Isaiah Thomas has fun poking at Cavs on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Isaiah Thomas trolls Cavs about being
swept from NBA Finals
6dCLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Way-too-early NBA Power Rankings: The
world waits for the King
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Ranking 50 greatest individual postseasons
in modern NBA history
4d - Kevin Pelton
Another huge summer of NBA free agency
gaining momentum
6d - Brian Windhorst
Behind the crucial calls NBA refs make on
the biggest stage
7d - Kevin Arnovitz
How signature sneakers have taken over
the NBA
9d - Nick DePaula
Mo Bamba's growing case as the best
player in this draft
18h - Jonathan Givony
Watch: NBA draft scouting videos
18h - Mike Schmitz and Jonathan Givony
Sources: Stackhouse joining Grizzlies staff
1d - Adrian WojnarowskiMEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Isaiah Thomas has fun poking at Cavs
on Jimmy Kimmel Live

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7d - Kevin Arnovitz
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David Richard/USA TODAY Sports
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Jun 5, 2018
Los Angeles Lakers guard and soon-to-be free agent Isaiah Thomas needled his
former team on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Monday night.
Competing against Detroit Pistons Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas in Kimmel's
NBA edition of "Generation Gap," the former Cleveland Cavaliers guard said,
"I'm like the Cavs, I'm going to get swept."
ESPN.com

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The Cavs traded Kyrie Irving to the Boston Celtics in the offseason, acquiring
Thomas along with Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets' 2018 first-
round pick (No. 8 overall).
Coming off a hip injury from the previous season, Thomas played just 15 games
for Cleveland before being traded to the Lakers at the trade deadline.
Thomas has had fun with the Cavs more than once this postseason, joking with
another traded Cavs player, Channing Frye, about where their travel suits were
and posting a group Cavs photo just before Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Isaiah Thomas once played for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Leah Klafczynski/Zuma/Icon
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Slated to be a free agent once again this summer, LeBron James will have his pick of basketball
destinations. Take a look at the most talked about teams where The King may lay his crown.
(0:59)
Post-Finals Power Rankings: The NBA
waits for another LeBron decision

S GM B b h d f G b t t
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Jun 9, 2018
The Golden State Warriors are NBA champions for the third time in four
seasons, taking down the Cleveland Cavaliers in four games. Are Stephen Curry,
Kevin Durant & Co. primed for another title run in 2018-19?
Of course they are.
EDITOR'S PICKS
Dynasty Warriors: Golden State proves unstoppable in title run
With their third championship in four years, Steph Curry and the Warriors cemented their
place in NBA history with style and star power.
Lowe: What LeBron's departure would mean for the Cavs
Dramatic moves brought Cleveland a championship in 2016. Now they might bring on the
pain.
NBA draft lottery: Reaction around the league and what's next
The 2018 NBA draft order is set. Here's everything you need to know.
The real drama, though, starts and ends with LeBron James, who will once
again be making a free-agency decision that will have ramifications throughout
the entire league.
Our panel -- a group of 40 reporters, insiders and editors -- is already looking
ahead to next season with a way-too-early edition of the NBA Power Rankings.
Note: These rankings are based on which teams voters think belong higher
heading into the 2018-19 season, taking into account potential player
movement and the draft. Title odds for 2018-19 were provided by the Westgate
Las Vegas SuperBook. ESPN.com's Chris Forsberg, Nick Friedell, Michael
Wright, Royce Young and Ohm Youngmisuk contributed the following
information.
ESPN.com
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1. Golden State Warriors
2017-18 record: 58-24
Result: W, NBA Finals
2019 title odds: 5-4
Now that they've secured their third championship in four years, the Warriors
look to maintain their superiority by re-signing Kevin Durant -- something he's
confirmed he'll do. Then they'll have to retool the bench with six free agents not
including Durant. The Warriors hope to find another rotation prospect with the
28th overall pick in the draft, with center, backup shooting guard and backup
power forward as needs. And, of course, if LeBron James puts Golden State on
his free-agency list, the Warriors might have a chance to dramatically alter the
NBA landscape once again. -- Ohm Youngmisuk
2. Houston Rockets
2017-18 record: 65-17
Result: L, West finals
One win from reaching the NBA Finals, the Rockets find themselves looking to
improve or replicate their success of 2017-18. But the prospect might prove
daunting, with pending free-agent decisions on Chris Paul and restricted free
agent Clint Capela, who blossomed into a rising star as Houston's No.3 option
and will likely field several offer sheets. Given general manager Daryl Morey's
penchant for creativity, surely Rockets fans hope Houston finds a way to
seriously contend for the services of LeBron. Doable, yes, but as ESPN's Bobby
Marks points out, the salary-cap gymnastics involved in such a deal would be
tricky. -- Michael Wright
3. Philadelphia 76ers
2017-18 record: 52-30
Result: L, East semis
Overshadowed slightly by the hysteria over burner Twitter accounts and an
unexpected need to find a new general manager is that these Process-trusting
Sixers are about to enter a summer in which they own both a lottery pick (No.

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10 overall) and the opportunity to chase a max-contract player (whether that's
LeBron or Paul George in free agency, or someone like Kawhi Leonard via
trade). Philadelphia could also exercise some familiar patience and look for a
home run next summer, all without sacrificing any of its ability to contend now.
-- Chris Forsberg
4. Boston Celtics
2017-18 record: 55-27
Result: L, East finals
The Celtics will essentially add two All-Stars to a young core that surged to the
cusp of the NBA Finals with the return from injury of Kyrie Irving and Gordon
Hayward next season. Outside of those players' rehab, the focus this summer
will be on what happens with Marcus Smart in restricted free agency and
whether the Celtics get a trade offer they can't refuse after Terry Rozier's
postseason emergence. If the core remains intact next season, some have
wondered how coach Brad Stevens will find minutes for everyone. The Celtics
are fine with that "problem" and believe that, while easing Irving and Hayward
back into game action, and with aspirations for a 100-plus-game campaign,
there will be plenty of minutes to go around. -- Chris Forsberg
5. Utah Jazz
2017-18 record: 48-34
Result: L, West semis
The Jazz will strengthen their position in the West just by coming back as is.
Year 2 for Donovan Mitchell as he continues his ascension into superstar
combined with crossing fingers for good health for Rudy Gobert and the Jazz
should feel good about climbing the standings next season. But there's always
an opportunity for more, and with the way the NBA is set up, the need for
stacking talent on talent is always a priority no matter how good it appears you
might have it. The Jazz can be players in free agency, but the mark of good
management is discipline and discernment, not just using cap space because
you have it. -- Royce Young

