The NBA is in a class of its won in terms of basketball. With the league composed of the best basketball players from around the world, the NBA’s popularity and growth are limitless. In fact, the league is ranked within the Top Three, in terms of the most lucrative sports leagues. Nevertheless, in this specific post, we'll be focusing on strange NBA facts.

While we fans may know a lot about the NBA, there are still some facts that surprise us, especially if the league has been running for 75 years. For this piece, let’s take a look at 24 strange NBA facts.

Strange NBA Facts

24. The Miami Heat used to play in the Western Conference

As we all know today, the Miami Heat belongs to the Eastern Conference, specifically the Southeast Division. But despite being based in Florida, the franchise actually entered the NBA by being grouped in the Western Conference, specifically the Midwest Division.

Back in 1987, the NBA’s expansion committee wanted to increase the number of teams in the league to 27. Because of this, Minnesota, Charlotte, and Miami were awarded franchises. While Charlotte and Minnesota were awarded smoothly, it was Florida-based cities in Miami and Orlando that had to compete for a spot in the league. Although Miami got the nod, Orlando would also be added to the league in 1989.

For its first season, the league announced that Miami will play in the Midwest Division for its first season. However, the league added that the franchise will become part of the Atlantic Division for the 1989-1990 season. And eventually, as we all know, they transferred to the Southeast Division.

Since then, the Heat have won three NBA championship banners in 2006, 2013, and 2014. They have also been to six finals trips as mostly part of the Big Three era where LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh united South Beach.

The last time the Heat were in the Finals was in 2020. Under the leadership of Jimmy Butler and the rise of Tyler Herro, the Heat made a surprising run at the Finals by eliminating Eastern Conference giants in the Bucks and the Celtics before conceding to the Lakers in six games. However, there’s no question that the Miami Heat are one of the successful teams in the league.

23. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has made 19 All-Star Game appearances but never won All-Star MVP

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the best scorers of the game. In fact, he’s the current record-holder in the NBA’s All-time scoring list with 38,387 points. Kareem also has a loaded trophy case with six NBA Championships, two Finals MVPs, 15 All-NBA Team Selections, 11 All-Defensive Team selections, and many more. He also has 19 All-Star honors. However, among those 19 selections, Kareem never won the All-Star Game MVP.

It’s puzzling that Kareem never won the All-Star Game MVP in his career. His All-Star Game averages are 13.9 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. His notable showings include the 1976 All-Star Game where he registered 22 points and 15 rebounds. Kareem also shined in the 1984 All-Star Game, where he tallied 25 points and 13 rebounds. It’s worth noting these solid performances were all on a losing effort.

The 1976 All-Star MVP trophy went to Dave Bing, who was on the opposing team. Bing registered 16 points and seven rebounds. On the other hand, the 1984 All-Star Game MVP went to Isiah Thomas, who had 21 points and 15 assists.

22. Shaquille O’Neal has Co-MVPed twice in the All-Star Game, the most in NBA history

Co-MVPs are quite rare in the NBA. In fact, the only time they exist is in the annual exhibition that the league puts up in the form of the All-Star Game. Most of the time, the All-Star Game isn’t a serious contest, however it allows fans to see the league’s cream of the crop come together for a single game. Furthermore, it honors players and allows them to join elite company.

In the league’s history, there has only been four times that co-MVPs were announced to take home the All-Star Game MVP. Shaquille O’Neal has won three of that same award and two of those were won from those rare occasions.

Shaq won his first All-Star Game MVP, alongside Tim Duncan in the 2000 All-Star Game. This marked only the third time that Co-MVPs happened. Shaq tallied 22 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and three blocks.

His last All-Star Game MVP was won also after winning the award alongside the late Kobe Bryant which was the most recent occasion that a co-MVPs were awarded. Shaq registered 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists. This distinction also allowed Shaq to become the oldest player to win the award at the age of 36 years and 346 days old.

Strange NBA Facts Continued…

21. Dwight Howard is a better three-point shooter than Ben Simmons (favorite strange NBA facts!)

Ben Simmons has been on the wrong end of the NBA headlines, as of late. After a miserable postseason performance, the Sixers star missed out on the Olympics and is currently sitting out the regular season until a trade is executed.

