I did a complete review of the Effective Scoring (Pts-FGAs-.5FTAs) averages of all NBA players who have played at least 200 minutes (at the bottom of the post, organized by Conference and Division).
Surprisingly, the player who is the most effective scorer in the NBA this season is SG Kevin Martin of the Houston Rockets. He has been exceptional at turning attempts into points, mostly because he gets to the foul line and converts, and because he shoots a high rate of threes and has a high 3pt FGA. The next most proficient scorer is Dirk Nowitzki. I have a complete list of the top scorers down a paragraph.
First, however, some interesting numbers. Here are the percentage of NBA players who average the following “Effective Points” per game“
1. +3.0…(3.3%)
2. +2.0…(+7.7%)
3. +1.0…(28.2%)
4. +0.0…(71.3%)
5. -0.0…(28.5%)
In other words, the vast plurality of players average between +0.0 and +1.0 effective points per game, and its exceedingly rare to find players who average +3.0.
Of course, the data also shows that the vast majority of players score more points than they use scoring attempts, so why do the Bucks have three starters who are in the red?
Here are the most effective scorers (with at least 500 minutes played) in the NBA per 48 minutes:
1. Kevin Martin…+5.74
2. Dirk Nowitzki…+5.69
3. Nene Hilario…+5.54
4. Dwight Howard…+4.79
5. Chauncey Billups…+4.69
6. Deron Williams…+4.68
7. Shaq O’Neal…+4.63
8. Tyson Chandler…+4.61
9. Kevin Durant…+4.45
10. Paul Pierce…+4.38
There are some surprising names on that list. Obviously, if a guy is mainly an inside dunker, he will not get credit for being an effective scorer. But I don’t know why not. Dunking is an extremely effective method of scoring. The other effective methods are getting to the free throw line and cashing in, and hitting a high rate of 3 point shots.
I had assembled the least effective shooters in the NBA as well, but I have misplaced that list. I will compile it in a different post. The least effective scorer who has played at least 500 minutes, I can tell you, is CJ Watson of the Chicago Bulls.
Below is a full list of the NBA’s scorers:
| GAME | 48MIN | |
| Boston | ||
| Pierce | 3.17 | 4.38 |
| RaAllen | 3.17 | 4.22 |
| Rondo | 0.41 | 0.52 |
| Garnett | 1.61 | 2.43 |
| Davis | -0.12 | -0.19 |
| Robinson | 0.12 | 0.34 |
| Shaq | 2.01 | 4.63 |
| Daniels | 0.22 | 0.56 |
| Erden | 0.69 | 2.35 |
| Wafer | -0.08 | -0.42 |
| Harangody | -0.43 | -2.39 |
| JO’Neal | -0.03 | -0.08 |
| Perkins | 0.66 | 1.22 |
| 11.41 | 12.21 | |
| NY Knicks | ||
| Stoudamire | 2.69 | 3.51 |
| Felton | 0.59 | 0.74 |
