Players in the NBA league every season hope to have better statistical parameters than the previous, but often happens to surprise themselves in the negative direction.

There is not much left until the start of the new NBA season and therefore I would like to remind you in this blog of the 10 worst statistics of some of the best players in the playoffs in the past 40 years.


#10 Karl Malone, Game 6 1999 Western Conference Semi-Finals

Stat Line: 8 Points, 7 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 3-16 FG

That year, the Jazz surprisingly found themselves down 3-2 in the series and had to stave off elimination in Portland. The Jazz lost the game 92-80 and it was the last time they were really regarded as serious title contenders. At least, a few days later, Malone picked up his 2nd MVP award.


#9 Kobe Bryant, Game 5 1997 Western Conference Semi-Finals

Stat Line: 11 Points, 2 Assists, 2 Rebounds, 4-14 FG

A rookie Bryant was pushed onto center stage and in typical Kobe fashion, he started to jack up shots. Bryant missed a potential game-winner with 14 seconds left and the score tied at 89 apiece. He then air-balled three 3 pointers in OT, with the last 2 being shot when the Lakers were down 3. They ended up losing 98-93.


#8 Dirk Nowitzki, Game 6 2007 Western Conference First Round

Stat Line: 8 Points, 10 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 2-13 FG

Dirk went 2-13 from the field and 0-6 on 3-pointers, a constant theme throughout the series, as he shot only 38% from the field and 21% from 3. His no-show led to an easy 111-86 win for the Warriors as they become the 1st eight seed to beat the one seed in a best of 7 series.


#7 Larry Johnson, Game 2 1999 NBA Finals

Stat Line: 5 Points, 6 Rebounds, 3 Steals, 2-12 FG

He struggled throughout the Finals, averaging 7.6 Points and 4.8 Rebounds while shooting 28% from the field and he had his worst outing in Game 2. Johnson shot 2-12 from the field and 1-7 from 3-point range against the Spurs defense which didn't allow the Knicks to score 90 points in any of the games.


#6 James Harden, Game 6 2017 Western Conference Semi-Finals

Stat Line: 10 Points, 7 Assists, 7 TO's, 2-11 FG

Harden didn't score a field goal until the 6 minutes in the 2nd quarter and generally seemed listless. He finished 2-11 from the field, 2-9 from 3. He finally ended his misery late in the 4th quarter by fouling out for the 1st time all season. The Spurs won the Game 114-75 and advanced to the Conference Finals.


#5 Reggie Miller, Game 1 2000 NBA Finals

Stat Line: 7 Points, 4 Assists, 2 Rebounds, 1-16 FG

In this case, Miller had probably the worst game of his career at the worst possible time. They lost Game 1, 104-87 largely due to Miller's ineffectiveness. He redeemed himself in the following games in the series but ultimately couldn't prevent the Lakers from winning it in 6 Games.


#4 Kenyon Martin, Game 6 2003 NBA Finals

Stat Line: 6 Points, 10 Rebounds, 2 Blocks, 3-23 FG

Martin's awful performance had a lot to do with the defense played on him by Tim Duncan. Over the last 2 games of the series, Duncan limited Martin to 5-31 shooting.


#3 John Starks, Game 7 1994 NBA Finals

Stat Line: 8 Points, 2 Assists, 2 Rebounds, 2-18 FG

He shot 2-18, including 0-11 from 3 as the Knicks lost 84-90. Starks was 1-10 in the 4th quarter, unusual for a guy who had seemingly always stepped up in big moments for the Knicks. Its, unfortunately, become the defining moment of his career with the Knicks and has overshadowed all the great performances over the years.


#2 Ray Allen, Game 3 2010 NBA Finals

Stat Line: 2 Points, 4 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 0-13 FG

In what was undoubtedly his worst game, Allen missed all of his shots and after setting the record with eight 3s the previous game, he went 0-8 from 3-point range. The Lakers keyed in on Allen with Derek Fisher, in particular, playing great defense. They eventually lost the series in 7 games and Allen didn't show up for Game 7 either, shooting 3/14.


#1 Dennis Johnson, Game 7 1978 NBA Finals

Stat Line: 4 Points, 4 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 3 Blocks, 0/14 FG

In 1978, the Supersonics made an unlikely run to the NBA Finals and faced the Washington Bullets. The two teams went back and forth in an evenly contested series. Game 7 was the moment for a young DJ to shine on the big stage but he failed miserably. Johnson finished 0-14 with 3 TO's and still, the Sonics only lost 105-99. The following season, they faced the Bullets again in the Finals. This time, the Sonics won 4-1 and Johnson was Finals MVP, averaging 22.6 Points, 6 Rebounds, and 6 Assists.


Can you add some more "unforgettable" performances?