The Most Valuable NBA Finals MVP
D-WadeIf you thought that the numbers posted during the Most Valuable Regular Season MVP debate, Rookie of the Year question, and Defensive Player of the Year discussion were ridiculous, brace yourself for some unbelievable stats.
We’re looking at the greatest performances in the last thirty years of the NBA Finals – and seriously this one can’t just be written off to Michael Jordan. ESPN’s John Hollinger did a superb analysis of all Finals MVP’s this summer, and according to his Player Efficiency Rating, he determined that Dwyane Wade’s ‘05-06 Finals MVP performance was the best ever. We’ll let you decide among the names listed below:
* 2005-06 Dwyane Wade vs. Dallas – 34.7ppg, 46.8% FG, 7.8 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.7 spg, 1.0 bpg
* 1992-93 Michael Jordan vs. Phoenix – 41 ppg, 50.8% FG, 8.5 rpg, 6.3 apg, 1.7 spg, 0.7 bpg
* 1999-00 Shaquille O’Neal vs. Indiana – 38 ppg, 61.1% FG, 16.7 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.0 spg, 2.7 bpg
* 1994-95 Hakeem Olajuwon vs. Orlando – 32.8 ppg, 48.3% FG, 11.5 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2 spg, 2 bpg
* 1983-84 Larry Bird vs. L.A. – 27.4 ppg, 48.4% FG, 66.7% 3FG, 14 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.1 spg, 1.1 bpg
* 1989-90 Isiah Thomas vs. Portland – 27.6 ppg, 54.2% FG, 68.8% 3FG, 5.2 rpg, 7.0 apg, 1.6 spg
* 2006-07 Tony Parker vs. Cleveland – 24.5 ppg, 56.8% FG, 5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 0.8 spg
* 1986-87 Magic Johnson vs. Boston – 26.2 ppg, 54.1% FG, 8 rpg, 13 apg, 2.3 spg
* 2002-03 Tim Duncan vs. N.J. – 24.2 ppg, 49.5% FG, 17 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1 spg, 5.3 bpg
* 1982-83 Moses Malone vs. L.A. – 25.8 ppg, 50.7% FG, 18 rpg, 2 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.5 bpg
* 1988-89 Joe Dumars vs. L.A. – 27.3 ppg, 57.6% FG, 1.8 rpg, 6 apg, 0.5 spg, 0.3 bpg
* 2007-08 Paul Pierce vs. L.A. – 21.8 ppg, 43.2% FG, 4.5 rpg, 6.3 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.3 bpg
* 2003-04 Chauncey Billups vs. 21 ppg, 50.9% FG, 3.2 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.2 spg
November 19th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
SparkyJay23 says:
jordan 92/93 is fucking crazy
November 19th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
GEE...When your learnin the facts of life says:
Still Mike.
Even in looking at those numbers its still Mike.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
ruben says:
are you serious? hakeem’s is the best without a doubt. look at the stats. he had a combination of everything. most were higher than the rest of the people.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
GEE...When your learnin the facts of life says:
No Kobe anywhere lol.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
GEE...When your learnin the facts of life says:
ruben I am a Dream fan and Shaq’s numbers are better than his in more categories.
Even Dream ain’t close to Jordan on this.l
November 19th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
LD says:
Shaq and Duncan, WOW…
I’ll give BIG SHAQ the edge for 38ppg on 61%..
November 19th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
dapro says:
Most of those numbers across the board are crazy
Hollinger used his PER rating but I actually watched several of those finals and Shaq was as dominate as ever
Dwade carried the Heat almost by himself
November 19th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
P_Dizzle says:
99/00 Shaq is ridiculous. I might put that one as the top. Granted the Lake show didn’t “need” Shaq to beat that Pacers team but those are some sick numbers.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Prof. TX says:
I will say, though, that Dream’s numbers came against Shaq. Shaq’s numbers came against far less competition. It’s not enough to say Olajuwon wins this, just saying…
November 19th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
sans says:
I don’t know Shaq was incredible. 38 and 16, eating Larry Bird’s soul in the process. Indy didn’t have a chance with Shaq playing like that. 1 regular season MVP, but 3 Finals MVPs.
I remember Hakeem puttin the whuppin on Orlando, but seriously, Nick Andersen was the MVP of that series. After his choke job the Magic lost all their confidence and Houston just ran over them.
Mike’s was pretty ridiculous. I wish 2K would put together “Best Ever” Squads for teams like the Brawl Pacers, different Laker, 6er, Celtic lineups. Plus being able to play as MJ would be epic without it having to be all 8bit and Nintendo gross.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
vinny says:
Lets Hakeem ’s was aginst shaq, shaq aganist smits-right/ and duncan aganist wallace and wallace right?