Simmons isn’t a shooter. However, his lack of shooting is an aspect critics have told him to work on. Although he has been effective without a jumper, having it in his arsenal would’ve elevated his stardom further. But unfortunately, his scoring and shooting have been dismal. In fact, surprisingly, even Lakers center and former teammate Dwight Howard is a better shooter.

Howard has made 17.4% of his shots from beyond the arc. He has also made 16 threes in his career. Howard also knocked down a season-high of five in his lone season in Philly which already equals the number of three-point makes in Simmons’ four-year NBA career. On the other hand, Simmons only makes an even worse 14.7% clip from deep. To make matters worse, Howard mostly hovers in the paint and rarely settles for a three. On the other hand, Simmons is a perimeter player that should have a jumper in his arsenal.

20. Draymond Green has made more threes in a game than Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant is arguably the deadliest scorers of the game. Standing at 7ft tall, equipped with unmatched skills, KD is a versatile scorer that can do some damage anywhere on the court. But more importantly, he’s also one of the best shooters of the game, making 38.5% of shots from rainbow country throughout his career.

However, it’s puzzling to know the fact that his former Warriors teammate Draymond Green has made more threes in a NBA-sanctioned game including regular season and the playoffs with eight. It was his career night where Green also dropped 37 points On the other hand, KD’s career-high of threes in a game is tallied at seven.

Green is a remarkable player who’s all-around game and defense have helped the Warriors secure three NBA championships. However, shooting is one of his weakest arsenals. This is a strange fact given that KD, who establishes his mark in the league with his scoring, hasn’t made more threes in a NBA game beyond seven.

19. Steph Curry can miss his next 500 three-point attempts and still have a better 3PT% over Ray Allen

Steph Curry is a gifted shooter, who can simply light up on any given night. His lethal shooting has helped the Warriors take home three Championship banners. Curry also has won two back-to-back MVPs with his limitless range.

If those achievements aren’t enough, Curry makes his case stronger as the best shooter the league has ever since with his career 3PT%. While Curry is just behind Allen for most three-point makes, the former is getting awfully close to sealing the deal.

Aside from this a surprising fact is that Curry’s consistent shooting is simply out-of-this-world. Curry has made 2,908 threes out of 6,727 attempts. If Curry misses his next 500 three-pointers, he’d still reign superior over Allen in that department. Allen was a 40% career three-point shooter. On the other hand, Curry is currently at 43.2%. But if he misses his next 500 shots in that region, Curry would still be a 40.2% three-point shooter.

18. Bruce Bowen shot better from beyond the arc than from the FT line

Normally, players shoot better from the free-throw line than from beyond the arc. With no defenses and a closer range to the basket, theoretically, shooters should have little to no problems knocking down their free throws. However, the case for Bruce Bowen is different.

Bowen was a crucial piece of the Spurs’ championship runs in 2003, 2005, and 2007 as one of the league’s best two-way players. However, one strange fact about him is his inability to make his free throws, despite being a solid shooter. Bowen made a respectable 39.3% clip from downtown, including a league-best 44.1% clip in the 2002-2003 season.

But on the flip side, Bowen’s free throw shooting has been dismal. He labored at the stripe by making only 57.5% of his free throws in his entire career. His lowest FT% came in the 2002-2003 season, where he only knocked down a horrendous 40.4% of his free throws.

Strange NBA Facts Continued…

17. The Now-defunct Seattle Supersonics have won a playoff series more recent than the Sacramento Kings

Before they became the Oklahoma City Thunder, there was the then Seattle Supersonics. The Supersonics last appeared in the NBA for the 2007-2008 season. The strange fact is that the Supersonics have won a playoff series more recently than the Sacramento Kings did, with the latter still a NBA team today.

The Seattle-based squad last won a series in the 2005 playoffs, where they dispatched the Kings in six games in the first round.

On the other hand the Kings last won a playoff series in 2004. Sacramento defeated the Mavericks, 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs before succumbing to the Timberwolves in seven games. Although the Kings did make the postseason until 2006, they wouldn’t be victorious in any of those years.

Strange NBA Facts Continued…

16. Every NBA Championship Squad from the West is based in Texas or California since 1979

It’s crazy to think that among the teams that dominated from the Western Conference, all of them are either from Texas or California.

Ever since, Western Conference teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and the Golden State Warriors have brought home NBA Championships. The last Western Conference team, not from those states, are the Seattle Supersonics in 1979.

