25 Biggest Stat-Padders in NBA History

Wilt Chamberlain

Wilt Chamberlain is arguably the most famous stat-padder in NBA history. While his numbers were mind-boggling, his critics point to his single-minded pursuit of individual records. He famously led the league in assists one season to prove a point and would often chase rebounds in a way that was detrimental to his team. His 100-point game is the ultimate example of a player padding stats.

Pete Maravich

"Pistol" Pete Maravich was a spectacular showman and scorer, but his numbers came with a reputation for stat-padding. He played on teams with losing records and had an incredibly high usage rate, often taking a large number of shots with low efficiency. His flashy style and impressive scoring totals sometimes overshadowed his lack of team success, leading to criticism that his primary focus was on his own stats.

Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony's stat-padding reputation stems from his isolation-heavy, high-volume scoring style. He was a masterful one-on-one scorer, but his critics often pointed to his tendency to hold the ball and shoot with little regard for ball movement or efficiency. His scoring totals were always high, but they often came on teams that struggled to win, fueling the perception that his stats were inflated.

Hassan Whiteside

Hassan Whiteside's stats were a source of frustration for many. He was a dominant shot-blocker and rebounder, but he was frequently criticized for his lack of effort and for actively pursuing stats. He would often pass up easy shots, or even chase down his own misses, to get a rebound. His impressive stat lines rarely translated to winning basketball.

Moses Malone

Moses Malone was a relentless rebounder, but his critics often mention his pursuit of offensive rebounds as a form of stat-padding. He would often tip his own missed shots back in to secure a rebound, a practice that, while productive, was seen as a way to inflate his numbers. He was a dominant force on the glass, but his stat-grabbing tactics were a point of contention for some.

Ricky Davis

Ricky Davis is infamous for one of the most blatant stat-padding attempts in NBA history. He deliberately shot at his own basket with only a few seconds left in a game to secure the final rebound needed for a triple-double. This move was universally criticized and is a textbook example of a player prioritizing a personal stat over the integrity of the game.

Michael Cage

Michael Cage's reputation as a stat-padder is rooted in a single, infamous season where he won the rebounding title. In the final game, he intentionally missed shots to secure rebounds, and he even shot his own free throws off the rim to get the rebound. His transparent pursuit of the rebounding title left him with a lasting reputation.

Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook is arguably the most famous modern-day stat-padder. His relentless pursuit of triple-doubles is well-documented, with numerous instances of him chasing down his own rebound or passing up a scoring opportunity to get an assist. While he put up historical numbers, his detractors argue that his focus on individual stats often came at the expense of winning basketball.

Jerry Lucas

Jerry Lucas was a dominant rebounder and scorer in his era, but his critics often accused him of padding his stats. He was known for his relentless pursuit of rebounds, even from his own teammates. His focus on the stat sheet sometimes took away from the team's overall performance, and he was known to prioritize his numbers over winning.

Elvin Hayes

Elvin Hayes was a dominant scorer and rebounder, but his critics often point to his high usage rate and his tendency to take a large number of shots with low efficiency. He was a masterful isolation scorer, but his stat lines were sometimes inflated due to his high volume of shots. His focus on individual numbers was a point of contention.

James Harden

James Harden is a modern-day offensive genius, but his stat-padding reputation is well-documented. He is notorious for his high usage rate, his isolation offense, and his pursuit of free throws. His ability to manipulate the stat sheet, from his high assist numbers to his high scoring totals, has earned him the reputation of being a prolific stat-padder.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's critics have accused him of stat-padding on a young, rebuilding Oklahoma City Thunder team. As a high-volume scorer, his impressive point totals can sometimes come in losses or during stretches when the game is out of reach. His focus on getting to the free-throw line and his high usage rate have led to some criticism.

Danny Fortson

Danny Fortson's reputation for stat-padding comes from his time as a high-rebounding power forward. He was known for his ability to grab a rebound from anywhere on the court, but his critics often point out that many of his rebounds were uncontested. His numbers were often inflated, and his impact on winning was minimal.

Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo was an elite passer, but his critics have accused him of stat-padding his assists. He would often get the ball and pass it to a teammate who would then make another pass before getting an assist. He was also known for his lack of a jump shot and his tendency to pass up open shots in favor of a pass to inflate his assist totals.

Vince Carter

Vince Carter's reputation as a stat-padder comes from his long career and his ability to put up impressive numbers on bad teams. He was a high-volume scorer who was more focused on his own numbers than on winning. His critics point to his lack of team success and his tendency to take a large number of shots.

Kevin Love

Kevin Love was a dominant rebounder in his early career, but he was often accused of padding his stats by grabbing uncontested rebounds. He would often wait for the ball to fall to him instead of actively fighting for possession. His high rebounding totals, while impressive on paper, often came in games that his team was losing.

Luka Dončić

Luka Dončić is an offensive genius, but his critics have pointed out instances of him chasing rebounds for triple-doubles. His ability to control the pace of the game allows him to manipulate the stat sheet. While he is a phenomenal talent, some argue that his pursuit of statistical milestones sometimes overshadows his team's success in crucial moments.

Javale McGee

Javale McGee's stat-padding reputation comes from a single, infamous incident where he attempted to get a rebound in the final seconds of a blowout win. He intentionally shot on his own basket to secure the final rebound needed for a triple-double. The league later rescinded the stat, but it left him with a lasting reputation for stat-padding.

LeBron James

LeBron James has been accused of stat-padding throughout his career, particularly with his late-game pursuits of rebounds and assists to secure a triple-double. He has been seen taking a rebound from a teammate or passing up a shot to get the final assist he needs. While he is an all-time great, his critics point to his pursuit of stats as a flaw in his game.

Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant's critics often pointed to his high-volume shooting and low efficiency as a form of stat-padding. He was a masterful one-on-one scorer, but he often took difficult, contested shots with little regard for his team's offensive rhythm. His single-minded pursuit of scoring records was seen by some as a form of stat-padding.

Chris Paul

Chris Paul has been criticized for being a "stat-padder," particularly with assists. He has been known to be very precise with his passes, waiting for a teammate to score before getting the assist. His control over the offense and his ability to manipulate the flow of the game has been seen as a way to rack up assists and other stats.

Andray Blatche

Andray Blatche’s stat-padding reputation comes from his time on a struggling team where he was given the green light to take a large number of shots. He was known for his high usage rate and his tendency to take a large number of shots with low efficiency. His impressive stat lines rarely translated to winning basketball.

Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid's stat-padding reputation comes from his high usage rate and his ability to draw fouls. He has been accused of manipulating the stat sheet to get to the free-throw line. His critics argue that he sometimes prioritizes getting to the line over a more efficient shot, and his high scoring totals are sometimes a result of free throws.

Ricky Rubio

Ricky Rubio is a pass-first point guard who is often accused of padding his assist numbers. He has been seen holding the ball for long periods of time and passing to a teammate who is already in a scoring position. His focus on getting assists and his lack of scoring has made his numbers appear inflated, particularly when compared to other point guards.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is widely considered the greatest player of all time, but even he is not immune to accusations of stat-padding. There has been debate over the years about the statistical accuracy of his defensive stats, specifically from his DPOY season in 1988, with some critics pointing to a significant home-road discrepancy in his steals and blocks.