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ruminations on sports and other complexities of the universe

--from Eric and Adam

March 15, 2011

7 Players for a 7-Game Series

I wanted to take a look at what I think is an interesting premise.  Who are the best players, not for a full season, but for a seven game playoff series?  Who can best win four out of seven games when the pressure is at its highest?  The players on this list score in a variety of ways, have a tough mental makeup, bring a skill that’s tough to defend, and impose their will on the game.

1. Kobe Bryant

You’re probably thinking that I invented the whole premise of this article so I could configure a list where Kobe could be number one.  You’re right, but that doesn’t change the fact that there is no other player I would want for one single series.  His Finals numbers are not quite where one would expect them to be, but he’s won five of the seven times he’s been there.  Seven Finals appearances and five rings add up to 26 victories just in those series for Bryant.  That’s incredible.  In addition, Bryant insatiably craves winning and seems to get better come playoff time.  Sometimes he over-shoots, but he also makes shots nobody else could, an important trait as playoff defenses ratchet up intensity.  He has the rare, seemingly genetic ability to control the flow, pace, and mood of a game.

2. Dwyane Wade

He’s the closest thing to Bryant we have in the league.  When Wade's healthy he can be absolutely dominant, like in 2006 when he carried a mediocre supporting cast to an NBA championship.  He plays with tremendous energy at both ends of the floor, which is rare for a certifiable superstar.  Wade can get to the line when he needs to, shoot from outside, involve his teammates, and make momentum-swinging plays like an earth shattering dunk, a crushing buzzer beater, or a perfectly timed steal.

3. Tim Duncan

I take the guy here with four Finals appearances and four rings.  When he sees the ultimate prize, he finds a way to get there.  Duncan’s older now, but there isn’t a smarter, more experienced, or more level-headed player in the game.  Winning in the postseason requires players that won’t overreact to a bad loss in a series; if you lose your focus, you can be swept in an eye blink.  Duncan won’t allow his team to get off track.  An excellent passer from the post, Duncan can still score at will when he gets enough touches and is a terrific rebounder.  He’s a huge half-court weapon, and the playoffs are a half-court game.

4. Paul Pierce

He’s a very good player during the regular season, a top-25 guy.  In the playoffs, he’s top-5.  Another one of those players that relishes every obstacle, every challenge, he perceives everything he hears to be a personal insult.  His body and his game are perfect fits for the playoffs, big and strong so he can take the inevitable playoff pounding and still get where he needs to on the floor.  Pierce has a lethal midrange jumper, can hit the three, and put the ball on the deck.  Like I’ve said, you must be able to score in multiple ways, because in the playoffs, defenses shut down the one trick ponies.

5. Dwight Howard

His teams haven’t come up huge in the playoffs yet, but it’s not his fault.  Howard dragged pedestrian supporting casts to the NBA Finals and East Finals the past two years.  If you have a guy that protects the rim and rebounds, you have a nice advantage.  When you have a guy that does both those things better than any other player, you should chase a championship every year.  To rise higher on this list, Howard must become more polished with his post game.

6. Derrick Rose

There’s just no way to guard him.  His jumper has gotten really good, you can’t keep him out of the lane, and he gets the opponent in foul trouble.  Fearless on the court, Rose isn’t intimidated by big time opponents (looking at you LeBron).  Typically a scorer first, but with 8 assists per game D-Rose certainly keeps his teammates involved.  As soon as he realizes he can dominate a game on defense, he can top this list.

7. Steve Nash

Even though Nash can’t play much defense, which is why he’s this low on the list, he’s as dangerous as it gets offensively.  A 6-foot point guard that shoots 52% from the field is incredible, a testament to just how smart a player he is.  In order to shoot that well, you basically need perfect shot selection.  40% from three and 91% from the line ain’t bad either.  Basically, in Nash you have the best passer in hoops who also happens to be the best shooter in the game, and oh yeah, makes the right decision on virtually every possession.

--from Adam

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