| Chandler | 1.31 | 1.83 |
| Gallinari | 2.29 | 3.16 |
| Fields | 1.71 | 2.51 |
| Douglas | 0.21 | 0.46 |
| Swiliams | 0.71 | 1.85 |
| Turiaf | 0.91 | 2.36 |
| Bwalker | 0.77 | 2.96 |
| Mozgov | -0.23 | -0.84 |
| 10.96 | 18.54 | |
| Philadelphia | ||
| Holiday | 0.56 | 0.77 |
| Brand | 1.61 | 2.22 |
| Iguodala | 0.59 | 0.77 |
| Young | 1.59 | 2.95 |
| Turner | -0.51 | -0.99 |
| Lwilliams | 0.71 | 1.43 |
| Meeks | 1.29 | 2.49 |
| Hawes | -0.12 | -0.29 |
| Nocioni | 0.37 | 0.95 |
| Speights | 0.39 | 1.59 |
| Battie | -0.06 | -0.31 |
| 6.42 | 11.58 | |
| New Jersey | ||
| Lopez | 1.03 | 1.44 |
| Outlaw | -0.74 | -1.19 |
| Harris | 0.85 | 1.28 |
| Humphries | 0.76 | 1.44 |
| Morrow | 1.83 | 2.77 |
| Farmar | 0.01 | 0.03 |
| Favors | 0.34 | 0.83 |
| Vujacic | 0.18 | 0.32 |
| Graham | -0.47 | -1.36 |
| Petro | -0.38 | -1.68 |
| Qross | -0.23 | -1.11 |
| Murphy | -1.05 | -3.16 |
| Uzoh | -0.17 | -0.89 |
| Djames | -0.79 | -2.79 |
| Twilliams | -1.09 | -2.56 |
| 0.08 | -6.63 | |
| Toronto | ||
| DeRozan | 0.59 | 0.84 |
| Bargnani | 1.15 | 1.53 |
| Calderon | 0.24 | 0.38 |
| AmJohnson | 1.98 | 3.64 |
| Weems | -0.31 | -0.57 |
| Kleiza | -0.05 | -0.09 |
| Barbosa | 0.59 | 1.16 |
| Edavis | 1.01 | 2.15 |
| Bayless | 0.26 | 0.62 |
| Wright | 0.07 | 0.22 |
| Evans | -0.79 | -1.41 |
| Jack | -0.38 | -0.69 |
| 4.36 | 7.78 | |
| Milwaukee | ||
| Maggette | 1.21 | 2.55 |
| Salmons | -0.32 | -0.45 |
| Bogut | -0.73 | -0.98 |
| Jennings | -0.95 | -1.37 |
| Ilyasova | 0.07 | 0.13 |
| Dooling | -0.07 | -0.14 |
| Boykins | 0.32 | 0.94 |
| Moute | 0.12 | 0.23 |
| Delfino | -0.38 | -0.55 |
| Droberts | 0.23 | 0.44 |
| Gooden | -0.28 | -0.57 |
| Sanders | -0.59 | -2.07 |
| Brockman | 0.27 | 1.41 |
| -1.09 | -0.43 | |
| Chicago | ||
| Deng | 1.28 | 1.57 |
| Rose | 1.48 | 1.87 |
| Brewer | 0.15 | 0.32 |
| Boozer | 2.02 | 2.99 |
| Gibson | -0.61 | -1.28 |
| Korver | 0.98 | 2.28 |
| Bogans | 0.21 | 0.57 |
| Noah | 1.22 | 1.63 |
| Kthomas | 0.29 | 0.61 |
| Watson | -0.61 | -2.25 |
| Asik | 0.14 | 0.58 |
| 6.55 | 8.89 | |
| Indiana | ||
| Granger | 1.84 | 2.45 |
| Collison | 0.39 | 0.63 |
| Hibbert | -0.35 | -0.61 |
| Dunleavy | 1.55 | 2.61 |
| Rush | 0.83 | 1.44 |
| McRoberts | 1.18 | 2.48 |
| Hansborough | 0.11 | 0.29 |
| Posey | -0.04 | -0.12 |
| Ford | -0.82 | -2.04 |
| George | 0.59 | 1.51 |
| Foster | -0.21 | -0.57 |
| Sjones | -0.19 | -0.69 |
| Price | -0.33 | -1.06 |
| DahJones | 0.56 | 2.42 |
| 5.11 | 8.74 | |
| Detroit | ||
| Prince | 0.13 | 0.19 |
| Gordon | 0.93 | 1.59 |
| Stuckey | 0.68 | 1.08 |
| Monroe | 0.64 | 1.19 |
| McGrady | 0.03 | 0.07 |
