Following the Warriors’ Game 6 victory over the Cavaliers in the 2015 NBA Finals—sealing the franchise’s first championship in 40 years—Andre Iguodala was named Finals MVP for his efforts defending LeBron James.
There was significant buzz that James would take home Finals MVP even if Cleveland fell short of a title. He was frequently the best player on the floor throughout the series, but voters opted to reward “Iggy” for turning the series around after he was inserted into the starting lineup by head coach Steve Kerr.
Iguodala was a huge piece to the puzzle, but by no means one of the best Finals MVPs in history. In fact, according to the metric we’ll use in this ranking—Game Score, a stat developed by John Hollinger, averaged throughout the Finals—he was the least effective on record with an average Game Score of 13.63. (For reference, a Game Score of 10 is average, while a score of 40 is outstanding.)
So which former Finals MVP reigns supreme based on average Game Score throughout the season’s final series?
Note: Because Game Score could not be recorded until the mid-1980s, we had to use our best judgement in order to rank players without it.
Isiah Thomas, Pistons (1990)
Isiah Thomas Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 20.14
Finals Stats: 27.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.4 blocks, .542/.688/.742 shooting splits
Of the 23 players in the ranking we calculated an average Game Score for, Isiah Thomas is the lowest. That certainly doesn’t belittle his accomplishments as a member of the “Bad Boys” Detroit Pistons, though. The former No. 2 overall pick upped his scoring output in a big way during the Finals compared to his regular season average of 18.5 points per game.
Hakeem Olajuwon, Rocketes (1994)
Hakeem Olajuwon Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 21.0
Finals Stats: 26.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals, 3.9 blocks, .500/1.000/.860 shooting splits
The average Game Score “Hakeem the Dream” posted in the 1994 Finals isn’t nearly as impressive as the one he collected the year after (we’ll get to that). However, Olajuwon solidified the interior for Houston while dominating as the defensive anchor. He averaged an absurd 3.9 blocks per contest throughout the seven-game series against the New York Knicks.
Michael Jordan, Bulls (1998)
1997-1998 Chicago Bulls Salary Breakdown | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 21.36
Finals Stats: 33.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.7 blocks, .427/.308/.814
Only one of Michael Jordan’s absurd six Finals MVPs earned a lower Game Score than his go-round in 1998 (when he was 34 years old, mind you). MJ poured in the points at 33.5 per game, but he wasn’t terribly efficient. He shot just 42.7 percent from the field while converting an ugly 30.8 percent of his threes. But hey, he knocked down the biggest shot of the series.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Lakers (1985)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 21.65
Finals Stats: 25.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.5 blocks, .604/N/A/.769 shooting splits
Despite the fact that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was at the advanced basketball age of 37 when the Lakers took home the title in 1985, he was still able to enforce his will offensively. So much so, in fact, that the Hall of Famer sky hooked his way to converting more than 60 percent of his field goals.
Joe Dumars, Pistons (1989)
Joe Dumars: Playoff Averages by Season | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 22.35
Finals Stats: 27.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.3 blocks, .576/.000/.868
Typically remembered more as a defensive stopper rather than an elite scorer, Joe Dumars flexed his offensive muscles in the 1989 Finals. In a four-game sweep over the Lakers, Dumars scored 22, 33, 31 and 23 points, respectively.
John Havlicek, Celtics (1974)
John Havlicek Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: N/A
Finals Stats: 26.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.9 steals, 0.0 blocks, .429/N/A/.872 shooting splits
Throughout the Bill Russell-era Celtics years, John Havlicek collected eight championship rings as the primary wingman for the legendary center. NBA Finals MVP didn’t exist as an award until 1969, though, so Havlicek only had three shots at winning it during Boston’s years as a dynasty. His 26.4 points per game in the Finals led the team.
LeBron James, Heat (2013)
LeBron James: Playoff Averages by Season | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 22.53
Finals Stats: 25.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.9 blocks, .447/.353/.795 shooting splits
Barring an ugly Game 3 performance that saw LeBron James and the Heat lose by a comical 36-point margin, LBJ played at his usual high standards.
In a Game 7 closeout win, James scored 37 points (on 52.2 percent shooting) to accompany 12 rebounds, four assists and just two turnovers. Miami needed him to step up big when it mattered most, and he did just that.
