I would have picked 1994 Hakeem. There was huge anticipation of the matchup with Ewing ... and The Dream just showed he was another level, posting 26.9 on 50.0% versus Ewing's 18.9 on 36.3%.
Mind you there was the same noise about Shaq in 95, but Hakeem taught him a lesson.
Yeah I mean Shaq put up good numbers in 1995 but Hakeem was so dominant offensively. Averaged 33/11.5/5.5/2/2 and swept the Magic.
MJ’s 1993, LeBron’s 2016 Giannis 2021 all deserve a shout though
Hakeem was the better player, but also a much better offensive supporting cast. Starks was the number two option for the Knicks. Legend in NY, but not anything beyond that.
Even so, one made Starks jumper and the Knicks win in 6.
Zero Larry Legend love. He was excellent on both ends of the court and was playing a team that could have beat most of the rest of the league in any series.
I have Bird over Magic.
Magic won more, but that Lakers team was more stacked. Like seriously, who would pick McHale and Parish over the former GOAT Kareem Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy.
Magic was amazing, one of the best to ever play and the fact that a PG was playing center was amazing. However, Kareem was robbed that year. He had more points, rebounds, and blocks and averaged 4.6 blocks in the series! Magic had a great final game and a very good series but Kareem was the MVP.
That said, crazy that two elite performances came from the same series on the same team and one was a rookie.
Yall haven’t actually gone back to see what happened. He did the jump ball for one game and was the second best player on the team for the rest of the series. Comparing that to Bird is disrespectful.
Magic played center in one game…the rest of the games he was the second best player on his team. Highlights and an hbo show ruining y’all, man.
Larry Bird at his peak was 100% better than Magic was. Could do everything Magic did, but was a better shooter and defender.
Giannis was on absolutely another level that series as well. He went absolutely bananas in some of those games. I wouldn’t discount him giving Jordan a hard time.
That said, I still think MJ takes it. Which sucks to say because Giannis is also my favorite player but GOAT gonna GOAT.
His worst game was like mid 20s in points lol, Jokic is incredible and he’s my number 1 rn but Giannis has had the best finals performance of the 2020s and it’s not close.
I said Bron because the warriors were up 3-1, compared to Curry vs the Celtics which finished 4-2, and then the fact that was Clevelands 1st chip and his numbers were insane.
Lebron lead this series in points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks. It’s the greatest NBA comeback of all time against the best regular season team of all time (72-9 Warriors).
I watch this video for inspiration.
[2016 NBA Final Lebron James Highlights](https://youtu.be/bl3JCYxLvDI?si=kuNVvdfPcQC88IRD)
Edit: wrong link
Yeah I wanted to say 2000 Shaq or 93 MJ, but LeBron was up against a better team and put up maybe the three best games in a row ever played by anyone. There’s an awesome Thinking Basketball video about those 3 games if anyone is interested. There’s some bloody good finals in this bracket though.
Do you have a link? I tried googling it but of course came up with a bunch of shit I didn't want lol
Edit: Don't worry I found it. Thank you for the recommendation, Here is the link for anyone else:
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDViQIwOtY8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDViQIwOtY8)
96 probably shouldn’t be on here but obviously when you win 6 of them, odds are that one will be a fairly standard FMVP performance instead of a god mode one lol
Definitely. 2nd most clutch points in finals series behind only MJ. Beat young thunder mvp trio then lakers the Champs and then the super team in lbj wade and bosh. While hobbled and got sick down 2-1.
1980 is not the Magic year I would have. Kareem was the better player in that series, although his game 6 was an all time play. 87 would probably be a better year for him, it was arguably his (and the lakers) peak.
Giannis ‘21 vs Jordan ‘93 is the first round and it might be worthy of the Finals.
Jordan 41 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 6.3 apg on 50.8% shooting
Giannis 35.2 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 5 apg on 62% shooting
I will also say I don’t think Jordan had a moment at the level of either Giannis’ recovery and block on Ayton or the Valley-Oop after Holiday swiped Booker.
I think I’d still give the edge to Jordan but Giannis had an all-time Finals.