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6. San Antonio Spurs
2017-18 record: 47-35
Result: L, West Round 1
Coming off arguably the most turbulent season of the Gregg Popovich era,
questions arose regarding the franchise's ability to continue to field consistently
competitive squads -- particularly with assistant James Borrego and vice
president of basketball operations Monty Williams leaving and other assistants
(Ime Udoka, Becky Hammon and Ettore Messina) interviewing elsewhere. The
Spurs hope to repair their rocky relationship with franchise cornerstone Kawhi
Leonard and offer him a $219 million max extension. But there are questions as
to whether veterans Danny Green, Rudy Gay and Manu Ginobili -- who has
pondered retirement the past few seasons -- want to return. Point guard Tony
Parker is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and it's clear he's no longer
in the team's plans as a starter. San Antonio also needs to decide what to do
with restricted free agents Kyle Anderson, Davis Bertans and Bryn Forbes. --
Michael Wright
7. Toronto Raptors
2017-18 record: 59-23
Result: L, East semis
Despite winning a franchise-record 59 games, something had to give in Toronto
after the Raptors got swept out of the second round of the playoffs by LeBron
and the Cavaliers for the second consecutive season. Coach Dwane Casey was
the fall guy, which seems to suggest the team plans to keep its core intact
moving forward. Toronto could trek into the luxury tax if it has to spend big
money to retain restricted free agent Fred VanVleet, and that will limit its
ability to add more talent, as will not having a draft pick after dealing both its
first- and second-round selections away. No one in the East is rooting harder for
LeBron to relocate out West, but the Raptors might be stuck in neutral as teams
like the Celtics and Sixers accelerate. -- Chris Forsberg
8. New Orleans Pelicans
2017-18 record: 48-34
Result: L, West semis

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The Pelicans captured their most victories since 2008-09 and
reached the Western Conference semifinals despite losing All-Star
center DeMarcus Cousins in January to an Achilles injury. Now, a decision on
free agent Cousins tops New Orleans' list of offseason priorities. Uncertainty
regarding whether Cousins can return to an All-NBA level complicates matters,
along with the fact he's expected to receive plenty of attention from other teams
this summer. Outside of Cousins, the Pelicans will also look to bring back point
guard Rajon Rondo. New Orleans' strong 2017-18 campaign places it squarely
in the national spotlight, which is uncommon for the small-market Pelicans. --
Michael Wright
9. Denver Nuggets
2017-18 record: 46-36
Result: Missed playoffs
The 2017-18 season was certainly a step forward for the Nuggets, but with it
comes expectations for 2018-19. The pairing of Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap
didn't have an opportunity to fully form last season because of injuries, but an
entire season together, along with more experience for young guard Jamal
Murray, presents a lot of upside and potential for the Nuggets. Still, like so
many mid-tier teams, they lack the star power to compete with the league's
superteams. -- Royce Young
10. Minnesota Timberwolves
2017-18 record: 47-35
Making the postseason for the first time since 2004 equaled a successful season,
full stop. But with the late-season injury to Jimmy Butler, and some uneasy
questions surrounding Karl-Anthony Towns' happiness and Andrew Wiggins'
fit, the Wolves' future feels a lot less bright than it was supposed to. The Wolves
should be better based on another season together and the restoration of health,
but there's also the Tom Thibodeau effect -- how will they hold up, both
mentally and physically? -- Royce Young

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11. Indiana Pacers
2017-18 record: 48-34
Result: L, East Round 1
The Pacers have to hope they can build upon a promising season in which
Victor Oladipo elevated his game to an All-Star level. They have to be optimistic
that young big men Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis take another step next
season, while the front office has to decide if it wants to bring Lance Stephenson
(team option) and Trevor Booker (unrestricted free agent) back. Indiana could
also add another solid contributor with the 23rd pick in the draft. -- Nick
Friedell
12. Milwaukee Bucks
2017-18 record: 44-38
It's a crucial summer for the Bucks as they head into a sparkling new downtown
arena next season. They believe in the superstar power of Giannis
Antetokounmpo and are confident new coach Mike Budenholzer can take them
to new heights. The big question in the short term is what the front office
decides to do with oft-injured wing Jabari Parker, who will be a restricted free
agent this summer and figures to be at the center of one of the most intriguing
contract battles in recent memory. After two ACL injuries, are the Bucks sold
that Parker can be a solid contributor for their future? We'll see. -- Nick Friedell
13. Los Angeles Lakers
2017-18 record: 35-47
The long wait is almost over. Free agency is nearly upon L.A., and Magic
Johnson and Rob Pelinka will do everything they can to lure LeBron and George
while also exploring all other trade opportunities to land a star should one like
Leonard become available. The Lakers, who will try to find another draft steal
with the 25th overall pick, also have to decide what to do with restricted free

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agent Julius Randle. Luol Deng's contract could be tied to all of this, and there
are free agents they could sign to one-year deals, like Brook Lopez. All the while,
Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram have to get stronger and more durable. -- Ohm
Youngmisuk
14. Oklahoma City Thunder
2017-18 record: 48-34
It's another summer of unknowns that could swing the franchise forward or set
it back once again. This time the only difference is there are no contractual
questions around Russell Westbrook, but if he's left alone in the wake of George
departing, and with an uncomfortable Carmelo Anthony situation, the Thunder
will be in an awkward position for the foreseeable future. If George re-signs,
other issues will sort of resolve themselves, and they can view last season's self-
admitted disappointment as Year 1 of plan to return to Western Conference
contention. -- Royce Young
15. Portland Trail Blazers
2017-18 record: 49-33
How an opening-round sweep can alter the perspective of a season and the
outlook for the future: The Portland Trail Blazers story. The Blazers went from a
success story to a bust in four quick games. From something to keep a long-
term eye on to wondering about the future of CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard
with the franchise. The Blazers have perpetually been a player (or two) away,
but it was never more evident than in their opening-round playoff series against
New Orleans. Lillard and McCollum can provide plenty of regular-season sizzle,
but for the Blazers to make their breakthrough a la the Warriors circa 2015, they
need something else. And the problem is, their cap situation isn't exactly going
to accommodate that. -- Royce Young
16. Washington Wizards
2017-18 record: 43-39

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Failing to make it out of the first round for the first time alongside
Bradley Beal, John Wall made it clear he wants management to weed out
players who don't want to be in D.C. and add more pieces. Washington needs to
get more athletic, including at center, where Marcin Gortat enters his final
season. General manager Ernie Grunfeld, drafting 15th in the first round, has
much of his cap tied to Wall, Beal and Otto Porter Jr. At the very least, Wall &
Co. would benefit greatly from the addition of a respected veteran who can add
a Paul Pierce-like leadership touch. -- Ohm Youngmisuk
17. Cleveland Cavaliers
2017-18 record: 50-32
Result: L, NBA Finals
Will LeBron stay or will he go? This isn't just the biggest question for the Cavs --
it's the biggest question around the league. Everything else will fall into place
after he decides if he wants to stay at home. In the meantime, the Cavs have to
decide what they'll do with the eighth overall pick in the draft and hope that the
player they select will be able to help them right away whether they remain a
title contender or not. -- Nick Friedell
18. Miami Heat
2017-18 record: 44-38
The Heat lack star power but still found a way to make the playoffs in 2017-18.
The problem now is Miami is bound to its current roster for the next two
seasons, a squad that includes the troubled Hassan Whiteside. Whiteside's role
and how he performs will ultimately determine Miami's standing in the East
moving forward. Whiteside is owed $25 and $27 million over the next two
seasons, which could be expensively problematic if he doesn't play at the level
he's proved capable of. The draft might be an afterthought given that the Heat
will send their first-round pick this year to the Suns, and an unprotected first in

