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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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19 Jun 2000: Shaquille O”Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a free throw during the NBA Finals Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Pacers in 116-111. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport
19 Jun 2000: Shaquille O”Neal #34 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a free throw during the NBA Finals Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Pacers in 116-111. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport /

20. Shaquille O’Neal, L.A. Lakers vs. Indiana, Game 6 (2000)

Shaquille O’Neal got swept the first time he appeared in the NBA Finals. His ego and talents were far too immense by the time he teamed up with Kobe Bryant and the Lakers in the 2000 Finals against Indiana.

Neal physically dominated and averaged 38.0 points and 16.7 rebounds while marauding to the first of his three consecutive straight NBA Finals MVP awards. By this point in his career, O’Neal was still as mobile as he ever was, but had added strength and maturity to his game.

O’Neal had three 40-plus scoring efforts in the Finals, including 43 in Game 1. Coach Larry Bird and the Pacers even adopted the infamous “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy.

"“He’s the most dominating player in our league,” Bird said. “He was phenomenal throughout the series.”"

The Pacers won Game 5 and led 94-89 heading into the fourth quarter of Game 6. Shaq and the Lakers simply overwhelmed down the stretch. He finished the game scoring 41 points and inhaling 12 rebounds to nail down the first title for he and Kobe Bryant.

Next: Passing Of The Torch