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Aside from efficiency, the most respected stats most NBA fans can calibrate to evaluate NBA players are points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Of course, there are other determining factors, such as impact on wins and honors, but in terms of numbers, these are the best. Today, we’re going to take a full look at the past 50 years of basketball and determine which players have racked up the most stats per game. But what does this tell us about the player?
Well, for one thing, most of these players were either MVPs or top MVP candidates during their careers. It shows that players with higher total data are more likely to have extremely high value to their respective teams. When you put those numbers together, what it doesn’t tell you is which specific parts of the game they contributed the most to. All in all, the 15 players listed below could be classified as the 15 most valuable players in NBA history.
These are the 15 NBA players with the most stat totals in history
*Rule: Players must have made their NBA debut after 1972 to be eligible for this list*
15. Iverson – 39.0 Composite stats
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Iverson is widely regarded as one of the best scorers of the 2000s. After his debut in the 1996-97 season, Iverson took the league by storm, lighting up the stat sheets with his fearless attacking the rim and sometimes inconsistent shooting. Iverson ranks in the top 15 in terms of overall statistics mainly because of his scoring. He averaged 26.7 points per game in his career. Most of the players you see here today are high scorers, but Iverson brings a certain charisma to them that makes it impossible to look away.
One aspect of his game that doesn’t get enough credit is his passing. In his 14 seasons in the NBA, Iverson averaged at least 6.0 APG in a season eight times. He also averaged over 5.0 APG three times. Pretty good for someone who’s supposed to be a ball bully, if you ask me. Iverson has also averaged over 2.0 SPG 10 times in his career, giving him a career average of 2.2 SPG. Iverson won his only MVP in 2001, when he averaged 31.1 points and 2.5 steals, leading the league in both categories.
14. James Harden – 39.3 combined stats
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As a well-rounded passer, playmaker and scorer, there aren’t many players who are better at any level than James Harden. Harden played with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2009-10 season. By 2012, Harden was the best bench player on a team that reached the NBA Finals. Harden certainly made this list by virtue of his nine seasons in Houston at the peak of his abilities. From 2018 to 2020, Harden won three scoring titles with the Rockets, including one season in which he averaged 36.1 points per game. His career PPG of 24.9 is the driving force behind his entry on this list.
The other two parts of his game where he excels are passing and rebounding. Harden has a career RPG of 5.6, which is pretty impressive for a shooting guard. Harden has nine seasons with an RPG of 6.0 or better, which brings him to a career average of 5.6. Harden has also been an avid passer. In 2017, he led the NBA in assists with 11.2 assists. Harden also had 10 seasons with an APG of 7.0 or better. In his nine seasons with the Rockets, Harden averaged 29.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.8 steals.
13. Shaquille O’Neal – 40.0 overall stats
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At some point we had to figure out that Shaq was going to be on this list, right? Shaq’s statistical dominance began in his first year with the Orlando Magic and didn’t slow down until 15 seasons later. Over the first 13 seasons of his career, O’Neal averaged at least 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. With the Magic, Shaq could do almost anything on the court, and he even led the scoring with 29.3 points per game in his third season.
Shaq’s points, rebounds and blocks were the three categories that lifted him to No. 13. For his career, O’Neal averaged 23.7 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Those numbers would have been much higher had he not been chasing a championship after 2008. From 2000 to 2002, O’Neal was as dominant as any player in NBA history. He helped the Lakers win 3 championships, won an MVP, and won 3 Finals MVP awards. It’s no wonder that his time in Los Angeles helped him break into the top 15 of the day.
T12.Anthony Davis – 40.2 combined stats
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Pick and choose Anthony Davis’ spot on this list all you want, as his spot could change within a week. Davis is starting something of a resurgence in 2022-23 after many thought he was too injury-prone. For his career, Davis averaged 23.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.4 assists and 2.3 blocks per game. Clearly, his scoring and rebounding, like most, puts his name near the top of this list of players with the most combined stats. Those two things don’t matter whether he’s at No. 12 or much lower, though.
Davis has been praised for his skill on the offensive end. Even former players call him the most skilled power forward they’ve ever seen. Davis has a better defense than anyone else. Davis’ 3.7 BPG and SPG combined, however small it may seem, give him a huge advantage over the linebackers on this list. Davis led the NBA in blocks three times and is currently averaging 2.3 blocks per game in 2022-23. If he can stay healthy, there’s no reason he can’t move up a few spots.
T12.Hakeem Olajuwon – 40.2 Composite stats
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Many consider Hakeem Olajuwon to be one of the best defenders in NBA history. And rightfully so, because Hakeem has shown time and time again that he can change the outcome of a game from that side of the ball. Olajuwon may be one of the most skilled big men to ever step foot on a basketball court. In addition to his dominance on the defensive end, Hakeem’s footwork in the low post is impeccable. His patented “Dream Shake” often leaves defenders in the dust. Olajuwon can score in other ways, too, whether it’s a fast break or a jumper slightly off the rim.