I’ll go with Duncan
November 19th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
bill says:
theres no kobe cause kobe never won dipshit
November 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
justice says:
I want to say it’s not MJ too for god’s sakes but it’s really is him and shaq, hakeem is in the top 3 too.D-wade honarable mention
i can tell u who should be out billups and pierce especially pierce he outplayed everyone but he didn’t dominate at all…he shot 43% wtf..that was just a good finals performance
November 19th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
heckler...formerly 'yallallreadyknow' says:
ATNN DIME:
this stat is wrong. Timmy duncan did this against the NJ Nets (not the pistons in 2003)
2002-03 Tim Duncan vs. Detroit – 24.2 ppg, 49.5% FG, 17 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1 spg, 5.3 bpg
November 19th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
justice says:
Mike was suppose to lose that finals,phoenix was the better team imo
November 19th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
GEE...When your learnin the facts of life says:
Zeke’s numbers are pretty wild too.
Dang they was going off! THESE are clutch dudes!
November 19th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Dime Magazine says:
good catch heckler – thanks
November 19th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
vinny says:
Oh good call heckler, your right- gotta go with the dream then.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
rudderband man says:
Larry “Legend”!
November 19th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
JA says:
Shaq’s combined P+R+A of 57 > Jordan’s P+R+A of 55.8
Shaq’s combined B+S of 3.7 >> Jordan’s B+S of 2.4
Shaq’s FG% of 61.1% >> Jordan’s FG% of 50.8%
All crazy lines tho … except this one: 21.8 ppg, 43.2% FG, 4.5 rpg, 6.3 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.3 bpg
November 19th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
heckler...formerly 'yallallreadyknow' says:
hows about Jordan’s 1992 finals stats vs portland?
35.8pts, 6.5asts, 4.8rebs, 51% FG shooting
November 19th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
GEE...When your learnin the facts of life says:
So many against LA
November 19th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Say Wha? says:
Mike.
The Pacer’s never had a chance against Shaq’s Lakers to begin with. MJ’s Bulls had a lot more to overcome against Barkley’s Suns.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:35 pm
heckler...formerly 'yallallreadyknow' says:
pacers didnt even belong in the finals in 2000.
should have been the knicks.
that would have been crazy for the whole country.
y2k. east vs west. new york city vs los angeles. staples center vs madison square garden. jack nicolson vs spike lee. phil jackson vs old team. phil jackson vs jeff van gundy. glen rice vs allan houston. robert horry vs larry johnson. charlie ward vs derek fisher. kobe bryant vs latrell sprewell…and of course….shaquille o’neal vs patrick ewing
damn. would have been hella sweet
November 19th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
SayItAintSo says:
Johnson and Bird both were solid…I.Thomas too with that crazy 3 point percentage. Jordan as well…everyone else can be left off the list. D-Wade’s percentage was the least efficient on the list…how was he found to be the most efficient?
I’m not fond of players that live at the charity stripe.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
I’m suprised no one said 1988-89 Joe Dumars vs. L.A. – 27.3 ppg, 57.6% FG, 1.8 rpg, 6 apg, 0.5 spg, 0.3 bpg
I mean damn! 57% shooting for a two guard playing against the Lakers, Magic, Coop, B Scott.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:40 pm
vinny says:
Drink- wasnt that the year all the laker guards got hurt? just wondering.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
hahns says:
mj dropping 40+ a game at >50%???? phx didnt stand a chance……
November 19th, 2008 at 1:42 pm
jace says:
ill agree with wade. out of all of those.. 8 of which i actually watched.. wade was by far the most fun to watch. you could see in every play that he actually put the heat on his back and won it by sheer will.
i remember jordan of 92-93.. i was rooting for the suns because the round mound of rebound has JUST left philly. soo i was still a fan. crazy stats.. but not the team i wanted to win.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Michorizo says:
I thought Dirk was the MVP of the finals the year the Heat one. Dirk choking was more valuable to Miami than Wade’s numbers.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
D.H. says:
I know it was not the toughest opponent, but Timmy did have a pretty sweet line. I hate the Spurs, but you gotta at least put him in the top 5, right? 17 rbd and 5.3 blcks per . . . thats just nasty.
November 19th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
PALakerFan says:
Wasn’t 2002-2003 Duncan versus New Jersey???
04-05 was Duncan versus Detroit, I think.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
weezy f says:
id say its between shaq in 2000 or jordan in 92 but it has to go with jordan because he has more diversity in his game…shaqs field goal percentage wasnt because he was out hittin threes it was because kobe got him open under the basket
November 19th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Billy Sunday says:
i dont knowi f wade was the most efficient he averaged between 4 and 5 turnonvers?
November 19th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
PALakerFan says:
Why no love for Magic in ‘87? 26, 13, 8 is almost averaging a trip-dub against 4 starting HOFers and the defending champs. Jordan was against the defenseless Suns, Shaq against Rik Schmidts, Wade against the candy ass Mavs. Great numbers against crap competition.
I’ll also take Olajuwan, or Bird over everyone’s favorites. Great stats over great competion = the best MVPs.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
fallinup says:
Someday Dime will learn to stop throwing Jordan’s numbers up against other players and asking us to say who was best. The man was unreal. And that 93 series was the shit.
Paxson for three!
Bulls threepeat!
