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Image credit: Fadeaway World
At the end of each season, the goal of every team and every NBA player is the chance to compete for an NBA championship. Considering there can only be one winner and one champion, every season will have as much heartbreak as there will be joy. Behind every successful championship team is a player and star who is the catalyst for the team’s success. One player stepped up more than once to lead his team to victory.
Today, we’re counting down the greatest single playoff games by players in NBA history. These 10 postseason runs were led by some of the best playoff performances in history and led to historic moments. These 10 players have been ranked among the best basketball players in NBA history, and these postseason experiences have contributed greatly to their legacy. These 10 playoff games have been frozen in time and remembered by basketball fans as the shining moments in the careers of these players.
These are the 10 greatest individual playoff games in NBA history.
honor award
Kobe Bryant – 2009
2009 NBA playoffs stats: 30.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.9 blocks per game
From 1996 to 2004, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal made history together as one of the best duos in NBA history. Together they won 3 NBA championships and have their names mentioned in conversations with the likes of Jordan, Pippen, Magic and Kareem. By the end of 2004, the relationship soured, and O’Neal left for Miami, where he would win a championship in 2006. The story became that without O’Neal, Bryant couldn’t lead the team to the NBA championship and will always be in his shadow. Then, in 2009, everything changed.
After a heartbreaking loss to the Celtics in 2008, Kobe Bryant sat out the following season. He led the Lakers to the playoffs with a record of 65 wins. He averaged 27.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.4 steals in a first-round win over the Jazz. In the second round against the Rockets, he averaged the same numbers as the Rockets. Bryant averaged 34.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists to lead the Lakers to victory in six games against Denver in the Western Conference Finals. Bryant won his first Finals MVP by averaging 32.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 7.4 assists in five games against Orlando in the Finals.
Kawhi Leonard – 2019
2019 NBA playoffs stats: 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks per game
Heading into 2019, there’s a lot to unpack and questions to answer for Kawhi Leonard. is he healthy What would he have done without the mentorship of Gregg Popovich? Now with the Raptors, Kawhi Leonard has a lot to prove to himself and basketball fans around the world. Leonard will do just that in 2019, producing one of the most historic and iconic playoffs or single seasons in NBA history.
His historic performance really began in the second round of the playoffs against the 76ers. Leonard has allowed at least 30 points in five of his past seven games. That included the iconic Game 7 buzzer-beater in the series, scoring 41 points and advancing the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals. Leonard will score 30 points in seven of the next 12 games between the conference finals and the Finals. Leonard won his second career Finals MVP by averaging 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in a six-game series win over the Golden State Warriors.
Shaquille O’Neal – 2000
Playoff stats: 30.7 points, 15.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 0.6 steals, 2.4 blocks
Shaquille O’Neal’s 3-year reign from 200-2002 was one of the most dominant in the career of any player in NBA history. He can’t be kept in the paint by anyone or anything they throw at him. One of the most commonly heard criticisms is that Shaq is basically useless from 5 feet from the basket. I said if you can’t stop it, why would a team drop something that works?
In the 2000 playoffs, O’Neal led the entire playoffs in PPG and RPH with 30.7 points and 15.4 points, respectively. In a tough five-game first-round series against the Kings, O’Neal dominated with 29.4 points and 17.4 rebounds, including a 32-point, 18-rebound performance in Game 5. Behind O’Neal’s unstoppable postgame performance, the Lakers will be wary of the Suns winning five games in the second round and the Blazers winning seven games in the Western Conference Finals. In the NBA Finals against the Pacers, O’Neal won his first NBA championship and Finals MVP with 38.0 points and 16.7 rebounds.
10. Dwyane Wade – 2006
2006 NBA Playoffs Stats: 28.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.1 blocks
The 2006 season was only Dwyane Wade’s third season in the NBA, but he carried an organizational load on his shoulders. After they went out and got him Shaq, the Miami Heat knew it was their best shot at a title because Dwayne Wade was in his 3rd year and already one of the best players in the NBA at the time. Wade will lead the Heat to a place they’ve never been as a team before.
In 23 playoff games in 2006, Wade scored less than 20 points in just one game. In this playoffs, he also had 11 30-point games and 2 40-point games. As the playoffs progressed and the pressure mounted, Wade got better and better on the court. Miami made it to the NBA Finals, and it all came to a head for Wade. After a 2-0 loss in the series against Dallas, Wade scored 42, 36, 43 and 36 points in the next four games as Miami clinched the title. He was named Finals MVP at age 24 and is already considered Miami’s greatest player.
9. Larry Bird – 1984
1984 NBA Playoffs Stats: 27.5 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.3 steals, 1.2 blocks
In 1981, Larry Bird won his first NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. He lost that season’s Finals MVP to teammate Cedric Maxwell. When he won his second championship in Boston in 1984, he had no doubts about who was the best player on the court. Bird was named the 1984 regular season MVP for leading the Celtics to 62 wins and the best record in basketball. He’ll save his best performances for the biggest games of the playoffs.
