How many great players have had a great Game 7?

[flashwade33]

Btw, although I think "not allowing a game 7" is not a credible argument, not losing any playoff series with HCA is crazy impressive for Jordan. I think going 6-0 in the Finals is also pretty impressive and looks perfect.

[ClintonDemocrat]

Worthy had a triple double against the Bad Boy Pistons in Gm 7 of the Finals. That was a performance most superstars would love to have. Certainly no slouch of an opponent to do that against even in Game 1.

Worthy may not have met the "great" threshold in many minds, but he was good enough to be the 1st pick of the draft and was a 2nd tier star player at worst. Borderline superstar, maybe. He certainly had a lot of attributes that you'd normally associate only with the superstar class, but even the 82 NCAA title game, he had the best game and was the team's MVP and tournament MVP, but Jordan steals the show as usual with a late shot (now a lot of younger fans think Jordan was the guy who was most responsible for their championship). Worthy took a back seat in those moments for the most part.

[The4thHorseman]

In 2000 Kobe lead the Lakers in points, rebs, blocks & assists in the WCFs to start a 3-peat. That was the real NBA Finals. There was no way the East would beat either the Lakers or Blazers.

In 2002 Kobe had 30, 10, 7 & 2 against the Kings. Again this was the real NBA Finals. There is no way the Nets would beat either the Kings or Lakers.

So Kobe has had great game 7s.

Cant defend his O in the 2010 FInals game 7 aka the game where everyone was completely gassed, but in the series he averaged 29/8/4/2. Bill Simmons wanted to give Kobe the Finals MVP if the Celtics won. But at least guard Kobe out rebounded both Celtics bigs combined. Warrior.

Kobe fans have been using the bolded for quite awhile. He's played poorly in about 5 of the 7 Finals he's been in so they use stats leading up to the Finals for their argument.

What you do in the Finals has been a measuring stick since MJ's run in the 90's

[USA]

Do you like the logic better if the same thing is said another way? ...Great players don't let lesser teams take them to seven.

If the series goes to 7 games, there clearly isn't a 'lesser' team.

[USA]

He's played poorly in about 5 of the 7 Finals he's been in

No he didn't played poorly. He shot 'poorly' but he sure the hell didn't play poorly. Big difference.

[The4thHorseman]

He's played poorly in about 5 of the 7 Finals he's been in

No he didn't played poorly. He shot 'poorly' but he sure the hell didn't play poorly. Big difference.

When you're the starting superstar shooting guard and shoot poorly from the field more often than not in the Finals, you didn't do your job and played poorly.