Quote:
Originally Posted by candybar
I mean we're talking about a game in the conference semis here, not even a close-out or an elimination game. The level of significance is not very high by historical standards - what's amazing was the individual output. Sleepy Floyd was at least facing elimination. If the Nets don't manage to win the championship, this is just an all-time individual performance, with no historical significance. Likewise, the Sleepy Floyd game would've become historically significant if they managed to come back - they didn't, so it's just a great individual game.
It's gonna be tough to top Lebron's 2012 ECF Game 6 if you want to emphasize significance. The Heat were facing elimination against the Celtics Big 3 + Rondo who had previously eliminated him twice with Lebron still looking for his first title, after being crucified for failing to win the title the previous season. Bosh missed a bunch of games that series with abdominal issues and Wade was fighting through knee injuries as well. This series also essentially ended the Big-3 era in Celtics - it was like MJ finally beating the Pistons in 91, but delivered with more dramatic flair.
For instance, Barkley had this game on a bigger stage (WCF) against a better opponent (the SuperSonics led the league in net rating) but I don't think anyone would call it that significant. It was just a great individual game - no one really cares about the games you won on the way to a Finals loss.
https://www.basketball-reference.com...306010PHO.html
If we can agree the Sleepy Floyd thing should have never, ever been mentioned, we can look at the other two now proposed.
Much better. Though James monster game was a 20 point win we can't see his performance as quite as decisive.
Barkley's is close. Considering against Kemp and the dudes, even better.
But I still take Durant's game 5. Slightly better statistically than Barkley's and facing the situation of nearly 50 points missing from his two co-stars.
50 points missing from his two co-stars. That's carrying. And 2-2 winners win the series about 80%, and its the overall fave facing the situation, not a bogus team down 3-0.
So you catch my drift ... on the critical and carrying factors ... its Durant's Game 5. In my opinion. Magic Game 6 1980 is a good one. There are a lot of good ones. Not many where you overcome 50 points missing from teammates almost singlehandedly creating the win in a pivotal spot.