MJ's record 10 scoring titles could be in jeopardy....

[Dragonyeuw]

This is something that I don't see discussed here often, but Durant at 25 is about to win his 5th scoring title and he hasn't even peaked yet. And looking at the landscape over the next few seasons, I dont see anyone who is going to really challenge him unless someone new emerges. Lebron has pretty much settled into being a 26 ppg guy in Miami, Kobe is close to done( and his years of scoring 30ppg ended 7-8 seasons ago), Melo is at his peak now and it doesn't look like we'll get any 30+ ppg seasons out of him, I can see Harden peaking at about 28-29 ppg, but if Durant continues at his current scoring level, which is the highest ppg since the mid 2000s explosion after the rules changes, I don't see anyone stopping him health permitting from seriously challenging MJ's record.

[r0drig0lac]

no chance of happening

[Dragonyeuw]

no chance of happening

And you base this on what exactly? Unless he gets injured or another dynamic 30 ppg emerges, its very possible. And Durant's game will likely age gracefully, so he could easily be putting up 30+ ppg past the age of 30. 25 years old with 5 scoring titles already? Yeah, there's a chance and a pretty damn good one.

[Eric Cartman]

Truth is Durant is gonna be scoring in the 30's for the next 6-7 years at least. Seeing the current landscape of players my guess is that at the end of his career he will have more than MJ.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Durant wouldl definitely break the record if he wanted to. But it's not a sure thing because that doesn't appear to be a goal of his. For example, last season he could have had the title but let Melo take it, resting in games where he could have pushed his ppg. As there will be talented players that want the scoring title more than he does it's not set in stone. But whether he sets the record or not there's no doubt he's one of the greatest scorers in history already.

[r0drig0lac]

And you base this on what exactly? Unless he gets injured or another dynamic 30 ppg emerges, its very possible. And Durant's game will likely age gracefully, so he could easily be putting up 30+ ppg past the age of 30. 25 years old with 5 scoring titles already? Yeah, there's a chance and a pretty damn good one.
basically because it is not their goal (he clearly prefers to have games all around, than try to score all the time), injuries can happen, natural decline, other players in the league that have already shown they can win the scoring title (Kobe could have played the last game and won in 2012, I think), players who reach the league in the coming years, in short, many questions. 10 scoring titles seems simple because someone already did, but only the potential does not mean will. To the question he is most offensive power perimeter after MJ to play the game, and will likely be a top 3 scorer of all time

[DMV2]

Durant was the real scoring champ last season. Played more games, scored more total points.

Melo played like 61 games or in that range. EDIT: 67 games to be exact, with 1920 points. Durant 81 games with 2280 points. 360 more points!!!!

Scoring champ should be total points, not PPG.

[Dragonyeuw]

Durant wouldl definitely break the record if he wanted to. But it's not a sure thing because that doesn't appear to be a goal of his. For example, last season he could have had the title but let Melo take it, resting in games where he could have pushed his ppg. As there will be talented players that want the scoring title more than he does it's not set in stone. But whether he sets the record or not there's no doubt he's one of the greatest scorers in history already.

More or less agree. The thing is, whether its a goal or not I doubt he's going to make a conscious effort to 'not' score enough to be a regular scoring crown contender for at least the next 6 or so years. And as I was saying before, when you look at the current crop of stars I don't see anyone really challenging him. It would have to be someone new who comes from nowhere, and thats just speculation.

Lebron could put up 30ppg, but I think he's settled into a niche of being a 26-27 ppg with the current Heat roster. Even once Wade is firmly out of his prime days of being a 20ppg( and this could be the last season he hovers near that mark), I dont see Lebron's scoring increasing as he ages based on his offensive arsenal as he approaches 30. Melo will continue to put up 27-29 for a few more seasons, Harden may approach 28-29, but if Durant's current scoring level becomes his norm, I don't see anyone current topping that. And I think we can safely say Durant is just approaching his peak, which is scary.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

LeBron gonna win 2-3 scoring titles after he threepeats this year.
aint gonna happen

[Dragonyeuw]

basically because it is not their goal (he clearly prefers to have games all around, than try to score all the time), injuries can happen, natural decline, other players in the league that have already shown they can win the scoring title (Kobe could have played the last game and won in 2012, I think), players who reach the league in the coming years, in short, many questions. 10 scoring titles seems simple because someone already did, but only the potential does not mean will. To the question he is most offensive power perimeter after MJ to play the game, and will likely be a top 3 scorer of all time

