About Era Dominance
Raw PPG numbers don't tell the full story because the NBA's average scoring has varied significantly across eras. A 25 PPG scorer in the low-scoring 2000s was more dominant relative to peers than a 25 PPG scorer in the fast-paced 1960s.
The Dominance Score measures how far above the era average a player scored. Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan stand out as the most dominant scorers relative to their peers, regardless of era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dominance Score?
It's the difference between a player's career PPG and the average PPG of their primary era. A score of +14 means the player averaged 14 more points per game than the typical player of their time.
Who was the most dominant scorer relative to their era?
Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan typically top this list, as their scoring output was dramatically higher than the league average of their respective eras.
Why use era-adjusted metrics?
Pace, rules, and playing style have changed dramatically. Era adjustment provides a fairer comparison between players from different decades.
What era averages are used?
We use approximate league-wide PPG averages for each decade: 1950s (15.5), 1960s (17.2), 1970s (16.8), 1980s (16.5), 1990s (15.8), 2000s (15.2), 2010s (16.0), 2020s (16.5).