Top 10 Finals leaders all time

[SouBeachTalents]

Points
1. Jordan 1993: 41
2. Barry 1967: 40.8
3. Baylor 1962: 40.6
4. Shaq 2000: 38
5. West 1969: 37.9
6. Shaq 2002: 36.3
7. Jordan 1992: 35.8
8. Iverson 2001: 35.6
9. Wade 2006: 34.7
10. West 1966: 33.9

Rebounds
1. Russell 1959: 29.5
2. Russell 1961: 28.8
3. Wilt 1967: 28.5
4. Wilt 1964: 27.6
5. Russell 1962: 27
6. Thurmond 1967: 26.7
7. Russell 1963: 26
8. Russell 1964: 25.2
9. Russell 1965/Wilt 1969: 25

Assists
1. Magic 1985: 14
2. Magic 1984: 13.6
3. Magic 1987: 13
4. Magic 1988: 13
5. Magic 1983: 12.5
6. Magic 1991: 12.4
7. Jordan 1991: 11.4
8. Cousy 1961: 10.6
9. Frazier 1970: 10.4
10. Cousy 1960/Nixon 1980: 10

[SamuraiSWISH]

Points
1. Jordan 1993: 41
2. Barry 1967: 40.8
3. Baylor 1962: 40.6
4. Shaq 2000: 38
5. West 1969: 37.9
6. Shaq 2002: 36.3
7. Jordan 1992: 35.8
8. Iverson 2001: 35.6
9. Wade 2006: 34.7
10. West 1966: 33.9

Rebounds
1. Russell 1959: 29.5
2. Russell 1961: 28.8
3. Wilt 1967: 28.5
4. Wilt 1964: 27.6
5. Russell 1962: 27
6. Thurmond 1967: 26.7
7. Russell 1963: 26
8. Russell 1964: 25.2
9. Russell 1965/Wilt 1969: 25

Assists
1. Magic 1985: 14
2. Magic 1984: 13.6
3. Magic 1987: 13
4. Magic 1988: 13
5. Magic 1983: 12.5
6. Magic 1991: 12.4
7. Jordan 1991: 11.4
8. Cousy 1961: 10.6
9. Frazier 1970: 10.4
10. Cousy 1960/Nixon 1980: 10

[Beastmode88]

41 ppg.

[LAZERUSS]

Russell accumulated most of his Finals records against the Lakers in the decade of the 60's. He faced them five times in the 60's (and before Wilt arrived in 68-69.) Unfortunately for Wilt, Chamberlain never had the same luxury. Not even once.

But, how about this...

Psileas actually pointed this fact out long ago, but it is certainly worth repeating...

had Wilt been fortunate enough to have faced the Lakers in the post-season, from '60 thru '68, and he likely would own many playoff (or perhaps Finals) scoring records. And we are not talking about one or two "small samples" either, but rather, his entire H2H play against LA (and Minny) from '60 thru '68...and in seasons of between 7 to 12 H2H games.

Keep in mind that Russell WAS fortunate enough to have faced the Lakers FIVE times in the post-season in that span (actually six, but in the last one, he faced Wilt, and as expected, did absolutely nothing offensively), and it was against LA in which he elevated his playoff scoring and FG%. In fact, remove the Lakers from his post-seasons, and his offensive production would have dropped considerably.

Here were Russell's numbers against LA in those five series:

'62:

Russell averaged 18.9 ppg on a .457 FG% in his regular season against the NBA.

Against LA in the Finals: 22.9 ppg on a .543 FG%. Which included a game seven of 30 points and 40 rebounds.

BTW, against Wilt in the '62 EDF's: 22.0 ppg on a .399 FG%


'63:

Russell averaged 16.8 ppg on a .432 FG% in his regular season.

Against LA in the Finals: 20 ppg on a .467 FG%


'65:

Russell averaged 14.1 ppg on a .438 FG% against the NBA.

Against LA in the Finals: 17.8 ppg on a .702 FG% (yes, .702.)

BTW, against Wilt in the EDF's: 15.6 ppg on a .447 FG%


'66:

Russell averaged 12.9 ppg on a .415 FG% against the NBA.