Tim Duncan, Spurs (1999)
Tim Duncan Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 22.64
Finals Stats: 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.2 blocks, .537/.000/.795
“The Big Fundamental” was just 22 years old when he won Finals MVP back before the turn of the century, which makes it even more impressive that he averaged 27.4 points and 14 rebounds per contest for the series. Those numbers handily led the team, as the young phenom steered the Spurs to an easy 4-1 series victory over Latrell Sprewell, Allan Houston and the New York Knicks.
Rick Barry, Warriors (1975)
Rick Barry Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: N/A
Finals Stats: 29.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 3.5 steals, 0.8 blocks, .444/N/A/.938 shooting splits
During his playing days, Rick Barry was a “score first, ask questions later” type of guy. He scored more than 25,000 points in his professional career (split between the NBA and ABA) and poured in 29.5 points per contest back when the Warriors won their first title 40 years ago.
Interestingly, Barry’s numbers in the ’75 Finals were worse nearly across the board compared to his regular season stats. Still, Barry was able to swipe a ridiculous 3.5 steals per game, and he only missed two free throws throughout the four-game sweep.
Kobe Bryant, Lakers (2009)
Kobe Bryant Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 22.82
Finals Stats: 32.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.4 blocks, .430/.360/.841 shooting splits
Kobe Bryant’s critics love to point out his standing as a notorious ball hog, but the 7.4 assists per game he dished out in the 2009 Finals ranks tied for sixth all time among Finals MVPs. “The Black Mamba” is undoubtedly at his best when he’s scoring at will and setting up teammates for easy scores.
A two-time Finals MVP, Kobe’s other win (in 2010) featured a ghastly 6-of-24 shooting performance in Game 7. That netted Bryant a Game Score of just 9.9, which dragged his other Finals MVP out of the top 30.
Bill Walton, Trail Blazers (1977)
Bill Walton Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: N/A
Finals Stats: 18.5 points, 19 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.0 steals, 3.7 blocks, .545/N/A/.789 shooting splits
You could make an argument that Walton should be lower in the ranking, given that we can’t calculate an average Game Score for his Finals performance, and that he only scored 18.5 points per game. However, the big man dominated enough in other categories to raise his stock.
His 19 rebounds per game is second-best among Finals MVPs (Wilt Chamberlain is first). Walton also dished out 5.2 assists per contest and blocked a silly 3.7 shot attempts on average. It’s a shame he wasn’t able to stay healthy throughout his career, because he was one of basketball’s best ever at his peak.
Moses Malone, 76ers (1983)
Moses Malone Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 23.13
Finals Stats: 25.8 points, 18 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.5 blocks, .507/N/A/.660 shooting splits
Moses Malone also won league MVP for the 1982-83 season in addition to his Finals MVP. His regular season numbers were impressive, but he bettered them across the board on the NBA’s highest stage.
Malone bullied Kareem Abdul-Jabbar down low in the 4-0 series sweep by out-rebounding him 72 to 30.
Michael Jordan, Bulls (1997)
1996-1997 Chicago Bulls Scoring Distribution (Regular Season) | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 23.38
Finals Stats: 32.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 1.2 steals, 0.8 blocks, .456/.320/.764 shooting splits
MJ won his fifth career Finals MVP in 1997 when his Bulls dispatched the Utah Jazz in six games. Jordan was expectantly brilliant. Perhaps the only negative with his performance was that he converted just eight of 25 three-point attempts.
LeBron James, Heat (2012)
LeBron James Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 23.64
Finals Stats: 28.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 0.4 blocks, .472/.188/.826 shooting splits
It took LeBron James nine seasons before reaching the mountaintop via an NBA championship, but he was finally able to hoist the Larry O’Brien trophy
Larry Bird, Celtics (1986)
Larry Bird Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 23.88
Finals Stats: 24 points, 9.7 rebounds, 9.5 assists, 2.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, .482/.350/.939 shooting splits
“Larry Legend” came ridiculously close to averaging a triple-double during the ’86 Finals against Houston. He posted trip-dubs in Games 3 and 6.
The 1986 Celtics steamrolled through the playoffs, going 15-3 over the course of four series. Bird was at the top of his game, but contributions from Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson, Danny Ainge, Robert Parish and others made this squad an absolute juggernaut.
