Man, you ever think about those times when unexpected heroes steal the spotlight in the NBA Finals? Let’s talk about some of the most incredible performances by role players in the Finals. Like, we're talking about the kind of games that make you punch the air and yell, “Are you kidding me?” These performances might not always be the ones splashed across headlines, but they are the heartbeat of any legendary series.
Okay, first off, when Andre Iguodala snagged the 2015 NBA Finals MVP, everyone was like, "Hold up, what just happened?” This guy coming off the bench transformed the Finals against the LeBron-led Cavaliers. He averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. I mean, this dude's performance was so locking down on defense that he practically threw a wrench in LeBron’s massive gear. And, do you know what? His rug-cutting clamps on LeBron held him to just 38.5% shooting. It seems simple, but in the stats world, that’s a game changer.
Switch gears to 1980 – Magic Johnson's rookie season. But not Magic, let’s discuss Jamaal Wilkes. Man, everyone remembers Magic’s 42 points, but Wilkes went ahead and dropped 37 points with 10 rebounds. He posted that while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was sitting out, and the Lakers crushed the Sixers in Game 6. Wilkes carried the Lakers on his back, showing insane efficiency by shooting 61% from the field in that game. Now, that’s what I call stepping up when your team needs you the most.
Ever heard of Brian "Big Shot" Shaw? Yeah, the guy stepping up in 2000 for the Lakers against the Pacers. Shaw had the gumption to nail key shots, contributing to that team’s aura. He averaged 6.6 points and 4 assists per game in the Finals, and despite the relatively humble numbers, Shaw’s timely three-pointers might have tipped the series late in games.
2011 – the Dallas Mavericks and Jason Terry. A bonafide bench warrior, Terry wasn’t just a hot hand for a few minutes here and there. Dude put the Mavs on his back with 18 points per game across the series. And remember that cold-blooded dagger three-pointer he hit in LeBron's grill during Game 5? Coaches bang on about the 3-point line, but this was personal; Terry hit 44% from beyond the arc in that series.
Let's rewind to 1995. Big shot Robert Horry of the Houston Rockets. Yes, the guy who seems to pop up whenever there’s silverware around. In the '95 Finals against the Magic, Horry averaged 17.5 points, 10 rebounds, and solid defense over four games. And there’s this one game, man – he's out there swiping four steals and swatting his hands with five blocks in Game 3. Talk about cost-efficiency; that’s getting maximum return on investment.
Gary Neal and Danny Green in 2013 NBA Finals, Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs. These two lit it up from three-point land. Neal posted 24 points in Game 3, hitting six threes like a human enhanced machine. Green, meanwhile, set an NBA Finals record by making 27 three-pointers over the series. Together, their three-point blitz kept the Spurs in the hunt across the tight seven-game series. Efficiency from downtown? Absolutely nuts.
Going modern again, do you remember Fred VanVleet’s Finals performance in 2019? Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors. Fred went from undrafted to undenied as he bagged 14 points per game, coming pretty much off the bench. And when the Raptors clinched it in Game 6, his 22 points with five three-pointers put the Warriors' dynasty on ice. Do you think six-man backing isn't winning play? Fred made a slam-dunk case.
Lastly, if you haven't heard of Tayshaun Prince's '04 Finals lockdown on Kobe Bryant, where have you been? Prince wasn't just playing defense; he posted a human wall and a seven-foot wingspan to walk the Lakers' offense mile to mile. He averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds. Crash the boards? Prince glued the Pistons' lockdown identity with memorable wing defense, driving the underdog Pistons to the top in five games against the mighty Lakers.
If you’re all about basketball highlights, you need to check out arena plus. These performances remind us basketball is so much more than just star power. It’s that next-man-up mentality that sometimes shifts the series, freezes the moment, and shines the light on unsung heroes.