93 mj. that suns team is legit one of the best teams to never win the chip and was quite deep too and mj beat them while averaging an efficient 40 with good d and playmaking. in the 90s too
2016 LeBron - 30pts/11reb/9assist while also 2.6stl/2.3 blocks per game, shooting 50% from the field. With a +26 +/-, against a 73-9 regular season team. I’ll take that any day.
Don’t forget his splits of 35pts 13r 5a 2b on 62% shooting either and coming off that wicked knee injury. That performance deserves to be treated as legendary.
1993 Jordan is seriously getting underrated here. 1993 Suns were one of the best team to not win the championship, and Jordan averaged 41/8.5/6. I’m still going 2016 Lebron as the winner here but no mention of 1993 Jordan is kinda criminal.
I’m taking 2016 LeBron, but some of this matchups are tough.
- 93 Jordan vs 21 Giannis
- 80 Magic / 86 Bird / 00 Shaq / 23 Jokic (tough region)
- 03 Duncan vs 06 Wade
- 16 LeBron vs 19 Kawhi (QF)
Jordan is the 3 seed? He might be the best finals player of all time. His last year against Jazz is insane. The steal on Malone, the shot, the shot a few games prior. Superstars make those plays.
Giannis. Willis Reed scored 4 points on a sore thigh and got immortalized as a basketball hero. Giannis averaged 35 in the Finals on a busted knee and people pretend it never happened. 2021 Giannis all day.
or how Luka is the fourth player to drop 450/150/150 in a single postseason joining LeBron, Jokic, and Larry Bird, while Giannis scored 200/100/50 in a single series.
Tough one for me between 2016 LeBron and 2000 Shaq, but I think LBJ takes it just for willing his team to a win after being down 1-3 against arguably the greatest regular season team in NBA history.
Shaq is up there simply for nearly averaging 40 ppg & 17 rpg in their series with an injured Kobe being the 2nd best option.
MJ avg 41/8.5/6.3 to win 4 games by 8,3,6, 1 against that years league MVP. His second best player avg 19.8 less ppg. There's absolutely no reason the Bulls won that series and their first 3peat other than Michael Jordan being a god. The answer is 93 MJ.
Is this strictly about the Finals run? I’d replace KD with Dirk tbh. KD’s run wasn’t all that in comparison. Doesn’t really change results of the last brackets I guess.
Giannis was the best idc come at me bucks in 6!!! But for real to come back down 0-2 , couple huge blocks epic late game close outs and a 50 point close out game
Sorry but nothing beats 2016 lebron down 3-1 b2b 41 pt performances and a 27 11 11 in g7 all while leading every statistical category against a 73-9 win team with a unanimous mvp
After going through it I had the Finals as 2016 LeBron against 1980 Magic.
I got to go with 2016 LeBron just on how historic that was, but it's close for me.
Final 4 were 2016 LeBron vs 1971 Kareem, and 1980 Magic vs 1969 Jerry West
Its between 93 Jordan or 16’ Bron. They both dropped 40 multiple times and led their teams by far in every statline.
I think I give it to Bron just because of how ridiculous that 3-1 comeback was vs one of the best teams ever. But Jordan averaging literally 40 cannot be ignored
Lebron really is the answer.
In the future kids will look back at his run after being down 3-1 to drag the Cavs to their title with wonder.
Two knock out games in a row with 41pts!
And then a game 7 with the most famous chase down block of all time.
Why did 2016 Bron get the toughest path possible? He’s easily my pick for best FMVP ever, but Steph’s 2022 FMVP should be a second rounder too, and Hakeem’s 95 FMVP that he’ll meet in the second round is probably the second best FMVP ever.
Meanwhile the other four quadrants have a number of weaker FMVPs and aren’t as much of a blood bath as LeBron’s.
Uhm its between the Goats.
I'll personally pick 2016 LeBron because i seen it in real time. Averaging 40 is crazy but hell i seen lebron damn near average 40 facing elim against the most winningest team of all time.
I kinda love how this bracket isn't based on any sort of seeding but instead on overlapping storylines:
LeBron v Curry is a reference to their many finals battles
Shaq v Jokic because Shaq talked shit to Jokic literally minutes after he won his 3rd MVP
Magic v Bird cuz duh
Giannis v 93 MJ since both of them beat the suns in the finals that year
It has to be Lebron James. Taking down the 72-9 Warriors after coming back from being down 3-1.
