After a sub-par performance in the Finals against the Dallas Mavericks last year, LeBron James redeemed himself in 2012, by leading the Miami Heat to their first title in six seasons. Not only was James named the Most Valuable Player of the Finals, he also became only the fifth player in history to register a triple-double in a title-clinching game (26 points, 13 assists, 11 rebounds). In doing so, he joins a short list of NBA legends who also accomplished this feat.
Magic Johnson - Los Angeles Lakers (1982 and 1985):
In the 1982 Finals, Johnson helped the Lakers close out the Philadelphia 76ers in six games, with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists in the series finale. Johnson would duplicate the feat in the 1985 NBA Finals against Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. In Game 6, despite shooting just 5-of-15 from the field, Johnson still found a way to have an impact on the game, scoring 14 points, collecting 14 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists.
Larry Bird - Boston Celtics (1986):
Following their disappointing loss to the Lakers in the Finals the previous year, the Boston Celtics stormed through the 1985-1986 season with a 67-15 record, including an impressive 40-1 mark at home. Leading the series 3-2 against the Houston Rockets, Bird made sure the series would not go a to seventh game, scoring 29 points to go along with 12 assists and 11 rebounds. The victory gave the Celtics' their third title of the decade. Unfortunately, the franchise would not win another championship until 2008.
James Worthy - Los Angeles Lakers (1988):
While Magic Johnson was the orchestrator of the Lakers' "Showtime" attack, it was the versatility of James Worthy that enabled the fast-paced offense to flow efficiently. With the series tied at 3-3, big game James delivered with 36 points, 16 boards and 10 assists as the Lakers defeated the Detroit Pistons 108-105 for their second straight title. The two teams would meet again in the Finals the following year, but the result would be much different as the Pistons swept the Lakers in four games.
Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs (2003):
The 2003 Finals featured the Spurs taking on the New Jersey Nets. In Game 6, the Nets actually outplayed the Spurs through the first three quarters and a seventh game seemed quite possible. However, the Spurs turned things around on both ends of the floor in the final frame. They outscored the Nets 31-14, en route to their second title in five seasons. Duncan played a key role in the Spurs' victory, scoring 21 points, pulling down 20 rebounds and handing out 10 assists. As if those stats weren't impressive enough, Duncan also had eight blocks as well, including three in the fourth quarter.
James Tillman III is a resident of the Chicago-land area, who has been a Bulls' fan since the 1987-1988 season. James is also a Featured Sports Contributor for Yahoo and a Sports Journalist for Sports Rantz Magazine. For discussions about the NBA and NFL, Follow him on Twitter @jtillman9693.
Sources:
http://www.lakersuniverse.com/championships/1985_statistics.htm
Lakers 1987-1988 Season in Review
2003 Finals: Spurs vs. Nets Game 6 Recap
Greatest Champions Ever - #3 Boston Celtics
