LeBron James: 10 Players That Outscored Him in an NBA Finals

LeBron James' place in basketball history has been a hot topic of discussion, while sifting through the aftermath of the 2011 NBA Finals.  Throughout his career, LeBron has been compared to the greatest basketball players of all time, from Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson.  LeBron's 17.8 points per game in the NBA Finals 2011, might have established the need to question those comparisons.  

Here are 10 players that have given comparable scoring performances since the 2000 NBA Finals.

10. Paul Pierce: Boston Celtics, 2010, 18.0 PPG

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics drives past Ron Artest #37 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknow

As part of the 2010 Boston Celtics three-superstar attack (or four if you count Rajon Rondo), Paul Pierce scored 18 a game in the seven-game series with the Lakers.

9. Pau Gasol: Los Angeles Lakers, 2009, 18.6 PPG; 2010, 18.57 PPG

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 21: Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol salutes the crowd while riding in the victory parade for the the NBA basketball champion team on June 21, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers beat the Boston Celtics 87-79 in 7 games

Complementing Kobe Bryant's NBA Finals dominance, Pau Gasol scored 18.6 PPG in 2009 and 18.57 PPG in the 2010 Finals.

8. Manu Ginobilli: San Antonio Spurs, 2005, 18.7 PPG

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SAN ANTONIO - NOVEMBER 29: Guard Manu Ginobili #20 of the San Antonio Spurs makes a reverse basket against Kobe Bryant #8 of the Los Angeles Lakers on November 29, 2005 at the SBC Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Ginobilli's third season in the NBA resulted in a championship and a spot on the Western Conference All-Star team as a reserve. Manu averaged 18.7 PPG for the Spurs in the 2005 NBA Finals.

7. Chauncey Billups: Detroit Pistons, 2004, 21.0 PPG

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WASHINGTON - JANUARY 31: U.S President George W. Bush receives a jersey as a souvenir from Detroit Pistons player Chauncey Billups, during an East Room event at the White House January 31, 2005 in Washington, DC. President Bush hosted the Detroit Pistons

The balanced attack of the 2004 NBA Champion Detroit Pistons included five players who averaged double-digit points per game. Chauncey's play at point guard led to a team-leading 5.2 assists per game, but also 21 points per game.

6. Jason Kidd: New Jersey Nets, 2003, 19.7 PPG; 2002, 20.8 PPG

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 27: Jason Kidd #5 of the New Jersey Nets shoots against Luke Walton #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers November 27, 2005 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Nets won, 102-96, in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknow

Jason Kidd took on a different role for the Mavs to win the 2011 Finals, but in 2002 and 2003, Kidd's role as a scorer for the Nets resulted in 19.7 and 20.8 PPG.

5. Jason Terry: Dallas Mavericks, 2006, 22.0 PPG; 2011, 18.0 PPG

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MIAMI, FL - JUNE 12: Jason Terry #31 of the Dallas Mavericks shows off his tattoo of the Larry O'Brien trophy on his arm in the locker room after the Mavericks won 105-95 against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Aren

Not only did "Jet" average 22 in the 2006 finals, but he also outscored LeBron in the 2011 Finals with 18 a game off the bench.

4. Richard Hamilton: Detroit Pistons, 2004, 21.4 PPG

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AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 15: Richard Hamilton #32 of the Detroit Pistons celebrates with the Larry O'Brien NBA Championship trophy after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 100-87 in game five of the 2004 NBA Finals on June 15, 2004 at The Palace of Auburn H

The three-time NBA All-Star contributed 21.4 points a game in the 2004 Finals, on his way to winning the NBA championship with the Pistons.

3. Kenyon Martin: New Jersey Nets, 2002, 22.0 PPG

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - FEBRUARY 18: Kenyon Martin #6 of the New Jersey Nets dunks the ball during the game against the Atlanta Hawks at Continental Airlines Arena on February 18, 2004 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Nets won 98-92. NOTE TO USER: Use

With a career average of 13.5 points per game, Kenyon led the Nets with 22 points a game while being swept by the Lakers in '02.

2. Jalen Rose: Indiana Pacers, 2000, 23.0 PPG

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19 Jun 2000: Jalen Rose #5 of the Indiana Pacers moves with the ball as Ron Harper #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers gaurds him during the NBA Finals Game 6 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers defeated the Pacers in 116-111. NOTE TO

The former Fab Five member might have benefited from his college experience in order to average 23 a game in a losing performance to the Lakers.

1. Hedo Turkoglu: Orlando Magic, 2009, 18.0 PPG

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 11: Hedo Turkoglu #15 of the Orlando Magic runs up court in the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the 2009 NBA Finals on June 11, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

The 6'10" power forward from Turkey, who is characterized by Wikipedia as possessing "above-average ball-handling and playmaking skills for a forward", rose to the occasion in the 2009 NBA Finals to average 18.0 PPG, well above his career average of 11.4.