#Best games of 2016 nba series
O’Neal dominated the paint, leading both teams in the series in scoring, rebounding, and blocks. This Finals performance from Shaq should go down, in my opinion, as the best series ever by a center. That’s right, Shaq again! Shaq won his first championship with the Lakers in 2000 against the Indiana Pacers in six games. His incredible stats in the paint (rebounds, blocks, and shooting percentage) are even more remarkable because he was going up against all-time great defender Dikembe Mutombo. He also led his team in field goal percentage shooting an outstanding 57.3% for the series. Shaq corralled the most rebounds for either team in each of the five games with 20, 20, 12, 14, and 13. He also led his team with 33 points per game, while only Allen Iverson scored more in the series with 35.6 points per game. Shaq was a beast down low, leading both teams in total rebounds and blocks. In the 2001 Finals, Shaquille O’Neal led the Lakers to the second championship of their 3-peat from years 2000-2002. He also recorded the most blocks ever in an NBA Finals series with 32. Duncan tallied the most rebounds for either team in all 6 games, with 20, 12, 16, 17, 17, and 20.
![best games of 2016 nba best games of 2016 nba](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ns2FmBoeii8/hqdefault.jpg)
In a six game series where only one team scored over 100 points once (the Spurs with 101 in Game 1), rebounding and defense were critical. What makes Duncan’s series so remarkable is the amazing numbers he put up on both ends of the floor. He also led his own team in assists throughout the series. Duncan led all players, from both teams, in the series in points, rebounds, and blocks. In 2003, Tim Duncan, and the San Antonio Spurs, defeated the New Jersey Nets in six games to bring home his, and their, second of five championships. If that wasn’t enough, Lebron and the Cavs also made NBA history by becoming the first team ever to overcome a 3-1 series deficit, while winning the championship in Game 7 at Oracle Arena. Lebron James absolutely dominated the series, in all facets of the game, by being the first player ever to lead both teams in the Finals in all five major statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. More impressively, they did so over the Golden State Warriors who had just completed the best regular season record of all time, going 73-9 that season. In the 2016 NBA Finals, Lebron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first ever NBA championship. Now, let’s look at who these superstars are who put up these incredible numbers on the biggest stage in basketball.
![best games of 2016 nba best games of 2016 nba](https://espnpressroom.com/us/files/2020/03/NBAESPN_Header_1600-780x405.jpg)
![best games of 2016 nba best games of 2016 nba](http://gametransfers.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Best-Game-of-2016-on-Metacritic.jpg)
This allows you, as readers, to form unbiased conclusions as to who you think had the best championship series ever. The table excludes the names, and any other information about the series, in hopes of providing purely statistical evidence for these amazing performances.
![best games of 2016 nba best games of 2016 nba](https://fansided.com/files/2015/08/j.r.-smith-lebron-james-stephen-curry-nba-playoffs-golden-state-warriors-cleveland-cavaliers.jpg)
The table incudes the stat lines of what I believe to be the top five best statistical NBA Finals performances in history. The Stats, Without Player Biasīefore scrolling down or reading any further, I encourage readers to analyze the following chart by itself. This article will simply provide the statistics, and some context, of what I believe to be the top five most dominating individual Finals performances in NBA history. In anticipation for this season’s final series, I decided to take a look at some of the historically great NBA Finals performances. From the East, will Giannis Antetokounmpo lead the Milwaukee Bucks to their first Finals appearance since 1974? Or will Kawhi Leonard take Toronto to the championship in just his first season as a Raptor? Although the Golden State Warriors have already cemented their place in the Finals from the West, their fifth in as many years, which superstar will lead their team? Will Kevin Durant return for a shot at his third straight Finals MVP trophy? Or will Steph Curry finally get his first? One thing that’s certain is, no matter what superstars are playing in the series, we’re guaranteed to see some big performances from these great players. With this year’s NBA Finals approaching, there are still many questions as to who will be playing in the championship series.