During his career, Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 3.1 blocks per game. He rebounded and scored 32.9 of his combined stats of 40.2. His 4.8 steals and blocks put him in the top 15. Olajuwon has led the NBA in blocks three times and in rebounds twice during his career. When you combine that with his consistent 20.0 PPG and phenomenal defense, you might be surprised that Olajuwon doesn’t rank high on this list.
T12.Magic Johnson – 40.2 overall stats
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Magic Johnson is still widely regarded as the greatest point guard in NBA history. It stems from the way he picks up the tempo on the floor every night and the way he runs the offense in a way that no point guard has ever done before. The way Magic plays on the break has helped him amass an 11.2 APG in his career. His 6-foot-9 frame also helped him average 7.2 rebounds per game in his career.
Magic Johnson can play anywhere on the basketball court and still be effective. Johnson has averaged 10.0 APG or better nine times in 13 seasons, which accounts for his high APG total. He’s also a 19.5-point-per-game scorer who can beat anyone with his ability to get the ball to the rim when his name is called. Throughout his career, Magic averaged 19.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks per game. The only surprise is that Johnson isn’t much higher on today’s list.
T12.Russell Westbrook – 40.2 combined stats
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Who wouldn’t be surprised that the new triple-double king also ranks among the top 15 players with the most combined statistics since 1972? Russell Westbrook is simply one of the best point guards in NBA history. He’s the only player to average a triple-double more than once in a season, and the most triple-doubles in history. What does it mean? Well, that means that in his prime, Russell Westbrook can do anything asked of him on the court.
For his career, Westbrook averaged 22.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.4 assists. He also has 1.6 SPG, which helps him land on today’s list. I often wonder what would have happened if he hadn’t gone to the Lakers. Will he be more effective elsewhere? I agree. For Westbrook, he has a long list of honors as he sits at No. 12 along with three other players. He won 2 scoring titles, 3 assist titles and an MVP award. Will Westbrook slip down on today’s roster, or will he bounce back and climb again?
T8.Karl Malone – 40.9 combined stats
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When he retired, Karl Malone was arguably the greatest power forward in NBA history. He is the third scoring champion in NBA history and one of the most consistent players in NBA history. Malone has been assisted by John Stockton for most of his career, but it’s much more than that. Malone’s pull-up jumper in the pick-and-roll is almost automatic, and his ability to run in the fast break also helps his performance.
For his career, Malone averaged 25.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. Malone is as tough in the paint as anyone else in the NBA and isn’t afraid to show you on the glass. Malone has averaged at least 20.0 points per game in just two of his 19 seasons in the league and has done so in 17 consecutive seasons. Malone’s scoring, rebounding and defensive awareness make him the No. 8 player in NBA history in combined statistics.
T8.Kevin Durant – 40.9 combined stats
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Let’s tackle the obvious for Kevin Durant first. Durant is easily one of the best scorers in NBA history. At 7-foot-0, when Durant gets into the rhythm, it’s nearly impossible to stop the offensive barrage he provides. Durant can shoot from beyond the three-point line, is very dominant in the mid-range, and often dribbles to the basket to take away opponents. Durant’s high-energy scoring is the most common reason for being one of eight players with a combined stat over 40.0 over the past 50 years.
Durant’s scoring is only one of the reasons he’s so high on the list, though. Durant’s rebounding has been solid for most of his career, totaling 7.1 rebounds. For his career, he’s just 4.3 APG in assists, but that’s likely to increase given the progress he’s made in that area over the past 3 seasons. In the 2022-23 season, Durant also averaged a career-high 1.8 BPG, and we could see his career improve by 1.1 BPG.
T8.Charles Barkley – 40.9 combined stats
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If you can name the parts of a player’s game that make them great, Charles Barkley has them all. Despite the exaggerated jokes about his weight at the time, Barkley was as skilled and athletic as they were. For most of his career, Barkley could be considered a nightly threat with 20.0 points and 10.0 rebounds. With a name like “Round Mound of Rebound,” if you get caught up with Barkley at any point during a fight, you know you’re in for a fight.
Barkley is also a consistent and talented scorer. Barkley averaged at least 20.0 points per game in every season from 1986 to 1996, averaging 24.2 points and 11.9 rebounds during that stretch. Barkley isn’t known as a passer, but when asked to perform with his 3.9 career APG, he can. He’s a decent off-ball defender and can block most big shots in the post with his 1.5 SPG. During his career, Barkley averaged 22.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.
5. Larry Bird – 43.1 Composite stats
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Larry Bird is one of the most well-rounded players in NBA history. He can shoot, score, pass, defend, rebound and play no matter where he is or what stage of the game he is in. bird…
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