How do you ascertain this? A player’s effect can be measured using a few different stats, including Win Shares, Points, Player Efficiency Rating, and Value Over Replace Player (post 1973). Note that older players like Wilt Chamberlain, who played when only 8 teams entered the playoffs, are disadvantaged by their lifetime postseason records. I’ve included the totals for these numbers for both the regular season and the playoffs below.
These numbers, in my opinion, support the following three players: Abdul-Jabbar Kareem Kareem leads both in win shares and points by a significant amount.
I believe that these figures validate the following three players: Abdul-Jabbar Kareem Kareem has a sizable advantage in win shares and points.
Points Points for a lone season 4,029 Wilt Chamberlain 3,586 Wilt Chamberlain 3,041 career points for Michael Jordan (regular season) 38,387 Kareem Abul-Jabbar 36,928 Karl Malone Bryant, Kobe 33,643 Had he not taken nearly two seasons off, Michael Jordan would be ranked higher, coming in at number four. LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki are ranked sixth and seventh among active players.
Had he not taken nearly two seasons off, Michael Jordan would be ranked higher, coming in at number four. LeBron James and Dirk Nowitzki are ranked sixth and seventh among active players. (Single Season Playoffs) Points Michael A. Jordan (759) 725 Hakeem Olajuwon 723 career points for Allen Iverson (playoffs) James LeBron – 6,163 5,987 Michael Jordan 5,762 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Gain Shares.
Get Shares (Only One Season) Abdul-Jabbar Kareem – 25.37 24.98 Wilt Chamberlain George Mikan: Career Regular Season – 23.43 Win Shares Abdul-Jabbar Kareem – 273.41 247.26 Wilt Chamberlain Karl Malone (234.63) Jordan Michael – 214.02 LeBron James: 213.25 Win Shares (Playoffs for the Single Season) Tim Duncan: 5.94 LeBron James: 5.82 Dirk Nowitzki: Career Playoffs: 5.39 Win Shares James LeBron – 45.84 Jordan Michael – 39.76 Tim Duncan: 37.84 Abdul-Jabbar Kareem 35.56.
VALUE OVER A PLAYER REPLACEMENT Player Worth More Than Replacement (Single Season) 12.42 Russell Westbrook Michael A. Jordan (11.98) Jordan Michael – 11.81 LeBron James: Regular Season Value Over Replacement: 11.57 James LeBron – 120.82 Jordan Michael – 104.43 Karl Malone (Single Season Playoffs) 102.52/Value Over Replacement Player Tim Duncan: 3.52 #2, #3, #4, and #5 are LeBron James. (Career Playoffs) Value Over Replacement Player James LeBron – 29.38 Jordan Michael – 22.85 Tim Duncan, age 18.59
