2003 NBA Draft Class: 10 Players With The Most 30-Point Games

From top to bottom, the 2003 NBA Draft class has an argument to be considered the most talented draft class in NBA history. It is filled with future Hall of Famers, MVPs, Finals MVPs, generational scorers, defenders, and most importantly, NBA champions. Of course, there are some outliers to that statement, but what draft class doesn’t have a top pick that ends up not living up to the hype? The 2003 NBA Draft produced more effective role players and stars than any class in recent memory, and today, the best offensive players in that draft will be recognized.

Today, we are going to discuss the best scorers from the 2003 NBA Draft class. This will not be about the players who scored the most total career points but rather the ones that had the best individual performances more often. 30-Point games are a pretty sound measurement of how talented of a scorer a player is and was during their careers which is exactly the premise for the list below. The two lists may correlate, but there are also a few players that sneak in due to offensive outbursts that were a bit rarer along the way.

These are the NBA players with the most 30-point games from the 2003 NBA Draft class.

Note: 30-Point games are both regular season and playoffs combined.

T10. Boris Diaw – 4 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 8.6 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.5 APG, 0.6 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Boris Diaw was a 14-year NBA veteran who played most notably with the Suns and Spurs during his career. Diaw was a unique role player during his career who could get away with games where he played either forward position or even center. He was a versatile defender who could guard any position on the court and was crafty on the offensive end to make up for his lack of size in the paint. Diaw was never considered a great scorer but had flashes enough to land him on this list.

Diaw’s breakdown of 30-point games comes as 2 in the regular season and 2 in playoff action. His career-high in a game came in 2005 when he scored 31 points as a member of the Suns in a win over the Timberwolves. The 2005-06 season happened to be the year that he recorded a career-high in scoring at 13.3 PPG on 52.6% shooting. In the playoffs that season, Diaw averaged 18.7 PPG in 20 games with the Suns as a starter for the high-powered offense. Diaw went on to win an NBA championship with the Spurs in 2014, appearing in 23 games and averaging 9.2 PPG.

T10. T.J. Ford – 4 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 11.2 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.1 BPG

T.J. Ford played just 8 full seasons in the NBA for the Bucks, Raptors, Pacers, and Spurs. Few were as explosive and speedy from the point guard position as Ford was during his time in the league. He was extremely efficient with the ball and a consistent, willing passer. Ford was great at breaking down defenses with his high-level IQ and was fearless attacking the basket despite his small frame in an NBA with bigger and stronger adversaries.

Ford achieved his career-high for scoring in a season during the 2009-09 campaign with the Indiana Pacers. Ford averaged 14.9 PPG that season with a 45.2% shooting rate from the floor. He also averaged 14.0 PPG with the Raptors in 2006-07 as their starting point guard for 71 games. In 6 games with the Raptors that postseason, Ford averaged 16.0 PPG and had 2 games in which he scored over 20 points. Ford retired after 9 seasons in the NBA due to a lingering back injury hindering his play.

T10. Kyle Korver – 4 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 9.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Kyle Korver spent 17 seasons in the NBA with 6 different teams during his career. Korver broke into the NBA at the perfect time as the game moved further and further away from the basket. Over time, Korver became an elite 3-point shooter who was a deadly catch-and-shoot guy everywhere he went during his career. Korver shot 42.9% from three for his career and led the NBA in 3-point percentage 4 times.

Korver had his best scoring season with the 76ers during the 2006-07 season. That year, Korver led the NBA in 3-point shooting and averaged 14.4 PPG. Korver was a 10.0 PPG scorer or better just 7 times in his 17 seasons in the league. His best playoff run came with the Atlanta Hawks, where he also became an All-Star in 2013-14. He averaged 13.4 PPG that postseason in 7 games while shooting 42.6% from three. As great of a shooter as he was, Korver never played a significant role on a championship-winning team.,

T10. Willie Green – 4 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 8.3 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.4 APG, 0.5 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Willie Green, yes, that Willie Green was drafted in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft and still became one of the Top 10 scorers from the draft. Green began his career with the 76ers, where he had the best seasons of his career until he was traded in 2010. Green has a smooth shooting stroke and displayed great instincts as a scorer on the court. He was a smart player who could play either guard position for the teams he played for in the 2000s and 2010s.