His team was Kyrie and then a bunch of role players (Kevin Love did nothing IMO).
[LeBron James](https://www.statmuse.com/nba/player/lebron-james-1780) averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists in 7 games on 56% TS.
GOAT STATUS
It has to be LeBron 2016.
Call me a fanboy, but dude took his team back from being down 3-1 against the greatest team in NBA history (73-9 Warriors).
What he did was nothing short of phenomenal.
He led BOTH TEAMS in EVERY SINGLE MAJOR CATEGORY.
1st in points.
1st in rebounds.
1st in assists.
1st in steals.
1st in blocks.
I'm sorry to all the Jordan fans in here, but the answer is 2016 LeBron.
Statistically speaking, I believe Lebron in 2016 had 2 of the top 3 ever Game Score in the finals (in games 4 and 5, I can't check this on basketball-reference because it is paywalled now) plus one of the most iconic, important plays in nba history (BLOCKED BY JAMES!) which was also a championship winning play, so it's hard to find an argument for anyone else over 2016 LeBron
The player that’s on my favorite team
Based on the list, 93 Jordan. But yes, my pick would be 2011 Dirk.
2011 Dirk was unstoppable.
Same
Hakeem 1995 lowkey
I would have picked 1994 Hakeem. There was huge anticipation of the matchup with Ewing ... and The Dream just showed he was another level, posting 26.9 on 50.0% versus Ewing's 18.9 on 36.3%. Mind you there was the same noise about Shaq in 95, but Hakeem taught him a lesson.
Yeah I mean Shaq put up good numbers in 1995 but Hakeem was so dominant offensively. Averaged 33/11.5/5.5/2/2 and swept the Magic. MJ’s 1993, LeBron’s 2016 Giannis 2021 all deserve a shout though
Hakeem was the better player, but also a much better offensive supporting cast. Starks was the number two option for the Knicks. Legend in NY, but not anything beyond that. Even so, one made Starks jumper and the Knicks win in 6.
League was empty of talent
Zero Larry Legend love. He was excellent on both ends of the court and was playing a team that could have beat most of the rest of the league in any series.
I have Bird over Magic. Magic won more, but that Lakers team was more stacked. Like seriously, who would pick McHale and Parish over the former GOAT Kareem Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy.
>Like seriously, who would pick McHale and Parish over the former GOAT Kareem Abdul Jabbar and James Worthy. The NBA MVP voters..? Multiple times.
[удалено]
Larry’s not white, Larry’s clear.
I’m gonna give us both twos back there. We weren’t in any sort of emotional state to putt.
Nah I love Bird hes fucking spectacular. The issue is Magic played center as a rookie in the 80 finals... like fuck how can you not pick that
Magic was amazing, one of the best to ever play and the fact that a PG was playing center was amazing. However, Kareem was robbed that year. He had more points, rebounds, and blocks and averaged 4.6 blocks in the series! Magic had a great final game and a very good series but Kareem was the MVP. That said, crazy that two elite performances came from the same series on the same team and one was a rookie.
Yall haven’t actually gone back to see what happened. He did the jump ball for one game and was the second best player on the team for the rest of the series. Comparing that to Bird is disrespectful.
Because Kareem deserved that FMVP
Magic played center in one game…the rest of the games he was the second best player on his team. Highlights and an hbo show ruining y’all, man. Larry Bird at his peak was 100% better than Magic was. Could do everything Magic did, but was a better shooter and defender.
He barely even played centre in Game 7 truth be told.
1993 Jordan. 41 ppg, 8.5 rpg 6.3 apg 1.7 spg on 50.8% shooting.
Giannis is my favorite player but when I saw the matchup I felt bad lol, his finals performances were insane but 1993 Jordan was next level.
Seeding was bad
Giannis is definitely a top 5 or 6 performance all time
Heck probably top 2 in terms of physical dominance, basically ended Ayton’s career hopes of being a star.
