The NBA Finals is the grandest stage in basketball, where legends are made and legacies are cemented.
The first Finals appearance for players like Luka Doncic, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant significantly impacts their careers.
Each of these basketball stars faced immense pressure during their debut Finals, resulting in varying performances and outcomes.
Points Per Game (PPG)
Michael Jordan led the scoring with an impressive 31.2 PPG in the 1991 Finals, showcasing his dominance and versatility.
Kevin Durant followed closely with 30.6 PPG in 2012.
Luka Doncic, in his 2024 Finals debut, scored 29.2 PPG, establishing himself as a future star. Stephen Curry contributed 26.0 PPG in 2015, while LeBron James managed 22.0 PPG in 2007.
Kobe Bryant, in his first Finals in 2000, scored 15.6 PPG, indicating his potential but also highlighting his youth and inexperience.
Rebounds Per Game (RPG)
Luka Doncic excelled with 8.8 RPG, demonstrating his all-around skills.
LeBron James followed with 7.0 RPG in 2007. Michael Jordan recorded 6.6 RPG in 1991, showing his multifaceted impact. Kevin Durant had 6.0 RPG in 2012, while Stephen Curry and Kobe Bryant had 5.2 RPG and 4.6 RPG respectively.
Assists Per Game (APG)
Michael Jordan led with 11.4 APG in 1991, proving his playmaking prowess. LeBron James recorded 6.8 APG in 2007, while Stephen Curry had 6.3 APG in 2015.
Luka Doncic’s 5.6 APG in 2024 reflected his versatility. Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant had 4.2 APG and 2.2 APG respectively.
Steals Per Game (SPG)
Michael Jordan topped this category with 2.8 SPG in 1991. Luka Doncic followed with 2.6 SPG in 2024.
Stephen Curry had 1.8 SPG in 2015, while Kevin Durant, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James had 1.4 SPG, 1.0 SPG, and 1.0 SPG respectively.
Blocks Per Game (BPG)
Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant both had 1.4 BPG in their first Finals. Kevin Durant followed with 1.0 BPG in 2012. LeBron James had 0.5 BPG, while Stephen Curry and Luka Doncic had 0.2 BPG and 0.0 BPG respectively.
Shooting Percentages
Michael Jordan’s shooting efficiency was remarkable with a 55.8% FG, 50.0% 3P, and 84.8% FT in 1991.
Kevin Durant followed with 54.8% FG, 39.4% 3P, and 83.9% FT in 2012. Stephen Curry had 44.3% FG, 38.5% 3P, and 88.5% FT in 2015.
Luka Doncic struggled with efficiency in 2024, with 47.2% FG, 24.4% 3P, and 58.6% FT. Kobe Bryant and LeBron James had lower shooting percentages in their respective debut Finals.
Finals Outcome
Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls won 4-1 against the Lakers in 1991, marking the beginning of a dynasty.
Stephen Curry’s Warriors and Kobe Bryant’s Lakers both won 4-2 in their debut Finals. Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic all faced defeats, with Durant’s Thunder losing 1-4 to the Heat, James’ Cavaliers being swept 0-4 by the Spurs, and Doncic’s Mavericks losing 1-4 to the Celtics.
Overall Comparison
Michael Jordan’s first Finals appearance remains unmatched, leading in several categories and securing a 4-1 series victory.
Luka Doncic, despite a loss, showcased significant potential. Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant had mixed results, reflecting their different stages of career development and the teams they faced.
This comparison highlights how each player’s first NBA Finals performance set the stage for their future successes and legacies in the league.