Tim Duncan, Spurs (2003)
Tim Duncan: Playoffs vs. Regular Season Scoring | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 24.12
Finals Stats: 24.2 points, 17 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 5.3 blocks, .495/.000/.685
Looking at average Game Scores, Tim Duncan’s best Finals MVP occurred in 2003 against Jason Kidd and the New Jersey Nets. TD set the tone early with an unbelievable outing in Game 1.
In the series opener, Duncan scored 32 points (on 11-of-17 shooting), grabbed 20 rebounds, dished out six assists, swiped three steals and added seven blocks to the box score. That equated to an eye-popping Game Score of 40.8, one of the highest ever in a Finals game.
Hakeem Olajuwon, Rockets (1995)
Hakeem Olajuwon: Playoffs vs. Regular Season Scoring Output | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 24.5
Finals Stats: 32.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.0 steals, 2.0 blocks, .483/1.000/.692 shooting splits
Olajuwon’s Rockets had little trouble with a young Shaquille O’Neal and the Orlando Magic in the ’95 Finals, dispatching them in a four-game sweep.
Hakeem should get his due for competing admirably against Shaq, but the supporting cast (namely Clyde Drexler and Robert Horry) shouldered a significant load as well.
Larry Bird, Celtics (1984)
1983-1984 Boston Celtics | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 24.54*
Finals Stats: 27.4 points, 14 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 steals, 1.1 blocks, .484/.667/.842 shooting splits
Throughout the 1984 Finals (a seven-game series against the rival Lakers), Bird led the Celtics in points, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, rebounds and steals per game.
That’s not to say his supporting cast was a bunch of scrubs—five other guys averaged double-digit points—but Bird was the catalyst.
Note: Only four Game Scores are listed for Bird in this series, so we made calculated estimates to figure out an average in this one-off scenario.
Wilt Chamberlain, Lakers (1972)
Wilt Chamberlain Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: N/A
Finals Stats: 19.4 points, 23.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, .600/N/A/.543 shooting splits*
Wilt Chamberlain’s 23.2 rebounds per game during the 1972 Finals are by far the most of any Finals MVP in history. After a lackluster 12-point showing in Game 1 (a 22-point loss for LA), “The Stilt” helped guide Lakerland to four straight victories and the title.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bucks (1971)
1970-1971 Milwaukee Bucks | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: N/A
Finals Stats: 27 points, 18.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, .605/N/A/.762 shooting splits
As a 23-year-old phenom before his days with the Lakers, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar took home Finals MVP as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. While steals and blocks were not recorded at this time, Kareem did more than enough in terms of scoring and rebounding—vaulting him up the list.
In the four-game sweep, Milwaukee outscored the Baltimore Bullets by an average of more than 12 points per game.
Dwyane Wade, Heat (2006)
Dwyane Wade Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 25.38
Finals Stats: 34.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 steals, 1.0 blocks, .468/.273/.773 shooting splits
Just by glancing at Dwyane Wade’s jaw-dropping numbers, it’s clear the 2006 Finals MVP put together a series for the ages.
It took him a little while to get going—he shot just 38.6 percent combined through the first two games against Dallas—but transcendent performances in Games 3-6 led to four straight wins that dug Miami out of an 0-2 deficit and clinched the title. Wade simply refused to lose.
Michael Jordan, Bulls (1992)
Michael Jordan: Playoff Averages by Season | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 25.83
Finals Stats: 35.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, .526/.429/.891
What stands out most about MJ’s 1992 Finals dominance is his efficiency. If he had made just one more of his free throws, he would have posted a convincing 50-40-90 for the series. That’s absolutely absurd given the level of competition.
Then again, no stats posted by “His Airness” should be baffling. This is simply what he did time and time again.
Magic Johnson, Lakers (1980)
Magic Johnson Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: N/A
Finals Stats: 21.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 2.7 steals, 0.3 blocks, .573/.000/.875
Even though he was a 20-year-old rookie at the time, Magic Johnson was not the slightest bit intimidated by the big stage of the NBA Finals.
The Lakers got other huge series showings from Abdul-Jabbar and Jamaal Wilkes, but the dynamic talent Johnson brought to the table from the get-go (scoring, rebounding, distributing) was too much for voters to ignore.