However, some non-California and non-Texas based squads from the West almost broke that streak. The Phoenix Suns made the NBA Finals twice back in 1993 and recently in 2021 but failed to capture the championship. The Utah Jazz have also made the Finals twice, in back to back years in 1997 and 1998. Unfortunately, they conceded to the Bulls on both occasions.

The Seattle Supersonics and the Oklahoma City Thunder, also wanted to regain their championship glory in 1979. However, the Supersonics couldn’t get past the Bulls, who won their first championship of the historic three-peat. On the other hand, Kevin Durant’s OKC Thunder just couldn’t stop the Heat’s Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh who won their first of two back-to-back championships.

Another team that reached the Finals was the Portland Trail Blazers in 1990. However, they conceded to the Pistons in five games.

15. Zach LaVine's First Four-game Winning Streak Came in his 8th Year in the NBA

Zach LaVine is a stellar player who's recently making waves in the NBA. After establishing himself as a high-flyer in the league by winning two straight Slam Dunk Contests, LaVine has evolved into a star player for the Bulls by earning All-Star honors in 2020. Unfortunately, despite his rise to stardom, his efforts didn't necessarily convert to wins. Ever since entering in the NBA, LaVine has never enjoyed a four-game winning streak.

The Timberwolves were a cellar dwelling squad that rarely saw them win games. In fact, his stint with the Wolves only saw the team win 16 games in his rookie year and 29 games in his sophomore season. And with the Bulls, LaVine was part of the Bulls' long rebuilding process that saw them struggle to add some wins on the board.

Fortunately for LaVine, he finally got to enjoy his first four-game winning streak in the NBA. After enjoying this feat with Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics, he shortly duplicated that feat at the start of the NBA season.

With the Bulls surrounding LaVine with Nikola Vucevic, DeMarr DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and NBA champion Alex Caruso, the Bulls are looking better than ever. With a rejigged roster, LaVine and the Bulls raced to a 4-0 start, which also gave the Bulls its first winning record since March 2017.

14. Marc Gasol and Tyson Chandler both won Defensive Player of the Year but were left out of the All-Defensive First Team in their respective DPOY Years

Marc Gasol and Tyson Chandler were both formidable big men at some points in their careers. With their rim protection and mark on defense, they both won Defensive Player of the Year. Gasol won his award in 2013. On the other hand, Chandler won it in 2012. However, the common thing between these two centers is how they missed the All-Defensive First Teams in the same year they won the award.

These were head-scratchers. Given that the Defensive Player of the Year is the best defender of the league, making the All-Defensive First Team should’ve been a lock. Gasol averaged 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals per outing, and his impact certainly deserved a place in the All-Defensive First Team. However, Joakim Noah and Tyson Chandler had more votes than the 2013 DPOY. Because of this, Gasol was relegated to the All-Defensive Second Team.

Before Gasol, Chandler also suffered the same fate. In the 2011-2012 season, he averaged 1.4 rejections and 0.9 steals per game to win the Defensive Player of the Year. However, he would only make the All-Defensive Second Team in the same year. Instead of Chandler, Dwight Howard garnered more votes to secure a spot in the All-Defensive First Team.

13. Dave Cowens won MVP but didn’t make the All-NBA First Team

It’s typical for League MVPs to be a sure-lock to secure a spot in the All-NBA First Team. However, that wasn’t the case for eight time All-Star Dave Cowens. In his MVP year, he averaged 20.5 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game.

Although he got the award he deserved, Cowens was a major snub from that season’s All-NBA First Team. The center that took his place in the selection was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who averaged 30.2 points, 16.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. Because of this, he was relegated to the All-NBA Second Team.

This was a rare occurrence. However come to think of it, Cowens was given the MVP award due to the value he gives to his team. While this speaks volumes, it doesn’t always equate to being the best in the league.

Strange NBA Facts Continued…

12. Jerry West Won Finals MVP despite being on the losing team

The Finals MVP is usually given to the most valuable player in the NBA Finals. Usually, this is given to the best player on the winning team. However, an unusual sight happened in the 1969 NBA Finals, which was also the first time the award was given out.

The Lakers, led by Jerry West, conceded to the Boston Celtics in seven games with the latter being crowned as champions. West’s Finals performance, however was too hard to ignore. He averaged 37.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game. West also finished with 42 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in the heartbreaking Game 7, 108-106 loss.

