Casual NBA Fanatic Podcast

Did Bleacher Report Get Their ‘Pure Scorers’ List Wrong?

Henry Minahan Episode 60

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0:00 | 25:44

In this episode, I break down Bleacher Report’s list of the greatest “pure scorers” in NBA history and evaluate how well their rankings actually hold up.

I dive into the criteria behind what defines a pure scorer, including scoring volume, efficiency, shot diversity, and how different scoring styles translate across eras and into the playoffs.

From the controversial placement of Kobe Bryant to the positioning of players like Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry at the top, I break down what makes each case valid — and where I think the list misses the mark.

I also explore the Joel Embiid vs Nikola Jokić debate, explaining why I believe Jokić’s scoring profile is ultimately more reliable and scalable despite Embiid’s shot-making versatility.

A full discussion on scoring as an art form, and how we should actually evaluate the league’s best offensive players.