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2021. The Heat won't have a first- or second-round pick in June. -- Michael
Wright
19. Detroit Pistons
2017-18 record: 39-43
The Pistons still have to pick a coach and GM to replace Stan Van Gundy and
Jeff Bower, respectively. Once they do that, the focus will shift to whether the
new coach can make Van Gundy's old roster work. Can Blake Griffin and Andre
Drummond succeed together? How will Reggie Jackson fit in when he's on the
floor after missing several months last season due to an ankle injury? Because
the team gave up the No. 12 pick in the draft in the Griffin trade, the new
Pistons regime desperately needs young players like Stanley Johnson and Luke
Kennard to find more consistency. -- Nick Friedell
20. LA Clippers
2017-18 record: 42-40
The reshaping of the Clippers continues as they look to see how they can
improve in the draft. They own the 12th and 13th overall picks and it will be
interesting to see what they do with them -- whether they make a deal or stand
pat. After trading Griffin away, the Clips now have DeAndre Jordan's future on
their plate. The center can opt out of the $24.1 million remaining on his
contract if he believes there's a better deal out there, or potentially negotiate a
new contract. Then there's the team's health and how Patrick Beverley will
rebound from injury. -- Ohm Youngmisuk
21. Charlotte Hornets
2017-18 record: 36-46

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Charlotte has a new GM (Mitch Kupchak) and a new coach (James Borrego),
but it's hard to see how much changes on the court. As Kupchak noted at
Borrego's introduction, "There is no master plan to blow up this team right
now." Still, the Hornets must ponder the future of All-Star guard Kemba
Walker, all while putting a focus on developing their young talent, including
whomever they pluck with the No. 11 pick. Charlotte could use a lottery home
run after struggling to make contact since getting Walker at No. 9 in 2011. --
Chris Forsberg
22. Chicago Bulls
2017-18 record: 27-55
The Bulls had to settle for the seventh pick in the draft after tanking all season.
Chicago front-office executives John Paxson and Gar Forman will have to hit on
this pick the same way they did on Lauri Markkanen, who was acquired on draft
night last year as part of a package that sent Butler to Minnesota. Aside from
the draft, the Bulls' big question revolves around restricted free agent Zach
LaVine. The athletic swingman didn't impress much last season as he made his
way back from an ACL injury. The Bulls, who are expected to have more than
$20 million in cap space, have to decide just how far they're willing to go if
another team steps up and makes a big offer. If the Bulls don't start turning
things around this summer, there is a strong likelihood that head coach Fred
Hoiberg, and potentially even Paxson and Forman, will be on their way out. --
Nick Friedell
23. Memphis Grizzlies
2017-18 record: 22-60
The Grizzlies removed the interim title and inserted J.B. Bickerstaff, who is
known for player development, as permanent head coach in May. Then
Bickerstaff used his first hire to bring in another wizard of player development
in lead assistant Chad Forcier, who worked for the Spurs from 2007-16 before
joining the Orlando Magic for two seasons; Forcier was instrumental in the
development of Leonard and George Hill. Memphis sees plenty of options at

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No. 4 in the draft, as its needs are as diverse as the pool of talent. But the
Grizzlies can't afford to miss -- they haven't had a rookie make the NBA's All-
Rookie first or second team since Marc Gasol and O.J. Mayo in 2009, the only
team in the NBA over that span that hasn't. Plus, Memphis will enter free
agency over the salary cap. -- Michael Wright
24. New York Knicks
2017-18 record: 29-53
A new head coach and the No. 9 pick in the draft will help distract from the
arduous rebuild and, in the case of superstar Kristaps Porzingis, rehab that
looms for a Knicks franchise that hasn't sniffed the playoffs since 2013. New
York's available cash will hinge on what happens with Enes Kanter ($18.6
million player option) and Joakim Noah (owed $37.8 million, but last seen
roaming the jungle with a blonde beard). It's almost certainly in New York's
best interest to wait until the summer of 2019 for its next splurge. -- Chris
Forsberg
25. Brooklyn Nets
2017-18 record: 28-54
Brooklyn must endure one more somber draft night as the Cavaliers use the
final Nets pick from the infamous Paul Pierce/Kevin Garnett swap of 2013 with
Boston. Brooklyn won't sit out the first round completely, with the 29th pick via
Toronto, but the lack of recent lottery selections has certainly slowed the
rebuild. Patience, development and long-term planning remain the key for the
Nets, who should explore extension options for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and try
to figure out how to best position themselves to be players in free agency in
2019. -- Chris Forsberg
26. Phoenix Suns
2017-18 record: 21-61

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The Suns have nowhere to go but up after finishing with a league-
worst 21 wins. Adding the top overall pick in the draft --
potentially a big man like Arizona's Deandre Ayton -- should provide a boost.
The Suns own three of the first 31 picks but have a ton of needs and have to
surround Devin Booker with more. Josh Jackson finished his rookie season
strong but the Suns have to evaluate the rest of their roster. First-year coach
Igor Kokoskov will need to find more scoring, defense and help inside. -- Ohm
Youngmisuk
27. Dallas Mavericks
2017-18 record: 24-58
Owner Mark Cuban mentioned on numerous occasions his team has available
money (between $20 and $35 million, depending on which players the
Mavericks decide to keep), and plans to spend it. But look for Dallas to be most
aggressive in restricted free agency as it searches for young, ascending talent.
The Mavericks would like to retain unrestricted free agent Seth Curry, who is
coming off injury and could have suitors. At No. 5 overall in the draft, the Mavs
could end up with Marvin Bagley III, Jaren Jackson Jr., Mohamed Bamba or
dark horse Wendell Carter Jr. For Dallas, it's about matching need with value,
and it's no secret the club needs to find a capable big. -- Michael Wright
28. Orlando Magic
2017-18 record: 25-57
Once again, the Magic find themselves starting another summer with a new
coach after firing Frank Vogel and replacing him with Steve Clifford. The issue
for the Magic remains the same as its been for years, though: There's just not
enough talent on the roster to compete most nights. The Magic have to hope
they can find this year's Donovan Mitchell with the sixth pick in the draft and
must decide if Aaron Gordon, who is a restricted free agent this summer, is
someone they want to build around. -- Nick Friedell

