Top 10 NBA Finals Performances of All Time
Top 10 NBA Finals Performances of All Time
The 2022 NBA Finals are filled with talent. We're expecting some incredible performances in the NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics. However, will any performance this year top some of the greatest performances in NBA Finals history? Here are the top 10 NBA Finals performances that will never be forgotten.
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1. 1998 Michael Jordan
The top performance goes to Michael Jordan. Jordan averaged 33.5 points per game with four rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 steals. But he had some legendary games in that series, adding 45 points in the championship-clinching game. That was fantastic stuff.
2. 2021 Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo added 35.2 points per game along with 13.2 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.8 blocks, 1.2 steals, and shot 61.8% from the field in the NBA Finals in 2021. Antetokounmpo became the first place to average 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists with a 60 percent or better shooting percentage from the field. That was an insane year for Giannis and it ended with a championship.
3. 2016 LeBron James
They said he could never. But he did. LeBron James scored nearly 30 points per game against a Golden State Warriors team that was probably the best team ever assembled. He came back from down 3-1 in the series to help the Cavaliers make history for their first championship ever. LeBron was the third player to ever finish a Game 7 Finals with a triple-double. Let that sink in.
4. 2006 Dwayne Wade
At just 24 years of age, Wade defeated a Dallas Mavericks team that had 60 wins in the regular season. The Heat even trailed 2-0 in the series and came back to defeat the Mavericks. In the next four games of that series, Wade scored at least 36 points in every single game and helped the Heat win their first-ever NBA title. What a stretch for Wade.
5. 2000 Shaquille O'Neal
In 2000, Shaq scored at least 30 points in every game against the Indiana Pacers. In three, he added 40 points and had a game in Game 2 where he added 24 rebounds. Shaq was a machine, winning a Finals MVP. He won the league MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and Finals MVP in that season. That's a great way to cap off a season.
Other Top NBA Finals Performances
6. 1999 Tim Duncan
Averages Per Game: (27.4 PTS, 14 REBS, 2.4 ASTS, 2.2 BLKS, 53.7% FG%)
7. 1995 Hakeem Olajuwon
Averages Per Game: (32.8 PTS, 11.5 REBS, 5.5 ASTS, 2.0 STL, 2.0 BLKS, 48.3% FG%)
8. 1993 Michael Jordan
Averages Per Game: (41 PTS, 8.5 REBS, 6.3 ASTS, 1.7 STLS)
9. 1977 Bill Walton
Averages Per Game: (18.5 PTS, 19 REBS, 5.2 ASTS, 3.7 BLKS, 54.5% FG%)
10. 1969 Jerry West
Averages Per Game: (37.9 PTS, 7.4 ASTS, 4.7 REBS, 49% FG%)
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Jason grew up an avid sports fan. His passion for sports writing grew in high school and he developed a blog that was strictly for New York Sports. From his work, you will quickly realize that he loves looking at games from an analytical and numbers perspective and hopes to provide you with that same perspective in his articles.