StatVault

NBA Compilers vs Comets

Two careers can end with the same total value — one stacked in a few meteoric seasons (a Comet), the other ground out over a long career (a Compiler). Neither is better; they are different shapes of greatness. Peak-share makes the shape a number: best-3-season VAL ÷ career VAL.

VAL-based and distinct from the NFL production-based version. High share = front-loaded (Comet); low share = sustained (Compiler). Qualifying floor: ≥6seasons and a career at or above this sport's 70th-percentile career VAL (95.6). 434 careers qualify. Value shown is peak-share as a percentage.

Comets — Concentrated Peaks

peak-share %

A few towering seasons carried the career.

Showing 30 of 40 ranked entries.

  1. 1Micheal Ray RichardsonPG/SG · 8 seasons · career 106.2 VAL · peak-3 57.454
  2. 2Gilbert ArenasPG · 9 seasons · career 102.9 VAL · peak-3 54.153
  3. 3George MikanC · 7 seasons · career 97.8 VAL · peak-3 51.453
  4. 4Yao MingC · 7 seasons · career 101.7 VAL · peak-3 51.350
  5. 5Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderG · 8 seasons · career 115.8 VAL · peak-3 54.947
  6. 6Ray WilliamsPG · 9 seasons · career 103.7 VAL · peak-3 48.847
  7. 7Brad DaughertyC · 8 seasons · career 109.8 VAL · peak-3 50.346
  8. 8Mel DanielsC · 8 seasons · career 110.3 VAL · peak-3 49.945
  9. 9Ricky DavisSG · 9 seasons · career 101.5 VAL · peak-3 45.645
  10. 10Allen IversonSG · 9 seasons · career 119.2 VAL · peak-3 53.245
  11. 11Swen NaterC · 10 seasons · career 98 VAL · peak-3 43.344
  12. 12Truck RobinsonPF · 10 seasons · career 99.1 VAL · peak-3 42.843
  13. 13Willis ReedC · 9 seasons · career 108 VAL · peak-3 46.643
  14. 14Bob LoveSF · 11 seasons · career 95.6 VAL · peak-3 41.243
  15. 15Jayson TatumF · 8 seasons · career 122.6 VAL · peak-3 52.743
  16. 16Gene ShuePG/SG · 10 seasons · career 96.1 VAL · peak-3 41.343
  17. 17Tyreke EvansG · 10 seasons · career 107.9 VAL · peak-3 46.343
  18. 18Joel EmbiidC · 10 seasons · career 103.9 VAL · peak-3 44.543
  19. 19Gus JohnsonPF/SF · 10 seasons · career 103.6 VAL · peak-3 44.343
  20. 20Shaquille O'NealC · 10 seasons · career 128.8 VAL · peak-3 54.742
  21. 21Darrell WalkerPG/SG · 10 seasons · career 100.2 VAL · peak-3 42.342
  22. 22Rony SeikalyC · 9 seasons · career 118.2 VAL · peak-3 49.842
  23. 23Emeka OkaforC · 10 seasons · career 100.8 VAL · peak-3 42.442
  24. 24Rickey GreenPG · 14 seasons · career 104.9 VAL · peak-3 44.142
  25. 25Sidney WicksPF · 10 seasons · career 127.6 VAL · peak-3 53.542
  26. 26Derrick RosePG · 14 seasons · career 115.1 VAL · peak-3 48.242
  27. 27Bob McAdooC · 13 seasons · career 130 VAL · peak-3 54.142
  28. 28Darrell GriffithSG · 10 seasons · career 108.3 VAL · peak-3 4542
  29. 29Luka DoncicG · 8 seasons · career 126.4 VAL · peak-3 52.542
  30. 30Zydrunas IlgauskasC · 10 seasons · career 119.5 VAL · peak-3 49.541

Compilers — Sustained Careers

peak-share %

Value spread evenly across a long career — longevity as greatness.

Showing 30 of 40 ranked entries.

  1. 1LeBron JamesF · 23 seasons · career 388.8 VAL · peak-3 60.716
  2. 2Robert ParishC · 21 seasons · career 271.9 VAL · peak-3 50.719
  3. 3Kareem Abdul-JabbarC · 20 seasons · career 351.7 VAL · peak-3 6619
  4. 4Dirk NowitzkiF · 21 seasons · career 301.4 VAL · peak-3 59.820
  5. 5Chris PaulG · 20 seasons · career 276.1 VAL · peak-3 55.420
  6. 6Moses MaloneC · 20 seasons · career 267.4 VAL · peak-3 55.521
  7. 7DeMar DeRozanG · 17 seasons · career 220.6 VAL · peak-3 46.421
  8. 8Kevin DurantF · 18 seasons · career 278.1 VAL · peak-3 58.921
  9. 9Carmelo AnthonyPF · 18 seasons · career 230.9 VAL · peak-3 50.522
  10. 10Pau GasolPF · 18 seasons · career 258.5 VAL · peak-3 56.822
  11. 11Russell WestbrookG · 18 seasons · career 283.4 VAL · peak-3 62.622
  12. 12Artis GilmoreC · 17 seasons · career 267.9 VAL · peak-3 59.822
  13. 13Tony ParkerG · 18 seasons · career 183 VAL · peak-3 41.523
  14. 14Elvin HayesPF/C · 16 seasons · career 235.2 VAL · peak-3 5523
  15. 15Mike ConleyG · 18 seasons · career 182.6 VAL · peak-3 42.723
  16. 16Charles BarkleyPF/SF · 16 seasons · career 249.4 VAL · peak-3 58.624
  17. 17Kyle LowryG · 18 seasons · career 197.2 VAL · peak-3 46.424
  18. 18James HardenG · 17 seasons · career 274.7 VAL · peak-3 64.924
  19. 19John HavlicekSF/SG · 16 seasons · career 220 VAL · peak-3 52.124
  20. 20Sam PerkinsPF/C · 16 seasons · career 169.5 VAL · peak-3 40.224
  21. 21Tyson ChandlerC · 19 seasons · career 169.8 VAL · peak-3 40.324
  22. 22Dwight HowardC · 17 seasons · career 243.8 VAL · peak-3 57.924
  23. 23Buck WilliamsPF · 16 seasons · career 197.5 VAL · peak-3 4724
  24. 24Andre IguodalaF · 18 seasons · career 197.7 VAL · peak-3 47.324
  25. 25Al HorfordC · 18 seasons · career 176.1 VAL · peak-3 42.224
  26. 26LaMarcus AldridgeC · 16 seasons · career 177 VAL · peak-3 42.524
  27. 27Jamal CrawfordG · 18 seasons · career 166.7 VAL · peak-3 40.324
  28. 28A.C. GreenPF/SF · 16 seasons · career 158 VAL · peak-3 38.424
  29. 29Rudy GaySF · 17 seasons · career 183.6 VAL · peak-3 44.724
  30. 30Julius ErvingSF · 16 seasons · career 272.1 VAL · peak-3 66.324