1975 Rick Barry FMVP Breakdown（四）

Barry's talent exploded from his very first night. In the 1966-67 rookie season he averaged 35.6 points and claimed the NBA scoring crown outright—a rookie topping every established star, staggering in any era.

Even more frightening was the Finals stage. In 1967 the (Philadelphia-era) Warriors reached the Finals against Wilt Chamberlain's 76ers; Barry hung 55 in Game 6, setting a then-Finals single-game record. The team lost the series, but the performance announced: this man was a scorer born to kill.

Scoring champion as a rookie and 55 in a Finals game—such a start guaranteed Barry would be mentioned alongside Jordan and Chamberlain. A league-hop detour interrupted his climb, or his stat sheet would look even wilder.

Related Reading

• 1975 NBA Finals MVP: Rick Barry (Golden State Warriors)
• Historical Standing: Why Barry Is the "Most Underrated Scoring King"
• The ABA Years: The Only Man to Lead Three Finals in Scoring
• The "Granny" Free Throw: Barry’s Famous Oddity and 90% Touch
• College Days: The Scoring Machine at San Francisco