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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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UNITED STATES – JUNE 19: Basketball: NBA Finals, Aerial view of Los Angeles Lakers James Worthy (42) in action, making dunk vs Detroit Pistons, Game 6, Inglewood, CA 6/19/1988 (Photo by John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X36726)
UNITED STATES – JUNE 19: Basketball: NBA Finals, Aerial view of Los Angeles Lakers James Worthy (42) in action, making dunk vs Detroit Pistons, Game 6, Inglewood, CA 6/19/1988 (Photo by John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (SetNumber: X36726) /

11. James Worthy, L.A. Lakers vs. Detroit, Game 7 (1988)

The Lakers were at their 1980s “Showtime” zenith when they met the Detroit Pistons in the 1988 NBA Finals. Their long-time foes in Boston had finally been overtaken by Father Time and faltered in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Pistons were on their way to a mini “Bad Boys” dynasty, but it would have to wait another year. The Lakers had won four championships in the decade, led primarily by epic performances from Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Finally, in Game 7 against the Pistons in both a brutal and brilliant series, “Big Game” James Worthy had his turn in the spotlight of all-time Game 7 greatness. Worthy was more than worthy and logged a triple-double as the Lakers notched their second-straight championship.

He poured in 36 points, pulled in 16 rebounds and handed off 10 assists to clinch the Finals MVP. The classy and team-focused Worthy said he would have voted for Magic Johnson. After the Lakers had beaten Boston for the 1987 title, Pat Riley was asked if his team could repeat.

"“I guarantee it,” he said."

And they did.

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