April 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) shoots against the defense of Los Angeles Lakers guard Jeremy Lin (17) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Clippers swingman Norman Powell has really taken advantage of the opportunity afforded by the departure of Paul George and the injury to Kawhi Leonard to spread his wings this season. With a green light to shoot, his scoring average has gone from 13.9 points per game to 23.3 points per game, a 9.4-point improvement in just one year.
That may sound like a lot, but it's nothing compared to other scoring leaps we've seen in NBA history. We rank the biggest ever below. (You may soon notice these scoring explosions were more common back in the day than they are now.)
1. Dale Ellis (1986-1987): +17.83 ppg
Dale Ellis #3, Small Forward and Shooting Guard for the Seattle SuperSonics prepares to shoot a free throw during the NBA Pacific Division basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on 12th November 1986 at the Great Western Forum arena in Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States. The Lakers won the game 122 - 97. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Allsport/Getty Images)
1985-86: 7.06 ppg
1986-87: 24.89 ppg
2. Don May (1970-1971): +17.60 ppg
Unknown date: Dayton, OH, USA: FILE PHOTO; Dayton Flyers forward Don May (21) on the bench during a break in the game against North Carolina Tar Heels. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
1970: 2.59 ppg
1971: 20.20 ppg
3. John Block (1967-1968): +17.24 ppg
Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers forward Tom Hawkins (33) drives past San Diego Rockets forward John Block (34) at the Forum. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
1967: 2.91 ppg
1968: 20.15 ppg
4. Tony Campbell (1989-1990): +17.05 ppg
LOS ANGELES - 1990: Tony Campbell #19 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California, during the 1989-1990 NBA season. (Photo by Ken Levine/Getty Images)
1989: 6.16 ppg
1990: 23.21 ppg
5. Neil Johnston (1952-1953): +16.37 ppg
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 7: Neil Johnston #12 of the Philadelphia Warriors dribbles the ball against George Yardley #12 of the Fort Wayne Pistons during Game Five of the NBA Finals on April 7, 1956 at the Philadelphia Civic Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Warriors defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons 99-88 and won the series 4-1. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1956 NBAE (Photo by Charles T. Higgins/NBAE via Getty Images)
1952: 5.97 ppg
1953: 22.34 ppg
6. Bob Kauffman (1970-1971): +16.08 ppg
Feb. 3, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Braves forward Bob Kauffman (44) in action against the Atlanta Braves during the 1973-74 season at The Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
1970: 4.31 ppg
1971: 20.40 ppg
7. Bubbles Hawkins (1976-1977): +15.41 ppg
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1976: 3.94 ppg
1977: 19.35 ppg
8. Bob Love (1969-1970): +15.14 ppg
Jan. 31, 1970; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bulls forward Bob Love (10) is defended by New York Knicks forward Bill Bradley (24) at Madison Square Garden.Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
1969: 5.86 ppg
1970: 21.00 ppg
9. Kelly Tripucka (1988-1989): +15.11 ppg
CHARLOTTE, NC - 1989: Kelly Tripucka #7 of the Charlotte Hornets walks on the court during an NBA game at Charlotte Colesium in 1989. (Photo by Jim Gund/Getty Images)
1988: 7.51 ppg
1989: 22.62 ppg
10. Walt Hazzard (1967-1968): +14.72 ppg
Unknown date and unknown location; USA; FILE PHOTO; Atlanta Hawks guard Walt Hazzard (42) against the Milwaukee Bucks . Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network.