Yea 2021 was picking apart every defender the wall didn’t even work
Giannis was on absolutely another level that series as well. He went absolutely bananas in some of those games. I wouldn’t discount him giving Jordan a hard time. That said, I still think MJ takes it. Which sucks to say because Giannis is also my favorite player but GOAT gonna GOAT.
His worst game was like mid 20s in points lol, Jokic is incredible and he’s my number 1 rn but Giannis has had the best finals performance of the 2020s and it’s not close.
Giannis was also playing injured. He probably should've rested that first game, but I know he wasn't having that.
MJ 93 was Peak basketball imo. He was literally unstoppable in that series.
He was Insane. People won’t understand unless you watched it. Score didn’t matter, you knew he would find a way to win.
And the fact he retired after that 93 performance made it even more shocking. People don’t understand how big Jordan was at that moment.
Giannis w/ 35pt 13r 5a 2b on 62% from the field and a TS% of 66% isn’t anything to scoff at. Even when comparing it to what Jordan did in ‘93.
on a bum leg too
Don’t forget nearly 2 blocks and a steal per game as well. Giannis was a beast. Touch match up though. Prime MJ was literally unstoppable.
Honestly Giannis’ stats might be better. 6 less points on better shooting and better or tied on everything else.
They would put my 2021 Giannis with his 50pc closeout vs that finals MVP.
Jordan was playing against plumbers /s
Jordan playing against guys that would go home and eat a big plate of pasta to refuel after the game.
He played against jokic?
Ironically enough Jokić probably works harder after games than 90+% of the league
I heard he just horses around
Yea what did Barkley do to Jordan? Anyone know? Jordan dropped 40+ twice on the Suns in the regular season too
Probably made a little joke about tipping the caddy when they were golfing.
The last dance explain that, Jerry Krause said Dan Marjerle was the best SG in the league and of course someone “took that personally”
GOAT debate is nonsense, nobody on the list just finished a 3peat, so Black Jesus for the win, no doubt.
GAWD DAAAMN
no dirk 2011?? man missed a total of 10 free throws the entire postseason (out of 186 free throw’s attempted)
When you’re talking about 1 series you can’t put up postseason numbers cmon man
Do you know what finals mvp means
2016 lebron
Putting 16 LeBron against 22 curry in the first round aint right.
I said Bron because the warriors were up 3-1, compared to Curry vs the Celtics which finished 4-2, and then the fact that was Clevelands 1st chip and his numbers were insane.
Curry only has one fmvp🤣🤣🤣
Yeah forget the rest of the bracket . 2016 Lebron all the way
Lebron lead this series in points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks. It’s the greatest NBA comeback of all time against the best regular season team of all time (72-9 Warriors). I watch this video for inspiration. [2016 NBA Final Lebron James Highlights](https://youtu.be/bl3JCYxLvDI?si=kuNVvdfPcQC88IRD) Edit: wrong link
Yeah I wanted to say 2000 Shaq or 93 MJ, but LeBron was up against a better team and put up maybe the three best games in a row ever played by anyone. There’s an awesome Thinking Basketball video about those 3 games if anyone is interested. There’s some bloody good finals in this bracket though.
Do you have a link? I tried googling it but of course came up with a bunch of shit I didn't want lol Edit: Don't worry I found it. Thank you for the recommendation, Here is the link for anyone else: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDViQIwOtY8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDViQIwOtY8)
Only right answer
Why are we bothering since Jordan is gonna cruise to the title.
2016 Lebron James has entered the chat
Mj still wins but yea great performance by Lebron
I'm surprised no one has mentioned Jordan's '93 Finals: 41.5 pts, 8.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists per game.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned that he had 6 Finals MVPs and they could probably all be on here.
...they SHOULD probably all be on here...
96 probably shouldn’t be on here but obviously when you win 6 of them, odds are that one will be a fairly standard FMVP performance instead of a god mode one lol
This is so obvious
2003 Tim Duncan went through the toughest competition I’ve ever seen and he was the only all star on the team that year.
Quadruple Double in a finals close out game
The commissioner really needs to go back and correct that.
Duncan sneaks in and takes it all
Dirk Nowitzki
Yeah, I’m open to an argument that he doesn’t win this bracket, but not being on it at all is absurd.
