Before we begin with the list, let us recall how the series works ahead. Every team needs to participate in 82 regular season games. 16 winning teams out of 30 take part in further matches. Then the 8 teams battle for the Larry O'Brien Trophy, which takes part in a series of 7-games.
Now let’s consider the ‘Playoffs’. Here we get to see power, passion and intensity hovering over the players, as well as the fans. There were many instances where we have witnessed tremendous influence over the court, where players have displayed their real potential, and the blaze only seems to be increasing with time.
NBA Playoffs carves a way to the world champions. Here, the top eight teams belonging to the Eastern and Western conferences compete against one another on the best of seven elimination matches. This game proceeded with ranking where the winning team advances and faces the other winning team finally reaching the final round. The losing teams have to drop out until next year NBA and strategies their revenge game plan!
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NBA Playoffs are the final chance for the teams to prove their calibre. And the players have their chance to make good money. On the other hand, the NBA Playoff Odds of winning is extremely high, and anyone would love to take out the benefit from it. It starts off as predictions and contemplation on which player has the potential to win each conference titles and finally the championship crown. This is no doubt the most attractive thing for the fans, as well.
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Moreover, it also marks the way to the most enjoyable games – the series. Here the players grab their chance of making brilliant monetary benefits. Not just that, they newbies are also discovered during these games, adding extra hype to the game and making it more unpredictable. And then it comes to the bettors and gamblers. There is money, there is an adrenaline rush, there is suspense, and there is an aspiration. Interesting isn’t it?
Analyzing the play-power of different players, we bring to you a list of the best single-game player performances in NBA Playoff. Read on and know how these legends created history.
10. Dwyane Wade
In 2003 NBA Draft by Miami, Dwyane Wade was selected 5th overall. Later, till 2016, he went ahead to play for the franchise. However, before that, he was associated with the Bulls and then with the Cavaliers. In 2018, he was again brought back to Miami. NBA fans would know that Wade was the man of power in Miami with excellent points, fantastic games, brilliant assists, and magnificent shots taken.
In season 2008/09, Wade made the game his own and achieved his very first NBA scoring title. Having become a 12-time All-Star, he was later named as the NBA Finals MVP. It was at that time in 2006, when Miami Heat defeated Mavericks and won the championship. It was under his able leadership that Miami Heat achieved 4 consecutive NBA Finals from 2011 to 2014. With him were LeBron and Bosh, where they bagged 2 NBA titles, all in the same period.
It is impressive to note that Wade participated in a total of 177 playoff games during his post-season career and set a record of 3,953 points to his name.
9. Tony Parker
Tony Parker, a passionate and robust player in the point guard position. It was his agility that made him one of the best basketball players of the age.
He played for the Spurs, under the leadership of Pop. And the team, aided by this agile player, bagged 4 NBA Championships. It was his consistency that won him 226 playoff games. He played with other legends like Ginobili and Duncan. As a whole, he has scored a total of 4,045 points in his playoff games.
8. Jerry West
In 1960, Jerry West became a part of the famous Lakers team. And under with his brilliant game plan, the team reached the Championship in 1972. In 1969, West was also named the NBA Finals MVP. Being a 14-time All-star, his playoff scoring is nothing less than an example of a prodigy. The surprising fact is that in only 153 games, he had gathered a total score of 4,457 points.
Post his playing career, we went ahead and became the Lakers coach for three years. In 1980, he was honoured with Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and was also voted as one of the greatest players in NBA history.
7. Karl Malone
Nicknamed ‘The Mailman’, Karl Malone has to his name a total score of 4,761 playoff points while shooting 46.3% from the field. Now, isn’t that something?
This 6 feet 9 inches player may not have been highly acclaimed by the papers; however, amongst fans, he had created his position with his strong dominance in the court. Throughout his career, he took part in 193 playoffs matches, bagged 2 regular seasons’ MVP awards and achieved the title of All-Star 14 times.
6. Tim Duncan
Timothy Theodore Duncan, widely known as Tim Duncan was a vital member of the Spurs team. He was the team’s first overall pick. Initially, Tim didn’t know what was about to become of him; however, gradually he started to rise, especially after winning the NBA ‘Rookie of the Year’.
