3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 2003
DUNCAN'S STATS
Points per game: 24.2
Boards per game: 17.0
Assists per game: 5.3
PER: 32.0 The single most underrated Finals performance of all time, hands down, belongs to Duncan in 2003.
Relatively few viewers saw it because of the Spurs-Nets pairing, and because of the general consensus that the East was something of a minor league. But Duncan was unbelievable.
Despite going up against two top-notch defensive players in Kenyon Martin and Dikembe Mutombo, and despite lacking a superstar teammate to deflect attention (Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were just getting their feet wet, while David Robinson was on his way out), Duncan completely dominated. His averages of 24.2 points, 17.0 boards and 5.3 assists were impressive enough, but what really sealed the deal was his defense.
Duncan averaged 5.3 blocks per game for the series, the most of any player since the merger, and was at his best in the clinching Game 6 as San Antonio rallied from an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit. He fell two blocks shy of a quadruple-double and forced the Nets' Martin into a 3-for-23 disaster from the floor. Overall, his 32.0 PER for the series is the second-best since the merger.
11. Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 1999
FINALS STATS
Points per game: 27.4
Boards per game: 14.0
Blocks per game: 2.2
PER: 30.7
With the NBA reeling from missing part of the season due to a lockout, and with two defensive-minded teams squaring off in the Finals, a lot of fans gave this one a pass.
Those who stuck around witnessed a dominating effort on both ends by Duncan, who averaged 27.4 points and 14.0 rebounds, shot 53 percent from the floor and even went 35-for-44 from the line. Included in Duncan's tally were 33 and 16 in the opener and a run in the second half of the clinching Game 5 when he scored 14 of San Antonio's 15 points.
Meanwhile, he keyed one of the best defensive efforts in Finals history -- New York didn't clear 90 points the entire series and mustered only 67 in a suffocating Game 2 Spurs win.
With Duncan leading the way, San Antonio set an NBA record by winning 12 straight playoff games, and his series PER of 30.7 is the seventh-best since the merger. He also is one of only three players -- Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal are the others -- to have two or more Finals series with a 30-plus PER.
32. David Robinson, San Antonio, 1999
FINALS STATS
Points per game: 18.6
Boards per game: 11.8
Blocks per game: 3.0
PER: 26.3
What made this edition of the Spurs so dangerous is that both the Admiral and Tim Duncan were near the peak of their powers. Once Robinson's back loosened up, San Antonio shook off a 6-8 start to finish the season on a 46-7 tear.
He was a lethal second weapon against the Knicks in the Finals, too, with 18.6 points, 11.8 boards and 3.0 blocks, and he piled up 48 free-throw attempts in five games on his way to his first championship. In Game 4, Duncan (18) and Robinson (17) combined to outrebound the entire Knicks team.
34. Tony Parker, San Antonio, 2007
FINALS STATS
Points per game: 24.5
Boards per game: 5.0
Assists per game: 3.3
PER: 26.0
This was an absolute dog of a series, with Cleveland overmatched against the mighty Spurs, but let's give Parker credit for shooting better than ever. He scored 24.5 points per game and shot 56.8 percent from the floor by continually punishing the Cavs for conceding long jumpers to him in order to stop his drives.
That's been the game plan against Parker his whole career, but for four games last June his shooting stroke gave him the perfect antidote.
36. Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 2007
FINALS STATS
Points per game: 18.3
Boards per game: 11.5
Blocks per game: 2.25
PER: 25.2
Some felt Duncan should have been the series MVP instead of Parker, and those folks had a case.
While Duncan struggled offensively in the Game 4 clincher, it was his rock-solid defense that provided the backbone of a scheme to suffocate Cavs star LeBron James. Additionally, he posted his usual solid numbers -- 18.3 points, 11.5 boards, 2.3 blocks -- and nearly matched Parker in terms of PER.
40. Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 2005
FINALS STATS
Points per game: 20.6
Boards per game: 14.1
Blocks per game: 2.14
PER: 21.8
Duncan averaged 20.6 points and 14.1 boards for the series, though he didn't dominate against the Pistons' imposing front line of Ben and Rasheed Wallace. But he took over when needed.
That was especially true in Game 7, when he put the Spurs on his back in the second half to lead them to the le. Duncan finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, including a cross-court find of Manu Ginobili for a game-icing 3-pointer.