November 19th, 2008 at 2:08 pm
control says:
Jordan and Shaq, with honorable mention to Tim Duncan.
Wade would be up there, but I think at least 33% of his credit should goto those friendly refs.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
frankie says:
Wade’s numbers are BS – of course he’d be the most “efficient” player, since the refs let him take two shots every time he brought the ball up.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
PALakerFan says:
Sounds like most of the commentors weren’t even born yet but Moses averaging 26/18 against Kareem is incredible. ESPN Classic should show more of those games.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
isotope says:
Should we figure who the opponents are. Shaq got his numbers versus an old Rik Smits. Hakeem got his vs Shaq.
I still say MJ tho
November 19th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
karizmatic says:
Yes it’s still Mike 41 ppg vs the Suns. Unreal. Wade’s performance was legendary, but it’s still Mike.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Smitty313 says:
MJ than Shaq. D-Wades number don’t measure up. Shaq had no comp in the East at the time.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
isotope says:
Hakeem got his against a young and dominant Shaq. I’d put Dream’s numbers ahead of Shaq’s.
November 19th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Mikey says:
I think the ‘05-’06 officiating crew were more deserving of MVP than D-Wade. Seriously, that has to be the worst officiated finals in history, right?
November 19th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Notorious says:
MJ was the man, incredible stats, but don’t knock Duncan. Look at Duncans line, 24 pts, 17 reb, 5 assists, 5 blocks per game. Pretty wicked…
Some order of MJ, Duncan, Shaq and Dream. They are AG, All Good.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
webbie352 says:
larry & magic have pretty awesome lines.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Chaos says:
Jordan, Shaq, D-Wade, Magic and Duncan in that order
November 19th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Desrat says:
GOAT
He should have lost and did what no other human could to win. Did Mike ever lose a finals? That is domination, I think that he could will the ball in the hoop, or out of peoples hands. Barkley does not respect dudes that he could beat in his prime (who could he not beat?)
November 19th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
ERIC says:
MOSES
November 19th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
isotope says:
…and lets not forget. Shaq played 6 gamins in 2000 finals which means they lost twice. The Rockets didnt lose a finals game in 95. SWEEP CITY!
November 19th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Guitar Hero says:
D Wade did a wonderful job, based on sheer will, power, athleticism and talent…but, come on…with decent refereeing he would have a lot less ppg.
Shaq and TD had some AMAZING numbers,but the opposition was fragile. Rik Smits was a great offensive post player,but defensibly he was a liability.
I must go with Dream and MJ in this one. Absolutely dominant against quality opponents. Dream COMPLETELY schooled the Admiral and young Shaq on his way to the back-to-back. That was crazy.
November 19th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Ian says:
heckler
the knick didnt belong in 99 (larry johnson 4 point play) it was the pacers.
i remember this article by hollinger
it was wade duncan and jordan the top three
duncan was against mutombo and martin thats impressive
wade and the refs vs the mavs
jordan didnt go agains strong d
so id say its between duncan and magic followed by moses
dh
it was vs the nets the duncan line not detroit
and it was vs two great defenders that is what makes that amazing near quadruple double to close the series
desrat
remember duncan is perfect also in the finals
u know one reason i dont like shaq is cuz i think hes the superstar that has been sweept the most in nba history he almost had another last year.
November 19th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Bruce says:
MJ you foooooooooools. Even if you didn’t like him, he got it done. I didn’t like Mike growing up cause he killed the Knicks also every single year but then I later learned to embrace the man. Still a Knicks fan but can’t hate The Man.
No Mike — I swear thsi would have been true. Ewing said “This is our year.” Ewing said that in 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95. No Mike, we would have got ourself a Knicks Dynasty.
November 19th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Ian says:
bruce
really what happened in 94 n 95 then???? ohhh hakeem and reggie happened so it was not only mike. the combination of ewing talking out his ass and spike lee killed them agains the pacers
November 19th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Ian says:
bruce im not hating or anything but the ONLY real chance u had at a ring was in 97 when u got the suspensions and miami won the series
91 92 93 the west win vs u guys i mean comon it took u 7 games to beat a jordanless bulls
November 19th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
isotope says:
MJ
Hakeem
Magic
Thats the order. Duncan had a very serviceable Robinson to deal with Mutombo. He was guarded by KMart for most of that series.
November 19th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Ian says:
iso he was guarded by both and double by both all the time
and everyone had very serviceable teammates to deal with someone if u think about it man
November 19th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
sweetv0mit says:
did anybody notice that theres a lot of laker losses here? but as many championships as the lakers have won theres only 2 “best” finals mvp nominees…
November 19th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
bahama boi says:
u gatat b fuckin kiddin!!!! SHACK HANDS DOWN.. 38 point 17 reb and 61 % fg u gatat b fuckin kiddin me!!
November 20th, 2008 at 4:23 am
yoda says:
shaq
November 20th, 2008 at 5:28 am
iain. says:
One thing to remember is 61% FG for a center is easier to acheive than say 50% FG for a SG. Not easy by any means, but not as impressive as a guard shooting 50% over an NBA finals series.