Hi! Just compiling what I consider the top ten performances of the season providing a brief synopsis and a video highlight reel. Discuss away and hope some find this enjoyable. Feel free to add what performances you feel could be considered the best of the season! Thanks! Honorable Mention: Kobe Bryant (4/13/16) vs. Utah Jazz - 60 points on 22/50 shooting The final game of a legendary player. At first, one may be critical of how many shots he took but the 37 year old dropped 60 points!!! Vintage Kobe on display as the spotlight was on him, and boy did he put on a show. Although the game was ultimately meaningless, he carried the team to a comeback and finished his career with a W. Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/THTt7H3oqEk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Number Ten James Harden (1/30/16) vs. Washington Wizards - 40/7/11 with 4 steals Houston was coming in after losing two straight, and Harden was determined to snap that streak. He had a huge game, scoring at will and dishing dimes but it wasn't enough as Howard was ejected and Washington found a way to claw back to take the lead and, although Harden tried his usual late game heroics, including a shot to trim the lead to one, it wasn't enough as Washington snapped their losing streak while extending Houston's. Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M8xX-K0whOc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Number Nine Kemba Walker (1/18/16) vs. Utah Jazz - 52/9/8 In a heart-racing double overtime game, "Cardiac" Kemba showed the NBA that he needed to be considered an All-Star. Prior to having 60 dropped on them, the Jazz had to experience Kemba dissect their defense to the tune of a Charlotte Hornets franchise record high of 52 points, with Walker nearly having a triple double to boot in the win. Although he didn't make the team, Kemba proved he had vastly improved and was leading a playoff-caliber team. Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D9tzZicajUI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Number Eight Kyle Lowry (2/26/16) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - 43/5/9 with 4 steals In a showdown that may prove to be a preview of the Eastern Conference Finals, it was the Raptors that pulled out the win, led by a career-high 43 points from Kye Lowry! He sunk the game-winner, the first of his ten year career and he couldn't be happier knowing that this win clinched the season series in Toronto's favor. Lowry also helped lead Toronto to its tenth straight home victory, tying a franchise record set in 2002. Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ENKFJGDCp6w" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Number Seven DeMarcus Cousins (1/25/16) vs. Charlotte Hornets - 56 points & 12 rebounds The only thing that ended up stopping Boogie was his sixth foul that came at an inopportune time. Not only did Cousins set a career high in scoring, but he set a franchise high in points scored for the Sacramento Kings. At the time, it was the most points scored in the 15-16 season. However, Cousin was fouled out of the game early on in the second overtime and from there, the Troy Daniels took over and stole victory from the Kings. Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hWprreSZrTI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Number Six Jimmy Butler (1/14/16) vs. Philadelphia 76ers - 53/10/6 with 3 steals Was it against the Sixers? Yes. But the Bulls were also missing some key cogs, namely both Rose and Gasol, and Butler was dealing with ankle pain. Even with all this against his team, Butler made sure to shoulder the load to a tune of a career high 53 points, the most scored by a Bull since Jamal Crawford in 2004. Although the game went into OT, the hot-shooting (50%) of Butler led Chicago to a win, snapping their three game losing streak. Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Pa5Ocegt7d4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Number Five Chris Paul (2/26/16) vs. Sacramento Kings - 40/8/13 He was dealing with several nagging injuries, but he didn't show any signs of pain. Instead, Chris Paul dished out pain to the Sacramento Kings, lighting them up for 40 points and assisting on 13 baskets. He transformed from point guard to scoring guard with the absence of Griffin, slashing to the lane, drilling threes, and converting on all of his free throws. The Kings were playoff hopefuls, but the playoff bound Paul added one more L to their record. Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iN3DAB-Q0NY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Number Four Stephen Curry (2/25/16) vs. Orlando Magic - 51/7/8, 20/27 from the field, 10/15 from three Curry was all smiles after this laugher of a game. Although it wasn't much of a nailbiter, it was certainly worth the watch as Curry was on fire. In the third quarter alone, he scored 24 points alone. He was dazzling, scoring over 50+ points for the third time this season, becoming the first player to do it in that many times since James and Wade in 2009. Curry had made a 3 in 149 straight games at this point, including the postseason and the Warriors had improved to 52-5, the best 57 game start in NBA history. Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/79BVHcEHK54" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Number Three Damian Lillard (2/19/16) vs. Golden State Warriors - 51 points & 7 assists, with 6 steals & zero turnovers Coming off the All-Star break, Damian Lilliard erupted against his hometown team, and the best squad in basketball. Dame was dropping dimes and sinking buckets, scoring a career high 51, having not scored 50+ since ninth grade. In fact, you could even say he looked like 'Stephen Curry' out there that night, if you asked Steve Kerr. Annoyed by the Warriors' excuses and comments, Damian Lilliard could at least say he led the team responsible for handing Golden State their largest defeat of the season. Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7IB5lEpASIc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Number Two Stephen Curry (10/31/15) vs. New Orleans Pelicans - 53 points & 9 assists, 4 steals, going 17/27 from the field, 8-14 from 3, and 11-11 from the FT line It was less then a week into the NBA season, and Curry was proving that last year was no fluke. The reigning MVP and champion went into absolute video game mode, being nigh unstoppable enroute to a blowout win. This was a precursor to many performances down the road, and a demonstration of how dominant his team would be, eventually dethroning the 95-95 Bulls as the greatest team in NBA history. He became the first player since Jordan himself in 89-90 to score 118 points in the first three games of the season, and Curry would go onto lead the league in scoring. He'll likely add another MVP and championship to his collection, when its all said and done. Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/O1ToVeu7qj0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Number One Anthony Davis (2/21/16) vs. Detroit Pistons - 59 points & 20 rebounds, going 24-34 from the field, 2/2 from three, and 9/10 from the FT line It would take a hell of a performance to take the top spot away from Curry. Fortunately, Anthony Davis provided just that in a monster clash with Andre Drummond. The young star center dropped a career and franchise high 59 points and accumulated 20 rebounds in a win! He broke the scoring record held by Lebron since 2007 for the Palace of Auburn Hills and joined Shaquille O'Neal and Chris Webber as the only players to have had a 50/20 game since 1983. Although injuries and poor play ended up making this a lost season for the Pelicans, this game helped establish Anthony Davis as one of the elite in the game, and he will assuredly be the next great big man, following in the footsteps of guys like Duncan and Garnett. Spoiler <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DRatKdF-8mk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Even though you have 2 Curry in the top 10, I think the "Curry @ OKC" performance should be in the top 10 too. 12 threes, including the gamewinner from 30+ feet out. Insane.
Yeah I have to agree even thought I hate that rat face b*stard that game vs. okc was unreal. Easy number 1
seems odd that Kobe's game isn't in the top ten, and I'm a Kobe hater. I'd probably swap that with the Harden game or possibly with the Chris Paul game.
