'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAgZf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB/9oACAECEAAAAD//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC/9oACAEDEAAAAH//xAAgEAABAgUFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACAwUAAQQREyEiUWKh/9oACAEBAAE/AHJiTYWUk3SkyuVYCaqBgrogJSuN+ZlujH19j//EABcRAQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIAESH/2gAIAQIBAT8AGm5//8QAGBEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDEiH/2gAIAQMBAT8Alxqn/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Stephen Curry - 2015 NBA Finals
LeBron James had another opportunity to lead the Cavaliers to glory in the 2015 NBA Finals, but the Golden State Warriors were too much for the Akron native. Andre Iguodala was announced as the 2015 NBA Finals MVP because of his work on slowing down LeBron.
Iguodala started the series off the bench but was quickly inserted into the starting lineup following his relative success in defending James. With Iguodala on the court, LeBron averaged 26.1 points, 2.9 turnovers, seven assists, a .381 field goal percentage, and 30% from beyond the arc per 36 minutes. Off the court, James averaged 34.9 points, 6.6 assists, and shot 43.9% from the field.
Iguodala's impact was certainly a factor that led to the Warriors' victory. But was it enough to earn him the NBA finals MVP award? Stephen Curry's decimation of the Cavs' defense both on and off the ball was exceptional. He averaged 26 points, 6.3 assists, and 1.8 steals.
#2 Tim Duncan - 2007 NBA Finals
James made his first NBA Finals appearance in 2007 after leading the Cavaliers to a victory over the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals. Sadly, the Cavs were swept in the NBA Finals by the San Antonio Spurs.
Tim Duncan lost the NBA MVP to teammate Tony Parker. Although he led the series in points, averaging 24.5, it seemed like that was the only basis for the decision that year. While this is not to downplay Parker's sublime showing offensively, handing him the award on that basis alone was too pedestrian.
Although Duncan did not score as many points as Parker, he was better in every other aspect of the game. He led his team in assists, rebounds and blocks, and tied Manu Ginobili for steals. The competition for the 2007 NBA Finals was stiff, perhaps they could have been co-MVPs.
#1 Walt Clyde Frazier - 1970 NBA Finals
Willis Reed was named the 1970 NBA Finals MVP and for good reason. But Walt Frazier was a driving force on offense throughout the entire series.
Reed was outstanding through the first four games and looked the most likely to win the finals MVP. However, him stepping up in the series clincher with 36 points, 19 assists, and seven rebounds was a significant factor in their NBA Finals Game 7 victory.
Surprisingly, a player who did not feature in all the games was given the award as it was not considered exactly a decade later. Regardless, Frazier could have won it as he was the second most impactful player for the New York Knicks against the LA Lakers.