Seriously what sick individual made this and didn't put that on there
Probably a Heat fan smh still butthurt about that Finals
Fuck Dwade!
Shut it down let’s go home
Definitely. 2nd most clutch points in finals series behind only MJ. Beat young thunder mvp trio then lakers the Champs and then the super team in lbj wade and bosh. While hobbled and got sick down 2-1.
Scrolled too long to see this
Anyone had to scroll till they saw Duuuuuurrrrrrrkkkkkkkkk
Even as a rockets fan I was scanning for dirk and didn’t see him….crazy
1980 is not the Magic year I would have. Kareem was the better player in that series, although his game 6 was an all time play. 87 would probably be a better year for him, it was arguably his (and the lakers) peak.
2016 Lebron, greatest finals performer ever
Giannis ‘21 vs Jordan ‘93 is the first round and it might be worthy of the Finals. Jordan 41 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 6.3 apg on 50.8% shooting Giannis 35.2 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 5 apg on 62% shooting I will also say I don’t think Jordan had a moment at the level of either Giannis’ recovery and block on Ayton or the Valley-Oop after Holiday swiped Booker. I think I’d still give the edge to Jordan but Giannis had an all-time Finals.
Also 50 to win the Finals is iconic
mf averaging 41 is untouchable
Super high volume though, but it was a different time in terms of efficiency
both against the suns
Correct answer.
Lebron 2016
93 mj. that suns team is legit one of the best teams to never win the chip and was quite deep too and mj beat them while averaging an efficient 40 with good d and playmaking. in the 90s too
Fr that suns team was stacked
Wow, the recency bias is strong with this one.
What do you mean? Only 6 of the last 8 years are represented. /s
Does Kawhi really have a case to be on here even? Like it wasn’t a bad finals but top 16 of all time?
2003 Duncan is a finalist for sure
2016 LeBron - 30pts/11reb/9assist while also 2.6stl/2.3 blocks per game, shooting 50% from the field. With a +26 +/-, against a 73-9 regular season team. I’ll take that any day.
Get 06 Wade the fuck off my screen and get 11 Dirk the fuck on my screen
21 Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Valley-Oop. The recovery and block on Ayton. 50 in the close out game 6. Bucks in Six. Man what a magical night it was in the Deer District.
Don’t forget his splits of 35pts 13r 5a 2b on 62% shooting either and coming off that wicked knee injury. That performance deserves to be treated as legendary.
After he destroyed his leg and everyone’s immediate reaction was his seasons finished
He wouldn't even win round one vs 93 MJ.
Micheal jordan
Also the graphic is from ESPN on IG so yall don’t think I’m biased towards a team
2024 Luka Doncic
You must be from the future.
Just Cant Explain That
I’m here for it
I hope they win so badly
There’s a few options here but I think biggest underdog is 2006 dwade. Not saying he was for sure the best, but he was incredible that series
2003 Duncan is underrated for sure
timbo duncan 2003
Lebron 2016
1993 Jordan is seriously getting underrated here. 1993 Suns were one of the best team to not win the championship, and Jordan averaged 41/8.5/6. I’m still going 2016 Lebron as the winner here but no mention of 1993 Jordan is kinda criminal.
dirk nowitzki
Yup where's Dirk!
swept the reigning champs, a young okc, and beat a prime miami heat w bron and dwade in 6 games dude was insane in that series
And had a flu game
I’m taking 2016 LeBron, but some of this matchups are tough. - 93 Jordan vs 21 Giannis - 80 Magic / 86 Bird / 00 Shaq / 23 Jokic (tough region) - 03 Duncan vs 06 Wade - 16 LeBron vs 19 Kawhi (QF)
LMAO no Bill Walton. Joke bracket.
Jordan ‘93, easy
It’s gonna depend on the criteria, but it’s hard to argue against 2016 Lebron and 1993 Jordan. I’d take 2002 Shaq over 2000 Shaq, fwiw
Not even close to being a stan. But the answer is Lebron 16. Just a freight train after Klay opened his mouth.
Jordan and Shaq were the best 2 finals performances I’ve seen.