1967: 9.25 ppg
1968: 23.97 ppg
11. Michael Jordan (1986-1987): +14.42 ppg
Mar 22, 1987; Portland, OR, USA: FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (23) shoots the ball between Portland Trailblazers guard Clyde Drexler (22) and Steve Johnson (33) at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports
1986: 22.67 ppg
1987: 37.09 ppg
12. Cliff Hagan (1957-1958): +14.38 ppg
ST. LOUIS - 1960: Cliff Hagan of the St. Louis Hawks poses for an action portrait during the 1960 season in St. Louis, Missouri. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1960 NBAE (Photo by NBAE Photos/NBAE via Getty Images)
1957: 5.49 ppg
1958: 19.87 ppg
13. CJ McCollum (2015-2016): +13.99 ppg
Mar 12, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum (3) drives to the basket against Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) and guard Shabazz Napier (13) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
2015: 6.84 ppg
2016: 20.83 ppg
14. Reggie Lewis (1988-1989): +13.97 ppg
Guard Reggie Lewis of the Boston Celtics lays up the ball during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. - Getty Images
1988: 4.49 ppg
1989: 18.46 ppg
15. Dave Gambee (1960-1961): +13.73 ppg
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1960: 0.00 ppg
1961: 13.73 ppg
16. Devonte Graham (2019-2020): +13.46 ppg
Apr 25, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Devonte' Graham (4) directs his team against the Boston Celtics in the first half at Spectrum Center. The Charlotte Hornets won 125-104. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
2019: 4.72 ppg
2020: 18.17 ppg
17. Jerry West (1961-1962): +13.22 ppg
Unknown date 1972; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
1961: 17.58 ppg
1962: 30.80 ppg
18. World B. Free (1978-1979): +13.10 ppg
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1978: 15.67 ppg
1979: 28.77 ppg
19. Bernard King (1980-1981): +12.60 ppg
Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images
1980: 9.26 ppg
1981: 21.86 ppg
20. Slick Leonard (1961-1962): +12.56 ppg
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1961: 3.51 ppg
1962: 16.07 ppg
21. Bob McAdoo (1973-1974): +12.54 ppg
Jan 1975; Boston, MA, USA; Buffalo Braves guard (11) Bob McAdoo in action against the Boston Celtics during the 1975 season at the Boston Garden.Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports copyright (c) Malcolm Emmons
1973: 18.01 ppg
1974: 30.55 ppg
22. Orlando Woolridge (1990-1991): +12.38 ppg
Forward Orlando Woolridge of the Denver Nuggets moves the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California.
1990: 12.71 ppg
1991: 25.09 ppg
23. Phil Smith (1975-1976): +12.32 ppg
Unknown date; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Golden State Warriors guard Phil Smith (20) is defended by Atlanta Hawks forward Tom Van Arsdale (5) at The Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
1975: 7.69 ppg
1976: 20.01 ppg
24. Tiny Archibald (1971-1972): +12.27 ppg
Photo By Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports copyright (c) Malcolm Emmons
1971: 15.95 ppg
1972: 28.22 ppg
25. Derek Smith (1984-1985): +12.25 ppg
SACRAMENTO, CA - 1989: Derek Smith #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers walks during the 1988-1989 NBA season game at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
Unknown date and unknown location; USA; FILE PHOTO; San Antonio Spurs guard James Silas (13) against the Atlanta Hawks. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Network.
1978: 3.95 ppg
1979: 16.03 ppg
28. Jeremy Lin (2011-2012): +12.01 ppg
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
2011: 2.62 ppg
2012: 14.63 ppg
29. Frank Brickowski (1987-1988): +11.99 ppg
Forward Frank Brickowski of the San Antonio Spurs (center) goes up for two between center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (left) and forward A. C. Green of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California.
1987: 4.00 ppg
1988: 15.99 ppg
30. Wilt Chamberlain (1961-1962): +11.97 ppg
Unknown date and location; Philadelphia 76ers center Wilt Chamberlain (13) during a timeout. Chamberlain scored 31,419 points, averaging 30.1 ppg, during 1,045 games over a 16-year Hall of Fame career. Chamberlain led the NBA in scoring seven straight years, averaged 50.4 points per game in 1962 and scored a record 100 points in a single game on March 2, 1962 against the New York Knicks in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
