NBA HISTORY: STATISTICS ABOUT THE MOST EFFICIENT SCORERS IN NBA FINALS.

Most impressive records in NBA history about efficient scorers during the NBA FINALS.

This is the first part of a series of articles about historical records in NBA history during the playoffs. Specifically, we will begin with the NBA FINALS, the most important time of the year for the planet basket, when the TOP STARS must show up.

And, again, this year, the widely recognized 3 best players of their generation (Kevin Durant, LeBron James & Stephen Curry) answered present with amazing statistics during the finals.

But, Kevin Durant surpassed his two contemporary fellow with an astounding performance of efficiency that put him at the same level as Michael Jordan & Magic Johnson, two of the best players to ever play a game.

In fact, only 3 others players have reached the level of efficiency of Kevin Durant in the NBA FINALS when we apply strictly our filters (see below).

A. RECORDS IN SCORING EFFICIENCY.

As usual, I looked at players that reached the “magic trio” of at least 50% in 2 points field goal %, 40% in 3 points field goal % and 90% in free throw field goal % while playing at least 24 minutes / scoring 20 points per game in average during the NBA FINALS.

Since 1980 (the 3-Point Field Goal Percentage is available only since the 1979-80 season in the NBA), in the NBA FINALS, only 3 players have reached this benchmark in NBA history while winning the MVP of the finals and the title: Kevin Durant (this year), "Mr. Big Shot" Chauncey Billups in 2004 and Magic in 1987.

Michael Jordan  almost matched this amazing performance in back to back NBA FINALS in 1991 & 1992.
I added his two performances, that miss slightly the filter, as a tribute to the player who is widely considered as the G.O.A.T (in fact, this is another statistic that validate this view).

Finally, Anfernee Hardaway (while playing in the 1995 NBA Finals alongside Shaquille O'Neal), is the only other player to reach such a level of efficiency but in a losing effort (link to the series).

B. RECORDS IN SCORING EFFICIENCY (DATA PER GAME).

If we look at the statistic at the game by game in the NBA FINALS, we can see that 53 players have been able to produce a game with such efficiency.

The leaders are Manu Ginobili and Derek Fisher with 4 games each.

Of course, we found Kevin Durant, Magic (3 each), Michael Jordan and Chauncey Billups (2 each).

Without surprise, the list gives us some of the best to ever play in the history of NBA (Larry Bird, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitzki, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Joe Dumars,  Gary Payton, Reggie Miller...).

Among the active players that could reach again the NBA FINALS in their career, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are the 3 players that could beat the current record of efficiency by game in the coming years (4 to surpass).

a. From 1984 to 2017, in the playoffs, round is Finals, requiring 2-Pt Field Goal Pct >= 0.5 and 3-Pt Field Goal Pct >= 0.4 and Free Throw Pct >= 0.9 and Minutes Played  >= 24, sorted by most games matching criteria.

Source: www.basketball-reference.com.

IN THE SAME SERIES ABOUT EFFICIENCY: 

• NBA HISTORY: STATISTICS ABOUT THE MOST EFFICIENT SCORERS IN THE REGULAR SEASON. 
• NBA HISTORY: STATISTICS ABOUT THE MOST EFFICIENT 2-PT FIELD GOAL % SCORERS IN THE REGULAR SEASON. 
• NBA HISTORY: STATISTICS ABOUT THE MOST EFFICIENT 3-PT FIELD GOAL % SCORERS IN THE REGULAR SEASON. 

COMING SOON: FURTHER AMAZING STATISTICS...