So far, West has been the only NBA player to ever win the award on the losing team. Ever since, this feat has never been duplicated by any player.

11. Bill Russell was the cornerstone of 11 Boston Celtics championships but never won Finals MVP

Speaking of Finals MVP, it’s a head-scratcher as to why Bill Russell never won Finals MVP. The dominant center was face of the Celtics’ dominant era that saw them win 11 championships. His entire playoff career saw him average 16.2 points and 24.9 rebounds per outing.

Unfortunately, the Finals MVP was only implemented in 1969, the final year of Russell’s career before retiring. He had a great chance of winning the award in the 1969 NBA Finals, averaging 9.1 points, 21.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. However as we all know, it was the first and only time the award went to a player from the losing team.

Fortunately, the NBA gave credit to Russell for his efforts. In 2009, the NBA rebranded the Finals MVP after Bill Russell, making it the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award, to honor the 11 time NBA champion.

10. Karl Malone is number two on the All-time scoring list but never won the scoring title at any point of his career

Karl Malone is one of the best power forwards of the game. His ability to score in multiple ways allowed him to put together a productive career with two MVPs, 14 All-Star selections, and 14 All-NBA Team honors. In fact, he’s one of the best scorers of the game given that he’s second in the All-Time scoring list, just behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with 36,928 points.

But despite being one of the best scorers of the game, it’s mind-baffling how Malone never managed to win at least a single scoring title throughout his career. Although he managed to make the Top Five for the most part of his career, Malone would come in second in total points for eight seasons.

Unfortunately for Malone, aside from being eluded from a NBA championship, he was also denied a scoring title which would’ve added another milestone to his already-decorated career. But nevertheless, his spot as the second greatest scorer still stands until today.

Strange NBA Facts Continued…

9. Hakeem Olajuwon almost recorded two quadruple doubles in one month

Achieving a double-double is difficult but highly possible. On the other hand, finishing with a triple-double raises the difficulty. However, getting a quadruple-double is next to impossible.

Because of this, it’s arguably the most elusive in-game milestones to ever achieve in the NBA. In fact, throughout the league’s history, only four quadruple-doubles have been tallied so far. The last one to record a quadruple-double was the Spurs’ David Robinson in 1994.

However despite its difficulty, Hakeem Olajuwon almost nabbed two quadruple-doubles in a single month. His initial supposed quadruple-double saw him register 29 points, 18 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 10 assists against the Golden State Warriors. However, the NBA accused the Rockets star of stat-padding, wherein the league removed one assist that wasn’t originally given.

Due to his disappointment, Olajuwon wasted no time in getting another quadruple-double. In the game against the Bucks, he tallied 18 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocks, and 10 assists. As a result, Olajuwon became one of only four players to log-in a quadruple-double in league history.

8. Malcolm Brogdon wins Rookie of the Year without being named Rookie of the Month at least once

The Rookie of the Year is given to the most outstanding rookie of the season. More often than not, the Rookie of the Year winner gets credited for winning Rookie of the Month on multiple occasions. But for the case of Malcolm Brogdon, it was different.

Drafted as the 36th overall pick, Brogdon had a stellar rookie season. The second round draft pick averaged 10.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game for the then young and upcoming Bucks squad. Because of this, Brogdon became the first non-first round pick to nab the award.

The strange fact, however, lies the fact that Brogdon won the award without getting a single Rookie of the Month honors. Because of this, he came the first player to ever do it in NBA history.

By winning the award Brogdon beat out fellow rookies Joel Embiid, who won Rookie of the Month thrice, and Croatian standout Dario Saric, who was named Rookie of the Month twice and Embiid’s teammate. While Joel Embiid had solid numbers of 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in his rookie year, it’s worth noting that he only played in 31 games due to a meniscus tear, which ultimately didn’t favor him to win the award.

On the other hand, Saric averaged 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. Although Saric had better numbers than Brogdon, the latter simply played more efficient basketball. In fact, even ESPN NBA insider Amin Elhassan agreed.

In an interview, Elhassan said “Saric vs Brogdon are a wash – Saric averaged more points, but Brogdon played more meaningful basketball on a winning team and lead rookies in Assists.”

Despite the odds, Brogdon deserved the award and accomplished a rare feat.