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29. Sacramento Kings
2017-18 record: 27-55
There's plenty of intrigue surrounding what the Kings will do with the second
pick. If Phoenix goes with Ayton, do the Kings draft inside help like Duke's
Bagley or Michigan State's Jackson to complement point guard De'Aaron Fox,
or do they go with European star Luka Doncic or the upside of Michael Porter
Jr.? The Kings really can't afford to miss on this opportunity to add a
difference-maker considering they don't own a first-round pick next year. If
Iman Shumpert, Kosta Koufos and Garrett Temple opt into their contracts, the
Kings still could have $19 million in cap space this summer. Creating roster
flexibility, maintaining cap flexibility for the future and staying patient with the
rebuild should be priorities for Sacramento this offseason. -- Ohm Youngmisuk
30. Atlanta Hawks
2017-18 record: 24-58
2019 title odds: 1000-1
It's not great in Atlanta right now. Budenholzer is gone, and the remnants of
team that won 60 games just three years ago exists only on the fringes of the
roster. There's cap space, sure, but what are the realistic tide-turning options
available to the Hawks? It's a tried-and-true rebuild underway in Atlanta, with
some upside in John Collins and a few intriguing young pieces like Taurean
Prince and Tyler Dorsey to go with the third, 19th and 30th overall picks. The

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Hawks can get back, but how fast that happens will depend on how much they
nail this upcoming draft. -- Royce Young
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Ranking the 50 greatest individual
postseasons in modern NBA history

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Jun 6, 2018
When it comes to historic player performances, the conference playoffs get no
love. You can name and debate the best regular seasons and the best NBA
Finals efforts, but the best overall postseason run doesn't spark the imagination
quite the same way.
The same is true in terms of awards. The best regular seasons are rewarded with
the MVP, and there's an MVP of the NBA Finals, but save for the award Bill
Simmons invented in "The Book of Basketball," there's nothing to honor the
best playoff runs.
Which is what brings us here. Using my wins above replacement player (WARP)
metric, we've ranked the best overall postseason performances dating to 1978,
the first year the NBA tracked a full box score, including player turnovers.
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WARP is up to the task because it considers both quality and quantity of
performance. For example, Tim Duncan was better on a per-minute basis in the
2007 playoffs (when he had a 27.4 player efficiency rating) than in 1999 (25.1).
But the 23-year-old Duncan was able to log 43.1 minutes per game in the 1999
postseason as opposed to a relatively cushy 36.8 minutes per game in 2007,
when he was already 31. Those extra six minutes a game Duncan kept backup
Will Perdue on the bench mattered to the San Antonio Spurs, and using WARP
credits him for it.
I did make one adjustment to the overall WARP totals. It's unfair to give players
credit for playing more games in each series simply because they needed more
time to eliminate their opponents. For example, Duncan and the Spurs played
24 games en route to the 2003 title, while Shaquille O'Neal and the Los Angeles
Lakers needed 16 to win in 2001. Both teams get the same trophy, so they
should get equal credit. To do that -- and also adjust for best-of-five and best-of-
three series in previous decades -- I prorated each series to an average of six
games.
Since the goal of a postseason run is the title, I also added 1 WARP for
champions. And, though it doesn't always go to the player who was best in the
playoffs, I also awarded a 0.5 WARP bonus to each year's Finals MVP.
With that, we have a ranking of the greatest individual playoff runs in modern
NBA history.
1. Michael Jordan, Bulls, 1991
Position: SG | Age: 28
22 21.5 13.2 2.5 2.8 0.3 56.5 25.2
GP PPG RPG APG BPG SPG TS% USG
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Jordan leads Bulls to historic first title Common looks back on when Michael Jordan
and the Bulls defeated the Lakers to win their first championship in 1991.
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2004 Postseason Stats

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Result: Won NBA Finals | Finals MVP
Pelton's rating: 9.8
It's no surprise that one of Jordan's six championship runs would rise to the top
of these rankings. That Jordan's first title rates as his best individual
performance -- and comfortably so -- is a bit unexpected. Remember that, as
detailed in "The Jordan Rules," the Bulls were still finding the right balance
between being "Michael and the Jordanaires" and a team as late as the fourth
quarter of their NBA Finals-clinching Game 5 win over the Lakers in L.A.
After easily dispatching the New York Knicks (3-0 sweep) and Philadelphia
76ers (4-1), Jordan and the Bulls dominated their nemeses, the Detroit Pistons.
Jordan shot 53.5 percent from the field as Chicago swept the Bad Boys and
conquered the biggest obstacle to a championship. But Jordan saved his
greatest moments for the Finals, recording four point-assist double-doubles in
five games and averaging 31.2 points, 11.4 assists and 6.6 rebounds against the
Lakers.
The Bulls' 15-2 record in 1991 was actually their most dominant postseason of
their six title runs. And it easily could have matched or even beaten the 15-1 run
by the 2001 Lakers; Chicago's two losses came by two points each, and both
times an opponent made the winning 3-pointer in the final 20 seconds (Game 3
at Philadelphia, Hersey Hawkins, and Game 1 vs. the Lakers, Sam Perkins). The
Bulls outscored their opponents by an average of 11.7 points, good for second in
modern playoff history.
2. LeBron James, Heat, 2012
17 31.1 6.4 8.4 1.4 2.4 60.0 32.7
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LeBron earns his first title On June 21, 2012, LeBron James claimed his first NBA title
when the Heat took down the Thunder.
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Position: SF | Age: 27
There's something about the first title run. Like Jordan, James quieted the
critics and earned a coveted championship with a historic playoff performance.
Unlike the Bulls' romp to the title, however, James' postseason saw him rise to
the moment when the Heat appeared to be in trouble.
With Miami trailing the Indiana Pacers 2-1 and down at halftime of Game 4 in
the conference semifinals, James exploded for 21 of his 40 points and 13 of his
18 rebounds in the second half as Miami outscored Indiana 55-39 and went on
to win the series, 4-2. In the conference finals, the Heat faced elimination in
Game 6 at Boston, but James responded with a performance for the ages,
making 12 consecutive shot attempts and scoring 30 points by halftime en route
to 45 in a win. He topped it off with 31 at home two nights later, clinching the
series and sending Miami to a second straight Finals.
No such comebacks were needed in a 4-1 rout of the Oklahoma City Thunder in
the next round, but James delivered two free throws in the closing seconds to
seal Game 2 and gave the Heat the lead for good with his 3-pointer in Game 4
while battling cramps.
James' overall dominance is tough to deny. He came within six boards of
joining Oscar Robertson (in 1963) as the second player to average at least 30
points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a playoff run.
3. Tim Duncan, Spurs, 2003
Position: PF | Age: 27
23 30.3 9.7 5.6 0.7 1.9 57.6 33.4
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images

