The thrill of winning a championship at any level is indescribable, even more so, obviously, if that crown comes in Game 7. NBA there are many things that must converge for that achievement: preseason games, 82 regular season games and depending on the circumstances, up to 28 more playoff games.
For this reason, defining a whole year of work in a single game, in Game 7, generates expectations, nerves, illusion and anxiety that not many players have been able to manage and use for the benefit of their teams. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the 10 best Game 7 performances in NBA Finals history.
10 Dave Cowen (1974)
Throughout the 1973-1974 season, the successful Boston Celtics relied on a highly effective trio of players to win that year’s crown. Point guard Jo Jo White, forward John Havlicek and 6-foot-9, 230-pound center Dave Cowens. Between the three of them, they took turns being the protagonists of practically every game of the season.
But luck smiled on Cowens in the decisive game that year, against the local Milwaukee Bucks on May 12, when in 47 minutes of action he scored 28 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, assisted four times, stole two balls and blocked one. to celebrate the 102. -87 victory.
9 Hakeem Olajuwon (1994)
In front of his hometown crowd at The Summit, Houston, on June 22, Hakeem Olajuwon had perhaps, by all accounts, his best performance with his beloved Rockets.
That magical night managed to score 25 points, capture 10 rebounds, with seven dimes, a steal and three important blocks against Pat Ewing’s New York Knicks. This achievement meant the first championship in the history of the team that the following year would win the title again.
8 LeBron James (2016)
After having one of the least spectacular regular seasons of his career, LeBron James, as he has for many years, became a true leader in giving the Cleveland Cavaliers the first title in franchise history.
Against the powerful Golden State Warriors of his great rival Stephen Curry, LeBron took a step forward as he knows how to do and in the exciting seventh game of the final he added the following numbers: 11 rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, three blocks and 27 points in a close 93-89 victory at Oakland’s Oracle Arena.
7 LeBron James (2013)
The Miami Heat, founded in 1988, did not take long to win their first title, since they were the best in the 2005-2006 season. But it seems that his management planned to repeat the feat as soon as possible, so for the 2010-2011 season they hired top player LeBron James, who was quick to deliver.
Four years for two titles is LBJ’s legacy in Miami, and in Game 7 of the 2012-2013 Finals, against the San Antonio Spurs, he had an extraordinary night with 37 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the 95- 88 win.
6 Bill Russel (1966)
Bill Russell put on a terrific performance before the 13,909 people in Boston Garden on the night of April 28, 1966, when his Celtics won the championship against their arch-rival Los Angeles Lakers.
In the 95-93 victory that gave the Celtics their eighth straight title and ninth in history, Russell scored 25 points and grabbed 32 rebounds, just ridiculous. It is worth mentioning that he played the entire game.
5 Bill Russel (1960)
“Whiskers,” as the 6-foot-10, 215-pound center Bill Russell was affectionately known, had a mind-blowing performance in Game 7 to define the 1959-1960 season champions against the team that drafted him, the St. .Louis Hawks.
In front of the packed Boston Garden, he scored 22 points, dished out four assists and grabbed 35 rebounds, yes, you read that right. Believe it or not, the entire opposing team grabbed 39 rebounds.
4 Walt Frazier (1970)
The Atlanta native point guard with 13 career service seasons also deserves a mention on this list. Walt Frazier had 36 points, 19 assists and seven rebounds in the New York Knicks’ 113-99 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers by the fantastic trio of Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain.
More than enough arguments for this individual performance to be considered among the best in the history of the NBA Finals.
3 Tom Heinson (1957)
Tom Heinsohn won eight championship rings with the Boston Celtics, including seven consecutive rings. He was always great, but in one specific game he stole the show.
In Game 7 of the 1957 Finals against the St. Louis Hawks when, in his first season and only 22 years old, he scored 37 points, grabbed 23 rebounds and dished out a couple of assists to lead the Celtics to a 125-123 victory.
two James Worthy (1988)
First pick in the 1982 NBA Draft, with a 12-year Hall of Fame career, James Worthy always showed grit and talent.
In the final and decisive game of the 1988 Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the bad boys of Detroit Pistons, Worthy, faithful squire of the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson, managed to outshine both with an extraordinary triple-double performance . of 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 dimes, leading his team to maximum glory.
1 Bill Russel (1962)
Once again, Bill Russell was the hero in Game 7. Capping “Russ’s” extraordinary season of 1961-1962, he had what, numerically speaking, is considered the best Game 7 performance in history. of the NBA Finals. .
In the Boston Celtics’ 110-107 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Russell had 30 points, 40 rebounds and four assists. Certainly the game went into overtime, but still, it was an amazing performance.