Best and worst playoff series from the top 10 players of all time [Archive] - Message Board Basketball Forum

SouBeachTalents

03-28-2015, 06:08 PM

Just was curious to see which series ISH would pick for each player, and yes, I know I put down 11. Try to use series from the players primes/near primes

Kobe
Best: 2010 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 2004 NBA Finals

LeBron
Best: 2009 Eastern Conference Finals
Worst: 2011 NBA Finals

Shaq
Best: 2000 NBA Finals
Worst: 2006 NBA Finals

Hakeem
Best: 1995 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 1996 Western Conference Semifinals

Duncan
Best: 2003 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 2005 NBA Finals

Bird
Best: 1984 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Worst: 1981 NBA Finals

Magic
Best: 1987 NBA Finals
Worst: 1981 First Round

Wilt
Best: 1967 Eastern Conference Finals
Worst: 1969 NBA Finals

Kareem
Best: 1977 Western Conference Semifinals
Worst: 1972 Western Conference Semifinals

Russell
Best: 1962 Finals
Worst: 1958 Finals

Jordan: 1993 Finals
Worst: 1996 Finals

Psileas

03-28-2015, 06:32 PM

LAZERUSS

03-28-2015, 08:36 PM

Kobe (2001-2013)
Best: 2001 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 2004 NBA Finals

LeBron (2005-today)
Best: 2009 Eastern Conference Finals
Worst: 2011 NBA Finals

Shaq (1993-2004)
Best: 2000 NBA Finals
Worst: 2004 First round

Hakeem (1985-1996)
Best: 1995 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 1996 Western Conference Semifinals

Duncan (1998-2010)
Best: 2003 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 2009 1st round

Bird (1980-1988)
Best: 1985 First Round
Worst: 1988 Eastern Conference Finals

Magic (1980-1991)
Best: 1987 NBA Finals/1986 First Round
Worst: 1981 First Round

Jordan (1985-1998)
Best: 1992 First Round
Worst: 1996 Finals

Wilt (1960-1969)
Best: 1967 Eastern Division Finals
Worst: 1969 NBA Finals

Kareem (1970-1981)
Best: 1977 Western Conference Semifinals
Worst: 1973 Western Conference Semifinals

Russell (1957-1969)
Best: 1965 NBA Finals
Worst: 1967 Eastern Division Finals

I would agree with most all of it.

My exceptions would be...

Kareem in his '72 first round against Thurmond, when Nate outscored and outshot him, and held him to a .405 FG%, albeit, in a 4-1 series win.

And Wilt's '67 EDF's were certainly right at the top, especially since they blew out the Celtics, but his '65 EDF's, with a 30-31 .555 FG% series, albeit, in a seven game series loss, has to rank with it.

The Iron Sheik

03-28-2015, 09:02 PM

kobe's 2001 wcf was amazing but i think his 2009 and 2010 wcfs were just as impressive. his 2009 run for how clutch he was. and his 2010 wcf is one of the most dominant offensive performances i've ever seen in a 6 game series

as for lebron, his 2009 ecf was great even in a loss, but i think his 2012 finals were better. i don't know, i just look at that as the most mature lebron...like the final product.

Real14

03-28-2015, 09:08 PM

There's no way that bron is top 10:coleman:

Megabox!

03-28-2015, 09:11 PM

Kobe (2001-2013)
Best: 2001 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 2004 NBA Finals

LeBron (2005-today)
Best: 2009 Eastern Conference Finals
Worst: 2011 NBA Finals

Shaq (1993-2004)
Best: 2000 NBA Finals
Worst: 2004 First round

Hakeem (1985-1996)
Best: 1995 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 1996 Western Conference Semifinals

Duncan (1998-2010)
Best: 2003 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 2009 1st round

Bird (1980-1988)
Best: 1985 First Round
Worst: 1988 Eastern Conference Finals

Magic (1980-1991)
Best: 1987 NBA Finals/1986 First Round
Worst: 1981 First Round

Jordan (1985-1998)
Best: 1992 First Round
Worst: 1996 Finals

Wilt (1960-1969)
Best: 1967 Eastern Division Finals
Worst: 1969 NBA Finals

Kareem (1970-1981)
Best: 1977 Western Conference Semifinals
Worst: 1973 Western Conference Semifinals

Russell (1957-1969)
Best: 1965 NBA Finals
Worst: 1967 Eastern Division Finals
Pretty much this, nice post. I would just swap Lbj's 2009 ECF with his 2012 ECF or 2012 finals. But that's just me

Real14

03-28-2015, 09:12 PM

Psileas iz truly slippin' today:facepalm. How tha hell is MJ's worst was 1996 finals????:biggums:

Magic 32

03-28-2015, 09:12 PM

Shaq (1993-2004)
Best: 2000 NBA Finals
Worst: 2004 First round

I wound pick 2002 WCSF vs Spurs as his worst. 21&11 but 45% shooting and a complete liability in the clutch.