Willie Green enjoyed his best seasons as a scorer with the 76ers in 2007 and 2008. Green had the only double-digit scoring seasons with Philadelphia those 2 years averaging 11.3 PPG in 2007 and 13.4 PPG in 2008. Having made the playoffs 7 times in his career, Green never carried over that scoring prowess to the postseason and retired in 2015 without an NBA championship to his name. Green is hoping to change that statistic as the Head Coach of one of the more surprising teams in 2022-23, the New Orleans Pelicans, although it may be a season or two before that comes to fruition.

9. Josh Howard – 9 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 14.3 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 1.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG

Josh Howard was the 29th pick in the 2003 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks. With the Mavericks, Howard became an All-Star and displayed his scoring talent regularly each night with the team. Half of his touches came as a talented scorer in multiple situations. He was good in the pick-and-roll as well as fast breaks and in isolation. He was a good spout-up shooter who shot very well from the mid-range, although not great at the 3-point shot.

The best scoring stretch of his career came from 2007 thru 2009 with the Mavericks. In 2007, Howard was an All-Star that averaged 18.9 PPG on 45.9% shooting from the field. In 2008, Howard averaged a career-high 19.9 PPG with Dallas and shot 45.5% from the field. His best playoff series came in 2007 against the Warriors, even though the team was upset in the first round. He averaged 21.3 PPG in that series and didn’t have a game in which he recorded under 20 points in all 6 games.

8. Leandro Barbosa – 10 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 10.6 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Leandro Barbosa was a 14-year veteran in the NBA who played with the Suns, Warriors, Raptors, Pacers, and Celtics. Barbosa brought a rare mix of explosive speed and sweet shooting to the court every time he stepped on it. He was a blur in the open court who finished at the basket extremely well or could pull up for a sweet-looking long-range jumper. He was a quality combo guard during his career and an impactful one as well, especially with the Suns and Warriors.

Barbosa was a great scorer, and if he had only developed more of a mid-range game, he would have been elite. In 2007 with Phoenix, Barbosa won Sixth Man of the Year, averaging 18.1 PPG on 47.6% shooting. His best stretch as a scorer came from 2006 thru 2009, as he averaged 15.4 PPG over that span. He was also a quality scorer for the Suns on their 2006 and 2007 playoff runs. Barbosa was able to win an NBA championship as a member of the Warriors in 2015, averaging 5.0 PPG in 20 appearances with the team.

7. Kirk Hinrich – 11 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 10.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.3 BPG

Kirk Hinrich was one of the toughest and most competitive point guards in the NBA during the 2000s with the Chicago Bulls. Hinrich was a streaky 3-point shooter but made up for it with his efficient shooting from the mid-range and free-throw line. He was an above-average scorer who found many ways to get the ball in the basket during his 13-year NBA career. Although he was never a 20.0 PPG threat, Hinrich still had the games that land him on this list.

Of his 14 seasons in the NBA, Hinrich spent 11 with the Bulls, where he enjoyed the best offensive seasons of his career. From 2005 thru 2007 was his best stretch during the regular season averaging 16.0 PPG over those 3 years. In the 2005 and 2006 playoffs, Hinrich upped his game to become a 20.0 PPG scorer in both series as Chicago’s starting point guard. Hinrich finished Top 10 in Bulls scoring for his career and led them to the playoffs 8 times during his career.

6. Mo Williams – 25 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 13.2 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 4.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 0.1 BPG

Nowadays, Mo Williams is looked on by the newer generation of fans as a scrub that LeBron James had to carry to the playoffs and Finals during his career. The truth is Mo Williams was the complete opposite of that. Williams could shoot from beyond the arc and had no problems letting it fly when he had the hot hand. He could also put the ball on the floor and get by defenders for smooth finishes at the rim. Williams was a talented scorer for an undersized guard, and it is time he is remembered as such.

Williams’ best stretch as a scorer came from 2007 thru 2010 with the Bucks and Cavaliers. Williams averaged 16.5 PPG over that span on 45.0% shooting overall and 39.6% from three. Williams became an All-Star with the Cavaliers in 2009 when he averaged a career-high 17.8 PPG. In the postseason that year, he averaged 16.3 PPG, where he had 5 of his 25 30-point games. Williams was a big part of Cleveland’s success in the 2000s, and it is a shame he isn’t revered as such.

5. David West – 50 30- Point Games

Career Stats: 13.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.8 BPG

David West is one of the more skillful bigs to come out of the 2003 NBA Draft. He spent 8 seasons with the Hornets, 4 seasons with the Pacers, 1 season with the Spurs, and 2 seasons with the Warriors in his career. He made a living out of knocking down mid-range shots and was particularly dangerous from either elbow. He also poured in half of his career points with his back to the basket, using quick feet and soft touch to overpower opponents.

