Top 10 All-Time Michigan Scorers in NBA History
There was some speculation a couple weeks ago that the Lakers might have been looking at signing Jamal Crawford, who has been out of the NBA since a short stint in 2020. That would be cool.
That prompted me to look up the all-time NBA scorers from Michigan, and here’s the top 10 list. The number at the beginning is their all-time NBA rank. Not sure I would have guessed this list correctly. And by the way, Crawford and Rice both scored more points in their careers than Magic Johnson did.
57. Jamal Crawford, 19,419 points
75. Glen Rice, 18,336
98. Chris Webber, 17,182
112. Juwan Howard, 16,159
202. Rudy Tomjanovich, 13,383
207. Jalen Rose, 13,220
246. Cazzie Russell, 12,377
454. Campy Russell, 8,953
460. Rickey Green, 8,970
517. Tim Hardaway Jr., 8,149
I have the feeling Franz is going to be high on that list when he is done.
I would have guessed Rudy T and Rice would be higher on the list. Crawford played like 20 years so that makes sense.
About your Magic comment, how many assists do the others have? His impact went far beyond scoring points. Prior to the Magic/Bird fascination, the NBA finals were aired on tape delay. Points do not a career make.
I didn't mean the Magic comment as a slam. I just thought it was interesting. I think it speaks more to how his career was cut short. Isiah Thomas (67th) is also a lot lower than I thought he'd be. It's just a fascinating list to look at. Here's the link.
March 10th, 2022 at 10:26 AM ^
Isiah (13 seasons), Magic (12) and Bird (12) all had very short careers.
Kareem (1) had 38387 points and one was a 3 pointer
Kobe (4) was a ball hog at only 4
Jordan (5) and Wilt (7) played only 2/3 as many games as Kareem
Fascinating.
What a career Crawford has had….If only we had for one more year at Michigan.
Three Fab Fivers in the top six.
Duncan Robinson 2700 points in four seasons.
One more year…he didn’t even play a full year!
March 10th, 2022 at 10:23 AM ^
Three Fab Fivers in the top six.
Re-raise the banners already, what's taking so long Warde?
March 10th, 2022 at 11:09 AM ^
so he has made 900 3s?
Crawford’s magic moves
During Crawford's freshman year, I went down to West Lafayette and watched Michigan upset Purdue in that cramped crackerbox gym. Crawford was so damn quick, like a rocket going at the basket - nobody on Purdue could stay with him. It was incredible to watch.
Still - would never have guessed that he would be #1 on this list, above Glen Rice and Chris Webber. What a great pro career he had as a scorer - amazing longevity.
G. Rice had the purest stroke I’ve ever seen…that’s what Palin said.
March 10th, 2022 at 10:18 AM ^
Can't refudiate that.
March 10th, 2022 at 10:27 AM ^
He was known for banging 3s... also a hell of a shooter.
I’m 1,000% stealing this.
March 10th, 2022 at 10:50 AM ^
Hey oh!
March 10th, 2022 at 10:30 AM ^
Lakers are already geriatric as hell, it'd be hilarious if they sign Crawford.
March 10th, 2022 at 10:35 AM ^
Amazing that Crawford and Rice both have more points than Magic, I would have never guessed.
March 10th, 2022 at 10:47 AM ^
Well, to be fair, Magic Johnson's career was cut short with by HIV and he average almost 13 assists a game. If you are an 80's Lakers and especially Magic Johnson fan, which, being originally from Southern Cal, I am, Winning Time on HBO Max is all about that era and I did enjoy the first episode.
If Magic was selfish like Kobe he would have another 15-20 points to his average. Don’t forget what he did in the finals when Kareem was injured and Magic’s job was to score as center.
In the 91 Conference finals after the lost to Porland while he scored 44, they asked him about his performance and his response was, paraphrasing, "I could come out here and do that every night, but you see what the results are." He and Bird were all about the team and doing what was needed for the team to win first.
March 10th, 2022 at 10:52 AM ^
Crawford has had one of the most unique NBA careers ever. Is there anyone else in the top 100 all-time scoring who never made an All-Star team? Arguably the quietest 20k points you'll ever see.
I remember thinking he was out of his mind when he left Michigan after his freshman year. It's hard to say he made the wrong decision now.
March 10th, 2022 at 10:59 AM ^
Yep. Next to Tom Brady, U-M's most "I didn't see THAT coming" pro career ever.
March 10th, 2022 at 12:23 PM ^
I don't know; Crawford was clearly an elite talent and was picked in the lottery (8th overall).
Duncan Robinson OTOH was a total shock to just about everybody.
March 10th, 2022 at 10:59 AM ^
Active Players Not Already Mentioned in the OP:
Trey Burke - 4,763
Caris LeVert - 4,444
Duncan Robinson - 2,704
Nik Stauskas - 2,283
Jordan Poole - 2,111
Moe Wagner - 1,290
Franz Wagner - 1.038
Ignas Brazdeikis - 207
Isaiah Livers - 24
lol'd at Livers, good for you for including him.
March 10th, 2022 at 11:02 AM ^
Jamal Crawford is one of the best 6th men to ever play in the NBA. He also has some of the best handles in NBA history.
March 10th, 2022 at 11:04 AM ^
This source doesn't look great, but it says that Crawford is the career leader in 4-point plays by a large margin:
March 10th, 2022 at 11:34 AM ^
What a great stat.
March 10th, 2022 at 12:16 PM ^
After watching some of the Lakers-Warriors game last weekend, I suspect Jordan Poole will be top-five by the time he's done.