Top 10 Early Playoff Moments of Legendary Athletes

The Top Ten

  1. Magic Johnson - 1980 NBA Finals Game 6 vs. Philadelphia 76ers

    With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sitting out Game 6 of the NBA Finals due to an injury, rookie Magic Johnson elected to start the game at center despite being a point guard.

    Closing out the series, Magic would score 42 points, grab 15 rebounds, and dish out seven assists while earning the MVP for the Finals.

    I think a very key thing to remember is HE WAS A ROOKIE! That is insane and it is still the reason Magic is my favorite player.

    Everything about this man is legendary and magical!

  2. Patrick Roy - 1986 Stanley Cup Finals vs. Calgary Flames

    When the New York Rangers made a serious run at the Stanley Cup, all they had to do was beat the Canadiens.

    I know this is not the finals, but the reason I brought it up is that the Rangers had no idea that Roy was the Canadiens' goalie. When the dust settled, it was Roy who led the Canadiens past the Rangers in the Conference Finals and eventually to another Stanley Cup for the Habs!

    Its Joeysworld

    Taking over for the injured starter, Roy led the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup title in his rookie season, where he was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the MVP for the playoffs.

  3. Joe Montana - 1981 NFC Championship Game vs. Dallas Cowboys

    After bringing the 49ers on a drive, Montana faced 3rd down from the six. He then scrambled backward before throwing a high pass that was caught by teammate Dwight Clark, which wound up giving the 49ers the 28-27 win over Dallas.

  4. Michael Jordan - 1986 Eastern Conference First Round Game 2 vs. Boston Celtics

    A legendary moment for Jordan. In only his second year, he set a record of 63 points in a playoff game.

    I won't say it's unbreakable because I think it is, but still, it makes Jordan the legend he is.

    After MJ scored 49 points in a loss to Boston in Game 1, he lost a game of golf to Celtics guard Danny Ainge. Upset by this, he told Ainge that he and Dennis Johnson would have to watch out for MJ in Game 2.

    Jordan would go on to score 63 points in the game, although Boston would win in double overtime.

  5. Tom Brady - 2001 AFC Divisional Round vs. Oakland Raiders

    Although the game is best remembered for the controversial Tuck Rule, Tom Brady was able to take advantage of the opportunity and lead the Patriots to a game-tying field goal.

    In overtime, Brady marched down the field to set up for the winning field goal.

  6. John Elway - 1986 AFC Championship Game vs. Cleveland Browns

    Down 20-13 in front of a hostile Cleveland Browns fanbase, John Elway led the Broncos on a 98-yard drive that sent the game into overtime where Denver won on a field goal.

  7. LeBron James - 2007 Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 vs. Detroit Pistons

    In a critical Game 5, LeBron James led the Cavaliers to a double-overtime victory over the Pistons while scoring the last 25 points for the team.

  8. Randy Johnson - 1995 AL West Tiebreaker Game vs. California Angels

    Facing a one-game playoff, Johnson pitched a complete game 9-1 victory over the California Angels, striking out 12 batters while giving up a homer in the 9th inning.

    Randy was pitching more than just the tiebreaker. He was successfully pitching to keep the Mariners in Seattle.

    Its Joeysworld

  9. Brett Favre - 1993 NFC Wild Card Game vs. Detroit Lions

    Favre's first playoff game would be memorable as he threw for three touchdown passes, all to Sterling Sharpe. His last touchdown pass was from 40 yards out and wound up winning the game for the Packers against the Lions.

  10. Hakeem Olajuwon - 1986 Western Conference Finals vs. Los Angeles Lakers

    In his second season in the NBA, Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to a major upset over the Los Angeles Lakers. Hakeem averaged 31 points per game in the five-game series over the defending champions and led the Rockets to the NBA Finals.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Ken Dryden - 1971 Stanley Cup Playoffs vs. Boston Bruins

  12. ?

    Johnny Unitas - 1958 NFL Championship Game vs. New York Giants

    It was the start of something big for a man who three years earlier was an unwanted NFL quarterback. In that epic game, he delivered a game-tying drive that required 73 yards and four memorable passes to Lenny Moore and Raymond Berry to set up a game-tying field goal.

    In overtime, he drove another memorable drive that ended with Alan Ameche running into daylight and into NFL lore forever.

    Its Joeysworld

    13. The Contenders

  13. Larry Bird - 1981 Eastern Conference Finals vs. Philadelphia 76ers

  14. Willie Mays - 1954 World Series vs. Cleveland Indians

    Willie's first big moment came with THE CATCH. Even though many years later Willie said it wasn't his best catch ever, it still was Willie's first great playoff moment in his illustrious career.

    It all began at Polo Grounds in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series against the Cleveland Indians in inning 8.

    Its Joeysworld

  15. Otto Graham - 1946 AAFC Championship Game vs. New York Yankees (football)

    In a sign of things to come, Otto's first taste of glory began here with a 14-9 win as the Cleveland Browns began a decade of dominance in pro football.

    Otto had 213 yards passing and a single touchdown pass. Great start for Otto and the Browns.

    Its Joeysworld

BAdd New Item