| Villanueva | 0.95 | 1.94 |
| BeWallace | -0.41 | -0.82 |
| Daye | 0.31 | 0.75 |
| Bynum | 0.38 | 0.99 |
| Hamilton | 0.05 | 0.11 |
| Maxiell | -0.21 | -0.59 |
| Wilcox | 0.25 | 0.71 |
| 3.73 | 7.21 | |
| Cleveland | ||
| Jamison | 0.31 | 0.44 |
| Sessions | 1.08 | 1.98 |
| Hickson | -0.56 | -1.01 |
| Parker | 0.31 | 0.48 |
| Gibson | 0.66 | 1.09 |
| Mwilliams | -1.01 | -1.62 |
| Varejeo | 0.84 | 1.25 |
| Moon | -0.12 | -0.31 |
| MaHarris | 0.19 | 0.49 |
| Hollins | 0.77 | 2.72 |
| Evenga | -0.69 | -1.33 |
| Graham | 0.44 | 1.11 |
| JaWilliams | -1.07 | -3.43 |
| Gee | 0.11 | 0.27 |
| Samuels | 0.01 | 0.03 |
| 1.27 | 2.16 | |
| Miami | ||
| LeJames | 3.06 | 3.84 |
| Wade | 2.89 | 3.73 |
| Bosh | 1.53 | 2.04 |
| Chalmers | 0.63 | 1.33 |
| JaJones | 1.11 | 2.72 |
| Anthony | 0.18 | 0.42 |
| Ilgauskas | 0.35 | 0.98 |
| House | 0.69 | 1.84 |
| Dampier | 0.27 | 0.85 |
| Miller | 0.56 | 1.38 |
| Howard | -0.26 | -1.19 |
| Haslem | 0.61 | 1.11 |
| 11.62 | 19.05 | |
| Orlando | ||
| DwHoward | 3.69 | 4.79 |
| Nelson | 0.78 | 1.26 |
| Redick | 1.59 | 2.95 |
| Bass | 1.01 | 1.96 |
| Turkoglu | 0.82 | 1.16 |
| Richardson | 0.91 | 1.29 |
| Anderson | 1.41 | 3.24 |
| RaLewis | 0.44 | 0.65 |
| Arenas | -1.42 | -3.19 |
| QuRichard | -0.27 | -0.75 |
| Carter | 1.36 | 2.17 |
| Duhon | -0.14 | -0.45 |
| Pietrus | 0.47 | 1.03 |
| Gortat | 0.39 | 1.21 |
| Clark | -0.55 | -2.15 |
| 10.49 | 15.17 | |
| Atlanta | ||
| JshSmith | 1.03 | 1.41 |
| Horford | 2.47 | 3.41 |
| JoJohnson | 0.76 | 1.01 |
| Bibby | 1.11 | 1.77 |
| JaCrawford | 1.15 | 1.79 |
| MaWilliams | 0.88 | 1.42 |
| Evans | -0.11 | -0.28 |
| Pachulia | 0.05 | 0.18 |
| Teague | 0.01 | 0.03 |
| Powell | 0.02 | 0.18 |
| Collins | 0.15 | 0.59 |
| Wilkins | 0.15 | 0.61 |
| 7.67 | 12.12 | |
| Charlotte | ||
| StJackson | 0.72 | 0.93 |
| Diaw | 1.09 | 1.55 |
| Augustin | 1.39 | 2.02 |
| GeWallace | 0.52 | 0.64 |
| KwBrown | 0.34 | 0.71 |
| Livingston | 0.24 | 0.67 |
| Henderson | -0.15 | -0.38 |
| Mohammed | 0.17 | 0.51 |
| TyThomas | 0.64 | 1.43 |
| Dbrown | 0.31 | 1.28 |
| McGuire | -0.53 | -1.93 |
| Najera | -0.37 | -1.32 |
| Carroll | -1.81 | -1.98 |
| 2.56 | 4.13 | |
| Washington | ||
| Young | 1.41 | 2.14 |
| Blatche | -0.72 | -0.99 |
| Wall | -0.61 | -0.79 |
| Hinrich | 0.85 | 1.33 |
| McGee | 0.76 | 1.38 |
| Thornton | 0.26 | 0.58 |
| RaLewis | 1.03 | 1.47 |
| Arenas | 0.01 | 0.03 |
| Booker | 0.51 | 1.79 |
| Yi | -0.33 | -0.99 |
| CaMartin | 0.21 | 1.02 |
| Armstrong | 0.03 | 0.18 |
| JosHoward | -1.92 | -3.83 |
| Seraphin | -0.14 | -0.75 |
| 1.35 | 2.57 | |
| Okla City | ||
| Durant | 3.66 | 4.45 |
