3 Warriors You Would've Never Guessed Led the Team in Scoring

The Golden State Warriors have experienced times of both glory and devastation. From years at the bottom of the NBA to those of championship triumph, there have been many names over the years to come through the Bay Area.

While some names are unforgettable, others have escaped the minds of Warriors fans. Here are four Warriors you may not believe once led the team in scoring.

3. David Lee

David Lee ushered in the modern era in Golden State. / Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Most people think of the 2010s as the era of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. But before these draft picks developed into the superstars they are today, an elder statesmen led the way for the Warriors. That man was David Lee, who poured in the most points for Golden State in the 2011-12 season, 1,147, despite playing in just 57 games. He averaged 20.1 a night. (It should be noted, Monta Ellis averaged 21.9 points a game that season, but he only appeared in 37 contests. We're giving Lee the advantage in this case).

2. Rudy LaRusso

"Roughhouse Rudy" had his best spurt in San Francisco. / Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

In Rick Barry's only year barred from playing in the NBA, the San Francisco Warriors needed a new scoring threat. That came in the form of Rudy LaRusso, who scored a career-high 21.8 points per game during the 1967-68 season to best Nate Thurmond and lead the team in scoring. LaRusso had his best two seasons with the Warriors, but it likely would not have been possible had Barry been on the court with him.

1. Purvis Short

Despite being an unfamilar name, Purvis Short is one of the very best to wear a Warriors uniform. / Focus On Sport/Getty Images

Before Chris Mullin entered the league in the 1985-86 season, the Warriors had another scoring machine on their roster in the form of Purvis Short. A solid contributor during his nine seasons in Golden State, Short had his best year in the '84-85 campaign, averaging career highs in minutes, three-point percentage, and of course scoring with 28 points per game. Short did not have just one year of success, however, but ranks seventh on the Warriors' all-time scorers list.