In your opinion what is the greatest single game performance in NBA history? It's a very difficult question because there are so many incredible performances throughout this game. Michael Jordan had a 60 point performance against the Boston C Bags in the 80's during that team's heyday. Also had an epic performance in the Finals a decade later vs Portland where he had an NBA Finals record (been surpassed recently) in three pointers made. Shaq had numerous dominant performances in his prime especially with the Lakers during those great Kobe/Shaq years. Wild Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game. Say whatever you want about it being a weaker league which it was, but 100 points is 100 points. LeBron had an incredible performance against an excellent Detroit Pistons team in the 2007 playoffs when he carried that Cavaliers team to the Finals. Tim Duncan had nearly 10 blocks in a Finals game once back in 2003 against the Nets. To me I have to go with Kobe's 61 points vs the Mavericks in 2005. It was about a month before the epic 81 point eruption vs the Raptors. The only reason I give the 61 points a slight and I mean slight nod is because it came against a team that made the Finals that year and if it wasn't for a clearly rigged series in favor of Dwayne Wade they would've won the Finals that year and the fact it was done in THREE quarters and he outscored the entire Mavericks team by himself. I don't believe Kobe is the greatest ever. I certaintly think he's in the discussion, but I do believe a guy like Jordan overall was the better player. I'll say this. I don't think anyone in the history of the NBA could go on these epic scoring eruptions like Kobe did. This dude could drop 50 points in his sleep in his prime. He had a number of streaks where he'd drop 40 or 50 five or six games in a row. Even late in his career such as the 2013 season he carried a team offensively to the playoffs. Even his final game you could still see Kobe's incredible offensive ability at work. He was so incredibly competitive, but also so skilled on the offensive end.
Kobe's last game. /thread Just kidding about the /thread part. But it was amazing and my personal favorite. Magic playing center as a 19 year old rookie in Game 6 of the Finals and scoring 42 is up there.
Too hard to pick one. One that is often mentioned but still feels a little overlooked is Magic starting game 6 of the 1980 Finals at Center with Kareem out, and putting up 42, 15 and 7. That would be impressive enough in many circumstances, but Magic was a rookie and that game clinched the championship. That sort of thing doesn't happen anymore, it's unheard of.
...and playing against a 76er team that was no cupcake. Erving, Cheeks, Bobby Jones, Dawkins, Caldwell Jones, Hollins.
Kareem's 1985 finals performance deserves a mention. You have to consider he was in his late 30's at the time playing against insane competition. http://www.nba.com/history/features/moment-1985-kareem-revived/
For a series? Tops in my book. Carried the offense and anchored the defense. "...people throwing dirt in my face? That was a little premature." - Abdul-Jabbar after Game 2 Jordan's Flu Game... Bryant's 81 point explosion where it is hardly mentioned he had to bring the squad from 18 down.
Not mentioned in the Kareem article above: Riley had a very strict "players only" on the team bus. Prior to Game 2, Kareem sheepishly approached Pat with his dad and asked, with his head down, if his dad could ride on the team bus to the arena. Riley allowed him to. And then, on the bus, Riley gave the greatest speech of his life. Riley told the team about growing up with his hero (his dad) and that on his death bed, he told Riley that the day would come when he had to roll up his sleeves and kick (butt). Riley told the team, this was that moment. For me, as a Laker fan, the 85 team will always be my favorite. IMO, we choked away the 84 series. And then got blasted in game 1 of the 85 series, referred to as the Memorial Day Massacre. Then Kareem led the way. Old man dominated and we beat Boston for the title. I'm not sure if his MVP award was unanimous, but it should have been if not.