In the TNT awards, Brogdon said “I want to say this is a testament to guys that are underestimated, guys that are second-round picks, guys that are undrafted every year that get looked over regardless of what they do.”

Strange NBA Facts Continued…

7. 2021 NBA Finals featured None of Shaq’s teammates for the first time in 38 years

Shaquille O’Neal was one of the most dominant centers to ever play the game, winning four NBA championships, three Finals MVPs, and one MVP. However, an interesting and unique milestone he also possesses is how at least one of his former teammates have managed to make the NBA Finals for 38 years. Although Shaq only played in the league for 19 seasons since 1992, his streak dates back to 1984, starting with Greg Kite, who played for the Celtics in the Finals before teaming up with Shaq when Orlando drafted the highly touted prospect.

Shaq’s streak ended earlier this year, when Rajon Rondo’s Los Angeles Clippers failed to advance to the Finals against the Phoenix Suns.

While this doesn’t really say much on the Hall-of-Fame career of Shaq, it’s still a unique Finals streak that connected the big man to every NBA Finals before this year. But more importantly, his streak shouldn’t be challenged anytime soon.

6. 2021 NBA Finals featured no former NBA champions since 1977

Speaking of the 2021 NBA Finals, a stranger fact is that not a single NBA champion was in any of the two teams’ rosters competing for the championship. This was the first time it happened since 1977. Usually, championship contenders have a couple of seasoned vets who have championship experience in their roster. But for this case, not a single player has won a championship.

The most seasoned player among the two teams was Suns forward Jae Crowder. Crowder headed into the 2021 NBA Finals, entering his second-straight Finals appearance after appearing with the Heat in the previous year. He was the only player in any of the Finals roster that has made it to grandest stage of them all.

The Suns also had 11 time All-Star Chris Paul, who has been to the postseason 13 times in his career. However, it was just his first time to make an appearance in the NBA Finals, due to his playoff career being marred by untimely injuries.

But as we all know, the Bucks’ roster would win their first championships, and the franchise’s first in 50 years. Giannis Antetokounmpo would make a historical Finals run that saw him win Finals MVP after putting up 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.

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5. LeBron James has played more playoff games than 50% of the NBA teams

When LeBron James is on your team, you can expect your squad to be elevated to a championship contender immediately. He is simply a generational player who makes a case as the best to ever play in the game. Aside from winning four NBA championships and four Finals MVPs with three different franchises, James also set the record for making eight consecutive trips to the NBA Finals.

James has also made 14 trips to the playoffs for the past 15 years. There’s no question, he has played in a lot of playoff games. Because of this, a mind-blowing fact is James has played more games than 15 NBA teams, which is half of the league’s team composition.

Over the course of his career, he has tallied 266 playoff contests, which is expected to increase this year especially if the Lakers make the playoffs and if James stays healthy after his return from abdominal injury. Laker fans are certainly hoping that not only will James take the Lakers to the playoffs but to give the Purple and Gold another championship before he hangs up his sneakers.

Strange NBA Facts Continued…

4. After 2011, the NBA Finals MVP has been won by a Small Forward

Although the league is being run a bevy of superstar guards, there’s no doubt that it’s the small forwards who have taken their teams to a championship. After the 2010-2011 season, the Finals MVP has been given to a player who plays the small forward position. The last player who wasn’t a small forward that won the award was Mavericks big man Dirk Nowitzki.

Since then, the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Andre Iguodala, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have been crown Finals MVP. This could stem from the impact of LeBron James. As we all know, LBJ made an astonishing nine trips to the NBA Finals during the past decade. Because of his greatness it was either him, who was crowned the award, or his opposing matchup that includes the likes of Iggy, Kawhi, and KD.

And just recently, Giannis Antetokounmpo continues this surprising streak after he led the Bucks to a historic championship run. Although Giannis mostly plays the power forward position, he is also listed as a small forward and plays this position from time to time.

3. Kawhi Leonard has more Finals MVPs than triple doubles

Speaking of forwards and Finals MVPs, a surprising fact about Kawhi Leonard is that he has more Finals MVP trophies than triple doubles recorded. Kawhi has won two NBA championships and Finals MVPs. One with the Spurs in 2014, becoming one of the youngest to win it at the age of 22. Kawhi’s second Finals MVP trophy was won when he suited up for the Raptors in 2019, after dethroning the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty.+

Surprisingly, he has only logged in one triple double in his entire career. His first and only triple double was tallied against the Heat in the 2019-2020 season. Kawhi dropped 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.