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In terms of raw playoff WARP, Duncan's 2003 playoff run (8.0) tops the list
because the Spurs, as noted in the introduction, needed 24 games to win the
championship -- playing exactly six games in every series. Don't blame Duncan.
No superstar has done more to drag an undermanned team to the title.
The 2003 Spurs were a team in transition, with David Robinson on his farewell
tour and the backcourt of second-year point guard Tony Parker and rookie
shooting guard Manu Ginobili yet to grow into co-stars. In the playoffs, Parker
(14.7 PPG) and a young Stephen Jackson (12.8) were the only other San Antonio
players to average double figures. Yet the Spurs still dispatched of the three-
time defending champion L.A. Lakers and a 60-win Dallas Mavericks team
(with a little help from Dirk Nowitzki's knee injury) to reach the Finals.
There, against a New Jersey Nets team making its second consecutive Finals
appearance, Duncan took over to an unprecedented degree. He averaged 24.2
points, 17.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 5.3 blocks, capped by a 21-20-10-8
performance in the closeout Game 6 that came close to becoming the first
quadruple-double in playoffs history. Duncan settled for the only 20-20-10 in
the past 27 Finals, his second championship and the third spot on this list.
4. Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers, 2000
Position: C | Age: 28
24 24.7 15.4 5.3 3.3 0.6 57.7 26.4
AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

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Peak domination by the center who could call himself "Big Champion" for the
first time at the end of this run. Coming off a regular season in which he was
one first-place vote away from a unanimous MVP, O'Neal extended his position
atop the league over an even 1,000 playoff minutes, a career high and good for
ninth in modern NBA history. His 15.4 rebounds per game rank decimal points
behind Duncan for the second-highest post-merger total for anyone who
reached the NBA Finals, and he grabbed better than 20 percent of all available
rebounds, the best of his playoff career.
O'Neal was particularly dominant coming off extended rest at the start of each
series: In four Game 1s, he averaged 41.8 points per game on 60.7 percent
shooting. But O'Neal left something for the clinchers, too. He had 32 points and
18 rebounds in the deciding Game 5 in the opening round against Sacramento.
Though O'Neal's overall stat line (18 points, nine boards) from Game 7 against
Portland was pedestrian, he came up with half of those points during the 28-7
run that brought the Lakers back from a 15-point deficit. And O'Neal clinched
his first ring with a 41-point outing in Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers -- his
third 40-point game of the NBA Finals.
23 30.7 15.4 3.1 2.4 0.6 55.6 31.3
19 35.1 6.7 6.0 0.9 2.1 55.3 38.0

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While the highest-scoring of Jordan's six championship runs didn't produce the
kind of iconic memories as other years, it was plenty productive. Despite the
growth in his supporting cast, Jordan used 38 percent of Chicago's plays during
the postseason, the highest figure of any player ever to win a championship. (In
fact, until Carmelo Anthony produced a 38.3 percent usage rate in 2013, it was
the most of any player in multiple series.) Yet Jordan maintained his efficiency
by making a career-high 28 3-pointers at nearly a 40 percent clip.
Having breezed through the first two rounds 7-0, Jordan and the Bulls ran into
a tough New York Knicks defense with home-court advantage. After he was
spotted at an Atlantic City casino in the wee hours before Game 2, Jordan shot
12-of-32 as the Knicks took a 2-0 series lead. He responded with 54 points back
home in Game 4, then a triple-double (29 points, 14 assists, 10 rebounds) in a
series-changing Game 5 win at Madison Square Garden. Against Charles
Barkley and the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Finals, Jordan averaged 41 points,
dropping 40-plus three times, highlighted by a 55 on 21-of-37 shooting in Game
4.
The Lakers defended their championship with a 15-1 playoff run, one John
Hollinger ranked the greatest in post-merger history, and O'Neal put up nearly
a carbon copy of his 2000 performance, averaging identical rebound totals, 0.3
points per game fewer and 0.1 assists per game more. Why does 2000 get the
nod? The big difference is in turnovers -- O'Neal averaged 2.4 in 2000 and 3.6
in 2001, enough to bump this one down two spots lower.
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There were plenty of impressive performances along the way. O'Neal dropped
consecutive 40-20 games on Vlade Divac and the Sacramento Kings (44-21 in
Game 1, 43-20 in Game 2). He bounced back from his worst performance of the
playoffs (19 points on 8-of-21 shooting in a Game 2 win at San Antonio) with 35
points on 16-of-23 shooting from the field in a 39-point Game 3 evisceration en
route to the sweep. The Lakers' lone loss, Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the
Philadelphia 76ers, came despite O'Neal's 44 points and 20 rebounds. But his
best all-around performance of the series might have come in Game 2, as the
Lakers rebounded with the first of four consecutive wins: 28 points, 20
rebounds, nine assists and eight blocks.
7. Hakeem Olajuwon, Rockets, 1994
The year before he was reunited with college teammate Clyde Drexler, Olajuwon
dragged a Rockets team without a second star to the first of back-to-back
championships. Olajuwon averaged more than twice as many points in the
playoffs as Houston's second-leading scorer (Vernon Maxwell, 13.8 points per
game), the highest such ratio ever for a championship team. But the Rockets'
fleet of outside shooters ideally suited Olajuwon's game, and he dominated the
defensive end, becoming the only player to average 4.0 blocks per game in a
Finals run.
Houston needed Olajuwon to be great every night, and he scored at least 20
points in 22 of 23 playoff games, including a pair of 40-point efforts. In the NBA
Finals, Olajuwon outdueled Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks, averaging
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images
23 28.9 11.0 4.3 4.0 1.7 56.8 31.4

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26.1 points while holding Ewing to 18.9 PPG on 36.3 percent shooting in the
Rockets' seven-game triumph.
8. LeBron James, Cavaliers, 2016
Having returned home to the Cavaliers, LeBron delivered the city of Cleveland
its first major pro sports championship since 1964 in dramatic fashion. Facing a
Golden State Warriors team that had set the all-time NBA record with 73 wins,
the Cavaliers fell behind 3-1 in the Finals only to deliver the most important
comeback in league history -- with James powering the way.
Over the final three games against Golden State, all of them wins, two of them
on the road, James averaged 36.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 9.7 assists. He also
delivered the signature play of his remarkable career in the late stages of Game
7, chasing down Andre Iguodala in transition to block a layup attempt that
would have given the Warriors the lead.
Naturally, James was phenomenal even before the Finals comeback. The 2016
postseason run was the only time in LeBron's career that he blocked at least 3
percent of opposing 2-point attempts and had at least three steals per 100 plays
in the playoffs -- something only Ben Wallace (for the 2003 Detroit Pistons) has
done while playing more than 400 minutes since the ABA-NBA merger.
9. Moses Malone, 76ers, 1983
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
21 26.3 9.5 7.6 1.3 2.3 58.5 30.7

