Test Your NBA Knowledge: Name The Second-Leading Scorers Of Every Champion Since 1977

Kenji Nakamura

6 min read

Post on May 16, 2025

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1977-1980: The Early Years of the Challenge

This era saw the rise of powerful teams and legendary players who defined the 1970s NBA. The competition was fierce, and identifying the second-leading scorers requires a deep dive into the NBA history books. Let's see how well you remember these early championship runs:

• Key Players of the Era: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Erving, Bill Walton, Moses Malone dominated the league. These players often led their teams to championship contention.

• Champions and Second-Leading Scorers:

  • 1977: Portland Trail Blazers – Bill Walton (While not the second-leading scorer statistically, he was arguably the second-most important offensive player behind Abdul-Jabbar).
  • 1978: Washington Bullets – Wes Unseld (A testament to his all-around game and leadership)
  • 1979: Seattle SuperSonics – Dennis Johnson (Key contributor to their championship victory).
  • 1980: Los Angeles Lakers – Jamaal Wilkes (A consistent scorer and vital part of the Lakers' success).

1981-1990: A Decade of Dynasties and Rising Stars

The 1980s NBA was a decade of intense rivalries and the emergence of new NBA legends. The "Showtime" Lakers, the Boston Celtics, and the Philadelphia 76ers battled for supremacy, making this a challenging period for our quiz. Who were the unsung heroes providing crucial scoring support?

• Defining Rivalries: The Lakers vs. Celtics rivalry dominated the decade, while the 76ers provided strong competition. These rivalries shaped the landscape of the 1980s NBA.

• Champions and Second-Leading Scorers:

  • 1981: Boston Celtics – Cedric Maxwell (A valuable sixth man who stepped up big in the playoffs.)
  • 1982: Los Angeles Lakers – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Again, demonstrating his consistent scoring prowess.)
  • 1983: Philadelphia 76ers – Julius Erving (A legendary scorer throughout his career)
  • 1984: Boston Celtics – Kevin McHale (A key part of the Celtics' dynasty, known for his scoring and rebounding)
  • 1985: Los Angeles Lakers – James Worthy (A crucial part of the Lakers' "Showtime" era.)
  • 1986: Boston Celtics – Larry Bird (Alongside McHale, formed a formidable scoring duo.)
  • 1987: Los Angeles Lakers – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Cementing his legacy as a consistent top scorer.)
  • 1988: Los Angeles Lakers – Magic Johnson (A versatile player, capable of scoring from anywhere on the court)
  • 1989: Detroit Pistons – Isiah Thomas (The leader of the "Bad Boys" era.)
  • 1990: Detroit Pistons – Joe Dumars (A reliable scorer and key defender for the Pistons).

1991-2000: The Michael Jordan Era and Beyond

The 1990s were largely defined by the dominance of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. This era saw a shift in the NBA's scoring dynamics, with Jordan often leading his team to victory. Can you identify the players who provided consistent scoring support during these championship runs?

• The Jordan Effect: Michael Jordan's incredible scoring ability often overshadowed other players’ contributions. This quiz challenges you to recall those who stepped up as the second-leading scorers.

• Champions and Second-Leading Scorers:

  • 1991: Chicago Bulls – Scottie Pippen (Jordan's loyal teammate and a key contributor himself.)
  • 1992: Chicago Bulls – Scottie Pippen (Once again, proving his crucial role in the Bulls' success.)
  • 1993: Chicago Bulls – Scottie Pippen (The consistent second fiddle to Jordan's scoring dominance.)
  • 1996: Chicago Bulls – Scottie Pippen (Reinforcing his significance during the second three-peat.)
  • 1997: Chicago Bulls – Scottie Pippen (A testament to their incredible team chemistry and scoring balance.)
  • 1998: Chicago Bulls – Michael Jordan (Showcasing his incredible scoring ability in that season's playoffs.)
  • 1999: San Antonio Spurs – Tim Duncan (The start of Duncan's legendary career in the Spurs organization.)
  • 2000: Los Angeles Lakers – Shaquille O'Neal (This era marked the Lakers' return to championship success).

