Basketball
Could Giannis Really Score 250 Points in a Game? LeBron Thinks So
LeBron James recently stirred up debate by claiming that Giannis Antetokounmpo would have scored 250 points in a game if he had played in the 1970s. The remark, made on The Pat McAfee Show, has left basketball fans wondering: Could Giannis really dominate an older era of basketball that much?
NBA’s Single-Game Scoring Records
Before evaluating LeBron’s statement, let’s look at some of the highest single-game scoring records in NBA history:
• Wilt Chamberlain: Holds the all-time record with 100 points (1962).
• Kobe Bryant: Scored 81 points (2006), the closest any player has come to Wilt’s mark.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo: His career-high stands at 64 points (2023).
• LeBron James: His highest-scoring game was 61 points (2014).
Why Scoring 250 Points Would Be Difficult
While Giannis Antetokounmpo is an elite scorer, there are several challenges to putting up 250 points in a single game:
1. Game Pace and Possessions – The 1970s featured fewer possessions per game than today, limiting scoring chances.
2. Physical Defense – Defenders were allowed to be much more aggressive, making it harder for one player to dominate.
3. No Three-Point Line – The NBA didn’t introduce the three-pointer until 1979, meaning players had to rely on two-point shots.
4. Fatigue and Foul Trouble – Even the best-conditioned athletes would struggle to maintain high-scoring efficiency over four quarters.
Why Giannis Might Have a Shot at 250
Despite these hurdles, there are reasons why Giannis Antetokounmpo could put up a historic number:
• Lack of Advanced Defensive Schemes – Teams in the ‘70s lacked modern defensive strategies, giving elite players more room to operate.
• Rule Flexibility – Without today’s strict foul calls and defensive three-second violations, Giannis Antetokounmpo could dominate in the paint.
• Athleticism and Conditioning – Today’s players are bigger, faster, and better trained than those in past eras.
Final Verdict
Would Giannis actually score 250 points in a 1970s NBA game? It’s unlikely—but not impossible. The combination of rule changes, defensive intensity, and game structure makes it extremely difficult. However, given his size, speed, and skillset, Giannis Antetokounmpo would have likely been one of the most dominant players of that era.
While LeBron’s statement may be an exaggeration, it highlights just how unstoppable Giannis is in today’s game—and how much the NBA has evolved over time. It could also be LeBron’s way of pushing back against legacy media figures like Stephen A. Smith, who often rate 70s and 80s legends higher than modern players.
Additionally, with his recent confrontation with Stephen A. over Bronny James, this could be another way for LeBron to challenge media narratives, particularly those who rank Michael Jordan higher than him in the GOAT conversation.
