NBA Playoffs 2013: Breaking Down Best Individual Performances so Far

The 2013 NBA playoffs have had some great individual performances.

Think Nate Robinson scoring 34 points against Brooklyn in the first round, with 23 coming into the fourth quarter, or Kevin Durant putting up 41 points and 14 boards against Houston in the first round, or Paul George scoring 18 points and adding 14 boards against New York in the second round.

It has been an exciting playoffs for great players.

While those performances have been special, they don't make the cut as the best individual performances in the playoffs.

Which players have had the best games so far? Read on to find out.

Tony Parker, Game 4, Western Conference Finals

Parker made the Memphis Grizzlies defense—a defense that gave up the fewest points per game in the regular season—look absolutely silly.

Parker scored 37 points on 15-of-21 shooting from the field. He also had six assists and four rebounds.

What's remarkable about this performance is that he only hit one three-pointer. Parker did his damage in the paint. He's an incredible driver and against Memphis he showed that he can be an effective finisher.

He doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves, but Parker is one of the best players in the NBA.  Jalen Rose even thinks that he's the third-best player in the league.

Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul might take exception to that, but there is no doubt that Parker is one of the elite players in the league. His performance against Memphis, in which he displayed all of his talents—his ability to drive to the hoop, his efficiency and his solid passing—proved his standing amongst the elite of the NBA.

Stephen Curry, Game 2, Western Conference Semifinals

Stephen Curry is probably the best pure shooter in the NBA. His performance against the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals put that sharpshooting on display.

Curry had 44 points, 11 assists and four rebounds. He shot 51 percent from the field and an outstanding 43 percent from three-point land.

He scored 34 of his points in the second half alone, including 14 consecutive points in the third quarter.

The Warriors did not end up winning this game, as they lost in heartbreaking fashion in overtime. Still, it was a really remarkable performance. Curry played in 58 minutes and was truly dominant. That sort of hot shooting over the course of nearly 60 minutes is astounding.

Curry's season ended when the Warriors lost in the second round, but he made an impression on all NBA fans and showed that he is the best shooter in the league.

LeBron James, Game 1, Eastern Conference Finals

LeBron James is the best player in the world. His performance against the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals showed why.

James had 30 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and three blocks. It was an historic performance. According to TrueHoop, it was the first time a player had a triple-double and scored the game-winning bucket at the buzzer. 

In addition, also according to TrueHoop, it was the first time since Ralph Sampson in 1986 that a player had at least 30 points, 10 boards, 10 assists and three blocks.

It was the fourth time James has scored at least 30 points, grab at least 10 rebounds and have 10 assists. The only player to do that is Oscar Robertson, per TrueHoop.

This performance was one for the ages, and it's only fitting that it finished with this slick game-winner:

James was the MVP of the regular season, and with good reason. His all-around game is unmatched in the league. His performance against the Pacers was absolutely fantastic, and the best so far this postseason.