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NBA History: All-Time Scoring Average Leaders By Position

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 23, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) during the 2nd quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) moves to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) during the 2nd quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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BOSTON, MA - CIRCA 1965: Tom Sanders #16 of the Boston Celtics guards Bob Pettit #9 of the St. Louis Hawks during an NBA basketball game circa 1965 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Sanders played for the Celtics from 1960-73. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – CIRCA 1965: Tom Sanders #16 of the Boston Celtics guards Bob Pettit #9 of the St. Louis Hawks during an NBA basketball game circa 1965 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Sanders played for the Celtics from 1960-73. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Power Forward: Bob Pettit

Years Active: 1954 to 1965
Team(s): Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks
Career Scoring Average: 26.36 PPG
Career Points Scored: 20,880

If you’re surprised to see Bob Pettit’s name here, don’t be. Pettit is one of the most criminally underrated players in NBA history, which likely derives from the fact he played during the same era as Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, and Bill Russell.

The reality is: Pettit is one of the greatest players in NBA history, and his scoring was one of his defining strengths.

Along with Dolph Schayes, Pettit was the NBA’s original stretch 4. He could shoot from anywhere in the half court, all the while possessing the post game and tenacity on the offensive glass to dominate any caliber of opponent.

A fearless competitor who wasn’t afraid to get physical or dive for a loose ball, Pettit is the prototype for the modern power forward—and he played in the 1950s and 1960s.

An NBA champion, two-time league MVP and two-time scoring champion, Pettit could’ve dominated any era. The fact that he dominated the era he did is made more impressive by his leading the St. Louis Hawks past the Bill Russell led Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals.

Pettit should be held in much higher regard than he is.

As for pure production, Karl Malone checks in at No. 1 amongst power forwards and No. 2 all-time with 36,928 career points scored.