The Greatest Statistical Fantasy Basketball Seasons of All-Time
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The Greatest Statistical Fantasy Basketball Seasons of All-Time
Fantasy basketball enthusiasts know that stats can tell a compelling story. Over the years, we've witnessed – or heard about – some breathtaking individual performances that not only captivated fans but also dominated fantasy leagues. As we reflect on the greatest statistical seasons in fantasy basketball history, certain names rise above the rest. There is no easy or perfect way to select THE 10 greatest individual season performances of all-time, and ranking those from 10 to 1, is both unfair and impossible. So, with that, I present 10 of the greatest fantasy basketball seasons of all-time – in no particular order – and one honorable mention.
Honorable Mention: Wilt Chamberlain (1961-1962)
MVP Finish: 2nd (1st – Bill Russell)
Games: 80
PPG: 50.4
RPG: 25.7
APG: 2.4
FG%: 50.6%
FT%: 61.3%
Fun Fact: Chamberlain scored 100 points in a single game against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962, a record that still stands today.
Chamberlain's numbers are the stuff of legend. With over 50 points and nearly 26 rebounds per game, his dominance in both scoring and rebounding set a benchmark that remains unmatched. Legend has it, Wilt also has some off-the-court, non-basketball records, but that’s a different topic for another day.
The Top 10 Greatest Fantasy Basketball Seasons
10. Nikola Jokić (2024-2025)
MVP Finish: TBD
Games: 70
PPG: 29.6
RPG: 12.7
APG: 10.2
SPG: 1.8
BPG: 0.6
FG%: 57.6%
FT%: 80.0%
Staggering Performance: On March 7, 2025, Jokić recorded the first-ever 30-20-20 game, with 21 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists against the Phoenix Suns. Just over three weeks later, he made history with the most points scored in a triple-double, finishing with 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists on April 1, 2025, against the Timberwolves.
Jokić's all-around game makes him a fantasy unicorn. When factoring in all categories, it’s arguable we’ve just witnessed the greatest fantasy basketball season of all-time.
9. James Harden (2016-2017)
MVP Finish: 2nd (1st – Russell Westbrook)
Games: 81
PPG: 29.1
RPG: 8.1
APG: 11.2
SPG: 1.5
FG%: 44%
FT%: 84.7%
3PM / 3PT%: 3.2 / 34.7%
Staggering Performance: On December 31, 2016, Harden finished the calendar year with a bang, recording 53 points, 16 rebounds, 17 assists, and 9 3-pointers against the New York Knicks. Less than one month later, on January 27, 2017, he added another monster game, posting 51 points, 13 rebounds, and 13 assists in a win over the Philadelphia 76ers,
Harden exhibited a scoring and playmaking prowess that catapulted him to an MVP award the following season, but you can argue 2016-2017 was his better overall statistical season. His ability to contribute across multiple categories made him a fantasy juggernaut.
8. Larry Bird (1986-1987)
MVP Finish: 3rd (1st – Magic Johnson, 2nd – Michael Jordan)
Games: 74
PPG: 28.1
RPG: 9.2
APG: 7.6
SPG: 1.8
BPG: 0.9
FG%: 52.5%
FT%: 91.0%
Staggering Performance: On April 12, 1987, Bird recorded 47 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 4 steals, while going 22/33 from the field in a victory over the New York Knicks.
The 3-time MVP and 3-time NBA champion wasn’t just an ultra-confident sharpshooter. Coming off three consecutive MVP seasons, Bird’s 1986-1987 season was arguably his best yet, but apparently voter fatigue has been going strong for decades. Of course, there is no shame in finishing third behind Magic and Michael.
7. Russell Westbrook (2016-2017)
MVP Finish: 1st
Games: 81
PPG: 31.6
RPG: 10.7
APG: 10.4
SPG: 1.6
FG%: 42.5%
FT%: 84.5%
Staggering Performance: Westbrook locked up his MVP season on April 9, 2017, with a triple-double, recording 50 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Denver Nuggets. Just two weeks earlier on March 29, 2017, he also recorded a 57-point triple-double, with 13 rebounds and 11 assists in an OT win at Orlando.
Westbrook made history by averaging a triple-double for the season, showcasing elite scoring, rebounding, and playmaking ability. He would go on to average season triple-doubles three of the next four years, but his fantasy production peaked in 2016-2017.
6. Michael Jordan (1988-1989)
MVP Finish: 2nd (1st – Magic Johnson)
Games: 81
PPG: 32.5
RPG: 8.0
APG: 8.0
SPG: 2.9
BPG: 0.8
FG%: 53.8%
FT%: 85.0%
Staggering Performance: On January 21, 1989, Jordan exploded for 53 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists on 20/28 shooting against the Phoenix Suns. Although it came the following season, the GOAT’s best statistical game came on March 28, 1990, when he recorded a career-high 69 points while adding 18 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals on 23/37 shooting.