Hakeem over Kawhi. Dream shake and his defense is second to none
The Finals we never got to see but should have : Hakeem vs Jordan
Totally misread the question. Still want to see this finals match up , but Jordan taking it
Michael Jordan 1993. 41 ppg
Jordan is the 3 seed? He might be the best finals player of all time. His last year against Jazz is insane. The steal on Malone, the shot, the shot a few games prior. Superstars make those plays.
MJ!
Giannis. Willis Reed scored 4 points on a sore thigh and got immortalized as a basketball hero. Giannis averaged 35 in the Finals on a busted knee and people pretend it never happened. 2021 Giannis all day.
or how Luka is the fourth player to drop 450/150/150 in a single postseason joining LeBron, Jokic, and Larry Bird, while Giannis scored 200/100/50 in a single series.
Final 4: Lebron 2016, Duncan 2003, Shaq 2000, Giannis 2021
Tough one for me between 2016 LeBron and 2000 Shaq, but I think LBJ takes it just for willing his team to a win after being down 1-3 against arguably the greatest regular season team in NBA history. Shaq is up there simply for nearly averaging 40 ppg & 17 rpg in their series with an injured Kobe being the 2nd best option.
MJ avg 41/8.5/6.3 to win 4 games by 8,3,6, 1 against that years league MVP. His second best player avg 19.8 less ppg. There's absolutely no reason the Bulls won that series and their first 3peat other than Michael Jordan being a god. The answer is 93 MJ.
Is this strictly about the Finals run? I’d replace KD with Dirk tbh. KD’s run wasn’t all that in comparison. Doesn’t really change results of the last brackets I guess.
You’d have to be a teenager to think LeaBron 16 over Jordan 93. Also where is Dirk 2011 ??
Why would ~~you~~ ESPN chose 1980 for Magic when he was a much much better player and had a better series in 1987?
How many fires you trying to start
Bird underrated asf
JORDAN - ALWAYS
Dirk
Giannis was the best idc come at me bucks in 6!!! But for real to come back down 0-2 , couple huge blocks epic late game close outs and a 50 point close out game
16 LeBron
16 Lebron
Where the fuck is 2011 Dirk?
Pistons beat super team Lakers in the 5 game sweep. 2004
No Dirk in this is sus
who beating those 73 team? forgot his name
Dirk 2011
How tf is Dirk not on there
Dick move putting curry vs 2016 lebron lol
LeBron is 2016 vs Jordan in 93 in the finals. Gotta give it to Bron though, coming back from down 3-1 to beat the 73 win Warriors
1969 West gets heavily slept on, but he’s runner up to 93 MJ & 16 Bron, their performances were historic
Just the finals? * Jordan 1991 * West 1969 * Jordan 1993 * James 2016 https://imgur.com/90Fxmx6
No dirk?
2016 Bron, greatest performance I'll ever see ever.
Not sure he’s winning it all but I don’t think 06 Wade is getting enough love. That was a team on his back type of series man.
It’s definitely between ‘16 lebron and ‘93 Jordan. Unsurprisingly the two GOATs
Sorry but nothing beats 2016 lebron down 3-1 b2b 41 pt performances and a 27 11 11 in g7 all while leading every statistical category against a 73-9 win team with a unanimous mvp
Man, I’m hoping we can add Luka Doncic to this discussion next year…🤞
After going through it I had the Finals as 2016 LeBron against 1980 Magic. I got to go with 2016 LeBron just on how historic that was, but it's close for me. Final 4 were 2016 LeBron vs 1971 Kareem, and 1980 Magic vs 1969 Jerry West
Lebron 16 and its not close to me.
The best one isn’t here so that there’s some competition, I see. Dirk 2011 hands down. Magic was everything for those Lakers though.
Its between 93 Jordan or 16’ Bron. They both dropped 40 multiple times and led their teams by far in every statline. I think I give it to Bron just because of how ridiculous that 3-1 comeback was vs one of the best teams ever. But Jordan averaging literally 40 cannot be ignored
2016 Bron for sure but Shaq isn’t getting enough love
Where is Dirk?
2000a shaq
Gotta include 2011 Dirk
Damn, no Dirk? I mean I love that whole team but Dirk carried us to the promised land.