And this was Shaq at his peak.

But this depends on the criteria. Worst with big expectations or just plain worst.

ShawkFactory

03-28-2015, 09:14 PM

I wound pick 2002 WCSF vs Spurs as his worst. 21&11 but 45% shooting and a complete liability in the clutch.

And this was Shaq at his peak.
Well he was also dueling with another top 10 player of all time at his peak.

Magic 32

03-28-2015, 09:15 PM

Well he was also dueling with another top 10 player of all time at his peak.

David Robinson?

The Iron Sheik

03-28-2015, 09:15 PM

Psileas iz truly slippin' today:facepalm. How tha hell is MJ's worst was 1996 finals????:biggums:

jordan didn't have many bad playoff series, so he just picked the one series in which he shot one of his worst percentages. i would say his '93 ecf series was worse even though he dropped a double nickel in one game. scottie was really the mvp of that series for them

The Iron Sheik

03-28-2015, 09:18 PM

I wound pick 2002 WCSF vs Spurs as his worst. 21&11 but 45% shooting and a complete liability in the clutch.

And this was Shaq at his peak.

But this depends on the criteria. Worst with big expectations or just plain worst.

i think his '99 wcsf was just as bad. even though most people wouldn't consider shaq to be at his peak at that time, shaq was still the same monster. he just didn't have phil's guidance yet

Real14

03-28-2015, 09:19 PM

Psileas, Why you have 11 players on your list? Just take bron off of there like a REAL man bro:lol by the way Isiah is underrated as hell. Isiah is the most underrated.

ShawkFactory

03-28-2015, 09:20 PM

David Robinson?
Ok

Real14

03-28-2015, 09:22 PM

jordan didn't have many bad playoff series, so he just picked the one series in which he shot one of his worst percentages. i would say his '93 ecf series was worse even though he dropped a double nickel in one game. scottie was really the mvp of that series for them
True. 1993 vs the knicks was truly hard for him. I would of pick an early year where he didn't won a ring.

Real14

03-28-2015, 09:24 PM

David Robinson?
Tim duncan's godfather:oldlol:

Psileas

03-28-2015, 09:24 PM

Psileas iz truly slippin' today:facepalm. How tha hell is MJ's worst was 1996 finals????:biggums:

Instead of...?

Psileas, Why you have 11 players on your list? Just take bron off of there like a REAL man bro

This isn't my list, this was the OP's list.

Real14

03-28-2015, 09:27 PM

This isn't my list, this was the OP's list.
My apologies man. Now I'm not surprised especially since the OP wrote that list:coleman:

T_L_P

03-28-2015, 09:38 PM

ninephive

03-28-2015, 09:53 PM

From the other thread:

05 Finals isn't Duncan's worst series, imo. He was being swarmed by the best defensive player of his era and a hound in Rasheed Wallace, and he won the battle (see: Larry Brown, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace quotes on his play). Not to mention he patrolled the paint single-handedly (Horry and Nazr were his frontcourt partners).

From my memory, his worst series are the 99 WCSF, 04 WCSF, 07 Finals and 08 WCSF.

08 was by far his worst series, though he was sick as a dog so I guess he gets a pass. I'd probably have to go with the 04 WCSF.
Yah, no way I would say '05 Finals were his worst by any stretch. He came through big in G7 when we were down by like 9 and Detroit was looking to open up a big lead. And he still averaged 20.6/14.1/2.1/2.1 for the series, which is actually really good.

From my memory, 2011 R1 against Memphis may have been his worst series. 12.7/10.5/2.7/2.5 is one of his worse statlines overall and from what I remember Randolph was eating him alive (21.5/9.2 on 0.500), including making some really crucial baskets to put us away. To be fair to Tim, Zach was just throwing up prayers that were going in...

