RealGM

Who had the best first playoffs series in their career?

It's tough to say, because you have to adjust for opponent, team context etc, but some nominations:

1960 Wilt vs Nationals
1970 Kareem vs 76ers
1990 Robinson vs Nuggets
2005 James vs Wizards
2019 Jokic vs Spurs (I know, that's cheating)

Maybe I am forgetting someone, but to me Kareem is easily the most impressive here.

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/wilt-chamberlain-first-6-playoff-games

Over a 6 game series, he averaged 33.2 points, 23.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists and a **** ton of blocks and the occasional steal (records not kept but watching Wilt games on tape it would have been impossible for the above not to be true).

70sFan wrote:It's tough to say, because you have to adjust for opponent, team context etc, but some nominations:

1960 Wilt vs Nationals
1970 Kareem vs 76ers
1990 Robinson vs Nuggets
2005 James vs Wizards
2019 Jokic vs Spurs (I know, that's cheating)

Maybe I am forgetting someone, but to me Kareem is easily the most impressive here.

2008 Paul vs. Mavericks is a very underrated shout here. Perhaps Duncan's PS debut in 1998 against Phoenix, 2020 Doncic vs. Clippers. Hard to say without film or defensive indicators being too tangible back then - but 1957 Russell vs. Syracuse could certainly fit this Bill (no pun intended ).

I think you covered a lot of great options to start! Gun to my head, I would take Kareem in this conversation.

rk2023 wrote:

70sFan wrote:It's tough to say, because you have to adjust for opponent, team context etc, but some nominations:

1960 Wilt vs Nationals
1970 Kareem vs 76ers
1990 Robinson vs Nuggets
2006 James vs Wizards
2019 Jokic vs Spurs (I know, that's cheating)

Maybe I am forgetting someone, but to me Kareem is easily the most impressive here.

2008 Paul vs. Mavericks is a very underrated shout here. Perhaps Duncan's PS debut in 1998 against Phoenix, 2020 Doncic vs. Clippers. Hard to say without film or defensive indicators being too tangible back then - but 1957 Russell vs. Syracuse could certainly fit this Bill (no pun intended ).

I think you covered a lot of great options to start! Gun to my head, I would take Kareem in this conversation.

Agree with all of these. Will also add:

- 1968 Connie Hawkins versus the Pacers
- 1972 Julius Erving versus the Floridians
- 1972 Artis Gilmore versus the Nets
- 1974 Bob Lanier versus the Bulls
- 1974 Bob McAdoo versus the Celtics
- 1978 Marques Johnson versus the Suns
- 1980 Magic Johnson versus the Suns
- 1989 Kevin Johnson versus the Nuggets
- 2018 Donovan Mitchell versus the Thunder

Erving is the only one I would have as an all-time performance on par with most of those mentioned (and it is severely tempered by the underwhelming quality of competition), but each of those names performed outstandingly well overall. Gilmore’s has a bit of a negative aura to it because of the historic upset result, but to me that would be a bit like claiming David Robinson would not qualify for this list if his 1991 upset by the Warriors had been his first ever series.

One dude at age of 21 had triple double in his first PS game, followed by two game-winners and series win averaging 36/8/6 on .600 TS. Hint: It is migyas favourite basketball player.

Devin Booker was really good with his 29.7/6.2/5 on .626 TS% with a 47/11 closer on .905 TS% to boot.

Lillard and his 25.5/6.3/6.7 on .665 TS% (and of course his iconic game-winner) is not too shabby either.

More a second tier one but for I guy I just read we don't remember enough he didn't win a playoff game in Memphis ...

Pau Gasol versus Spurs 2004
29.4 PER
.221 WS/48 (0.7 OWS, -0.1 DWS)
9.6 BPM (8.0 OBPM, 1.7 DBPM)

Doncic was pretty good. I agree with Paul and Booker picks.

Can't believe noone's mentioned Jordan - 29.3pts, 5.8reb, 8.5ast, 2.8stl, 1blk, 56.5ts%, 120OR, 112DR, 9.5bpm.

Against among the best defensive guards ever, first two DPOY awards, Moncrief and Bucks.

migya wrote:Can't believe noone's mentioned Jordan - 29.3pts, 5.8reb, 8.5ast, 2.8stl, 1blk, 56.5ts%, 120OR, 112DR, 9.5bpm.

Against among the best defensive guards ever, first two DPOY awards, Moncrief and Bucks.

Probably because the series wasn't really competitive and because Moncrief torched Jordan on the other end of the floor. I think it was very impressive series for a rookie against such a good opponent, but I wouldn't put him near the top.

70sFan wrote:

migya wrote:Can't believe noone's mentioned Jordan - 29.3pts, 5.8reb, 8.5ast, 2.8stl, 1blk, 56.5ts%, 120OR, 112DR, 9.5bpm.

Against among the best defensive guards ever, first two DPOY awards, Moncrief and Bucks.

Probably because the series wasn't really competitive and because Moncrief torched Jordan on the other end of the floor. I think it was very impressive series for a rookie against such a good opponent, but I wouldn't put him near the top.

Competition quality means alot and Jordan outplayed him.

migya wrote:

70sFan wrote:

migya wrote:Can't believe noone's mentioned Jordan - 29.3pts, 5.8reb, 8.5ast, 2.8stl, 1blk, 56.5ts%, 120OR, 112DR, 9.5bpm.

Against among the best defensive guards ever, first two DPOY awards, Moncrief and Bucks.

Probably because the series wasn't really competitive and because Moncrief torched Jordan on the other end of the floor. I think it was very impressive series for a rookie against such a good opponent, but I wouldn't put him near the top.

Competition quality means alot and Jordan outplayed him.

Competition means a lot, but being competitive also means a lot. Why do you think Jordan outplayed Moncrief by the way?

70sFan wrote:

migya wrote:

70sFan wrote:Probably because the series wasn't really competitive and because Moncrief torched Jordan on the other end of the floor. I think it was very impressive series for a rookie against such a good opponent, but I wouldn't put him near the top.

Competition quality means alot and Jordan outplayed him.

Competition means a lot, but being competitive also means a lot. Why do you think Jordan outplayed Moncrief by the way?

Context. Moncrief had a much better team while Jordan was a lone hand for his, all the defense focussed on him.

migya wrote:

70sFan wrote:

migya wrote:

Competition quality means alot and Jordan outplayed him.

Competition means a lot, but being competitive also means a lot. Why do you think Jordan outplayed Moncrief by the way?

Context. Moncrief had a much better team while Jordan was a lone hand for his, all the defense focussed on him.

I don't deny that Squid had much better team around him, but Jordan had a 20 ppg teammate that drew at least some defensive attention and it's not like the series was competitive.

From my memory, Jordan also did a poor job defensively on Moncrief, though I didn't watch the series in a long time.