MICHAEL JORDAN RANKED THIRD PUREST SCORER AS STEPHEN CURRY TAKES TOP SPOT
Metta World Peace slams a new list ranking Stephen Curry as a "purer" scorer than Michael Jordan and his ten titles.
The debate around who stands as the greatest scorer in basketball never really fades. Whenever rankings or metrics include Michael Jordan, the basketball world spins back into that familiar conversation. Recently, Bleacher Report stirred the pot again by placing Stephen Curry at the top of their list of the 15 purest scorers ever, with Jordan coming in third.
The response was immediate and intense. Metta Sandiford-Artest, known to many as Ron Artest or Metta World Peace and a former Lakers champ, didn’t hold back.
Taking to social media, Artest made his stance crystal clear. He dismissed the idea outright, highlighting Jordan’s rookie year average of 28 points, six championships, six Finals MVPs, and nine scoring titles, repeating the last figure for emphasis: nine scoring titles no one else has reached. For Artest, those feats put Jordan on a level that shouldn’t even be debated in these terms.
You can hear the passion in his words. Artest built a reputation as one of the league’s fiercest defenders and claimed a title with the Lakers in 2010. His perspective carries weight, reflecting a deep respect for Jordan’s place in history.
So, what did the list actually say? Bleacher Report based its rankings on three advanced stats: points per 75 possessions, relative true shooting percentage, and free-throw attempt rate. They aimed to reward scorers who performed efficiently without over-relying on free throws. This approach separated the rankings from more conventional views.
Jordan actually had a higher points per 75 possessions rate (30.3 versus Curry’s 26.7), but his greater free-throw attempt rate (35.8 compared to Curry’s 24.2) dragged his rank down. Plus, Jordan placed 29th in relative true shooting percentage among the players considered.
Bleacher Report didn’t ignore Jordan’s dominance; they noted his eight seasons averaging over 30 points and his ten scoring titles. However, they argued that Jordan’s scoring combined volume with a certain forcefulness rather than ‘pure’ scoring. In contrast, they praised Curry for mixing high volume with efficiency, relying on contested long-range shots, movement-based scoring, and underrated finishes at the rim, which they deemed a more ‘pure’ form of scoring.
It’s a solid argument. Curry revolutionised what scoring at the highest level looks like, hitting shots from distances that previous generations didn’t even consider practical options. This makes direct comparisons tricky.
But Artest’s points stand strong, too. Jordan put up his numbers against rugged, physical defences in an era where hand-checking was permitted, and officials allowed a level of contact unseen today. His scoring came amid the most persistent defensive pressure.
On the flip side, Curry is arguably the greatest shooter ever. The difficulty and uniqueness of his shot-making defy full capture by stats alone. He forced defences to rethink their positioning, influenced team-building strategies, and maintained highly efficient scoring over nearly twenty years.
As for Curry, he never asked for this ranking or the controversy it sparked. The list isn’t going to settle the debate, and Artest’s fiery reaction shows it won’t be without pushback.
What this conversation does highlight is the serious regard for Curry’s role in scoring history. He’s a player who has fundamentally altered the game, pushing the evolution of how scoring itself is measured.
Jordan remains Jordan, an icon beyond debate. Yet, what Curry has done to basketball is unprecedented. The argument will continue, but just having it underscores the remarkable place Curry holds in the sport’s story.
LEBRON JAMES OFFICIALLY BREAKS ROBERT PARISH’S RECORD FOR MOST NBA CAREER GAMES
LeBron James breaks Robert Parish’s record for most NBA appearances in a thrilling 105-104 Lakers victory over the Magic.
LeBron James made history Saturday, breaking the record for most regular-season NBA appearances even though, honestly, he says that was never his goal. He surpassed Robert Parish on his 1,612th game and helped the Lakers edge out the Magic 105-104. Luke Kennard nailed a buzzer-beater, leaving the crowd at Kia Centre stunned.
