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25 Greatest Performances In NBA Finals History

By Bill Speros

PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 16: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team owner Jerry Buss after they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA finals 4 games to 2 on May 16, 1980 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 16: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team owner Jerry Buss after they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA finals 4 games to 2 on May 16, 1980 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Jun 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the fourth quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the fourth quarter in game five of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

14. LeBron James, Cleveland vs. Golden State, Game 5 (2015)

LeBron James notched 40 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in Game 5 of the 2015 NBA Finals. Even more astonishing than those numbers, which produced his third triple-double in the NBA Finals, the depleted Cavaliers lost 104-91 to eventual champion Golden State.

James is responsible for three of the five triple-doubles in the history of the NBA Finals. James outscored, outrebounded and dished more dimes than any other player on the court – including all-universe MVP Stephen Curry.

He played center, forward and point guard, and would have played kicker, third base and quarterback if necessary. Without Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, not even LeBron at his greatest was enough on this night or in this series.

"“I don’t put a ceiling on what I’m capable of doing,” James said after the loss. “I know I’m shouldering a lot of the burden, but it is what it is.”"

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