If you're a fan of basketball, you're probably aware of some of the best playoff performances ever. The NBA has featured a number of players who have dominated the court in the postseason, making their playoff runs memorable. Some of these players have gone on to win a title, while others haven't. However, all of these playoff performers have one thing in common: they've gotten the best out of themselves.
In the first game of the Western Conference Semifinals in 1994, Charles Barkley scored 56 points to beat the Golden State Warriors. His total was the third-highest total in playoff history and his shooting percentage was 74 percent. He also added three steals and a block.
Tim Duncan had a great offensive night against the New Jersey Nets in Game 1 of the 2003 NBA Finals. He had 32 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, and three steals. He also made some clutch plays. A few of them were the ones that made the final score possible. For example, he hit a shot that beat Robert Parrish.
After losing Game 3 in Boston, the Celtics needed to win Game 4 to keep the series alive. This game was a tense affair. But, in the end, the Celtics prevailed. Despite losing two of the last three games in the series, they've gone on to win eight consecutive NBA championships.
Michael Jordan's 63 points in 1986 were the most by a player in a playoff game, and he still holds the NBA record. His performance surpassed the previous record of 57 points set by Elgin Baylor in 1969. It also broke the record for most points in a playoff game by a player in his third season. At the time, Michael Jordan's 57 points was the most in a playoff game by a player who was still in his rookie year.
There have been a handful of other playoff performances that are etched in our minds, but we can't forget about the ones that we've already covered. Some of the most memorable are those that feature two superstars who haven't yet won a title.
Allen Iverson's 48 points in Game 5 of the 2001 NBA Finals is one of the most memorable of all time. It's a great story that features two iconic moments. One, Allen's last-second three-pointer at the buzzer, and the other, his jaw-dropping final-second block.
Kevin Durant's playoff performances are the stuff of legends. He's led the league in scoring in both the postseason and the regular season, and he's won two NBA titles. Those are two of the most important accomplishments of his career, but he's never been a facilitator.
Russ and KD both looked good for four games. But, the Thunder went on to lose their 2014 West Finals. Their performance in the 2015 NBA Finals wasn't nearly as impressive. They won a game, but it wasn't the game that they'd hoped for.
If we look to the future, there are a few other players who have the potential to become great players in the future. We'll have to wait until the 2021 playoffs to see what happens.
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