MJ's 60 pts in '86 against boston would probably be my #1. 60 points is rare, let alone in a playoff game against the 80s C Bags from a guy in his second season Magic's game at center in the '80 finals would be my #2. A rookie PG starts at C and goes on to dominate the game. That says it all This might be a surprise to some but I think Kobe's 62 pt game against Dallas should get the nod over his 81 point game. Just because he outscored the entire freakin Dallas team by himself and put up 62 despite sitting out the entire 4th quarter. And that was a mavs team that made it to the finals. Then Kobe's 81 points. For a guard to put up 81 points in the modern NBA is just ridiculous
We had glimpses of what Jordan could be, but this was his official coming out party. Because I'm not a fan of his, I'll throw in that his 60 was in an OT game and his team lost. LOL (Only because I'm not a fan of his).
Here are some other favorite performances not mentioned... Kobe 48 16 against Sac in the playoffs 2011 Olajuwon destroys Robinson in 1995 WCF. Robinson was MVP and Olajuwon was not happy about that. The admiral got court martialed. Kobe willing a dysfunctional Lakers squad into the playoffs until he broke in 2013. It's hard for me to remember specific games but here are some series of performances that where you see a player take a team on his shoulders and wills them to win. Like the 4 50 point games in 2007 capped off with the 65 point outburst against Portland. Or Allen Iverson relentlessnes in the 2001 finals, or watching Isaih Thomas score 25 in 1 quarter on one leg. You can't help but respect that.
I wasn't alive to witness this, but my dad always brings up jerry west winning the finals mvp on a losing team (albeit while playing with a very severely pulled hamstring) Playing bball my whole life, I've had some hamstring issues here and there, and I can't imagine being able to gut out that type of injury
People tend to overlook Olajuwon, but he's the most skilled Center I've ever seen play. His footwork is inspirational to me. The game is missing a big man like him. There's kids talented enough, but no one wants to learn footwork like he had. It's not as "cool" as dunking the ball or shooting a three these days. It's also harder to learn and master.
watching the dream, it's easy to see elements of his footwork in kobes game. granted, kobe realized the importance of footwork before working with hakeem, and came to him more to fine tune, than to learn. I think it goes without saying though that that work with hakeem pushed him to a new level. just imagine a guy like towns, or Anthony davis with that kinda footwork. scary
I'd like to think Kobe got his footwork equal to or perhaps with even more options, but would that be true being that I'm a complete Kobe honk?
Olajuwon played soccer early on so that helped his coordination and footwork. The only other player who rivals him though not as graceful was Duncan. Finest season? I'd for Olajuwon when he won regular season MVP, Defensive Player of The Year and Finals MVP in 1994. I don't know of any triple crown winners other him.
i can dig it. and like hakeem, playing soccer at an early age helped kobe too in this regard. i think the thing that separates the 2 in peoples (or at least my) mind is height/position. for instance, there are definitely some (not many) great players in history at the sg/sf position that have possessed great footwork close to kobe's level. I can not however think of any big men that are even close to comparable to the dream in terms of how he was able to fake people out and use those fancy feet of his to fool defenders whenever he wanted. not to mention he had power along with that finesse and grace
Yeah as much as I love Kobe, Hakeem stands out. That's not to say Kobe isn't one of the greatest in terms of footwork and footwork applies to so many more things than just post moves, but Hakeem was scintillating in the post. He was magical and creative in the post. Certain guys are born for certain things and will be remembered for them: Kareem's Skyhook, Magic's passes, Kobe's scoring, Dikembe's blocks, Larry's shooting, Dr. J's smooth leaping ability, Jordan's clutch shots... Hakeem owns the post. I've watched this video probably a dozen times and I'm still in awe of it: And here's him just absolutely taking apart David Robinson who was one of the greatest big man defenders of all time. An MVP! Here's the last game of the series He emasculates the man. David Robinson was lost. Just incredible. Needless to say Hakeem may be my favorite non-Laker player ever. So much fun to watch talent meet skill that way.
WOW realdeal. Those are great. What a player. Maybe he could play some small ball center in today's league with all its modern training and uber athletes.... probably that would be his niche. I remember being in a bar in mid town Manhattan on my first business trip back there watching Hakeem destroy in-shape ....pre-prime Shaq in 1995. Jeez where have the great centers gone? Where's all the great heavyweight boxers? I blame this small ball crap.