In the 1984 playoffs, Bird did everything for Boston on the court. He has 7 games with 30+ points, 15 games with 10+ rebounds and 4 games with 10+ assists. In the NBA Finals, Bird will face his opponent Magic Johnson and the Los Angeles Lakers. Bird averaged 27.4 points and 14.0 rebounds in the Finals, winning his second NBA title and his first Finals MVP award.
8. Dirk Nowitzki – 2011
2011 NBA Playoffs Stats: 27.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.6 blocks per game
By the time 2011 rolled around, Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks knew only the pain and heartache of the NBA playoffs. He led the Mavericks to the 2006 NBA Finals, even leading the series by 2 games before going down in the final 4 games. In 2007, Nowitzki won the league MVP and led the Mavericks to the best record in basketball. Unfortunately, Nowitzki faltered in the first round, and the Mavs lost to the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors.
When the 2011 NBA playoffs roll around, Nowitzki won’t deny the elusive NBA title. In the playoffs, Nowitzki has experienced the Portland Trail Blazers with Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, the two-time defending champion Lakers and the Thunder led by Kevin Durant. . In the Finals, Dirk will form the newly formed Big Three of the Miami Heat with LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade. After a 2-1 loss, Nowitzki tearfully won Dallas’ final three games and won its first NBA championship in franchise history. He was named Finals MVP with 26.0 PPG and 9.7 RPG.
7. LeBron James – 2012
Playoff stats: 30.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.7 blocks
In 2012, LeBron James suffered his second NBA Finals loss in what was easily the biggest blemish of his storied career. His greatness was called into question when he lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 Finals. James responded with an MVP season for the Miami Heat and led the team to 46 wins on the year. What happened next in the NBA playoffs will forever go down in history.
James and the Heat started their 2012 playoff run with an easy five-game series victory over the New York Knicks. In Round 2 against the Pacers, James led the Heat to victory in six games with 30.0 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 6.2 APG and 2.7 SPG. He was finally able to beat the Boston Celtics in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals and set the stage for an NBA Finals matchup with Kevin Durant and the Thunder. James took over the series, averaging 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 7.4 assists. This will be a moment of glory for James as he gets his first NBA title and the Finals MVP award.
6. Tim Duncan – 2003
2003 NBA Playoffs Stats: 24.7 points, 15.4 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 0.6 steals, 3.3 blocks per game
Known as the big foundation, Tim Duncan may be the least flashy superstar in NBA history. His offensive game can practically put you to sleep, and he takes pride in his defensive efforts, which is never sexy to NBA fans. By the time 2003 rolled around, Duncan was a champion, Finals MVP and San Antonio Spurs MVP, and they were on their way to a dynasty. The 2003 season will start talking about Duncan as the best power forward ever.
During the regular season, Duncan won the MVP for the second time in his young career. Duncan would lead the Spurs to wins over the Suns, Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers, who joined Kobe and O’Neal in their three-peat. Duncan and the Spurs will meet Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets in the NBA Finals, and Duncan can’t be stopped. In 6 games, Duncan grabbed 15 or more rebounds in 5 games and 20 or more rebounds twice. His most impressive performance came in Game 6, where he finished the series with 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 blocks. Duncan was named Finals MVP for the second time and is shaping up to be one of the best players in league history.
5. Michael Jordan – 1993
Playoff stats: 35.1 PPG, 6.7 APG, 6.0 APG, 2.1 SPG, 0.9 BPG
As the 1993 NBA season began, Michael Jordan had become the best player in the world. He won back-to-back NBA championships and the Finals MVP award. However, Michael Jordan still wanted more, a mentality that is now etched into the NBA legend. Jordan did everything he could to motivate himself to win, but at the end of the day, he was just the ultimate contender and could never taste enough of it.
The 1993 season ended with the Bulls winning 57 games, but Jordan and Charles Barkley missed out on MVP awards. Jordan used it as fuel as the Bulls swept the Hawks in the first round, and Jordan averaged 34.3 points in the series. The Bulls swept the Cavaliers in the second round, and Jordan led the way with 32.2 points per game. After defeating the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, Jordan and Barkley met in the NBA Finals. Jordan went on to lead the Finals series with 41.0 points as the Bulls beat the Suns in six games. Jordan won his 3rd consecutive Finals MVP award and is well on his way to becoming the GOAT.
4. Hakeem Olajuwon – 1994
1994 NBA Playoffs Stats: 28.9 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 4.0 blocks
In 1994, the NBA opened its doors and Michael Jordan left the game to pursue a career in baseball. The only question now is who will step up and take the throne in MJ’s absence. This is where Hakeem Olajuwon answered the call and had one of the best seasons of any player. Not only was Olajuwon named the league MVP, he was also named Defensive Player of the Year. The Rockets won 58 games and entered the NBA playoffs strongly.
The Rockets would beat the Suns, Trail Blazers and Jazz in the 1994 NBA Finals and date Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks. Not only will Olajuwon step up to the series’ biggest moments, but he’ll lead the…
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