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While the 76ers couldn't quite live up to Malone's famous "fo', fo', fo'"
declaration -- they actually went fo', fi', fo', losing Game 4 at Milwaukee in the
Eastern Conference finals -- they came as close to playoff perfect as any team
before them. Malone carried the team there in far and away his best postseason
run. His 15.8 rebounds per game was the highest of any player to reach the
Finals post-merger, and Malone's 53.6 percent shooting tied his best in a playoff
run.
Aside from a 38-point outing in as many minutes during the first game of the
postseason against New York, Malone was more about consistency than big
performances. He recorded a double-double in all 13 games Philadelphia played
and wrapped up an NBA Finals sweep of the Lakers with his only 20-20 effort
(24 points, 23 rebounds). In the Finals, Malone outscored Kareem Abdul-
Jabbar 103-94 and outrebounded him 72-30 in virtually identical minute totals.
Jim Cummins/NBAE/Getty Images
13 26.0 15.8 1.5 1.9 1.5 58.7 26.0
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

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LeBron's third top-10 playoff performance -- one more than Jordan -- came as
the Heat repeated in 2013, a championship that looked doomed late in Game 6
of the NBA Finals. Thrown by the San Antonio Spurs backing off defensively
and daring him to shoot, James had an uneven Finals. He scored just 50 total
points on sub-40 percent shooting in the first three games as San Antonio took
a 2-1 lead.
With Miami trailing at home in the fourth quarter of a must-win Game 6, James
found his groove, leading a comeback that was capped by Ray Allen's
improbable 3 to force overtime. Given new life, James brought the Heat home
in Game 7 with 37 points on 12-of-23 shooting and 12 rebounds. For the second
consecutive postseason, LeBron led all players in both offensive and defensive
win shares in the playoffs, according to Basketball-Reference.com.
11. Larry Bird, Celtics, 1984
A playoff run that culminated with the Celtics beating the Lakers in seven
games in the first of their three meetings goes down as the best of Larry
Legend's career -- barely. Bird's 27.5 points per game marked his highest
postseason scoring average, and he managed that figure while shooting a
23 25.9 8.4 6.6 0.8 1.8 58.5 29.2
Dick Raphael/NBAE/Getty Images
23 27.5 11.0 5.9 1.2 2.3 60.7 25.9