2001-2010: A New Generation of Stars Emerges

The 2000s NBA saw a new generation of stars rise, shifting the power dynamics in the league. With several teams vying for the championship, the competition was as intense as ever. Do you know the second-leading scorers from this era?

• Shifting Power Dynamics: This era saw the rise of players like Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal, creating a dynamic shift in NBA teams.

• Champions and Second-Leading Scorers:

  • 2001: Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant (A crucial part of the Lakers’ championship run.)
  • 2002: Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant (Further highlighting his scoring dominance during this time.)
  • 2003: San Antonio Spurs – Tony Parker (A key part of their consistent winning seasons.)
  • 2004: Detroit Pistons – Chauncey Billups (The "Mr. Big Shot" was a key component to their success.)
  • 2005: San Antonio Spurs – Tim Duncan (A vital scoring threat during their championship seasons)
  • 2006: Miami Heat – Dwayne Wade (Showing his scoring dominance at an early stage of his career.)
  • 2007: San Antonio Spurs – Tony Parker (Another championship for Parker alongside Duncan and Ginobili)
  • 2008: Boston Celtics – Paul Pierce (A consistent scorer and leader for the Celtics.)
  • 2009: Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant (Highlighting his scoring ability throughout his career.)
  • 2010: Los Angeles Lakers – Pau Gasol (Important support for Kobe during their back-to-back victories.)

2011-2020: The Modern NBA and Superteams

The 2010s witnessed the rise of "superteams," dramatically impacting team scoring and the overall dynamic of the NBA. The concentration of talent on specific teams redefined the landscape.

• The Superteam Era: The formation of superteams like the Miami Heat (with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh) and the Golden State Warriors (with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green) dramatically altered the competition.

• Champions and Second-Leading Scorers:

  • 2011: Dallas Mavericks – Dirk Nowitzki (A scoring champion leading the team to a successful championship.)
  • 2012: Miami Heat – LeBron James (Despite being a dominant force, this highlights the shared scoring contributions of the Heat's "Big Three.")
  • 2013: Miami Heat – LeBron James (Reiterating the shared success of this powerful team.)
  • 2014: San Antonio Spurs – Kawhi Leonard (Demonstrating the importance of supporting cast members.)
  • 2015: Golden State Warriors – Klay Thompson (Highlighting the importance of the Warriors' backcourt.)
  • 2016: Cleveland Cavaliers – Kyrie Irving (Providing important scoring balance to LeBron's dominance.)
  • 2017: Golden State Warriors – Klay Thompson (Another successful championship for the Splash Brothers.)
  • 2018: Golden State Warriors – Kevin Durant (Showing a different aspect of the Warriors' team scoring.)
  • 2019: Toronto Raptors – Kawhi Leonard (Leading the Raptors to their first NBA championship.)
  • 2020: Los Angeles Lakers – Anthony Davis (Supporting LeBron in their successful championship run.)

2021-Present: The Continuing Legacy

The modern NBA continues to evolve, with new stars emerging and exciting scoring dynamics shaping the game. This era is full of surprises and close competitions.

• Evolving Scoring Dynamics: The game is becoming increasingly fast-paced, requiring players with versatility and diverse scoring abilities.

• Champions and Second-Leading Scorers:

  • 2021: Milwaukee Bucks – Khris Middleton (Important part of the Bucks' winning formula.)
  • 2022: Golden State Warriors – Stephen Curry (Demonstrating his consistent scoring power.)
  • 2023: Denver Nuggets – Jamal Murray (A surprising addition to this list given Jokic's dominance)

Conclusion

This quiz has tested your knowledge of NBA history, challenging you to recall the second-leading scorers for each champion since 1977. Did you ace it, or were there some surprises? Knowing these supporting players demonstrates a deeper understanding of basketball's rich history.

Want to further test your NBA knowledge? Share this challenge with your friends and see who can correctly name the most second-leading scorers of every NBA champion since 1977! Test your skills again, and keep exploring the fascinating world of NBA trivia and stats!