Against LA in the Finals: 23.6 ppg on a .538 FG%

BTW, against Wilt in the EDF's: 14.0 ppg on a .423 FG%


'68:

Russell averaged 12.5 ppg on a .425 FG% against the NBA

Against LA in the Finals: 17.3 ppg on a .430 FG%

BTW, against Wilt in the EDF's: 13.7 ppg on a .440 FG%


Oh, and here were Russell's stats in the '69 Finals against Wilt:

Regular season against the NBA: 9.9 ppg on a .433 FG%

Against Wilt in the Finals: 9.0 ppg on a .397 FG%

Again, had Wilt faced the Lakers in any of his nine seasons in the league from '60 thru '68, and he likely would own at least some, (if not a vast majority), playoff and perhaps Finals, scoring records (and perhaps FG% records, as well, since Russell shot .702 against LA in '65.)

And once again, in Wilt's regular seasons, he was facing LA between 7 to 12 games in each season, with an average of about 10.

Also keep in mind that the Lakers were in the Western Conference, and Wilt only had two seasons in the Western Conference from '60 thru '68, and in one of those, his team was so bad, that he didn't make the playoffs, despite a 44.8 ppg season on .528 shooting.


Ok, here we go:

'59-60:

Against the entire NBA that season: 37.6 ppg on a .461 FG%

Against the Lakers in 9 H2H's: 36.8 ppg on a .430 FG%

High games of 41, 41, 41, 45, and 52.


'60-61:

Against the entire NBA: 38.4 ppg on a .509 FG%

Against the Lakers in 10 H2H's: 40.1 ppg on a .506 FG%

High games were 41, 41, 43, 44, 46, and 56 points.


'61-62:

Against the entire NBA: 50.4 ppg on a .506 FG%

Against LA in 9 H2H games: 51.6 ppg on a .503 FG%

High games of 48, 56, 57, 60, 60, and 78 (with 43 rebounds.)


'62-63: Against the entire NBA: 44.8 ppg on a .528 FG%

Against LA in 12 H2Hs: 48.6 ppg on a .541 FG%

High games of 40, 40, 42, 53, 63, and 72 points.


'63-64: Against the entire NBA: 36.9 ppg on a .524 FG%

Against LA in 12 H2Hs: 44.3 ppg on a .484 FG%

High games of 40, 41, 47, 49, 50, 55, and 59 points.


'64-65: Against the entire NBA: 34.7 ppg on a .510 FG%

Against LA in 8 H2Hs: 29.9 ppg on a .476 FG%

High games of 40, 40, and 41 points.


'65-66: Against the entire NBA: 33.5 ppg on a .540 FG%

Against LA in 10 H2Hs: 40.8 ppg on a .559 FG%

High games of 42, 49, 53, and 65 points.


'66-67: Against the entire NBA: 24.1 ppg on a .683 FG%

Against LA in 9 H2Hs: 26.4 ppg on a .759 FG%

High games of 32, 37, and 39 points.


'67-68: Against the entire NBA: 24.3 ppg on a .595 FG%

Against LA in 7 H2Hs: 28.1 ppg on a .638 FG%

High games of 31, 32, 35, and 53 points.


Overall, in those 86 games:

40 Point Games: 42

50 Point Games: 19

60 Point Games: 7

70 Point Games: 2

High game of 78 points.

[knicksman]

Care to list the worst performers OP

[inclinerator]

wilt

agreed

[k0kakw0rld]

41 ppg.

You only play 7 games max in the finals. #chillout

[knicksman]

You only play 7 games max in the finals. #chillout

but its the difference between 6/6 and 2/5

[warriorfan]

You only play 7 games max in the finals. #chillout

[scandisk_]

steals, blocks?

might as well add some advanced stats in there

[Shih508]

Kobe and Lebron are no where to be seen LOL

Overrated

[Hey Yo]

41 ppg.

avg over 33FGA per game

[ImKobe]

avg over 33FGA per game

AI took over 32 FGA per game for 35.6 ppg

[pauk]

Baylor was insane that Finals, he had the only 60 point game and stuff.

B-b-bu-but lost finals, 0 of 1 Finals....

[24-Inch_Chrome]

Kobe and Lebron are no where to be seen LOL

Overrated

Not really. The only place where either would have any shot at making it would be PPG, and if you consider who's on that list/context surrounding their finals, it's not a big deal that Kobe/LeBron don't make the cut. RPG is inflated due to weak era/low FG%, APG is dominated by point guards (Jordan being the sole exception).