| Westbrook | 0.95 | 1.29 |
| Green | 0.73 | 0.95 |
| Harden | 1.41 | 2.61 |
| Ibaka | 1.32 | 2.46 |
| Sefolosha | 0.41 | 0.75 |
| Collison | 0.47 | 1.08 |
| Kristic | 0.39 | 0.89 |
| Maynor | -0.21 | -0.67 |
| Cook | 0.63 | 2.21 |
| White | -0.22 | -4.99 |
| 9.54 | 11.03 | |
| Denver | ||
| Afflalo | 2.46 | 3.35 |
| Anthony | 1.68 | 2.27 |
| Hilario | 3.56 | 5.54 |
| Billups | 3.15 | 4.69 |
| Lawson | 1.23 | 2.44 |
| Jsmith | 0.64 | 1.23 |
| Harrington | 0.45 | 0.89 |
| Swilliams | -0.14 | -0.41 |
| KyMartin | 0.03 | 0.07 |
| Forbes | 0.06 | 0.25 |
| ChAnderson | 0.31 | 0.91 |
| Ely | 0.24 | 0.02 |
| 13.67 | 21.25 | |
| Portland | ||
| Alridge | 1.71 | 2.06 |
| Matthews | 1.71 | 2.35 |
| Miller | 0.47 | 0.68 |
| Batum | 1.01 | 1.51 |
| Fernandez | 0.45 | 0.93 |
| Camby | -0.73 | -1.24 |
| Cunningham | -0.51 | -1.25 |
| Roy | -0.29 | -0.43 |
| Mills | -0.13 | -0.49 |
| Pryzbilla | 0.32 | 1.08 |
| Ajohnson | -0.08 | -0.52 |
| Marks | -0.14 | -0.69 |
| 3.79 | 3.99 | |
| Utah | ||
| Jefferson | 0.81 | 1.08 |
| Milsap | 2.01 | 2.81 |
| DeWilliams | 3.69 | 4.68 |
| Kirilenko | 1.29 | 1.93 |
| Bell | 0.48 | 0.76 |
| Miles | 0.03 | 0.07 |
| CjWatson | -0.21 | -0.57 |
| Hayward | 0.09 | 0.35 |
| Price | -0.48 | -2.03 |
| Elson | 0.07 | 0.34 |
| Fesenko | -0.37 | -2.05 |
| Evans | 1.01 | 7.28 |
| 8.42 | 14.65 | |
| Minnesota | ||
| Love | 2.98 | 3.91 |
| Beasley | 0.23 | 0.34 |
| WeJohnson | 0.03 | 0.06 |
| Ridnour | 1.22 | 1.95 |
| Milicic | -0.55 | -1.07 |
| Brewer | -0.69 | -1.37 |
| Tolliver | 0.52 | 1.34 |
| Ellington | -0.16 | -0.52 |
| Telfair | -0.11 | -0.27 |
| Webster | 0.89 | 1.77 |
| Flynn | -0.76 | -1.87 |
| Peklovic | 0.39 | 1.41 |
| Koufus | -0.36 | -1.99 |
| Hayward | -0.57 | -2.78 |
| 3.06 | 0.91 | |
| LA Lakers | ||
| Gasol | 2.48 | 3.21 |
| Bryant | 2.09 | 2.97 |
| Odom | 2.27 | 3.33 |
| Artest | -0.31 | -0.51 |
| Fisher | -0.14 | -0.24 |
| Blake | 0.13 | 0.31 |
| Sbrown | 0.53 | 1.11 |
| Bynum | 1.59 | 2.93 |
| Barnes | 0.92 | 2.12 |
| Walton | -0.36 | -1.96 |
| Caracter | 0.12 | 1.04 |
| 9.32 | 14.31 | |
| Phoenix | ||
| Frye | 1.11 | 1.62 |
| Nash | 2.89 | 4.13 |
| Hill | 1.48 | 2.33 |
| Dudley | 1.39 | 2.74 |
| Warrick | 1.16 | 3.14 |
| Dragic | -0.23 | -0.61 |
| Carter | 0.03 | 0.05 |
| Gortat | 1.93 | 3.48 |
| JaRichardson | 2.32 | 3.49 |
| Lopez | 0.75 | 2.11 |
| Turkoglu | 1.04 | 1.98 |
| Childress | 0.51 | 1.36 |
| Pietrus | 0.11 | 0.29 |
| 14.49 | 26.11 | |
| Golden St | ||
| Ellis | 1.22 | 1.43 |
| Wright | 1.17 | 1.45 |
| Lee | 0.84 | 1.12 |
| Curry | 2.91 | 4.14 |
| Rwilliams | 1.69 | 3.74 |
| Biedrens | 0.22 | 0.42 |
| Radmanovic | 0.46 | 1.33 |
