Examining NBA Legends’ Best Playoff Performances Using Game Score
The NBA playoffs always deliver moments that will be remembered for years to come. From buzzer-beaters to dominant performances, the postseason is where legends are made. When discussing the greatest players of all time, many look to postseason success as a key factor. However, with the evolution of advanced statistics, a new measure of greatness has emerged – Game Score.
Game Score, developed by John Hollinger, takes into account all aspects of a player’s performance in a game to quantify their productivity. A Game Score of 10 is considered average, while anything above 40 is outstanding. By looking at the best playoff performances of some of the NBA’s greatest players, we can see how they stack up against each other.
Stephen Curry, known for his sharpshooting and playmaking, had his best playoff performance in Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Finals, scoring 47 points with eight rebounds and seven assists for a Game Score of 37.2. Despite his impressive playoff resume, Curry has yet to have an outstanding performance by Game Score standards.
Kevin Durant, a scoring machine, had his best playoff performance in the 2021 Eastern Conference Semifinals, putting up 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists for a Game Score of 50.4. This performance ranks as the third-highest in NBA playoff history according to Game Score. Durant’s ability to dominate a game is evident, but he has only had one outstanding performance in his playoff career.
Kobe Bryant, a fierce competitor, had his best playoff performance in Game 2 of the 2008 Western Conference playoffs, scoring 49 points with 10 assists for a Game Score of 43.6. Bryant’s killer instinct and clutch performances set him apart, but he had just two outstanding performances in his playoff career.
LeBron James, a versatile and dominant force, had his best playoff performance in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, putting up 49 points, six rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and three blocks for a Game Score of 44.7. James’ ability to impact the game in multiple ways is unmatched, with six outstanding performances in his playoff career.
And then there is Michael Jordan, the standard of greatness in the NBA. Jordan’s best playoff performance came in Game 3 of the 1992 Eastern Conference playoffs, scoring 56 points with five rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks for a Game Score of 49.8. Jordan’s ability to dominate on both ends of the court is reflected in his Game Score, with seven outstanding performances in his playoff career.
As the NBA playoffs continue to unfold, we can expect more legendary performances that will be etched in the history books. The Game Score statistic provides a new perspective on how we measure greatness in the NBA, highlighting the incredible feats of some of the league’s greatest players.