Gearing up for the NBA season, let’s talk stats. I’m talking about freakishly good statistics.
You know when you watch the games on ABC, TNT or ESPN, and Marv Albert, Kevin Harlan or Stuart Scott throw out these unreal numbers about how if Dwayne Wade scores one more lay-up with his left hand taking off with his left foot, but from the right side of the floor, he will be the all-time NBA leader in that statistic?
Ok, we are not going to get that crazy. But let’s look at some upcoming milestones around the league.
Shaquille O’Neal, Cleveland Cavaliers
Currently at 10,934 field goals made, Shaq needs 43 field goals to pass Elvin Hayes for sixth on the NBA’s all-time FG made list.
He needs 885 field goals to pass Dr. J for fifth.
Shaq, currently at 27,619 points for his career needs 1,962 points to pass Moses Malone for 6th on the all-time scoring list. That’s 23 points a game for 82 games.
Ray Allen, Boston Celtics
If Ray Allen hits 201 three pointers this season, he will become the second player to hit 2500 threes in their career. He needs 262 to pass Reggie Miller to be the all-time leader.
Last year, Allen hit 199 threes, and had his best season in the ’04-05 season making 269.
Peja Stojakavic, New Orleans Hornets
Peja needs 149 threes to pass Dale Ellis for third place in 3 pointers made. He currently has 1,571.
Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks
Kidd has the chance to go from 9th place in all-time 3’s made to fifth. If he hits 43, he passes Nick Van Exel for 8th place. If he hits 74, he will pass Glen Rice for 5th. Thus far in Kidd’s career, he has made 1,486 threes.
Kidd stands in third all-time in assists with 10,199. He needs 136 to pass Mark Jackson for second.
Kidd also has the chance this year to move up in a get up in the all-time steals category. He needs 10 to pass Clyde for 7th, 75 to pass Dr. J for 6th, 110 to pass Scottie Pippen and 113 to pass Maurice Cheeks for 4th.
Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets
Chauncey is right behind Kidd, needed 97 threes to pass Van Exel. Chauncey is current at 1,432 threes made.
Allen Iverson, Memphis Grizzlies
Iverson stands at 21st in all-time scoring with 23,983 points. He needs:
– 833 points to pass Patrick Ewing for 20th.
– 959 points to pass Artis Gilmore for 19th.
– 1,017 to become the 19th player to score 25,000 points.
– 1,210 points to pass Jerry West for 18th.
– 1,297 points to pass Reggie Miller for 17th and Rick Barry for 16th.
– And 1,631 points to pass Alex English for 15th.
20 points a game gives Iverson 1,640 points for the season. Think he can do it?
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe is in the same boat as Iverson, standing at 22nd with 23,820 points all time. He needs 1,794 points to pass all of the same accolades above, and 2,576 points to pass John Havlicek for 14th. Last year Kobe averaged 26.8 points a game bringing in 2201 points.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers need 30 wins to be the first time in league history to reach 3000 wins.
New York Knicks
If the New York Knicks win 46 games this year, they will be the third NBA team to get 2500 victories.
Don Nelson, head coach of the Golden State Warriors
Nelson needs 24 wins to pass Lenny Wilkens for the most wins as a coach.
41 wins would make Nelson the first coach to 1350 victories.
All statistical information has been provided by the NBA.