2007 NBA

1. LeBron James: He carried the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals in franchise history.

His Game Five performance in the Eastern Conference Finals was one for the ages.

He scored 29 of Cleveland’s last 30 points in the 4^th quarter and overtime in the Cavs 109-107 extra period win. His swooping layup broke the tie with two second left.

James finished the game with 48 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in 50 minutes.

The Cavs advanced past the Pistons to the Finals behind 20-14-8 from James in Game Six.

The 22 year old forward averaged 24 PPG, 8.5 APG and 7.3 RPG in a six game series win over New Jersey.

He had back to back 30 point games as Cleveland swept past Washington in the first round of the playoffs.

LeBron was 5^th in MVP voting and 2^nd team All-NBA. He was an All-Star and had 28-6-6 in the game.

He was the player of the month in March.

James was 2^nd in FGs, 5^th in FTs made.  He was 3^rd in scoring (27.3).

He also averaged six rebounds and assists per game.

In the regular season Cleveland won 50 games and was the #2 seed in the East.

2. Tim Duncan: Led San Antonio to its 4^th title in seven years.

He was 1^st team All-NBA and 1^st team All-Defense.

Duncan finished 3^rd in the Defensive Player of the Year voting.  He was also 4^th in the MVP voting.

Duncan scored 20 PPG and finished in the top 10 in league in rebounding (10.6), blocks (2.4) and field goal % (54.6).

The Spurs finished 58-24 and #3 seed in the West.

In round 2 against #2 seed Phoenix, the 30 year old forward propelled the Spurs to a 2-1 lead with 33-17.5-3 blocks average in San Antonio’s wins to open the series.

He helped close out the Suns in Game Six with 24-13-9 blks.

Duncan averaged 22-10 and 2.8 in the five game WCF win over Utah.

During the NBA Finals in Game One 24-13-5 blks and 23-9-8 ast in Game Two. The Spurs coasted to a 4-0 sweep of Cleveland.

San Antonio allowed just 90 points a game, which was the NBA’s best defense.

3. Steve Nash: Finished 2^nd in the MVP voting (3^rd straight year in the top 2).

He was 1^st team All-NBA and an All-Star. He was the January Player of the Month (18 PPG 13 APG).

The two time MVP led the NBA in assists for 3^rd straight season with a career high 11.6 per game. He also had a career best 18.6 PPG.

Nash had 53 double-doubles, including two 20+ assist games.

 He had the rare 50-40-90 season (53% FGs, 45.5% on 3s and 90% FTs.). His FT % was 5^th best in the NBA.

Phoenix led the NBA in scoring just over 110 points a game on their way to a Pacific Division title and 61 wins (2^nd best in the West).

The Suns cooked the Lakers in five games. Nash had 23 assists and 17 points in a Game Four win.

In the 2^nd round against the eventual champion Spurs, Phoenix battled to a 2-2 series tie through four games. Nash averaged 22-15.5 in the Suns two wins.

He finished the series averaging 21.3-12.7 and hit on 52% of his 3s.

Phoenix would fall to the Spurs in six games.