LAZERUSS

03-28-2015, 09:54 PM

Kobe (2001-2013)
Best: 2001 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 2004 NBA Finals

LeBron (2005-today)
Best: 2009 Eastern Conference Finals
Worst: 2011 NBA Finals

Shaq (1993-2004)
Best: 2000 NBA Finals
Worst: 2004 First round

Hakeem (1985-1996)
Best: 1995 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 1996 Western Conference Semifinals

Duncan (1998-2010)
Best: 2003 Western Conference Finals
Worst: 2009 1st round

Bird (1980-1988)
Best: 1985 First Round
Worst: 1988 Eastern Conference Finals

Magic (1980-1991)
Best: 1987 NBA Finals/1986 First Round
Worst: 1981 First Round

Jordan (1985-1998)
Best: 1992 First Round
Worst: 1996 Finals

Wilt (1960-1969)
Best: 1967 Eastern Division Finals
Worst: 1969 NBA Finals

Kareem (1970-1981)
Best: 1977 Western Conference Semifinals
Worst: 1973 Western Conference Semifinals

Russell (1957-1969)
Best: 1965 NBA Finals
Worst: 1967 Eastern Division Finals

The bashers would tell you that that was only post-season series Chamberlain played in. It's about the only one ever mentioned when his name is brought up.

And even in that, he averaged 25 rpg.

The Iron Sheik

03-28-2015, 09:55 PM

The bashers would tell you that that was only post-season series Chamberlain played in. It's about the only one ever mentioned when his name is brought up.

And even in that, he averaged 25 rpg.

what are your thoughts of some of the other series from other players mentioned? do you agree?

LAZERUSS

03-28-2015, 10:01 PM

what are your thoughts of some of the other series from other players mentioned? do you agree?

Shaq's '97 playoff series against the Jazz was pretty bad. He averaged 22.0 ppg, 11.6 rpg, and shot .494 against the likes of Ostertag and Foster, and his team was wiped out 4-1.

Hamtaro CP3KDKG

03-29-2015, 02:10 PM

Lebrons not even top 10 but his worst series is really difficult. I dont think 09 is his best either he played some of the worst defense a star has played against Orlando and then again against the Spurs last year.

For his worst u cant go wrong with Spurs 07, Boston 10 or Mavs 11. So many to choose from

SamuraiSWISH

03-29-2015, 02:20 PM

Worst I've seen from my guys?

Jordan: 1996 Finals, and 1997 ECF
Kobe: 2004 Finals, and 2011 WCSF ... HM: 2008 Finals, 2009 WCSF, 2010 Finals
LeBron: 2011 Finals, 2007 Finals, and 2010 ECSF

FKAri

03-29-2015, 03:18 PM

LeBron: 2011 Finals, 2007 Finals, and 2010 ECSF

Ah yes. The many incarnations of Lebron. In those series we got to see LeChoke, LeBroom, and LeQuit respectively.

Magic 32

03-29-2015, 06:26 PM

Worst I've seen from my guys?

2010 Finals

Meh.

He was very good to excellent in Game 1, 4, 5 and 6.

Real14

03-29-2015, 06:29 PM

Can we all please stop mentioning LeBron in this thread. He's a disgrace compared to the REAL greats.

TheMarkMadsen

03-29-2015, 07:32 PM

Worst I've seen from my guys?

Jordan: 1996 Finals, and 1997 ECF
Kobe: 2004 Finals, and 2011 WCSF ... HM: 2008 Finals, 2009 WCSF, 2010 Finals
LeBron: 2011 Finals, 2007 Finals, and 2010 ECSF

:biggums: :biggums:

08 the GOAT defense puts 3 guys on him and focuses their entire defense on him, while his 2nd option gets punked out

09 WCSF 27/5/4/2/1 on 45%..

2010 Finals 29/8/4 on 53% TS (higher TS% than all of Jordan's last 3 finals)

you're trippin

ArbitraryWater

03-29-2015, 07:38 PM

Kobe: 2004 Finals

HM: 2000 Finals, 2002 WCQF, 2002 WCF, 2003 WCSF, 2004 WCQF, 2004 WCF, 2008 Finals, 2010 WCQF, 2010 Finals, 2011 WCSF, 2012 WCSF

Heavincent

03-29-2015, 07:44 PM

navy

03-29-2015, 07:48 PM

lol, you guys turn every thread into Kobe and Lebron topics

Plenty of guys in the top 10, with terrible and great series.

