Michael Jordan and LeBron James are among the players with the best individual PER seasons in NBA history.
In basketball, a player’s performance can be quantified by a statistic called Player Efficiency Rating (PER). The PER sums up all a player’s positive accomplishments, subtracts the negative accomplishments, and returns a per-minute rating of a player’s performance.
This includes counting a player’s accomplishments like field goals, free throws, and three-pointers made. PER also accounts for a player’s assists, rebounds, blocks, and steals.
PER also accounts for the negative side of a player’s performance. This includes missed shots, turnovers, and personal fouls. The league average for PER is 15.00 for every season.
This advanced stat was created by John Hollinger, a columnist for ESPN. Throughout the history of the NBA, there have been several players who have dominated the league, earning incredibly high single-season PERs.
In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 individual PER seasons in NBA history. From the legendary Michael Jordan to the modern-day superstar Nikola Jokic, we will examine the players who have achieved the highest PER ratings in a single season and what made their performances so exceptional.
10. LeBron James – 31.59 PER (2012-13)
Stats: 26.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 7.3 APG, 1.7 SPG, 0.9 BPG
LeBron James continues to wow any and everyone who watches him. His talent is incredible, and you just knew he’d make the list of the top 10 best PER seasons in NBA history.
The 2012-13 season is arguably LeBron’s greatest season, as his game may have been the most well-rounded at this point in his career. LeBron and the Miami Heat came off winning the 2012 NBA title, LeBron’s first, and the King was hungry for more.
When you look at LeBron’s averages of 26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, they don’t show the entire story. LeBron also was extremely efficient, shooting 56.5% from the field.
As for his PER of 31.59, it was good enough to crack the top 10 best PER seasons in NBA history. It also helped LeBron lead the Heat to 27 straight wins during the season and their second straight NBA championship.
T9. Michael Jordan – 31.63 PER (1990-91)
Stats: 31.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 5.5 APG, 2.7 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Is there any top 10 greatest list that doesn’t feature Michael Jordan? If there are, they are minimal. Not only does Jordan make our list, but this won’t be his only appearance.
At the 9th spot for greatest PER season, we take a look at MJ’s 1990-91 season. This was the year Jordan and his Chicago Bulls finally broke through and won the NBA championship.
As for Jordan individually, he had yet another incredible season in his NBA career. Jordan led the league in scoring for a fifth straight season while shooting 53.9% from the field, a career-high.
Jordan’s PER of 31.63 was the second highest of his career and good enough for 9th best by a player all-time. In his prime, Jordan was truly unstoppable.
T9. Wilt Chamberlain – 31.63 PER (1963-64)
Stats: 36.9 PPG, 22.3 RPG, 5.0 APG
Wilt Chamberlain ties Michael Jordan for the ninth-best PER season of all time with his 31.63 PER in the 1963-64 season. When you look at the NBA record book, you’ll find Chamberlain’s name next to nearly every stat imaginable.
So, it’s no surprise Chamberlain’s name is on the list of 10 best PER seasons of all time. Chamberlain’s dominance in the 1963-64 season was remarkable, and it wasn’t even his best season!
Chamberlain was a member of the San Francisco Warriors during the 1963-64 season. His league-leading 36.9 points per game helped the Warriors clinch the Western Division with a 48-32 record.
Chamberlain truly dominated the season from an individual standpoint. The Big Dipper finished second in rebounds per game and total rebounds. He also finished sixth in assists per game (5.0) and fourth in total assists (403) as a center.
7. LeBron James – 31.67 PER (2008-09)
Stats: 28.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.7 SPG, 1.1 BPG
LeBron James lands on the list once again. This time, it was his 2008-09 season. This was the season LeBron won his first of four MVP awards, and boy, did he earn it.
LeBron led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the best record in the league at 66-16. King James appeared to do it all, as he impacted every portion of the game.
What made LeBron’s season even more incredible was the fact he took a roster of aging stars and forgotten role players to 66 wins. It’s a shame LeBron couldn’t lead the Cavs to a Finals matchup against Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers.
Still, you can’t take away from LeBron’s brilliance out on the hardwood. You also can’t take away the fact King James’ 31.67 PER is the seventh-best all-time in a single season.
6. Michael Jordan – 31.71 PER (1987-88)
Stats: 35.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 3.2 SPG, 1.6 BPG
To many fans, Michael Jordan’s 1987-88 season is the greatest by any player of all time. After leading the league in scoring with an incredible 37.1 in the previous season, Jordan was upset that everyone overlooked his defense.
Jordan went on a tear, averaging 3.2 steals and 1.6 blocks per game. Oh, and he also averaged 35.0 points on 53.5% shooting.
This was the season where Jordan won his first MVP, the Defensive Player of the Year award, the scoring title, the steals title, and he won the Slam Dunk contest. Yes, this was the season where many fans and analysts alike were not just dubbing MJ as the best in the league but possibly the greatest of all time.
