Allen Iverson believes he'd average 43 points in today's NBA
During Allen Iverson's MVP season in 2000-01, his 76ers averaged 94.7 points per game, which was right near the league average. Iverson averaged 31.1 points, contributing to nearly 30 percent of his team's points tally.
In 2023-24, the league average for points is 115.5. If Iverson were to score at the same rate in today's game, he'd average nearly 45 points per game.
And Iverson truly believes he could do it. In a recent interview with Shaquille O'Neal on "The Big Podcast," Iverson declared he'd average 43 playing in today's rules that are tilted towards offense.
"I lost the scoring title to Kobe [Bryant] the year he averaged 35 [in 2005-06]. I was at 33," Iverson said. "I'm just thinking, like, if I was playing in today's era where it's wide open [floor spacing]… If I can average 33 in a season, I'mma just take it up to 43. I know 10 points more. Gotta be."
O’Neal — who finished third behind Iverson in the MVP voting in 2000-01 — nodded in agreement with his old rival.
Following the prime years of Wilt Chamberlain, the only four players who crossed even the 35-point threshold are Michael Jordan (37.09 in 1986-87), James Harden (36.13 in 2018-19), Rick Barry (35.58 in 1966-67) and Kobe Bryant (35.40 in 2005-06).
This year, Joel Embiid (35.3) was on pace to join that elusive club before going down with a knee injury. He no longer qualifies for the scoring title this year due to games missed.
Luka Doncic, however, still has a shot to join Club 35. The Slovenian star averaged 34.17 points through the All-Star break and could inch closer to 35 in the second half of the season, which resumes Thursday night with a clash between his Mavericks and the Suns.
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