'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Scoring in the NBA has evolved from generation to generation. The likes of Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell dominated the 70s while Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Larry Bird dominated the 80s. Michael Jordan dominated the 90s and Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were the leading players of the 2000s and 2010s respectively.
The leading men of their respective eras broke all kinds of scoring records and have the set the bar for the following generations. There have been less than 50 players who have scored more than 20,000 points in the NBA. The likes of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook all make this elite list of NBA superstars while the likes of Steph Curry and Damian Lillard are close to joining that list.
Now, we look at the five players who took the fewest games to score 20,000 points.
#5 Elgin Baylor - 711 games
After being drafted as the number one overall pick in the 1958 NBA Draft, Elgin Baylor averaged 24.0 points, 15 rebounds, and 4.1 assists while shooting over 40% from the field. He was an immediate impact on the Minneapolis Lakers, now known as the Los Angeles Lakers.
The forward took just 711 games to cross 20,000 points in the league and was one of the best players in the league for a considerable period of time. His athleticism and a well-rounded game made him an asset to the team immediately.
Unfortunately, Baylor did not win a championship in his career. He reached the finals eight times and lost to the Boston Celtics every time. After a couple of knee injuries, the forward decided to call time on his career and the franchise went on to win the championship that very season.
#4 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 684 games
One of the greatest players of all time, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had a career filled with trophies and achievements. The center was the number one overall pick in the 1969 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks and represented the franchise for six seasons, winning one championship and eventually moving to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Kareem took only 684 games to reach 20,000 points in the NBA. He has recorded the most points in NBA history (38,387) and holds numerous records. The center won six championships during his career and was awarded the MVP six times.
Abdul-Jabbar formed a dynasty during his tenure with the Lakers as they dominated the 80s along with Magic Johnson. He retired at the age of 42 and has played in the NBA for 20 years, in which he was an All-Star 19 times.
#3 Oscar Robertson - 671 games
Nicknamed "Mr. Triple Double", Oscar Robertson is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Robertson was drafted as the territorial pick during the 1960 NBA Draft by Cincinnati Royals, now known as Sacramento Kings.
The guard averaged 25.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists while shooting over 48% from the field. Oscar was voted as the MVP in 1964 and played an integral part in delivering the championship to the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971. He averaged over 19 points for the Bucks during his first season with the franchise.
His best season in the NBA came in his second year for the Royals where he averaged a triple-double for the season with 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists while shooting over 48% from the field. Robertson has the most triple-doubles in NBA history with 181.
#2 Michael Jordan - 620 games
Arguably the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan set the standard for greatness in the NBA. The guard averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists while shooting nearly 50% from the field. He along with Scottie Pippen led the Chicago Bulls to six championships which included two separate three-peats as they dominated the 90s.
MJ reached the milestone of 20,000 points in just 620 games and it was against the Milwaukee Bucks where he dropped 35 points on the night. Unfortunately, he did not win the MVP that season as he lost to Charles Barkley but went on to win the championship beating the Phoenix Suns in the finals.
Jordan won five MVPs, and six Finals MVPs during his career and ended his career with the Washington Wizards in 2003. His high-flying dunks, flashy passes and elite mentality made him a global icon that inspired millions across the globe.
#1 Wilt Chamberlain - 499 games
An absolute freak of nature, Wilt Chamberlain was an absolute specimen on the court every night for the teams that he represented. At 7'1, Wilt broke all kinds of records and holds the most records in the NBA (72). The center averaged 30.1 points, 22.9 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting 54% from the field.
The center was the territorial pick in the 1959 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia Warriors, now known as the Golden State Warriors. Wilt took just 499 games to score 20,000 points and shattered all kinds of scoring records during his career.
One of his best seasons came for the Warriors, where he averaged 50.4 points, 25.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists while shooting over 50% from the field. He won a championship with the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers in his career.
Guess the Lakers players!