Jordan’s 31.71 PER was the highest of his career, and it was the sixth highest in a season of all time. MJ was now just a few seasons away from turning his individual success into championship wins.
5. Wilt Chamberlain – 31.82 PER (1962-63)
Stats: 44.8 PPG, 24.3 RPG, 3.4 APG
Wilt Chamberlain returns to the list with yet another dominant season. This time, it was the 1962-63 season, and Chamberlain led the league in scoring with a 44.8 points per game average.
Chamberlain was overall incredible during the season, especially with his 31.82 PER. Still, Chamberlain’s play didn’t help the San Francisco Warriors much, as they missed the playoffs with a 31-49 record.
This was a theme in Chamberlain’s career, putting up huge stats but failing to win a title. Eventually, Chamberlain’s stats would shrink, but he would taste championship success.
4. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 31.86 PER (2019-20)
Stats: 29.5 PPG, 13.6 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG
The player with the fourth-best single-season PER at 31.86 is the Greek Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo. Giannis achieved this feat during the 2019-20 season. Before the season was shut down because of COVID, Giannis was on a tear.
Giannis was averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game before the season came to a halt. The Bucks as a team were also on a tear, having a 53-12 record.
After the season restarted in the Disney Bubble, Giannis never quite looked the same. Still, his 31.86 PER was quite impressive.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 32.05 PER (2021-22)
Stats: 29.9 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.4 BPG
The Greek Freak returns to the list with another incredible season. This time, it was the 2021-22 season, and Giannis was coming off winning his first NBA championship.
There were times during the season when Giannis looked like he was leaps and bounds better than anyone in the league. This includes his performance on February 15, 2022, against the Indiana Pacers.
Giannis scored 50 points on 17-of-21 shooting while adding 14 rebounds. The Greek Freak’s performance marked just the 12th time in NBA history that a player scored 50 or more points on 80% shooting or better.
Giannis’ PER of 32.05 registered as the third-best in NBA history. The Greek Freak has yet to win another title, but with his consistent play, it’s likely he’ll be holding the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in the near future.
2. Wilt Chamberlain – 32.08 PER (1961-62)
Stats: 50.4 PPG, 25.7 RPG, 2.4 APG
What’s there to say that hasn’t been said about the great Wilt Chamberlain? His name is truly intertwined with the NBA record book.
Chamberlain held the top spot for the best PER season for about 60 years, and it’s one of the most legendary seasons by a player of all time. The 1961-62 season saw Chamberlain achieve three milestones that will never be broken.
Chamberlain averaged an insane 50.4 points per game in an astounding 48.5 minutes per game. He also added 25.7 rebounds per game.
If this wasn’t crazy enough, Chamberlain had one single-game performance that has stood the test of time. On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain scored an NBA record 100 points on 36-63 shooting from the field and 28-32 from the free-throw line.
This all led to Chamberlain earning a PER of 32.08. Again, this stat would remain the record for 60 years until another center stole the show while revolutionizing the five spot.
1. Nikola Jokic – 32.85 PER (2021-22)
Stats: 27.1 PPG, 13.8 RPG, 7.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.9 BPG
What else is there to say about The Joker, Nikola Jokic? The man is, without a doubt, the best player in the game today. His back-to-back MVPs and his most recent NBA title, to go along with a Finals MVP, is a hard point to argue against him as the best in the league.
In particular, Jokic’s 2021-22 season was special for him on an individual level. The Joker won his second straight MVP by posting 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game. Jokic did this while shooting 58.3% from the field.
Now, the Denver Nuggets struggled a bit during the season, finishing with just a 48-34 record. This was the sixth-best record in the Western Conference.
This didn’t matter; Jokic balled out, and no one was realistically close to him for MVP that season. Jokic broke Wilt Chamberlain’s record for highest PER with 32.85.
This wasn’t the only record The Joker broke. He also broke LeBron James’ record for highest BPM (Box Plus/Minus) in a season with 13.73. Yes, Nikola Jokic is a one-of-a-kind season, and up to this point in the 2023-24 season, Jokic has a higher PER than his 2021-22 campaign.
Can Jokic keep up the pace and set yet another record? This is very likely, as Jokic has been playing on a whole other level these past few years.
The top 10 individual PER seasons in NBA history represent the pinnacle of basketball excellence. These players displayed unparalleled skills, dominance, and impact on the court. From Michael Jordan’s legendary seasons to Wilt Chamberlain’s incredible statistical achievements, these players left an indelible mark on the game.
While statistics alone do not define a player’s greatness, PER provides a valuable metric to measure individual performances. It allows us to appreciate the extraordinary talents and contributions of these basketball legends.
As the game continues to evolve, we eagerly anticipate the emergence of future stars who may one day join the ranks of the top PER seasons in NBA history. Until then, let us celebrate the achievements of these remarkable athletes and the enduring legacy they have left on the sport we love.
