😱 21,018 Points and No Recognition: The Tragic Story of Alex English! 😱

When you think of the greatest basketball players, names like Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan undoubtedly come to mind.

These legends defined the NBA during the 1980s, capturing the hearts of fans and the attention of the media.

However, there’s one name that often gets lost in the shuffle, despite scoring more points than any other player during that decade: Alex English.

With a staggering 21,018 points from 1980 to 1989, English not only led the league in scoring but did so with a consistency that is almost unparalleled.

Yet, despite his incredible achievements, the NBA seems to have largely ignored his contributions to the game.

Let’s break down the numbers because they tell a compelling story.

When you tally every point scored in the NBA throughout the 1980s, Alex English stands at the top of the list, well ahead of his contemporaries.

In fact, the second-place scorer, Moses Malone, managed only 19,082 points, which means English outscored him by nearly 2,000 points—an entire season’s worth of elite scoring.

To put this into perspective, Larry Bird, the golden boy of the era, scored just 17,899 points during the same period, meaning English outperformed him by over 3,000 points.

Even players like Dominique Wilkins, known for his highlight-reel dunks, fell short, with English surpassing him by a whopping 6,000 points.

Michael Jordan, who entered the league in 1984, missed almost half the decade, making English’s 21,018 points all the more impressive and unique.

English’s scoring prowess wasn’t just a flash in the pan; he averaged 25.9 points per game from 1981 to 1989.

He led the league in scoring during the 1982-83 season with an impressive average of 28.4 points per game.

This kind of consistency is rare in sports, yet English managed to achieve it while missing only seven games in an entire decade.

His reliability and availability set him apart in a league where injuries often sidelined other superstars.

However, the NBA’s narrative has chosen to overlook English for a variety of reasons.

One significant factor is the style of play he thrived in.

Under coach Doug Mo, the Denver Nuggets employed a run-and-gun offense that emphasized fast-paced scoring, leading to high point totals.

While critics argued that English’s points came from an inflated system, they failed to recognize the skill and effort required to score in such a dynamic environment.

The Nuggets’ “passing game” required players to make quick decisions and move without the ball, and English excelled in this system, making him more than just a volume scorer.

His shooting efficiency was remarkable; in the 1981-82 season, he shot 55.1% from the field while averaging 25.4 points per game.

To put this in context, Kobe Bryant, another prolific scorer, had a career field goal percentage of 44.7%.

English’s ability to score efficiently from the mid-range, combined with his unique shooting technique, made him a formidable offensive weapon.

He was known for his high release point and precise shooting form, which made it nearly impossible for defenders to block his shots.

His game was built on skill and craft, allowing him to age gracefully in a league where many athletes decline rapidly.

In fact, even at age 35, during the 1988-89 season, English averaged 26.5 points per game, a feat that has only been matched by a few players in recent history.

Despite these accomplishments, English’s legacy has been overshadowed by the flashier narratives that dominate the NBA.

In 1985, the Denver Nuggets had their best chance at playoff success, reaching the Western Conference Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

English was playing at an elite level, averaging 30.3 points per game in the series until a broken thumb sidelined him, ultimately costing the Nuggets a shot at the finals.

This injury not only impacted that season but also shaped the narrative surrounding English’s career.

In a league that emphasizes championships, English’s lack of a finals appearance has contributed to his erasure from basketball history.

His quiet demeanor and lack of flashy personality did not help his case either.

In a league filled with extroverted stars, English was a self-described introvert who preferred to let his game speak for itself.

While Dominique Wilkins garnered fame as the “human highlight film” for his dunking ability, English’s game was more about precision and efficiency—qualities that often go unnoticed.

Geographically, playing in Denver also hindered English’s visibility.

The Mountain Time Zone meant that Nuggets games often concluded after East Coast writers had submitted their stories, leading to less national coverage.

Without a championship to draw attention, English remained a regional star, respected by his peers but largely forgotten by the wider audience.

When the NBA released its list of the 50 greatest players in 1996, English was inexplicably left off, despite being the seventh leading scorer in league history at that time.

This omission shocked those familiar with the numbers but made sense within the context of the prevailing narrative that favored flashiness and championships.

Even 25 years later, when the NBA unveiled its 75th anniversary team, English was snubbed once again.

This repeated oversight is not an accident; it reflects a choice made by the league to prioritize certain narratives over others.

The biases of recency and ring culture have erased English from history, as younger voters may not have witnessed his greatness firsthand and instead default to the established legends.

Coaches and players who knew English’s impact, like George Karl and Rick Barry, have voiced their disappointment, but their perspectives have been drowned out by the dominant narrative.

Alex English is not just a forgotten player; he is a ghost of the 1980s—an extraordinary talent whose contributions have been systematically overlooked.

He is a victim of circumstances beyond his control: a system that values marketing over merit, a personality that doesn’t fit the mold, and a geographic location that limited his exposure.

But the truth remains undeniable.

English scored more points than anyone else in the 1980s, and his efficiency and consistency are testaments to his greatness.

While the NBA may have tried to bury him, the numbers tell a different story.

You cannot erase 21,018 points or the records he set.

The truth about Alex English is still there, waiting to be recognized and celebrated.