Scoring Title
Entering the final day of the 1993-94 regular season, David Robinson trailed Shaq by 0.06 points per game. The Orlando Magic had a later game scheduled, so Robinson had to set the pace with huge scoring total.
His teammates understood what was needed and continuously fed him the ball. You’d figure 24 first-half points would be good enough to take the foot off the pedal, but head coach John Lucas had different plans. Robinson poured in 19 more in the 3rd quarter and 21(!) more in the 4th.
Add that up and Robinson had 64 points with a minute remaining, plus a 21-point lead. That should’ve been more than enough, especially with a pivotal playoff series with Utah kicking off that weekend. Nope, Lucas had his troops intentionally foul the Clips, leading Robinson to tack on seven more points.
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With 71 points, Robinson would claim his only scoring title after Shaq musters up a “measly” 28 points (he needed 68).
Stats and Value
Robinson led the NBA in PER and VORP for three consecutive seasons (1994-96), yet only walked away with one regular season MVP (’95) award. Ironically, during those three seasons, 1995 was his lowest in Win Shares, PER, and VORP.
He would lose out to Olajuwon in 1994 and Jordan in 1995.
Next: Late Success