Basketball is a game of numbers. From the scoreboard to the stat sheet, every aspect of the game can be quantified and analyzed. And when it comes to the NBA, there are plenty of unbelievable statistics that have been accumulated over the years. Here are some fun facts about NBA basketball that will blow your mind!
1. The Unbreakable Records
There are certain records in the NBA that seem almost impossible to break. For example, Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962 remains the most points ever scored by an individual player in a single game. Similarly, Kobe Bryant’s 81-point performance against Toronto in 2006 is also unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon. But did you know that Michael Jordan actually holds two separate records for most points scored in a playoff series? In both the 1985 and 1987 postseasons, MJ averaged more than 40 points per game!
2. The Most Prolific Scorers
Speaking of scoring, who do you think is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history? That honor belongs to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who tallied up an incredible 38,387 points during his career. However, he wasn’t the only one with a knack for putting the ball through the hoop. Other prolific scorers include LeBron James (currently ranked third on the all-time list), Karl Malone (second place), and Kobe Bryant (fourth). Interestingly enough, these four players alone account for nearly half of the top ten spots on the all-time scoring chart!
3. The All-Time Greatest Teams
When it comes to great teams, there are few that compare to the Boston Celtics dynasty of the 1960s. Led by legendary coach Red Auerbach, they won nine championships in just eleven seasons! More recently, the Golden State Warriors have dominated the league with their high-powered offense and sharp shooting. They set an NBA record with 73 wins in the 2015-16 season and made three straight trips to the Finals before winning back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018.
4. The Tallest and Shortest Players in NBA History
One thing that makes basketball so fascinating is the wide range of sizes and shapes that make up the players. At one end of the spectrum, we have Yao Ming – the tallest player in NBA history at 7 feet 6 inches. On the other hand, there was Muggsy Bogues, who stood just 5 feet 3 inches but still managed to carve out a successful career as a point guard. Of course, height isn’t everything – just ask Danny Ainge or Spud Webb, who were both known for their impressive leaping ability despite being relatively short.