Magic 32

03-29-2015, 08:03 PM

HM: 2000 Finals, 2002 WCQF, 2002 WCF, 2003 WCSF, 2004 WCQF, 2004 WCF, 2008 Finals, 2010 WCQF, 2010 Finals, 2011 WCSF, 2012 WCSF

2000 Finals = Feels good I now, but not if you use your brain.

2002 WCQF = 3 game sweep. One bad game. Nice try.

2002 WCF = Shouldn't a bad series have more bad games than good?

2003 WCSF = 32, 5, 4 (43.5% shooting).

2004 WCQF, 2004 WCF = Whatever......Colorado

2008 Finals = True.

2010 WCQF = That was before the knee drain, right?

2010 Finals = Again, shouldn't a a bad series have more bad games than good?

2011 WCSF = broken down. But sure, one bad game while getting blown out by 30.

2012 WCSF = true.

ArbitraryWater

03-29-2015, 08:16 PM

2000 Finals = Feels good I now, but not if you use your brain.

2002 WCQF = 3 game sweep. One bad game. Nice try.

2002 WCF = Shouldn't a bad series have more bad games than good?

2003 WCSF = 32, 5, 4 (43.5% shooting).

2004 WCQF, 2004 WCF = Whatever......Colorado

2008 Finals = True.

2010 WCQF = That was before the knee drain, right?

2010 Finals = Again, shouldn't a a bad series have more bad games than good?

2011 WCSF = broken down. But sure, one bad game while getting blown out by 30.

2012 WCSF = true.

I'll ignore the excuses crap, only the "more bad games than good"

2002 WCQF he shot 10-28 and 5-21, not just is this 2 of 3 games bad, but also the bad ones are at such a low level compared to other bad games.

2002 WCF, more bad shooting performances, 9-21 with 4 TO's, 8-24 33% with 2 Reb's and 3 Assists, 11-29 38% with 5 PF's and 5 TO's, and get this: In game 7 he missed 13 straight shots at one point (LMAO, 39% for the game), so which of these exactly are you trying to spin into a good game?

2011 is literally one great game (game 1), and it looks like he signed off after the opener, straight into the off season... how are you denying this.

I'll get to you about '03 another time, since I have the details on it elsewhere.

He's not a bad playoff performer overall, though.... fabulous runs in 2008, 2009, and would have had equally great years with a good cast the prior 2 years.

Of course co led the 2001 Lakers to a WC sweep.

Milbuck

03-29-2015, 08:20 PM

I'll ignore the excuses crap, only the "more bad games than good"

2002 WCQF he shot 10-28 and 5-21, not just is this 2 of 3 games bad, but also the bad ones are at such a low level compared to other bad games.

2002 WCF, more bad shooting performances, 9-21 with 4 TO's, 8-24 33% with 2 Reb's and 3 Assists, 11-29 38% with 5 PF's and 5 TO's, and get this: In game 7 he missed 13 straight shots at one point (LMAO, 39% for the game), so which of these exactly are you trying to spin into a good game?

2011 is literally one great game (game 1), and it looks like he signed off after the opener, straight into the off season... how are you denying this.

I'll get to you about '03 another time, since I have the details on it elsewhere.

He's not a bad playoff performer overall, though.... fabulous runs in 2008, 2009, and would have had equally great years with a good cast the prior 2 years.

Of course co led the 2001 Lakers to a WC sweep.
The most hilarious part about your posts in this thread are that you haven't watched a single series you've mentioned, all of it is stuff you've read...or as you put it, "researched"...on old ISH threads. You literally cannot formulate a basketball opinion on your own :oldlol:

Magic 32

03-29-2015, 08:32 PM

"2002 WCQF he shot 10-28 and 5-21, not just is this 2 of 3 games bad, but also the bad ones are at such a low level compared to other bad games."

See this is the problem when you don't actually see games and start spouting based on box scores.

Kobe had 2 possessions in the 2nd and 3rd quarter when he got fouled on back-to-back shots and tip-ins attemps without getting a call.

So that's basically 10-24.

Overall he set the tone at the beginning of the game and helped end it in the 4th. The "Kobe stopper" was never the same after that.