Parish, who everyone called “The Chief", set the old record of 1,560 games back in 1996. He retired a year later. James admits he knew he’d pass Parish eventually, but that wasn’t something he planned when he started in 2003.
“It just kind of happened,” James said. “It wasn’t on my list. I wanted to be the best, maybe the greatest ever. I wanted championships, rookie of the year, All-Star games, gold medals, MVPs, you know, the classic stuff. But this kind of milestone? Didn’t really cross my mind.”
This game, he dropped 12 points, snagged six boards, four assists, and three steals, all helping the Lakers snag their ninth win in a row. Now they’re third in the West, sitting behind OKC and the Spurs, with a 46-25 record.
Even breaking such a huge record, James kept his routine steady. “Just another prep day,” he said. “Did the same as the last 1,600 games. Once I stepped on the floor, I knew what was happening, and yeah, it’s pretty cool. Being available for my teammates has always mattered most to me, and I’ve tried to do that for two decades. This record’s just a result of that.”
Coach JJ Redick weighed in too, saying James’ passion explains why he’s lasted so long. “He’s had a phenomenal season, an incredible career,” Redick said. “It takes a deep love for basketball, but also the willingness to prep your body and mind and get enough rest. LeBron loves the process, the routine and the diligence. That’s what keeps him going.”
JUSTIN ALLGAIER SNAGS DARLINGTON WIN TO EXTEND NASCAR O’REILLY AUTO PARTS LEAD
Justin Allgaier wins the Help a Hero 200 at Darlington, extending his NASCAR points lead to a massive 52 points.
Justin Allgaier came out swinging at Darlington Raceway on March 21, snagging the win in the Help a Hero 200 and pushing even further ahead in the 2026 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series standings. Right now, he’s the guy everyone’s chasing. With six races down out of 33, the points race is starting to take shape, and Allgaier’s making clear separation at the front.
He’s sitting on 306 points, with two wins, four top-fives, and five top-10s. That kind of consistency gives him a solid 52-point lead over second place, so there’s room to breathe for now.
Jesse Love has 254 points and hasn’t snagged a win yet, but his three top-fives and five top-10 finishes keep him in the conversation. He’s hanging tough, but Allgaier is starting to pull away.
Carson Kvapil rides in third at 222 points. He’s still hunting for his first win, but he’s got two top-fives and three top-10s to show for his efforts. Sheldon Creed sits right behind at 218, with one win on the board plus three top-fives and four top-10s. Austin Hill rounds out the top five with 210 points, one win, and a pole.
Further down, the fight for playoff spots is getting more heated. Six through ten is all about staying consistent, and nobody’s cruising yet.
Sammy Smith sits sixth with 192 points. He’s got three top-fives and five top-10s – solid numbers. Corey Day is right behind in seventh, 188 points, also with five top-10s and two top-fives. Brandon Jones holds eighth at 170, with one top-five and two top-10s.
Parker Retzlaff is ninth, just a point behind Jones at 169. Rajah Caruth snags the last spot in the top ten, with 151 points and three top-10s.
Just outside the cutoff, Sam Mayer is at 149 points in 11th, with two poles but only one top-five and three top-10s. Taylor Grey fills out the playoff field in 12th with 132 points, picking up one pole and one top-10.
Past the cutoff, it’s getting crowded. William Sawalich sits 13th at 119, Brennan Poole at 116, Jeb Burton at 115, Anthony Alfredo at 113, and Ryan Sieg at 105. Then you’ve got Patrick Staropoli with 95, Blaine Perkins at 88, Jeremy Clements at 83, Josh Bilicki at 81, Nick Sanchez at 77, and a pack of others in the low 70s.
Allgaier’s Darlington win pours some fuel on his hot streak, but the season’s barely started. With 27 races still on the schedule, drivers have plenty of time and tracks to make moves. Every stage point, every finish matters, and the top 12 playoff spots are up for grabs. Allgaier’s lead looks comfy now, but in NASCAR, things can flip overnight.
