Cozell McQueen led the NBA in PER from 1980–1990 with 58.2.
That is 4.9 more PER than second-place Walter Davis.
| Rk | Player | Season | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cozell McQueen | 1986-87 | 58.2 |
| 2 | Walter Davis | 1983-84 | 53.4 |
| 3 | Dan Issel | 1982-83 | 49.6 |
| 4 | Craig Ehlo | 1984-85 | 47.9 |
| 5 | Maurice Lucas | 1983-84 | 46.7 |
| 6 | Kiki Vandeweghe | 1982-83 | 44.3 |
| 7 | Larry Nance | 1983-84 | 44.2 |
| 8 | Jeff Lamp | 1982-83 | 44.1 |
| 9 | Larry Bird | 1982-83 | 43.9 |
| 10 | Bernard King | 1982-83 | 43.8 |
| 11 | Alex English | 1982-83 | 40.8 |
| 12 | Moses Malone | 1981-82 | 39.1 |
| 13 | Jerome Henderson | 1985-86 | 37.6 |
| 14 | Linton Townes | 1984-85 | 36.5 |
| 15 | John McCullough | 1981-82 | 36.3 |