Kobe Bryant Will Be NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer

Posted by Brad Smith on February 7, 2012 · 6 Comments 

UPDATE: As of Feb. 23 2013, Kobe at 30,989 (7,398 behind)

With the 13th pick in the 1996 NBA Draft the Charlotte Hornets select… Kobe Bryant guard Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

How soon we forget – file this one under (R) for reminder as Bryant was originally a Hornet eventually traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.

I’m sure then and current Charlotte officials wish they could hitch a ride in Doc’s DeLorean to change that fateful decision because when it’s all said in done, Kobe Bryant is destined to become the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.

Bryant inched closer last night by passing former teammate Shaquille O’Neal for fifth place on the NBA’s career scoring list. The feat came in the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers where Kobe swooshed a long jump shot with 5 minutes remaining in the first half vaulting him to top five.

He now sets his sights on four NBA legends… Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, and leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The critics amongst you are probably thinking he won’t do it. Well join me in perusing the numbers to see how reasonable, or unreasonable it is.

• NBA Top 5 Career Scorers
  1) Kareem  38,387
  2) Malone  36,928
  3) Jordan   32,292
  4) Wilt          31,419
  5) Kobe        28,601

As you can see, Bryant is currently 9,786 points from number one. As of Feb. 23 2013, Kobe at 30,989 (7,398 behind) He’s helping his cause by leading the NBA in scoring at 29.4 per game. If he continues at the current pace he’ll finish the shortened 66-game season around 29,800 points. This will put him in position to pass the legendary Wilt Chamberlain next year.

At 33 years of age taking into account a predictable drop in scoring, I calculate on the basis of reasonable probability Kobe can and will succeed in averaging around 24 points per game to break Kareem’s mark. By that reckoning, he’ll be the career scoring leader 5 seasons from now.

I feel it’s in the realm of possibility that Kobe can do it. Playing the position of guard will be tough as he ages closer to 40 but his jump shot and free throw shooting are his allies. Also, as Shaq stated last night… Kobe hasn’t been the victim of the injury bug. This plus his hard work puts him in range.

We all know legends make their mark in some form or another. Wilt is the all time rebounding leader, Jordan is regarded as the best ever, Kareem was the model of consistency with that patented sky-hook. Kobe Bryant’s career calling card will be all time scorer. Do you agree?

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