From leading the San Antonio Spurs with 5 NBA championships, his fans following started growing even more. He took part in a total of 251 playoff matches and bagged 5,172 post-season points. How about that for figures?
Being a fabulous 15-time All-Star, 2-time MVP winner and a 10-time member of All NBA First team, Tim Duncan eventually acquired over 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in one single season.
5. Shaquille O' Neal
Shaquille O' Neal, also widely famous as Shaq was honoured with NBA's list of 50 greatest players of all time. With his brilliant on-court dominance and heavy built aided him to score 4 NBA titles. He also was named an NBA Finals MVP. Fascinating isn’t it?
Playing for the Lakers, under the able guidance of Phil Jackson's, Shaq became a player with power in rebounding and free-throw shooting. This helped him win the regular season league MVP in the 1999/2000 season. It was him and Kobe who together led Lakers to 3 NBA championships.
Talking about his score, Shaq totalled 5,250 points in his 216 playoff games. And that is not all! He was also acknowledged in 2016 with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
4. Kobe Bryant
Some of you may remember the retiring game of Kobe Bryant in 2016, where he wore his Lakers jersey. Surely most of us had a heavy heart that day. And the man left his career by scoring 60 points in his last game. And that was the best sign-off in international sports across the world.
In his career, Kobe Bryant gathered a total of 5,640 points while playing 220 post-season games. He also achieved 5 championship rings and received the All-Star 18 times. In 2008, he went ahead and won NBA MVP award for the year. It was Kobe, who with his dribbling and dunking skills led the Lakers to 2 more championships consecutively in the year 2009 and 2010. They won both!
3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, also known as Lew Alcindor, was a master player during 1970s and early ’80s. He joined the Lakers in the year 1975 from Milwaukee Bucks and led the team to win the NBA Championship in the years 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, and 1988. With a total of 38,387 points, playing for 1,560 matchups, he became NBA’s leading scorer.
When Kareem ended his career, he already had given Lakers a total of 15,837 points. Not just that Lakers also had the most minutes played. He won 6 rings, and 6 regular season MVP awards and this made him one of the iconic players of the age. Considering his playoffs records, he has cumulated 5,762 points in 237 post-season games. And he topped it up with 2 NBA Finals MVPs. That man was in full power!
2. Michael Jordan
We all love Michael Jordan. He is no less than a celebrity, and we all know why. Now let’s see how he became legendary. Being one of the greatest all-round players, Jordan was named in the All-NBA First team for 10 times and 9 times as the NBA All-Defensive first team. He was also nicknamed ‘Air Jordan’ owing to his fabulous vertical air-stay and impromptu mid-air decision making powers. He just had it all in him!
Michael Jordan received the 'Rookie of the Year' by leading the league while scoring in his very first NBA season. Later in 1984, he was appointed by the Chicago Bulls. And we all know how magnificently he scored 3,000 points in a single season. He also achieved MVP trophies for 5 NBA regular season, and then retired in the year 2003. Throughout his career, he gathered a total of 32,292 regular season points. How is that for some statistics?
The numbers of playoffs by Jordan are recorder for the future generation to take inspirations from. They are written in golden words and there is definitely a lot to learn from his play skills. Winning a total of 6 NBA Championships while playing for Chicago Bulls, he bagged 5,987 post-season points in 179 playoff games. Something, isn’t it?
1. LeBron James
LeBron James, a name the game cannot do without. Throughout his career, LeBron played a total of 239 post-season games. He had bagged a magnificent score of 6,911 points, which is just one of a kind!
We believe that LeBron James will continue with his NBA playoff scoring for some time now, and we are sure glad about it. Talking about his acumen, in the year 2017-2018, he played 82-game regular season, which was the first in his career. Not just that! He led the NBA in just minutes played per game. Grand, don’t you think so?
Till date, James has accomplished 15 seasons in the league. He has been named All-Star for 14 consecutive years and in 2004 achieved the NBA 'Rookie of the Year'. That is not all! He went ahead and won 3 NBA Championships and 4 regular season MVP awards. And he only keeps going. So, let’s cheer for this mega player and hope he creates more legends with each game.
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