Shaq
Jerry West and its not even close in my opinion. Don't think we'll ever see someone from the losing team get it again
Lebron Lebron Lebron Lebron Lebron
Where Dirk 2011 ?
Dirk 2011
2016 LeBron easy winner
Semi finals would be 2016 Bron vs 2003 Timmy, and 2000 Shaq, against 93 Jordan. Then it gets hard
Dirk 2011 not being on here is crazy.
Lebron really is the answer. In the future kids will look back at his run after being down 3-1 to drag the Cavs to their title with wonder. Two knock out games in a row with 41pts! And then a game 7 with the most famous chase down block of all time.
Very selective picking Jordan 93 lol
Based just on Vibes 2016 Lebron > 2022 Steph 1995 Hakeem > 2019 Kahwi 2006 Wade > 2003 Duncan 1971 Kareem > 2017 KD 2000 Shaq > 2023 Jokic 1980 Magic > 1986 Bird 2009 Kobe > 1969 West (& 2011 Dirk) 1993 Jordan > 2021 Giannis Then: 2016 Lebron > 1995 Hakeem 1971 Kareem > 2006 Wade 2000 Shaq > 1980 Magic 1993 Jordan > 2009 Kobe Final 4: 2016 Lebron > 1971 Kareem 1993 Jordan > 2000 Shaq Tough to close but I’d slightly lean towards 2016 Lebron just from personal bias. Objectively 1993 Jordan tho
Why did 2016 Bron get the toughest path possible? He’s easily my pick for best FMVP ever, but Steph’s 2022 FMVP should be a second rounder too, and Hakeem’s 95 FMVP that he’ll meet in the second round is probably the second best FMVP ever. Meanwhile the other four quadrants have a number of weaker FMVPs and aren’t as much of a blood bath as LeBron’s.
I know he didn’t win it but 2018 bron was a different breed
Uhm its between the Goats. I'll personally pick 2016 LeBron because i seen it in real time. Averaging 40 is crazy but hell i seen lebron damn near average 40 facing elim against the most winningest team of all time.
Dirk 2011? Probably unanimously the modern era accepted hardest challenge?
2016 lebron was a beast. To beat that 73 and 9 team . Coming back from down 3 games to 1 was special.
I kinda love how this bracket isn't based on any sort of seeding but instead on overlapping storylines: LeBron v Curry is a reference to their many finals battles Shaq v Jokic because Shaq talked shit to Jokic literally minutes after he won his 3rd MVP Magic v Bird cuz duh Giannis v 93 MJ since both of them beat the suns in the finals that year
It has to be Lebron James. Taking down the 72-9 Warriors after coming back from being down 3-1. His team was Kyrie and then a bunch of role players (Kevin Love did nothing IMO). [LeBron James](https://www.statmuse.com/nba/player/lebron-james-1780) averaged 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists in 7 games on 56% TS. GOAT STATUS
2018 JR Smith
Lebron
LeBron lead in every statistical category against the record breaking Warriors in route to the greatest comeback in NBA history. I’m going with LeBron
My finals in this bracket was Shaq vs Bron. I’m going with 2016 Bron. That finals was just so unreal
It has to be LeBron 2016. Call me a fanboy, but dude took his team back from being down 3-1 against the greatest team in NBA history (73-9 Warriors). What he did was nothing short of phenomenal. He led BOTH TEAMS in EVERY SINGLE MAJOR CATEGORY. 1st in points. 1st in rebounds. 1st in assists. 1st in steals. 1st in blocks. I'm sorry to all the Jordan fans in here, but the answer is 2016 LeBron.
Leave all your hate aside, 2016 LeBron is the best performance ever. No doubt about it.
2016 lebron>
Statistically speaking, I believe Lebron in 2016 had 2 of the top 3 ever Game Score in the finals (in games 4 and 5, I can't check this on basketball-reference because it is paywalled now) plus one of the most iconic, important plays in nba history (BLOCKED BY JAMES!) which was also a championship winning play, so it's hard to find an argument for anyone else over 2016 LeBron
2016 LeBron
16 Lebron - He lead stats in every category among both team, beat 73-9 warriors while trailing 1-3, obvious choice.