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career-high 52.4 percent from the field. He scored at least 20 points in 22 of 23
games.
Bird's best outing came in Game 5 of the conference semifinals, as Boston
closed out New York behind his 39 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. Bird
outscored Bernard King in the series, 30.4 PPG to 29.1. Going against Lakers
stopper Michael Cooper in the Finals, Bird alternated tough shooting nights
with great ones. In a crucial Game 4 win at L.A., he scored 29 points, grabbed 21
rebounds and put the Celtics ahead for good with a jumper in overtime.
Picking between Bird's 1984 and 1986 playoff runs is like choosing between
Biggie or 2Pac: Either way, you're arguing for greatness. By 1986, Bird's
evolution into a perimeter-oriented small forward was complete. He became the
first NBA player to make 50 percent from the field, 40 percent on 3-point shots
and 90 percent of free throws taken in a playoff run with at least 50 3-point
attempts (three players have done it since, none of whom reached the Finals
that season). Bird also averaged 8.2 assists, the best mark of his playoff career
at the time, taking advantage of the deepest roster the Celtics put together in the
1980s.
If anything, Bird wasn't tested enough as Boston was forced to a Game 6 just
once. He peaked at 36 points in both Game 2 and Game 5 against the Atlanta
Hawks in the conference semifinals. During the NBA Finals, facing the Houston
Rockets, Bird topped the 30-point mark just once but recorded two of his three
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playoff triple-doubles, including 29 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds as Boston
closed out the series in Game 6.
No asterisk here. Duncan's first championship run saw him average 43.1
minutes per game, his highest playoff average, for a team that rolled through
the post-lockout playoffs 15-2.
In the NBA Finals, Duncan played 229 of a possible 240 minutes as the Spurs
defeated the New York Knicks 4-1, averaging 27.4 points and 14.0 rebounds.
The hidden key to Duncan's playoff success? He made 74.8 percent of his free
throw attempts, including 35 of 44 (79.5 percent) in the Finals.
TBD Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
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With Kobe Bryant emerging as a co-star, O'Neal carried a slightly lighter load in
terms of scoring and rebounding in the Lakers' third consecutive title. But he
was still capable of taking over, including a 41-point, 17-board effort in the
infamous Game 6 win over Sacramento in the Western Conference finals.
O'Neal obliterated rookie Jason Collins and Todd MacCulloch in the NBA
Finals, averaging 36.1 points, 12.0 rebounds and 17.0 free throw attempts
(shooting a timely 66.2 percent at the line) in a four-game sweep of the New
Jersey Nets.
15. Dwyane Wade, Heat, 2006
John Hollinger ranked Wade's Finals performance against the Dallas Mavericks
(34.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 97 free throw attempts in six games) the greatest in post-
merger history. A young, explosive Wade lived at the foul line all postseason; his
250 attempts rank fourth in NBA history, and only then-teammate Shaquille
O'Neal has taken more. Wade's playmaking -- he recorded four point-assist
double-doubles -- also helped get Miami to the NBA Finals.
19 28.5 12.6 2.8 2.5 0.5 56.9 31.4
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images
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Result: Lost NBA Finals
James topped three of his other playoff runs for the highest-rated ever by a
player whose team did not bring home the Larry O'Brien trophy. In terms of
adjusted WARP before the bonuses, LeBron's 2018 postseason ranks fourth in
modern history. His 34.0 points per game were James' second-highest in a
playoff run, while his 9.0 assists per game were his best mark in the playoffs.
Carrying a team that lost Kyrie Irving back to the Finals, James posted four
triple-doubles and averaged 42 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists in three
must-win games against the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics. Against the
Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, even LeBron's 51 points in Game 1 --
his most ever in a playoff game -- weren't enough to get the outmatched
Cavaliers a win.
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
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The longest of Jordan's championship runs at 22 games saw his second-highest
scoring average in a title year. It came at a price: Jordan was much more prone
to turnovers, which bumped him out of the top 10. Jordan had big moments
throughout the postseason. He dropped 56 on an overmatched Miami squad to
complete a sweep and came through with 42 points in a blowout after the
Knicks forced a Game 7.
The defining memory remains Game 1 of the NBA Finals versus Portland, when
Jordan hit six 3-pointers in the first half against rival Clyde Drexler and
shrugged at Magic Johnson (broadcasting the game for NBC) to indicate his
own disbelief. Jordan finished the game with 39 points and averaged 35.8 in the
Finals.
18. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lakers, 1980
Result: Won NBA Finals
If not for an ill-timed sprained ankle, Abdul-Jabbar might have placed in the
top 10. Abdul-Jabbar rolled his ankle in the third quarter of Game 5 of the NBA
Finals against the 76ers. Though he came back to score 14 points in the fourth
quarter of the win, swelling prevented Abdul-Jabbar from traveling back to
Philadelphia for Game 6. Magic Johnson moved to center in his place, led the
Lakers to an improbable win and claimed Finals MVP honors despite Abdul-
22 34.5 6.2 5.8 0.7 2.0 57.1 37.1
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Jabbar averaging 33.4 points, 13.6 rebounds and 4.6 blocks in the five games he
was able to play.
19. Magic Johnson, Lakers, 1987
Position: PG | Age: 27
Fittingly, Johnson's best postseason run puts him right behind Abdul-Jabbar.
In 1986-87, Johnson replaced the aging captain as the Lakers' go-to guy. That
was on full display in the NBA Finals against the rival Celtics, as Johnson
averaged 26.2 points, 13.0 assists and 8.2 rebounds to beat Boston in six games
and earn MVP honors. Johnson's "junior, junior sky hook" won Game 4 of the
series at the Garden, and he had three playoff triple-doubles, though
surprisingly none in the Finals.
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LeBron's 2017 postseason eclipsed his own in 2009 as the highest rated for a
player whose team did not win the championship -- only to be passed by him
again the following season. Certainly, James couldn't be blamed for his team
falling short. He was the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double in
the Finals (33.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 10.0 assists per game). LeBron also
scored 30 points or more in 14 of his 18 playoff games.
21. Stephen Curry, Warriors, 2017
Curry took a backseat to teammate Kevin Durant as the Warriors beat Cleveland
4-1 in the Finals to claim their second championship in three years, but earlier
in the postseason -- with Durant missing two games due to a calf strain -- Curry
was the man. He narrowly missed posting a 50/40/90 playoff run, shooting
49.5 percent from the field, and per Basketball-Reference.com, his .659 true
shooting percentage was second only to James' in 2014 among players who
were used on at least 30 percent of their team's plays in the postseason.
22. Kobe Bryant, Lakers, 2009
18 32.8 9.1 7.8 1.9 1.3 64.9 31.6
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Bryant earned his first championship as a go-to guy with his best postseason
run. After a tough series with Houston's Shane Battier, who held him to 14
points in Game 7, Bryant was nearly unstoppable the rest of the way to the title.
He averaged 34.0 points, including a pair of 40-plus efforts, against Denver in
the Western Conference finals. Bryant started the NBA Finals versus Orlando
with a 40-point effort and handed out eight assists in four of the five games.
The highest-rated title run from Jordan's second three-peat is remembered best
for the "Flu Game." (Or was it, as Jordan's trainer Tim Grover once suggested,
the "Food Poisoning Game"?) Either way, Jordan was ill to the point of nausea
when he dropped 38 points at Utah, and the Bulls needed every one of them in a
two-point Game 5 win that gave them the series lead. Chicago would finish the
Jazz in Game 6, with Jordan setting up Steve Kerr's championship-securing
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jumper. If that wasn't enough, Jordan also made the winning shot at the buzzer
in Game 1.
Bird posted the third-best championship playoff run that did not win the Bill
Russell Trophy as Finals MVP. The Rockets held Bird to 15.3 points and 41.9
percent shooting in the Finals, while Cedric Maxwell averaged 17.7 points and
9.5 rebounds on 56.8 percent shooting from the field to win MVP honors.
Bird did contribute 15.3 rebounds per game in the Finals, capping his best
playoff run on the glass. And he got the better of Julius Erving in the Eastern
Conference finals, averaging 26.7 points as the Celtics knocked off the
defending East champs.
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Jordan's first full season back from retirement ended with a 72-win Chicago
team claiming the championship on Father's Day, less than three years after
Jordan's father, James, was murdered. John Hollinger rated this as Jordan's
worst Finals; he averaged 23.7 points on 36.7 percent shooting after Gary
Payton switched onto him for Game 4, and the Sonics were able to extend the
series to six games.
Jordan was better earlier in the playoffs, dropping a pair of 40-plus efforts on
the Knicks and scoring 45 in Game 4 against Orlando as the Bulls avenged their
1995 loss with an Eastern Conference finals sweep.
Tony Parker claimed Finals MVP honors by leading all scorers with 24.5 points
on 56.8 percent shooting in a defense-first sweep of Cleveland. But Duncan,
who shot just 44.6 percent while averaging 18.3 points and 11.5 rebounds in the
Finals, came through in San Antonio's most difficult series -- a 4-2 win over the
rival Phoenix Suns in the conference semifinals. Duncan torched the Suns for
26.8 points, 13.7 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game.
18 30.7 4.9 4.1 0.3 1.8 56.4 32.9
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Result: Lost in East finals
Not only did the Cavaliers not win the title in 2009, they didn't even reach the
NBA Finals, bowing out to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals.
James was more valuable in three series than any Finals loser but himself in
2017 was in four. On a per-minute basis, James' .879 individual win percentage
(the estimate of how often James and four average players would win) blows
away any playoff performance since the merger. He used 36.4 percent of
Cleveland's plays with a true shooting percentage north of 60 percent,
rebounded like a big man and passed like a point guard.
In the East finals, James averaged 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists,
making a buzzer-beating 3 for one of the Cavaliers' two wins. Alas, Cleveland's
supporting cast wasn't up to the task. No reserve averaged more than 3.6 points
per game in the series.
28. Stephen Curry, Warriors, 2015
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After winning his first NBA MVP award, Curry led the Warriors to their first
championship with a playoff run that probably doesn't get enough credit. After
all, Curry averaged 26 points and 6.3 assists as Golden State beat Cleveland 4-2
in the Finals, making 4.2 3-pointers a game at a 38.5 percent clip.
Yet teammate Andre Iguodala won Finals MVP on the strength of his defense
against LeBron and the way the series changed when he was inserted into the
starting lineup. With hindsight, if James wasn't going to win MVP, Curry was
probably the right pick.
The precocious Johnson put together the finest postseason by a rookie since the
merger to become the only first-year player to win Finals MVP honors. As a 20-
year-old, Johnson nearly averaged a triple-double and better than three steals
per game. And, of course, he saved his best performance for the clinching Game
6 of the NBA Finals at Philadelphia. After moving to center in place of the
injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson scored 42 points, grabbed 15 rebounds
and handed out seven assists in the win.
21 28.3 4.0 5.0 0.1 1.9 60.7 31.0
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
16 18.3 10.5 9.4 0.4 3.1 59.6 18.6

2d - ESPN.com
4d - Kevin Pelton
gaining momentum
the biggest stage
7d - Kevin Arnovitz
the NBA
9d - Nick DePaula
After an embarrassing 1981 playoffs -- the Rockets upset the Lakers in the best-
of-three first round, with Johnson airballing a shot in the closing seconds of
Game 3 -- a healthy Johnson put together a near-carbon copy of his 1980 run to
lead the Lakers to a second title. This time, Johnson finished off the Sixers with
a triple-double in Game 6, clinching his second Finals MVP award.
With Scottie Pippen injured for most of the regular season, the 35-year-old
Jordan was worn down by the end of Chicago's second three-peat. Increasingly
Jim Cummins/NBAE/Getty Images
14 17.4 11.3 9.3 0.2 2.9 61.4 16.9
Fernando Medina/NBAE/Getty Images
21 32.4 5.1 3.5 0.6 1.5 54.5 36.6