Getting a triple-double isn’t an easy feat. However, winning a championship is even harder. But for Kawhi, his milestones say otherwise. For an excellent all-around player like him, theoretically, he’s more than capable of racking up the triple-doubles. But nevertheless, winning more Finals MVPs than having triple-doubles isn’t an entirely bad thing, given how elusive the former is.

2. Kobe Bryant had more 50-point games in a week than Dwyane Wade ever had in his entire career

The late Kobe Bryant left an unforgettable mark in the NBA. Scoring a career-high 81 points, making countless clutch baskets, making 18 All-Star appearances, winning five NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, and one MVP are all part of his storied legacy. However, there’s another mind-blowing fact about the Black Mamba, which is that he has dropped more 50-point explosions in a week than Dwyane Wade ever had in his career.

From March 16 to March 23 of 2007, Kobe dropped four consecutive 50-point games including a 60-point masterpiece against the Grizzlies.

This fact speaks volumes, given how 13 time All-Star Dwyane Wade is a lethal scorer himself. In his 16 years in the NBA, Wade has made tallied three 50-point games which isn’t an easy feat. On the other hand, Kobe made it look easy by registering four 50-point outings in just a span of one week. There’s no question this is considered as one of the best scoring weeks by any player the league has ever witnessed.

Kobe would go on to win his second straight scoring title at the end of the season, after averaging a dominant 31.6 points per game. And in his 20-year career, Kobe would actually finish with a total of 25 50-point games which is the third most in NBA history. The only players who had more than him are Michael Jordan with 31 and Wilt Chamberlain with 118.

Strange NBA Facts Continued…

1. Giannis Antetokounmpo has as much 40-point games in the NBA Finals as Kobe, KD, Curry combined

After carrying the Bucks to a historic championship, there’s no question that Giannis Antetokounmpo has already stacked his resume at such a young age. At the age of only 26, the Greek forward has already collected one NBA championship, one Finals MVP, two MVPs, one Defensive Player of the Year, and a Most Improved Player of the Year to go alongside with five All-Star appearances and a couple of All-NBA and All-Defensive teams. He is only one of three players to win MVP, Finals MVP, and Defensive Player of the Year.

In the process of putting together the best Finals run, Giannis achieved a crazy feat. In his first and only Finals run so far, the Greek Freak finished with more 40-point Finals games than Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant ever did in their respective careers. This is mind-boggling, given that these three stars are established elite scorers in the league who have made more than one Finals trip.

Curry has been to four Finals trips with the Golden State Warriors. But so far, he has only had one game where he finished with at least 40 points. In 2019, during Game Three against the Raptors, Curry registered 47 points, which was spiked by six threes.

Curry’s former teammate, Kevin Durant is also an elite scorer who was wowed NBA fans for the most part of his career. But surprisingly, he also has only just one 40-point outing in his four Finals trips so far. His lone 40-point Finals game saw him log in a game-high 43 points in 43 minutes against LeBron James and the Cavs in Game Three of the 2018 NBA Finals. KD made six of his nine three-point attempts in that game that helped the Warriors sweep the Cavs for their second straight championship.

However, the most surprising of all is Giannis outlasting the late Kobe Bryant’s tally in the Finals. Kobe has been to the NBA Finals five times in his career. But despite playing a total of 37 Finals games, he has only registered one 40-point outing. Kobe dropped 40 points in Game One of the 2009 NBA Finals against the Orlando Magic, to go alongside with eight rebounds and eight assists.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, on the other hand, has dropped three 40-point outings in his lone Finals run which equates to Curry’s, KD’s and Kobe’s combined 40-point tally in the Finals. The Greek Freak dropped 42, 41, and 50 in Games Two, Three, and Six respectively. His 50-point masterpiece in Game Seven was the most by any NBA player in a closeout game in NBA Finals history.

There's no question, Giannis' string of 40-point games only increase the gravity of what he achieved during the recent 2021 NBA Finals. If anything, he should make a case to be part of the GOAT conversation for what he has achieved at such a young age. Nonetheless, were you at all surprised by any of these strange NBA facts?