Might want to reword that title

The NFL has also become a much more pass-oriented league over the years which similarly hurts QB's in the earlier years, record-wise.

In MLB the ball has become more 'live', specs on what bats are allowed have changed, and then there was the 'look the other way' steroid era.

Damn near every sport has this sort of issue with records over time, and I don't think there are any simple solutions.

I am not an advocate of adding an asterisk. Jerry West's contributions stand on their own irrespective of where he appears on the scoring list.


I know it is a dramatization and not reality, but I am enjoying the actor's portrayal of West in the HBO series. That GD Series MVP award must have continually ate at him. Curse Bill Russell and Willis Reed.

made baskets instead, as I'm sure West made more baskets, plus free throws, than Durant, with the 3-point advantage has.

So was Jerry West.

Just my opinion.

in Sports Illustrated back in the 1960s. Lew Alcindor then, Kareem now.
He will always be my favorite. If you are great you are great.

Durant has 20% of made field goals in his career from 3 point range
Reggie Miller has 30% of his FG as 3 pointers
Paul Pierce was 25%
Let's say West, as shooting guard was at 25%

For the playoffs, I added 405 points to West for total of 4862 points, with Durant at 4477.

I looked at regular season and used the same formula to propel Jerry West from 25912 to 28166 points, enough to move him from #23 to #10 on the all-time list, although, he passes Oscar Robertson and Havlicek, who probably would have also benefitted from 3 pointers, so I'd say all-time, West is 12th.

Durant is currently #21 at 25526 points, and probably the closest active player to West's adjusted total, but has now played exactly as many games as West did in his career (932), about the same as Iverson (retired) and Harden (active)...

Love it. Thanks for stat analyticals.