LeBron James an Underrated All-Time Scorer

Throughout his career, LeBron James has been both endearingly and condescendingly labeled as a well-rounded player. Some use the phrase to touch upon his remarkable versatility, while others speak or write it as a backhanded compliment.

What many on both ends of the spectrum have failed to recognize is the most consistently dominant aspect of James’ game: his scoring.

James, a player who has dominated major media outlets like no one before him, has somehow become underrated. Major news networks will not hesitate to praise his every move, but it’s understated that he’s one of the most productive and efficient scorers in NBA history.

Most recently, James proved as much by passing Patrick Ewing for No. 20 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

It’s quite remarkable that James has cracked the Top 20 at just 30 years old.

Admittedly, James’ age becomes less of a factor when you consider the fact that he entered the league at 18 years old. Or does it?

To crack the Top 20 while still in the prime of his career puts the two-time Finals MVP in a very interesting position. If he can remain active and reasonably healthy for another nine seasons, James would be on pace to pass Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for No. 1 on the all-time scoring list.

You don’t luck into that type production.

It’s rational to state that James’ scoring is a complementary tool to his versatile attack. He’s long played with more of an emphasis on facilitating and defense.

Even with an admittedly tentative approach to scoring, however, James is rapidly closing in on 25,000 career points scored. Barring an injury, he should reach the mark before he turns 31 and could potentially move into the Top 10 by the end of the 2015-16 season.

James has scored 24,837 career points with six games remaining in 2014-15. Hakeem Olajuwon, No. 10 on the all-time scoring list, checks in at 26,946.

That’s a difference of 2,109 points.

For perspective, James has scored at least 2,000 points in nine of his past 10 NBA seasons. He’s unlikely to reach the plateau in 2014-15, but that’s a product of a rare mid-season injury that has since become an non-factor.

In turn, James has positioned himself in a way that enables him to make the jump from No. 20 to No. 10 roughly one year from today.

Yet, the average fan doesn’t regard James as one of the greatest scorers of all-time. He won the scoring title in 2008, but that distant feat has fallen out of this generation’s short-sighted scope of NBA history.

James’ consistency should tell you all that you need to know.

James is currently No. 3 all-time in career scoring average at 27.38 points per game. The only players with a higher mark than he are Michael Jordan at 30.12 points per contest and Wilt Chamberlain at 30.07.

Kevin Durant, commonly regarded as the best scorer of his generation, checks in with an average of 27.31 points in 338 less games played—or 338 less chances for his production decline.

For further perspective, 36-year-old Dirk Nowitzki recently became the seventh player in NBA history to reach 28,000 career points. Nowitzki, one of the most dynamic and prolific scorers to ever grace the NBA, did it in his 17th NBA season.

James is on pace to reach 28,000 points by the end of 2016-17—his 14th NBA season.

James, a player who has dominated major media outlets like no one before him, has somehow become underrated.

By all means and measures, James is one of the greatest scorers ever. We as an NBA community just can’t seem to wrap our heads around it.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, James is one of 12 athletes in NBA history to score at least 24,000 points with a career field goal percentage at 49.0 percent or higher. Of those 12 legends, only three were perimeter players.

Those three: Alex English, James and Michael Jordan.

In spite of his accolades, James has long received the label of a limited scorer with over-hyped numbers. If you follow the NBA, then you’ve likely heard the, “All he does is dunk,” claim.

Quietly, James has made 1,250 3-point field goals on a reasonably efficient 34.2 percent shooting clip for his career.

James has a higher career point-per-game average with more 3-point field goals made per game and a higher 3-point field goal percentage than Carmelo Anthony, but ‘Melo is the better shooter and scorer, per the narrative.

James has a higher career point-per-game average with a significantly higher field goal percentage than Kobe Bryant, but it’s blasphemous to question who the better scorer is, per public opinion.

James has the third-highest point-per-game average in NBA history and he’s about to complete his 12th season—Michael Jordan played 13 with the Chicago Bulls, so longevity isn’t an issue—but it’s viewed as nonsensical to call LeBron a Top 10 scorer all-time.

Why?

No matter how consistently he’s put forth elite-level performances, the general belief has remained that James is not quite as grand a scorer as his peers. The numbers say differently.

The numbers say he’s legendary in that regard.

While James has never been limited to being a scorer, his prolific nature in that regard is greatly under-appreciated. Whether or not he does the unthinkable and catches Abdul-Jabbar, he’s already solidified his legacy as one of the greatest scorers to ever live.

In an era where the media covers everything James does—both on and off the court—such a prominent facet of James’ game has become underrated.

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