency Rating (PER)
Player efficiency rating (PER) is a measure of a player’s overall efficiency. The all-time leader in PER is Michael Jordan, with an average of 27.91. Other notable players in the top ten include LeBron James (27.64), Stephen Curry (27.12), and Kevin Durant (26.56).
Conclusion
Based on the statistical analysis of the best NBA player, it is clear that Michael Jordan is the best player statistically. He leads the league in points per game, player efficiency rating, and several other categories. He is also the only player to have averaged over 30 points per game for his career. While other players may have more championships or awards, Jordan’s statistical dominance makes him the best NBA player statistically.