Of course we're dealing with potential. I made it very clear that $hit can happen, like an injury. What we can do is talk about known factors, not the unknown( like an injury or some new talent who enters the league). In terms of known factors, which would be looking at the current crop of players, there's no one playing right now who is likely to top Durant if this season is an indication of what we can expect for the next 5-6 years. Perhaps I should have phrased the title as more of a 'question' than an outright statement. So, is the potential there for Durant to challenge MJ? Based on his age, amount of titles under his belt already, current potential competition, I would say yes.

[Dragonyeuw]

LeBron gonna win 2-3 scoring titles after he threepeats this year.


Ain't gonna happen.

[WallIn]

He's 25, he can get there

[r0drig0lac]

he is going to the fourth scoring title I think, and still think harden, melo and lebron can get that in the coming years (mainly melo and harden)

[Prometheus]

LeBron gonna win 2-3 scoring titles after he threepeats this year.
aint gonna happen

You're so predictable and gay. LeBron will never win another scoring title.

ALSO OP: Durant is about to win his FOURTH scoring title, not his fifth. GetYoFactsStraight

[Marlo_Stanfield]

You're so predictable and gay. LeBron will never win another scoring title.

ALSO OP: Durant is about to win his FOURTH scoring title, not his fifth. GetYoFactsStraight
reported

[Dragonyeuw]

You're so predictable and gay. LeBron will never win another scoring title.

ALSO OP: Durant is about to win his FOURTH scoring title, not his fifth. GetYoFactsStraight

Yeah, you're right he's about to win his 4th. Doesn't detract from the main point though, he can easily run off a consecutive string of 3-4 more titles and then he's in the 8 title range by or before 30. As I said, its all 'potentially' but in terms of current players he's on pace as the most likely to at least challenge the record.

[Collie]

He's gonna need 7 more after this year to win the title. That's a pretty tough task, even considering the competition.

[Dragonyeuw]

he is going to the fourth scoring title I think, and still think harden, melo and lebron can get that in the coming years (mainly melo and harden)

Doubt Melo, he's closing on 30 and he's never broken the 30ppg plateau, I dont see him doing it but with his scoring arsenal I can see him being a 28 ppg for at least 2-3 more years until a scoring dip. I guess we'll need at least another season to see if 32 ppg or more from Durant is a one off or become the norm, but out of all the main scorers he is the only one whose talents are still peaking.

[Crafty]

Durant has 3 scoring titles, not 4.

[rhowen4]

durant will definitely break it

[Dragonyeuw]

Durant has 3 scoring titles, not 4.

We can safely say he has 4 now, even if he didn't play another game this season. I incorrectly said he will have 5 because I was thinking he won in 2009( forgot about Wade for a moment there).

[TheMan]

Durant has a good shot but it's far from a done deal. Kobe looked like he was about to surpass MJ in total career points not too long ago but right now it doesn't look good.

I'll get nervous when (if) he gets his 8th:lol

[BrownEye007]

Durant was the real scoring champ last season. Played more games, scored more total points.

Melo played like 61 games or in that range. EDIT: 67 games to be exact, with 1920 points. Durant 81 games with 2280 points. 360 more points!!!!

Scoring champ should be total points, not PPG.
I disagree. ppg shows who the better scorer is. Total points factors in injuries which has nothing to do with ability to score.

[Joyner82reload]

I disagree. ppg shows who the better scorer is. Total points factors in injuries which has nothing to do with ability to score.

Uh..Durant was clearly the best scorer in the league last year, by a large margin. Melo just chucked his way to the scoring title while Durant stopped caring.

[J Shuttlesworth]

Uh..Durant was clearly the best scorer in the league last year, by a large margin. Melo just chucked his way to the scoring title while Durant stopped caring.
Melo was the highest scorer. Bron was the best scorer last year easily. KD was the 2nd highest scorer, and the 2nd best scorer. Fitting.

[dude77]

he's pretty young with 4 already .. it's possible given the soft ass, no hand checking league he plays in

[CasterL]

This isn't an unreasonable suggestion. Durant baring injuries could get there. Currently I think his competition won't halt him, new emerging stars potentially could.

[aboss4real24]

Jabari will break it !!!