1st qtr = 5-8 fg
4th qtr = 2-4 fg

"2011 is literally one great game (game 1), and it looks like he signed off after the opener, straight into the off season... how are you denying this."

Broken mentally and psychically after Pau lost game 1.

And not having great games is not the same as having a bad series."

I could go on, but why bother.

ArbitraryWater

03-29-2015, 08:34 PM

The most hilarious part about your posts in this thread are that you haven't watched a single series you've mentioned, all of it is stuff you've read...or as you put it, "researched"...on old ISH threads. You literally cannot formulate a basketball opinion on your own :oldlol:

Watched quite a few of these on YouTube.. all actually?

Not sure if the channel still exists.. lakeptic or something like that has/had them all.

"2002 WCQF he shot 10-28 and 5-21, not just is this 2 of 3 games bad, but also the bad ones are at such a low level compared to other bad games."

See this is the problem when you don't actually see games and start spouting based on box scores.

Kobe had 2 possessions in the 2nd and 3rd quarter when he got fouled on back-to-back shots and tip-ins attemps without getting a call.

So that's basically 10-24.

Overall he set the tone at the beginning of the game and helped end it in the 4th.

1st qtr = 5-8 fg
4th qtr = 2-4 fg

"2011 is literally one great game (game 1), and it looks like he signed off after the opener, straight into the off season... how are you denying this."

Broken mentally and psychically after Pau lost game 1.

And not having great games is not the same as having a bad series."

I could go on, but why bother.

Pointing out shots where he supposedly got fouled but didnt get the call? :roll:

Dude, comedy.. we could do this for anyone.

Magic 32

03-29-2015, 08:43 PM

Pointing out shots where he supposedly got fouled but didnt get the call? :roll:

Dude, comedy.. we could do this for anyone.

Take a look at this game and this play....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oWrIP6I4dc&t=2m56s

If somebody posted highlights from this game you would be the first to point out his 43.5 shooting, when in fact he shot 45.8 and should have had another 40+ points win against the Spurs.

So yes, knowing small details can actually make you a better fan (or a better hater in your case).

ArbitraryWater

03-29-2015, 08:46 PM

Take a look at this game and this play....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oWrIP6I4dc&t=2m56s

If somebody posted highlights from this game you would be the first to point out his 43.5 shooting, when in fact he shot 45.8 and should have had another 40+ points win against the Spurs.

So yes, knowing small details can actually make you a better fan (or a better hater in your case).

I remember that game, it was a great performance since I think (memory here) his 3 last shots/misses came all in garbage time trying to pad, irrelevant misses.. so he really played alot better when it mattered. Honesty, dude.

edit: hah, I even predicted the busty chick in the crowd at the table.. saw her couple of times at Laker games.

Magic 32

03-29-2015, 08:48 PM

I remember that game, it was a great performance since I think (memory here) his 3 last shots/misses came all in garbage time trying to pad, irrelevant misses.. so he really played alot better when it mattered. Honesty, dude.

Well then surely getting knocked upside your head by Ruben Patterson witout getting calls can factor into your trashings of individual games.

ArbitraryWater

03-29-2015, 08:53 PM

Well then surely getting knocked upside your head by Ruben Patterson witout getting calls can factor into your trashings of individual games.

Which game are you talking about? Better not be the 5-21 one.. I doubt this really changed his overall performance much, might have to rewatch if you insist, but we both know Kobe has also gotten plenty of calls gone his way..

Magic 32

03-29-2015, 08:57 PM

Which game are you talking about? Better not be the 5-21 one..

https://themidnightalliance.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/i-give-up.gif%3Fw%3D720

Jacks3

03-29-2015, 09:13 PM

Worst I've seen from my guys?

Jordan: 1996 Finals, and 1997 ECF
Kobe: 2004 Finals, and 2011 WCSF ... HM: 2008 Finals, 2009 WCSF, 2010 Finals
LeBron: 2011 Finals, 2007 Finals, and 2010 ECSF

lol what?

2009: 27/5/5/2/1+/55% TS/114 ORTG against the two best perimeter defenders in the league in Artest/Battier.

2010: 29/8/4/2+/1+/53% TS/108 ORTG against a historically great defense. A defense that had the best playoff defensive rating in history though three rounds.

:biggums: