Each NBA Conference Finalist's Greatest Postseason Moment of All Time
Each NBA conference finalist's greatest postseason moment of all time includes a collection of signature highlights and standout performances unique to each player.
This list includes those individual moments for each of the current starters on all four of the 2013 conference finalist teams.
For the players with multiple championships, like Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Dwyane Wade, pinpointing one postseason moment includes selecting from a long list of career highlights.
The biggest performances on the biggest stages were weighed more heavily in those cases.
For the emerging postseason stars, like Paul George and Roy Hibbert, those playoff moments are, in many cases, more recent.
Memphis Grizzlies: Zach Randolph
1 of 20Zach Randolph leads No. 8 Grizzlies past No. 1 Spurs
During the 2011 postseason, Zach Randolph proved the Memphis Grizzlies correct for investing heavily in the big man who had just joined the fourth NBA team of his career.
Highlighting that postseason run was a 31-point performance from Randolph to eliminate the No. 1 seed San Antonio Spurs in Game 6.
In 13 postseason games for the Grizzlies that year, Z-Bo averaged 22.2 points and 10.8 rebounds.
The Spurs would have their revenge in 2013, however, eliminating Randolph's Grizzlies in four games to advance to the NBA Finals.
Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol
2 of 20Gasol's postseason high ties Thunder series at 1-1
After dropping Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Marc Gasol responded with a playoff-high 24 points to even the series at 1-1.
Gasol, the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year, logged 43 minutes while shooting 8-of-13 from the field to finish with 24. He also grabbed five rebounds and dished out five assists while connecting on all eight of his free-throw attempts.
After leading Memphis to the 99-93 win, the Grizzlies went on from here to eliminate the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games.
Memphis Grizzlies: Tayshaun Prince
3 of 20Tayshaun Prince blocks Reggie Miller in 2004
After arriving in the midseason trade that shipped Rudy Gay out of town, Tayshaun Prince proved to be a valuable member of the Memphis Grizzlies in 2012-13.
In 37 regular-season games, Prince averaged 8.8 points and 4.2 rebounds as a role-playing starter. He went on to average seven points and 3.8 rebounds in 15 postseason games as well.
Way back in the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals, however, Prince connected on what many consider the greatest block in NBA playoff history.
Coming from the opposite side of the court, he successfully chased down Indiana Pacers' superstar Reggie Miller at a critical moment in the game to deflect a shot attempt at the rim.
The Pistons went on to eliminate the Pacers before defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals.
Memphis Grizzlies: Tony Allen
4 of 20Tony Allen gets buckets in Game 6
Tony Allen is a defensive specialist.
But even those NBA players who pride themselves on defending the league's elite scorers as well as Allen does like to see their names in the box score.
During the 2012-13 postseason, Allen averaged a playoff career-high 10.3 points for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Highlighting that postseason performance was a 19-point effort in Game 6 to help his team eliminate the Los Angeles Clippers.
Memphis Grizzlies: Mike Conley
5 of 20Mike Conley's Game 2 duel with Chris Paul
Mike Conley never backed down from Chris Paul during the Memphis Grizzlies' opening-round series with the Los Angeles Clippers.
During Game 2, specifically, Paul came at Conley and the Grizzlies with everything he had.
Conley punched back, however, finishing with 28 points and nine assists on 50 percent shooting from the field.
His Grizzlies would lose this battle, 93-91, but go on to win the series.
Despite the 2-0 deficit, Memphis used this effort as a catalyst to beat the Clippers in their next four games.
San Antonio Spurs: Tony Parker
6 of 20Tony Parker named 2007 NBA Finals MVP
Tony Parker's postseason career is jam-packed with signature moments.
His greatest of all moments could very well come in the 2013 NBA Finals.
His finest to date, however, lasted throughout the 2007 NBA Finals.
After the Spurs had transitioned from Tim Duncan's team to Parker's by design, he went out and dominated the series against an undermatched Cleveland Cavaliers.
During the Finals, Parker averaged 24.8 points on 56.8 percent shooting to lead his Spurs to the four-game sweep of the Cavs.
San Antonio Spurs: Danny Green
7 of 20Danny Green hits three to force OT against Warriors
With the San Antonio Spurs trailing the Golden State Warriors 106-103 during Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Danny Green connected on this three-pointer to force overtime with under a minute to play.
The Spurs would go on to win the game 129-127 in the extra session.
Green finished with 22 points, making six of his nine three-point attempts on the game.
San Antonio Spurs: Kawhi Leonard
8 of 20Kawhi Leonard's follow-up smash
The San Antonio Spurs have advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in Kawhi Leonard's career.
On this particular play, during the Western Conference Semifinals, Leonard served up an example of what he's brought to the playoff push.
With an aggressiveness that matches his effort defensively, Leonard followed his own shot before collecting the rebound and converting the emphatic finish.
San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan
9 of 20Tim Duncan arrives as NBA Finals MVP in 1999
Tim Duncan was named NBA Finals MVP during his second season with the San Antonio Spurs.
He's gone on to become a five-time NBA champion while connecting on three-pointers to win critical games along the way.
Despite that, though, it was Duncan's ability to exceed expectations and dominate his first NBA Finals against the New York Knicks that began to write his Hall of Fame legacy.
On 53.7 percent shooting, Duncan averaged 27.4 points and 14 rebounds in five games for the series.
San Antonio Spurs: Tiago Splitter
10 of 20Tiago Splitter scores career high in Game 6
Heading into the 2013 NBA Finals, Tiago Splitter has appeared in 28 postseason games for the San Antonio Spurs.
During Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals, he set a career high with this 14-point performance against the Golden State Warriors.
Splitter shot 6-of-8 from the field while helping his team to series-clinching win.
Indiana Pacers: Paul George
11 of 20Paul George dunks on Birdman
Paul George has solidified his place among the NBA's premier superstars during the 2013 postseason.
He has had moments that have lasted for 48 minutes and continues to turn in one highlight after another along the way for the Indiana Pacers.
This play, however—during Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals—was particularly special.
While almost symbolizing George's rise during the playoffs, he leapt over Chris Andersen and leveled a dunk on the Birdman that sent him staggering to the floor.
Indiana Pacers: David West
12 of 20West goes for 21 points, eight rebounds and four blocks against Hawks
David West has added an element of physical play inside for the Indiana Pacers that the Miami Heat have had difficulty matching during the Eastern Conference Finals.
Way back in Game 6 against the Atlanta Hawks, however, West also stepped up emphatically to help his team advance to the second round.
While leading the Hawks 3-2, West turned in a 21-point, eight-rebound and four-block performance to clinch the series for his Pacers.
Indiana Pacers: Lance Stephenson
13 of 20Lance Stephenson Dominates Knicks
Lance Stephenson scored 20 points to help his Indiana Pacers beat the Miami Heat 99-92 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
The night the kid from Brooklyn dropped 25 on his hometown Knicks, however, is the one they'll be talking about for a long time in NY.
Stephenson also collected 10 rebounds while shooting 9-of-13 from the field in the win that sent his team four wins away from the NBA Finals.
Indiana Pacers: George Hill
14 of 20George Hill Scores 26 in Game 4 vs. Knicks
The Indiana Pacers have collectively managed their way to the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals.
From Paul George to David West to Lance Stephenson and Roy Hibbert, it's been one player after another stepping forward with a signature postseason moment.
That moment came for George Hill during Game 4 of the conference semifinals.
Hill scored 26 points to help the Pacers take a 3-1 series lead over the Knicks before Indiana eliminated New York in six games.
Indiana Pacers: Roy Hibbert
15 of 20Roy Hibbert blocks Carmelo Anthony
It was the block heard 'round the world in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Or at least the block heard 'round the Association.
With under five minutes remaining and the New York Knicks leading by two points in an elimination game, Carmelo Anthony attacked the basket that Roy Hibbert was charged to defend.
In a moment that defined a player, his team and their collective swagger, Hibbert rejected Anthony's attempt.
That play went on to fuel a Pacers rally and the eventual elimination of the Knicks.
Miami Heat: Mario Chalmers
16 of 20Mario Chalmers scores 25 in Game 4 of NBA Finals
Despite the fact that Mario Chalmers gets yelled at by his Miami Heat teammates quite often, he has stepped up in the postseason many times.
During the 2012 NBA Finals, for example, he exploded for 25 points in a Game 4 win.
He even hit a monster shot with under one minute remaining that sealed the victory, putting Miami up five.
They eventually won the game by six, 104-98, before eliminating the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games.
Miami Heat: Udonis Haslem
17 of 20Udonis Haslem dunks over Derrick Rose in 2011 Eastern Conference Finals
Udonis Haslem has been responsible for the grunt work involved with winning two NBA championships during his time with the Miami Heat.
During the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals, however, he also displayed a flash of the same athleticism that has helped him play 10 years in the NBA.
In this particular moment, he rose up over reigning MVP Derrick Rose for the highlight-reel finish on the fast break.
Miami Heat: Chris Bosh
18 of 20Chris Bosh scores 19 in Game 7 of 2012 Eastern Conference Finals
Before winning their first NBA championship together, the Miami Heat's Big Three were facing elimination in Game 7 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals.
After returning from injury earlier in the postseason, Chris Bosh delivered a 19-point performance on 80 percent shooting from the field during his team's most critical moment of the season.
He also collected eight rebounds while knocking down three of his four three-point attempts.
His offensive effort helped fuel the 101-88 victory over the Boston Celtics during 31 minutes of work.
Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade
19 of 20Dwyane Wade emerges as 2006 NBA Finals MVP
When people suggest that Dwyane Wade's production has fallen off these days, they are essentially saying that he is not the guy he was during the 2006 NBA Finals anymore.
During that postseason moment of Wade's career, he was literally unstoppable on his way to averaging 28.4 points during the postseason.
On a team with Shaquille O'Neal at the center position—fresh off three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers—Wade was the biggest star on the NBA's biggest stage throughout the Finals.
He would lead his team past the Dallas Mavericks in six games to secure the 2006 NBA title.
Miami Heat: LeBron James
20 of 20LeBron James clinches NBA championship with triple-double
LeBron James has had many spectacular postseason moments during his NBA career.
His Game 5 performance against the Detroit Pistons in 2007 as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers stands out as his most memorable.
But stepping up to deliver a triple-double with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists in the deciding game of the 2012 NBA Finals qualifies as the greatest postseason moment of James' career.
The Heat won that Game 5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder by a score of 121-106, and James cashed in his first championship.