Shaquille O’Neal, Lakers (2001)
Shaquille O’Neal: PER Throughout Career | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 27.44
Finals Stats: 33 points, 15.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.4 steals, 3.4 blocks, .573/N/A/.513
“Shaq Diesel,” “The Big Aristotle,” “The Big Cactus”…Shaq’s numerous nicknames were only trumped by his dominant skills on the court.
A three-time Finals MVP, Shaq actually scored the lowest in 2001 based on the metric we chose and still chimed in at No. 7 overall…stay tuned.
Jerry West, Lakers (1969)
Jerry West Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: N/A
Finals Stats: 37.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 7.4 assists, .490/N/A/.839 shooting splits
Jerry “The Logo” West holds the distinction of being the first NBA Finals MVP ever. He’s also the only player to date who won the award despite playing for the losing team.
It appeared for a time as if LeBron James was poised to join his company in 2015, but Andre Iguodala got the nod in the eyes of voters. It’s a testament to West that he was able to take home the award without winning a ring, but should also hurt his case in any ranking since his team didn’t actually win it all despite his numbers.
Magic Johnson, Lakers (1987)
Magic Johnson: PER Throughout Career | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 28.3
Finals Stats: 26.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 13 assists, 2.3 steals, 0.3 blocks, .541/.500/.960 shooting splits
Magic won Finals MVP three times, but 1987 is the only instance where Game Score was being calculated for him. It helped show exactly how dominant he was throughout the six-game series against Boston (LA’s fierce rival).
With a 39-year-old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar running out of gas, Magic was (pardon the pun) magic. He led the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals, and was very clearly the no-brainer choice for MVP.
Michael Jordan, Bulls (1991)
Michael Jordan – PER Throughout Career | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 29.36
Finals Stats: 31.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 11.4 assists, 2.8 steals, 1.4 blocks, .558/.500/.848 shooting splits
Guess who again. Jordan makes yet another appearance, this time cracking the top five. In addition to shooting 55.8 percent from the floor, the Hall of Fame 2-guard found teammates for 11.4 assists per game on average throughout the five-game series.
MJ is best known for his scoring ability and killer mentality in the clutch, but he made a concerted effort in 1991 to be an elite distributor on top of that. Synopsis: he was pretty good.
Michael Jordan, Bulls (1993)
Michael Jordan Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 29.63
Finals Stats: 41 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.7 steals, 0.7 blocks, .508/.400/.694
Evidently Jordan had a bone to pick Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns when they met in the 1993 NBA Finals. Chuck had been named league MVP and certainly did enough to justify that honor, but Jordan was still at the peak of his powers and likely felt miffed that he wasn’t deemed Most Valuable Player.
The results were ugly for Phoenix, as MJ eviscerated the Suns by averaging a video game-esque 41 points per game. And yet, this stellar Finals MVP performance only checks in at No. 3 on the countdown. So who locks down the top two spots?
Shaquille O’Neal, Lakers (2002)
Shaquille O’Neal: Playoff Averages by Season | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 30.07
Finals Stats: 36.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.5 steals, 2.8 blocks, .595/N/A/.662 shooting splits
If you guessed (or knew) that Shaq would be a likely candidate to eclipse MJ by Game Score average among Finals MVPs, you have our respect.
The New Jersey Nets kept things close (only losing by single digits in three of the four games), but that only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. O’Neal used his hulking frame to bully the Nets en route to a series sweep—completing the Lakers’ three-peat.
Shaquille O’Neal, Lakers (2000)
Shaquille O’Neal Overview | PointAfter
Average Game Score in Finals: 30.55
Finals Stats: 38 points, 16.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.7 blocks, .611/N/A/.387 shooting splits
Even shooting a putrid 38.7 percent at the charity stripe wasn’t enough to keep the Diesel out of the top spot. His average Game Score of 30.55 sustained throughout the 2000 Finals is the best among players who have the data available.
Simply put, Shaq was a one-man wrecking crew at his basketball apex. The Indiana Pacers fought valiantly in this matchup, but nobody could stop O’Neal. He never scored below 33 points in a game in the series and converted 61.1 percent of his field goals. A truly remarkable six-game stretch that earns the No. 1 spot in our countdown.