Although Michael made it to the NBA finals six times in his career, he never had a series that stood out as much as this one. Facing off against good friend and fierce rival Charles Barkley and his Phoenix Suns, featuring Kevin Johnson and All Defensive 3rd Team member Dan Majerle, MJ would average a still-standing NBA Finals Record 41.0 Points Per
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Top 10 Greatest Individual NBA Finals Series Performances.
#2
Suggested by
Justin Bryan
Tim Duncan, 2003 NBA Finals.
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Justin Bryan
6 years ago Report
On the back of his second consecutive MVP, Duncan would almost single-handedly carry the Spurs to their second championship in franchise history. Relying on an aged David Robinson and the likes of very young Tony Parker, Manu Ginobli and Stephen Jackson, Duncan would lead the Spurs to a 4-2 series win against the New Jersey Nets of Jason Kidd and R
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#3
Suggested by
Justin Bryan
Jerry West, 1969 NBA Finals.
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Justin Bryan
6 years ago Report
In what was the final season and championship for the great Bill Russell, Jerry West tried his best to spoil the party. Facing off against the legendary Celtics, West go play like a man possessed to try and will his Lakers to victory. Playing with a torn hamstring through the series, West would become the inaugural winner of the Finals MVP award, a
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#4
Suggested by
Justin Bryan
Shaquille O'Neal, 2000 NBA Finals.
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Justin Bryan
6 years ago Report
Coming off the back of his MVP season, Shaquille O'Neal was a man possessed in the playoffs. Coming up against the Indiana Pacers, 'Shaq' proceeded to dominate the series from the low post. Scoring, Rebounding and dominating at will, O'Neal would pour in 38 Points a game while shooting a staggering 61% from the field on his way to the first of 3 ch
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#5
Suggested by
Justin Bryan
LeBron James, 2016 NBA Finals.
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#6
Suggested by
Justin Bryan
Bill Russell, 1962 NBA Finals.
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Justin Bryan
6 years ago Report
Having an award named after you is prestigious enough, but to have the NBA Finals MVP named in your honor after you lead you team to 11 championships, that is remarkable. Of all of Bill Russell's championships, none are quite like his 1962 Finals series against the Los Angeles Lakers. With Elgin Baylor and Jerry West averaging 40 and 30 points a ga
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#7
Suggested by
Justin Bryan
Hakeem Olajuwon, 1994 NBA Finals
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Justin Bryan
6 years ago Report
Possibly the most underrated Finals series in NBA History, Hakeem Olajuwon delivered a long awaited receipt to Patrick Ewing for the 1984 NCAA championship he took away from him. After a stellar regular season in which he won MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, Hakeem would lead the Rockets through the playoffs in all five major statistical categ
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#8
Suggested by
Justin Bryan
Dirk Nowitzki, 2011 NBA Finals.
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Justin Bryan
6 years ago Report
Although comparisons to Larry Bird were the hot topic at the time, they were well justified. Having faced off against the likes of Kobe Braynt and Kevin Durant on the way to the Finals, Dirk would come up against the newly formed big three of the Miami Heat of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Heading into the series as major underdogs, Dir
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#9
Suggested by
Justin Bryan
Magic Johnson, 1980 NBA Finals
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Justin Bryan
6 years ago Report
Possibly the most well-known individual Finals performance in NBA History. With season MVP Kareem Abdul-Jabbar injuring his ankle in game 5 against Philadelphia, Magic would step-up in his rookie season to play game 6 at all 5 positions. Starting at Center, Magic would lead the Lakers to a series-clinching game 6 victory off the back of his 42 poin
