Can You Name The #2 Scorers Of Every NBA Champion Since 1977?

6 min read Post on May 16, 2025

Can You Name The #2 Scorers Of Every NBA Champion Since 1977?

The 1970s & 1980s: A Look Back at the Second-Leading Scorers

The 1970s and 80s saw the rise of legendary players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, shaping the NBA landscape. But who were their crucial supporting players, the often-overlooked second-leading scorers? Let's revisit some key championships:

Keywords: 1970s NBA, 1980s NBA, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, second-leading scorers, NBA championship history.
Bullet Points:
- 1977 Portland Trail Blazers: The #2 scorer was Maurice Lucas, a powerful forward who played a vital role in their upset victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. His inside scoring and rebounding complemented Bill Walton's dominance.
- 1978 Washington Bullets: This team boasted Wes Unseld as their #2 scorer, a testament to his all-around impact. While not a high-volume scorer, his rebounding, assists, and leadership were essential to their success.
- 1979 Seattle SuperSonics: Dennis Johnson was the #2 scorer, proving his versatility and clutch play. He was a crucial part of the Sonics' defensive strategy and a valuable offensive contributor.
- 1980 Los Angeles Lakers: The #2 scorer was Jamaal Wilkes, a key contributor to the Showtime Lakers' fast-paced offense. His smooth scoring ability complemented Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's inside presence.
- 1981 Boston Celtics: Cedric Maxwell provided crucial scoring for the Celtics, showcasing his diverse offensive game and key contributions in the post.
- 1982 Boston Celtics: Robert Parish was a defensive force and a consistent second scorer, showcasing his importance to the team’s offensive flow.
- 1983 Philadelphia 76ers: Andrew Toney, known as "The Boston Strangler," was a crucial second scorer, renowned for his scoring prowess against the Celtics.
- 1984 Boston Celtics: Kevin McHale's offensive skillset and ability to score from the post made him an essential second-leading scorer, showing his versatility and importance to the team.
- 1985 Los Angeles Lakers: James Worthy displayed his consistent scoring ability, showcasing his smooth moves on the court.
- 1986 Boston Celtics: Dennis Johnson's reliable scoring and defensive contributions complemented Larry Bird, solidifying his role in the team's success.
- 1987 Los Angeles Lakers: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still had an impact, while Magic Johnson led the team in scoring. The team's balanced scoring made pinning down a definitive #2 scorer more challenging in this specific year.
- 1988 Los Angeles Lakers: James Worthy's consistent scoring and all-around game cemented his position as a critical player for the Lakers.
- 1989 Detroit Pistons: Isiah Thomas' leadership and scoring ability made him an essential second scorer, showcasing his importance to the team's dynamics.

The 1990s: The Rise of the Bulls and Other Contenders

The 1990s belonged to the Chicago Bulls dynasty, led by Michael Jordan. But who was consistently there to support him? Let's examine the second-leading scorers of the decade's champions:

Keywords: 1990s NBA, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, second-leading scorer, Chicago Bulls, NBA Finals MVP, NBA dynasty.
Bullet Points:
- 1991-1993 Chicago Bulls: Scottie Pippen was undeniably the #2 scorer, showcasing his all-around talent and becoming a key component of the Bulls’ offensive strategy.
- 1996-1998 Chicago Bulls: Again, Scottie Pippen held the #2 scoring position, highlighting his consistent contribution to the Bulls' championship success.
- 1994 Houston Rockets: Kenny Smith consistently provided crucial scoring for the team, demonstrating his importance in the team’s championship runs.
- 1995 Houston Rockets: Robert Horry's key contributions on both offense and defense were crucial to the Rockets' championship success, making him the #2 scorer.

The 2000s: New Dynasties and Emerging Stars

The 2000s saw the rise of new dynasties, with the Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs dominating the league. How did their #2 scorers contribute to their success?

Keywords: 2000s NBA, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, second-leading scorer, NBA Finals, three-point shooting.
Bullet Points:
- 2000-2002 Los Angeles Lakers: Shaquille O'Neal's dominance often overshadowed other players, but players like Derek Fisher and Robert Horry provided crucial support. Pinpointing a consistent #2 scorer is difficult due to the team's balanced offensive contributions.
- 2001 San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker consistently provided support to Tim Duncan, establishing his role as a reliable offensive asset and key player.
- 2002-2003 San Antonio Spurs: Manu Ginobili's scoring ability and international flair established him as a critical player for the team's success, showing his versatility and importance to the team’s offensive success.
- 2005 San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker provided efficient scoring and consistent support to Tim Duncan, showcasing his ability to lead the second-unit offensively.
- 2009-2010 Los Angeles Lakers: Pau Gasol provided essential scoring alongside Kobe Bryant, establishing his importance to the Lakers’ offense.

The 2010s & 2020s: The Modern NBA's Second-in-Command

The modern NBA is defined by analytics and team-oriented play. How has this impacted the role of the #2 scorer?

Keywords: 2010s NBA, 2020s NBA, Golden State Warriors, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, second-leading scorer, modern NBA, analytics.
Bullet Points:
- 2012 Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade’s scoring ability and chemistry with LeBron James highlighted his importance as a second-in-command player.
- 2013 Miami Heat: Again, Dwyane Wade provided consistent scoring alongside LeBron James, showing his efficiency and importance to the team’s overall success.
- 2015 Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson's three-point shooting ability formed a crucial part of the Warriors’ offensive strategies, highlighting the importance of specialized skills in the modern NBA.
- 2017 Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson again played a key role in their offensive success, showcasing his consistent three-point shooting and scoring ability.
- 2018 Golden State Warriors: Klay Thompson's scoring ability solidified his role in the team’s scoring strategy, highlighting the importance of secondary scorers in the modern NBA.
- 2019 Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry’s leadership and all-around game made him a vital second scorer and playmaker for the team.
- 2020 Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis provided a significant scoring boost alongside LeBron James, highlighting the impact of a strong second scorer in a modern NBA championship team.
- 2021 Milwaukee Bucks: Khris Middleton showcased his importance to the Bucks’ offense through his consistent scoring and game-changing shots.
- 2022 Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry's consistent performance led the team in scoring, while Klay Thompson remained a critical player despite being relegated to #3 in scoring. The team's balanced scoring makes identifying a clear #2 more nuanced.

Conclusion

This quiz tested your knowledge of NBA history, focusing on the often-unsung heroes: the #2 scorers of every NBA champion since 1977. Remembering these players highlights the importance of teamwork and the contributions beyond the leading scorer. Many of these players are household names, but some might have surprised you! The evolution of the game and the roles of the second-leading scorers are clearly evident throughout the years.

Call to Action: How did you do? Share your score and challenge your friends to test their knowledge of the #2 scorers of every NBA champion since 1977! Let us know in the comments below who surprised you the most! Keep testing your knowledge of NBA history and explore more challenging trivia quizzes!