| Udoh | -0.11 | -0.38 |
| Law | 0.04 | 0.11 |
| Amundson | -0.73 | -2.48 |
| Carney | 0.16 | 0.58 |
| Gadzuric | -0.57 | -2.58 |
| 7.29 | 8.88 | |
| LA Clippers | ||
| Griffin | 1.52 | 1.92 |
| Gomes | 0.19 | 0.31 |
| DeJordan | 1.33 | 2.49 |
| Gordon | 3.12 | 3.96 |
| Bledsoe | -0.44 | -0.86 |
| Davis | -0.35 | -0.56 |
| Faroqu | -0.01 | -0.04 |
| Foye | 0.26 | 0.54 |
| Butler | -0.83 | -2.19 |
| Diogu | 0.86 | 2.81 |
| Cook | 0.15 | 0.59 |
| Kaman | -1.37 | -2.71 |
| Csmith | 0.99 | 3.69 |
| 5.42 | 9.95 | |
| Sacramento | ||
| Udrih | 1.82 | 2.54 |
| Evans | -0.98 | -1.24 |
| Cousins | -1.15 | -2.04 |
| Casspi | 0.34 | 0.63 |
| Landry | 0.75 | 1.36 |
| Dalembert | 0.02 | 0.04 |
| Thompson | 0.25 | 0.56 |
| Greene | -0.46 | -1.33 |
| Garcia | 0.94 | 1.94 |
| Jeter | -0.39 | -1.27 |
| Head | 0.32 | 0.99 |
| Jackson | -0.09 | -0.52 |
| Taylor | 0.51 | 1.35 |
| 1.88 | 3.01 | |
| San Antonio | ||
| Parker | 1.84 | 2.73 |
| Rjefferson | 1.98 | 3.05 |
| Ginobli | 2.11 | 3.27 |
| Duncan | 0.36 | 0.61 |
| Hill | 1.48 | 2.53 |
| Blair | 0.28 | 0.62 |
| Neal | 1.08 | 2.59 |
| McDyess | 0.12 | 0.34 |
| Bonner | 1.79 | 3.94 |
| Splitter | 0.28 | 1.18 |
| Quinn | -0.26 | -1.99 |
| 11.06 | 18.87 | |
| Dallas | ||
| Kidd | 0.05 | 0.07 |
| Terry | 0.96 | 1.45 |
| Nowitzki | 4.06 | 5.69 |
| Marion | 0.86 | 1.51 |
| Chandler | 2.73 | 4.61 |
| Barea | 0.45 | 1.06 |
| Stevenson | 0.68 | 0.91 |
| Haywood | 0.05 | 0.15 |
| Butler | 0.48 | 0.77 |
| Cardinal | 0.56 | 2.26 |
| Mahmnimi | 0.95 | 5.81 |
| Stojackovic | 0.61 | 1.24 |
| 12.44 | 25.53 | |
| New Orleans | ||
| Paul | 2.19 | 2.93 |
| West | 1.83 | 2.49 |
| Ariza | -0.51 | -0.69 |
| Okafor | 1.38 | 2.08 |
| Belinelli | 0.63 | 1.26 |
| Green | 0.26 | 0.51 |
| JSmith | -0.24 | -0.76 |
| Jack | -0.44 | -1.19 |
| Thornton | -0.17 | -0.51 |
| Pondexter | -0.06 | -0.28 |
| Gray | 0.62 | 1.98 |
| Mbenga | 0.02 | 0.99 |
| Anderson | -0.06 | -0.35 |
| 5.45 | 8.46 | |
| Memphis | ||
| Conley | 0.66 | 0.89 |
| Gay | 1.48 | 1.78 |
| Randolph | 0.96 | 1.25 |
| Gasol | 1.26 | 1.85 |
| Mayo | -0.23 | -0.41 |
| Arthur | 0.68 | 1.62 |
| Young | 0.13 | 0.35 |
| Allen | 0.63 | 1.69 |
| Vasquez | -0.33 | -0.01 |
| Henry | -0.55 | -1.91 |
| Thabeet | -0.08 | -0.52 |
| 4.61 | 6.58 | |
| Houston | ||
| Scola | 1.03 | 1.49 |
| Lowry | 0.56 | 0.82 |
| KeMartin | 3.76 | 5.74 |
| Battier | 1.06 | 1.66 |
| Hayes | 1.01 | 1.89 |
| Lee | 0.57 | 1.46 |
| Budinger | 0.47 | 1.21 |
| Hill | 0.05 | 0.15 |
| Brooks | -1.03 | -2.07 |
| Miller | 0.69 | 1.97 |
| Patterson | 0.53 | 1.98 |
| IaSmith | -0.49 | -2.04 |
| 8.21 | 14.26 |