2d - ESPN.com
4d - Kevin Pelton
gaining momentum
the biggest stage
7d - Kevin Arnovitz
the NBA
9d - Nick DePaula
prone to off shooting nights, Jordan compensated with his ability to get to the
free throw line. He had enough left for one last signature performance: 45
points in Game 6 at Utah, including a steal and the game-winning jumper over
Bryon Russell in the closing seconds to secure a sixth title.
32. Isiah Thomas, Pistons, 1990
Thomas was at his best in the playoffs during the second of the Pistons' back-to-
back championship runs in large part because of a well-timed hot streak beyond
the arc. A 29 percent career 3-point shooter, Thomas went 11-of-16 (68.8
percent) from downtown as Detroit took care of Portland in five games. Thomas
averaged 27.6 points and 7.0 assists in the series.
20 20.5 5.5 8.2 0.4 2.2 56.0 25.4
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

2d - ESPN.com
4d - Kevin Pelton
gaining momentum
the biggest stage
7d - Kevin Arnovitz
the NBA
9d - Nick DePaula
Again, James was the best player in the playoffs in a losing cause during his
final go-round with the Heat. By this stage of his career, LeBron had achieved
peak efficiency, posting a career-best .668 true shooting percentage in the 2014
playoffs -- best ever by a player who used at least 30 percent of his team's plays.
That wasn't enough in the Finals, as Miami lost 4-1 to San Antonio despite
James' 28.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and .679 true shooting in the series.
Olajuwon's 1986 run ranks as the best by a player whose team lost the Finals
besides LeBron. On a per-minute basis, Olajuwon was even more effective than
when he led the 1994 Rockets to the championship. He averaged nearly 10 free
throw attempts per game and was huge in a Western Conference finals upset of
the Lakers, averaging 31.0 points and 11.2 rebounds. (Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
averaged 27.0 ppg and 6.8 rpg.)
35. Scottie Pippen, Bulls, 1996
20 27.4 7.1 4.8 0.6 1.8 66.8 31.6
20 26.9 11.8 2.0 3.5 2.0 56.6 27.3

2d - ESPN.com
4d - Kevin Pelton
gaining momentum
the biggest stage
7d - Kevin Arnovitz
the NBA
9d - Nick DePaula
Pippen's 1996 playoff run rates as the most valuable by a second banana, just
ahead of Magic Johnson's 1980 postseason (Johnson appears higher in the
rankings because he won Finals MVP). While he struggled with his shot (34.3
percent in the Finals), Pippen was at his best defensively, averaging 2.6 steals
and 0.9 blocks per game. And he put together one of his best all-around
performances with 22 points, 18 boards and 10 assists in Game 3 against Miami
in the opening round.
Like the title run itself, Duncan's 2005 playoffs were the most workmanlike of
his four championship seasons. He shot just 46.7 percent from the field in the
postseason, including 41.9 percent in a rugged seven-game NBA Finals against
Detroit. Yet Duncan was his usual consistent presence, contributing 18 double-
doubles in 23 games and anchoring the defense, which earned him Finals MVP
honors.
18 16.9 8.5 5.9 0.9 2.6 47.3 22.2
AP Photo/Joe Cavaretta
23 23.6 12.4 2.7 2.3 0.3 52.6 31.1

2d - ESPN.com
4d - Kevin Pelton
gaining momentum
the biggest stage
7d - Kevin Arnovitz
the NBA
9d - Nick DePaula
Olajuwon actually scored more in the Rockets' repeat despite the arrival of
Clyde Drexler. The center topped 40 points five times, including three alone in
his Western Conference finals destruction of MVP David Robinson. (Olajuwon:
35.3 ppg, 12.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 4.2 bpg; Robinson: 23.8 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.2
bpg.) So why does 1995 rate so much lower? Olajuwon wasn't the same
defensive presence, blocking shots about 20 percent less frequently than in
1994.
38. Kobe Bryant, Lakers, 2001
AP Photo/Elaine Thompson
22 33.0 10.3 4.5 2.8 1.2 56.0 35.9
16 29.4 7.3 6.1 0.8 1.6 55.5 30.3

2d - ESPN.com
4d - Kevin Pelton
gaining momentum
the biggest stage
7d - Kevin Arnovitz
the NBA
9d - Nick DePaula
Far and away Bryant's best effort as a sidekick came during the Lakers' 15-1
playoff run. He was supremely versatile, recording five point-rebound double-
doubles and one of the point-assist variety. Bryant's best scoring output came in
consecutive games as the Lakers swept away Sacramento and started a sweep of
San Antonio. He put up 93 points on just 76 shooting possessions (field goal
attempts and trips to the free throw line) in the two wins.
39. Kevin Durant, Warriors, 2018
Durant took home his second Bill Russell trophy as Finals MVP in as many
years thanks largely to his dominant performance in Game 3 against the
Cavaliers. With Curry and backcourt-mate Klay Thompson shooting a combined
7-of-27, Durant carried the Warriors to the road win with 43 points on 15-of-23
shooting, 13 rebounds and seven assists -- including a crucial late 3-pointer.
Durant averaged 7.5 assists in the Finals, recording a triple-double in Game 4 as
Golden State finished off the sweep and erasing questions about his iso-heavy
style that came up when the Houston Rockets took the Warriors the distance in
the conference finals.
40. Scottie Pippen, Bulls, 1991
Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images
21 29.0 7.8 4.7 1.2 0.7 60.6 30.6

2d - ESPN.com
4d - Kevin Pelton
gaining momentum
the biggest stage
7d - Kevin Arnovitz
the NBA
9d - Nick DePaula
The Bulls' first championship was also Pippen's highest scoring as a No. 2
option (he averaged 22.8 ppg in 1994 when Michael Jordan was in retirement).
Pippen made a solid 52.1 percent of his 2-point shots while supplying his usual
all-around brilliance. He recorded seven point-rebound double-doubles and two
more of the point-assist variety. Pippen capped the title run with 32 points, 13
rebounds, seven assists and five steals in Game 5 of the Finals as Chicago closed
out the Lakers.
41. Charles Barkley, Suns, 1993
After Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Barkley told Ahmad Rashad that God wanted
the Suns to beat the Chicago Bulls. Alas, neither divine intervention nor one of
the best playoff efforts by a Finals loser could prevent the Bulls from completing
their first three-peat.
Earlier in the playoffs, Barkley hit a buzzer-beater to complete a 4-2 series win
over San Antonio and came through with 44 points and 24 points in the
17 21.6 8.9 5.8 1.1 2.5 56.4 25.2
24 26.6 13.6 4.3 1.0 1.6 55.2 27.3

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