In the world of basketball, the NBA stands out as the top league where players from around the globe aspire to compete. While making an NBA roster is a significant achievement, not every player reaches the pinnacle of success in the league. Superstars like Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant are known for effortlessly averaging 20 points per game, but there have been several unexpected players in NBA history who have achieved this feat.
One such player is former point guard Mike James, who went undrafted in 1998 after playing college basketball at Duquesne. James had a long 13-season career in the NBA, playing for 11 different teams. However, it was during the 2005-2006 season with the Toronto Raptors that James had a surprising performance.
During that season, the Raptors lacked a consistent offensive threat apart from Chris Bosh, and the team finished with a 27-55 record. On the other hand, former No. 1 overall pick Andrea Bargnani, known for drawing comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki, showcased his promise in his rookie season but struggled with physicality and defense in the following years.
After Bosh left the Raptors in 2010, Bargnani became the focal point of the team. Despite his shortcomings, the Italian forward managed to average an impressive 21.4 points per game and even had a career-high 41-point game during the 2010-2011 season. However, Toronto finished with a dismal record of 22-60 despite Bargnani’s individual success.
Following his time with the Raptors, Bargnani had brief stints with the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets before eventually exiting the league in 2016. It is evident that Bargnani did not quite live up to the expectations that come with being a No. 1 overall draft pick.
While these players may not have reached the level of greatness of NBA legends like Jordan and Durant, their ability to average 20 points per game in a season is a testament to their talent and determination. In the unpredictable world of basketball, these unlikely players have left their mark in NBA history.