West’s best offensive seasons came as a member of the New Orleans Hornets in 2008 and 2009. West was named an All-Star both years and averaged over 20.0 PPG in each of those 2 seasons. Those 2 seasons accounted for 20 of his 50 30-point games as he also had several performances with over 40 points. He was also a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs those 2 seasons, grabbing 2 more of his 50 career 30-point games. West would serve on the bench with the Warriors in 2017 and 2018 and was rewarded with both of his 2 career NBA championships.

4. Chris Bosh – 85 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 19.2 PPG, 8.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG

During his prime, Chris Bosh was one of the premier power forwards in basketball. He could score from anywhere on the court, displaying touch at all three levels on offense. He was able to get to the foul line a lot and converted on his free throws at a more than respectable rate. Bosh adapted his game after leaving Toronto for the Miami Heat in 2011 and became one of the better stretch forwards in basketball which helped the Heat win 2 NBA titles in the 2010s as one of the best dynasties in NBA history.

Bosh made 11 straight All-Star games from 2006 thru 2016 because of his electric offensive game. Between 2006 and 2010 with Toronto, Bosh was a consistent 20.0 PPG scorer who averaged 22.8 PPG over those 5 seasons. In their 4 runs to the Finals, Bosh averaged 17.3 PPG over those 4 regular seasons and 14.9 PPG in the playoffs. During their 2011 Finals run, Bosh averaged 18.6 PPG and was a 20.5 PPG scorer in his 2 postseasons with the Raptors in 2007 and 2008.

3. Dwyane Wade – 254 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 22.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG

Dwyane Wade can be considered the 3rd greatest player to play the shooting guard position in NBA history. Wade was a two-way monster who electrified audiences with big-time poster dunks and finishes during his NBA career. Wade showed no fear driving to the lane and never once shied away from contact at the rim. He was a decent shooter but was most dangerous in the open court.

Wade’s best stretch as a scorer came from 2006 thru 2011. Wade averaged 27.0 PPG over that stretch which included a scoring title in 2009 with 30.2 PPG. His sole 30.0 PPG season accounts for just 39 of his total 30-point games, but it was a special season indeed. He was a 22.3 career playoff scorer as well as he won 3 NBA titles during his career with the Heat. In 2006, Wade led the Heat to their first NBA title and won Finals MVP averaging 34.7 PPG in the 6-game series. From 2011 thru 2014, Wade formed one of the greatest duos in NBA history with LeBron James to deliver 2 more titles to Miami.

2. Carmelo Anthony – 294 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 22.5 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 BPG

It is a shame how Carmelo Anthony is viewed these days by the newer fans of basketball that continue to grow every day. Anthony came into the NBA as a serious three-level threat on offense. He was so strong in the post and used it to gain advantages over opponents for a turnaround jumper or smooth layup/dunk at the rim. His shooting stroke was beautiful when he was on his game, and he finished his career as one of the 10 highest scorers in NBA history.

Carmelo came into the NBA as a 20.0 PPG scorer and didn’t average less than 20.0 PPG in a season until his 15th year in the pros. During that run, Anthony averaged 24.8 PPG over 14 years of play. He won his lone scoring title with the Knicks in 2013 when he averaged 28.7 PPG on the year. For his career, Anthony was a 23.1 PPG playoff scorer who averaged 28.0 PPG with the Knicks on 3 playoff trips. Anthony was never able to secure an NBA championship which is heavily used against him in his all-time rankings. What no one can deny is his stance as the 2nd-best scorer in the 2003 NBA Draft.

1. LeBron James – 644 30-Point Games

Career Stats: 27.2 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.6 SPG, 0.8 BPG

The fact that LeBron James is considered a pass-first player is incredible when you consider his scoring accomplishments over the years. With only 1 scoring title to his name, James is on the brink of breaking the NBA record for most career points in 2023. James has never averaged under 20.0 PPG in a season in his career and has averaged 25.0 PPG or better for the last 19 years. He attacks the rim with such force and strength that nobody can stop him from getting the job done when his team needs him most.

LeBron James is not known as a scorer, and by no means should he be, considering he does so many other things so well. He has been the most consistent superstar in history, though, and no one can deny that. James has averaged 30.0 PPG in the regular season 3 times and has done it in the playoffs six times. With 644 30-point games, James should at least be considered the best scorer in the 2003 NBA Draft. 

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