MJ's all-around greatness was no secret. Bob Knight said it best after watching a then 21-year-old North Carolina guard, “I think he’s the best athlete I’ve ever seen play basketball, bar none. If I were going to pick people with the best ability I’d ever seen play the game, he’d be one of them. If I wanted to pick the best competitors I’d ever seen, he’d be one of them.”
5. Steph Curry (2015-2016)
MVP Finish: 1st
Games: 79
PPG: 30.1
RPG: 5.4
APG: 6.7
SPG: 2.1
FG%: 50.4%
FT%: 90.8%
3PM / 3PT%: 5.1 / 45.4%
Staggering Performance: On Halloween 2016, Curry posted 53 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals, to go with 8 3-pointers on 17/27 shooting. He’d add 10+ 3-pointers in four other games in the 2015-2016 season alone.
I’d argue nobody changed the game of basketball over the past 20 years than Curry. The greatest shooter the game of basketball has ever seen, reshaped offensive strategies and – for better or worse – inspired a new generation of players to embrace long-range shooting.
4. Hakeem Olajuwon (1989-1990)
MVP Finish: 7th (1st – Magic, 2nd – Barkley, 3rd – MJ, 4th – K. Malone, 5th – Ewing, 6th – D. Robinson)
Games: 82
PPG: 24.3
RPG: 14.0
APG: 2.9
SPG: 2.1
BPG: 4.6
FG%: 50.1%
FT%: 71.3%
Staggering Performance: On March 3, 1990, Olajuwon was dominant in a win over Golden State. He scored 29 points and recorded 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 11 blocks, and 5 rebounds. The Dream recorded a 52-point game on April 19, 1990, and posted 10+ blocks on four occasions this season.
Olajuwon's dominance on the defensive end, especially with his staggering block totals paired with significant rebounding and offensive output, showcases him as one of the finest centers in fantasy history. He is one of the greatest post players of all-time and his footwork was simply unmatched.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (2023-2024)
MVP Finish: 4th (1st – Nikola Jokic, 2nd – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 3rd – Luka Doncic)
Games: 73
PPG: 30.4
RPG: 11.5
APG: 6.5
SPG: 1.2
BPG: 1.1
FG%: 61.1%
FT%: 65.7%
Staggering Performance: On December 13, 2023, The Greek Freak put up a 64-point, 14-rebound, 3-assist, 4-steal game in a win over the Pacers.
Giannis's combination of scoring efficiency and versatility in rebounds and assists makes him a nightmare for defenders and a fantasy favorite. A non-stop motor on both ends of the court, have made him a yearly MVP candidate and one of the games best defenders for a decade running.
2. David Robinson (1993-1994)
MVP Finish: 2nd (1st – Hakeem Olajuwon)
Games: 80
PPG: 29.8
RPG: 10.7
APG: 4.8
SPG: 1.7
BPG: 3.3
FG%: 50.7%
FT%: 74.9%
Staggering Performance: On April 24, 1994, Robinson scored a jaw-dropping 71, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks against the Los Angeles Clippers. His monster performance gave him the regular season scoring title by six points over Shaq.
Robinson's ability to dominate both ends of the floor, his exceptional post-game, coupled with significant defensive stats, solidified his place in fantasy basketball lore.
1. LeBron James (2008-2009)
MVP Finish: 1st
Games: 81
PPG: 28.4
RPG: 7.6
APG: 7.2
SPG: 1.7
BPG: 1.1
FG%: 48.9%
FT%: 78.0%
Staggering Performance: LeBron logged three 50-point games in early 2009 with a 52-point, 11 assist, 9-rebound, 2-block performance on February 4th against the Knicks, a 55-point, 9-assist, 5-rebound game on February 20th against Milwaukee, and finally a 51-point, 9-assist, 4-rebound, 2-steal, 3-block game on March 13th against Sacramento
LeBron's all-around ability to score, rebound, defend, and create opportunities for his teammates, captured the attention of fantasy managers everywhere since he first stepped on an NBA court in 2003. With year 23 loading, it’s fair to question if we’ll ever witness this type of prolonged fantasy dominance ever again.
Conclusion
These ten seasons not only showcase remarkable talent but also highlight the evolution of basketball and how individual performances can reshape the landscape of fantasy leagues. Whether you’re reminiscing about the past or excited for the future, each player on this list left an indelible mark on fantasy basketball history.
John Fritz - Bleav in Fantasy
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Robbin Marx
NBA Fantasy Analyst
Experience: NBC Sports - Rotoworld, HashTag Basketball, Bleav Network
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