NBA Playoffs 2013: Best Individual Performances of the Postseason Thus Far

The 2013 NBA Playoffs have provided us with some of the most memorable individual performances of the season. From legendary scoring outbursts to dominant defensive clinics, we've seen players rise up and shine on the grandest stage in professional basketball.

The question is, which players have put on the best individual performances thus far?

This list is difficult to construct, as the postseason has provided the stage to some of the most memorable outings of the season. While some might appear to rise above the rest, there are a select few players that have separated themselves and entered the realm of the postseason's elite.

So what were the top performances of the 2013 NBA Playoffs?

5. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

Result: 104-83 win vs. Los Angeles Clippers (Game 4)

Basic Statistics: 24 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 9/14 FG, 6/7 FT

Key Statistic: Clippers' first back-to-back double-digit losses since Jan. 2, 2013

Entering Game 4 of the Memphis Grizzlies' first-round series with the Los Angeles Clippers, there were the signs of an early exit for the former. The Clippers took the first two games and Memphis' dominant Game 3 performance was unlikely to be followed up with another decimation.

Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol made sure it happened all over again.

Gasol was sensational on both ends of the floor, putting up 24 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. Gasol was 9-of-14 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free-throw line, making gorgeous fade-away jump shots all night.

That includes one of the highest hook shots you'll see all season.

On the defensive end of the floor, Gasol limited the Clippers to six fast-break points by getting back in transition as well as you could have asked. In the half court, Gasol was just as effective, protecting the rim and skying for blocks at every turn.

Who said the center position is dead?

4. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Result: 104-101 win at Houston Rockets (Game 3)

Basic Statistics: 41 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 13/30 FG, 4/9 3PT, 11/13 FT

Key Statistic: First game without Russell Westbrook since he was drafted in 2008.

Red flags were instantly raised earlier this week as Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn right meniscus. In turn, the pressure instantly raised for Kevin Durant to lead OKC on his own.

In his first game without Westbrook, Durant stepped up in as great of a way as possible.

Durant finished Game 3 against the Houston Rockets with 41 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block. He shot 13-of-30 from the field, 4-of-9 from beyond the arc and 11-of-13 from the free-throw line.

What more could you ask for?

The Thunder needed every one of Durant's points, as the Rockets went on a furious rally to take a 99-97 lead with 45 seconds remaining. As fate would have it, Durant stepped up with a clutch three-pointer to give the Thunder a 100-99 lead.

Oklahoma City never trailed again.

3. LeBron James, Miami Heat

Result: 110-87 win vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Game 1)

Basic Statistics: 27 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 9/11 FG, 1/2 3PT, 8/11 FT

Key Statistic: Led all players in points, rebounds & assists.

  

When you dominate a game by attempting 11 field goals, you're going to make your way on to this list.

During Game 1 of the Miami Heat's series against the Milwaukee Bucks, LeBron James flirted with a triple-double. He contributed 27 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, making 9-of-11 from the field and 1-of-2 from beyond the arc.

As his shot chart displays, this was efficient dominance (via NBA.com).

Pure and utter brilliance.

This may not have been James' flashiest performance, but it was one of his most effective ones. He led all players in points, rebounds and assists.

Just a few days later, he did it again.

It's become an expected occurrence, at this point.

2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Result: 131-117 win at Denver Nuggets (Game 2)

Basic Statistics: 30 points, 13 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 turnover, 13/23 FG, 4/10 3PT

Key Statistic: Denver Nuggets' first home loss since Jan. 18, 2013.

Entering Game 2 of their series against the Golden State Warriors, the Denver Nuggets hadn't lost a home game since Jan. 18, 2013. They had just saved that streak by winning a 97-95 thriller against the Warriors in Game 1.

And then Stephen Curry struck.

Curry was sensational, scoring at an elite level and facilitating in that same manner. With 30 points, 13 assists, five rebounds and three steals to just one turnover, Curry did everything possible to take down the Nuggets.

For the first time in 24 games, a team succeeded in winning a road game at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.

Curry was joined by a slew of sharpshooters, but this win ran directly through the NBA's leading three-point shooter's hands. From his four three-pointers to his 13 assists, Curry made everything happen and did with hadn't been done in more than three months.

Led a road win against the Denver Nuggets.

1. Nate Robinson, Chicago Bulls

Result: 142-134 win vs. Brooklyn Nets, 3OT (Game 4)

Basic Statistics: 34 points, 4 assists, 1 rebound, 2 steals, 14/23 FG, 3/7 3PT, 3/3 FT

Key Statistic: 23 Fourth Quarter Points.

Nate Robinson didn't just top this list, but he put on one of the greatest postseason performances in NBA history. While the basic statistics impress, scoring 34 points on 14-of-23 shooting isn't quite what separates Robinson from the rest in 2012-13.

It's the fact that he was one point off of Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls record for points scored during the fourth quarter.

With 2:54 remaining, the Bulls trailed 109-95 and failed to muster up any form of consistent offense. Just like that, Robinson went on a 12-0 by himself and brought the Bulls to within two points.

With 55 seconds remaining, Robinson drove the lane, passed it off to Carlos Boozer and assisted the game-tying basket.

During the first and second overtime periods, Robinson continued his clutch shooting by draining jump shots to both tie the game and create a lead. This helped Chicago to keep the pace as Joe Johnson came to life.

When it was all said and done, Robinson effective etched his name into the record books with one of the greatest clutch performances in postseason history.