100?

Is 100 points in a game possible? It’s happened once in NBA history with Wilt Chamberlain. But the situation for him was much different than it is for players today. He was so much taller and longer than the rest of the players, that all he did was have to catch the ball on the post, do a jump spin thing, and finger roll the ball into the basket. He was the team’s only scoring option. Not only was he taller and longer than the rest of the players in the NBA at the time, but he was also way more athletic than the rest of them. The competition that he faced was at a much lower level, the game wasn’t completely figured out yet. Defense was an afterthought, and there was no such thing as a bad shot. I’m not trying to take away what Wilt did, it was an amazing feat, but every variable was perfect for him to score the 100 points.

Some current players automatically come to mind, the first being LeBron. He has the size, athleticism, skill, determination, swagger, and the “I can’t be stopped attitude” that is needed for a player to drop 100 in a game. My favorite analogy of Bron Bron is that he’s like a 2 pitch pitcher. He has a fastball (Outside shot), and a slider (penetrating to the basket). He has an ERA under 1.00 with his 2 pitches, and goes at least 8 innings every start. If he were to develop a change up (Mid range game) and a curve ball (Power post up game), he will literally become unstoppable. With his size, a two dribble, stop and pull up will be unstoppable. And if defenses decide to put a small, quick guard to stop penetration, he will be able to bull them over on the block. LeBron is the only, and I mean only option for that Cavs team to score. No one else on that team can create scoring for themselves. A problem with LeBron is that he’s too unselfish and prides himself on making the right basketball play every time down the court. Bron only becomes a selfish player in the Playoffs, but teams are too good to allow 60 points, let alone 100.

Another player is Kobe. He’s already scored 81 points in a game. He has the most complete offensive game in the league, and an attitude that could allow such an insane point total. He can shoot, penetrate, post up, move without the ball, and hit the mid range shot. Kobe would be at the top of this list if I wrote it 2-3 years ago. He’s on the decline now with his age, and wants to win a title post Shaq so badly that he’s beginning to play harder on D, and sacrifice offensive numbers in order for the offense to be efficient. He doesn’t have the same spring and explosion anymore. Also 2-3 years ago Kobe was still trying to prove to the league that he was the best all around player, and he thought scoring a ton of points was the only to prove such a thing, now he understands that isn’t how it's done, and 100 is very unlikely for him.

A player that yet isn’t in his prime, but could hit 100 in a game sometime in his career is Kevin Durant. Right now he’s too young, way too skinny, and doesn’t shoot a high percentage. He has plenty of time to change all of that. For his age, his offensive game is amazing. He can create his own shot facing up, as well as posting him. He has range to the 3 point line, and can get to the rim. Once he’s able to get to the rim on a consistent basis, take the contact with a bigger frame, and finish the play for a 3 point play, he will battle LeBron for the best offensive player in the game. He’s a good offensive rebounder, and has the length to shoot over defenders.

Although he has long since retired, Micheal Jordan could have probably achieved 100 if the NBA was a little different while he was in his prime. One thing that many people forget is that when Jordan played, hand-checking was still legal. Defenders could put there hands on Jordan, and try to direct him with a stiff arm of sorts. Players now aren’t allowed to put their hands on penetrating players, which helps LeBron and Durant in their quests for 100. There were other rumors that several teammates and assistant coaches of Jordan wanted to let him try for 100, but Phil Jackson wouldn’t let such a personal feat happen in a team game. MJ is the best offensive player to ever play the game of basketball. He could post, penetrate, shoot, move without the ball, and knock down the midrange. Not to mention he had an array of post moves, as well as moves to the basket.

Scoring 100 in a game is such an impossible feat it will probably never happen again. A perfect storm is needed for such a thing to happen. I’m not ruling out such a task from ever happening, it’s just highly unlikely. It just goes to show how head and shoulders above everyone else Wilt was when he played. Too bad there isn’t any video of that game ever happening.