When I first started tracking NBA statistics back in college, I never imagined how dramatically scoring patterns would evolve year after year. This season has been particularly fascinating, and I've spent countless evenings analyzing game footage and stat sheets to understand what truly makes an elite scorer in today's game. Let me walk you through my personal approach to identifying and understanding the NBA's scoring leaders in 2023, because honestly, just looking at points per game doesn't tell the whole story anymore.

The first thing I do every morning is check the updated scoring averages, but I've learned that raw numbers can be deceiving. For instance, watching Joel Embiid dominate this season has been incredible - he's sitting at around 33.8 points per game as of December, but what really stands out to me is his efficiency. The way he's been drawing fouls and converting at the line has been masterful, and I think this separates true scoring leaders from volume shooters. I always remind myself to look beyond the basic stats and consider factors like shooting percentages and clutch performance. There's an art to scoring efficiently in today's NBA that goes beyond just putting up shots.

Now here's where it gets interesting - tracking how players adapt throughout the season. I remember watching a game where a young player was struggling early on, and the commentator mentioned something that stuck with me: "But he is such a learning player na makaka-adopt naman siya as the conference goes along." This Filipino-English phrase perfectly captures what I look for in rising scorers - that ability to learn and adjust. Luka Dončić exemplifies this for me - he started the season around 32 points per game but has shown remarkable growth in his shot selection. I've noticed he's become much smarter about when to take those step-back threes versus driving to the basket. This adaptability is crucial because defenses study players relentlessly, and the best scorers constantly evolve their game.

What many fans miss when looking at scoring leaders is the context of team systems. I learned this the hard way when I initially underestimated Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring surge. He's averaging about 31.2 points, but what's remarkable is he's doing this while still facilitating for his teammates. From my experience watching every Thunder game this season, his ability to create his own shot within the flow of the offense is something special. I always recommend paying attention to usage rates alongside scoring averages - it tells you whether a player is forcing shots or scoring within the team's framework. Giannis Antetokounmpo is another great example - his 31.5 points come largely from within the offense, which makes his production more sustainable.

The three-point revolution has completely changed how I evaluate scorers. Remember when 25 points per game was considered elite? Now we have multiple players flirting with 35 points, and much of that comes from beyond the arc. Stephen Curry, even at his age, continues to amaze me with his movement shooting - he's still putting up about 29 points while shooting 43% from deep. But here's my personal take - I value mid-range scoring more than most analysts do. Players like Kevin Durant (averaging 30.8 points) maintain their efficiency because they can score from all three levels. When I'm analyzing true scoring threats, I create my own efficiency metrics that weight mid-range shots higher than most models do, because in playoff basketball, those shots become crucial.

Defensive attention is another factor that's easy to overlook when just looking at box scores. Jayson Tatum's 29.8 points might seem lower than some other elites, but watch how defenses scheme against him - they're throwing double teams and complex coverages his way every night. From my perspective, the true measure of a scoring leader isn't just the points they put up, but how much defensive resources are dedicated to stopping them. This is where advanced stats like defensive rating when on the court become valuable in my analysis.

As we look at who the NBA scoring leaders are in 2023, I've come to appreciate that scoring titles aren't just about natural talent anymore. The modern scorer needs basketball IQ, adaptability, and what that commentator perfectly described as being a "learning player." The landscape has shifted from pure volume shooters to intelligent scorers who understand spacing, defensive schemes, and when to pick their spots. My prediction? The scoring race will come down to who can maintain efficiency while adapting to defensive adjustments throughout the season. Having watched hundreds of games this year, I'm leaning toward Embiid taking the scoring title again, but Dončić's recent surge has me second-guessing myself. Either way, what makes this season's scoring race so compelling isn't just the numbers - it's the different ways these artists are putting the ball through the hoop.