Miracles in the NBA Finals — Unsung heroes who stepped up
The NBA Finals mark the ultimate stage for two teams to prove themselves before the season wraps up. While the spotlight naturally falls on the biggest stars, history has shown that unexpected heroes often emerge—players who rise from the shadows to steal the show when it matters most. Take a look at some of the most unforgettable spotlight stealers in NBA Finals history.
KICK OFF YOUR CRYPTO SPORTS BETTING ADVENTURE WITH SPORTSBET.IO
To clarify what 'spotlight stealer' means in this context, it refers to athletes who were the heroes of the Finals when the media was generally focused on others before the series. Often, these heroes were underdogs like Tyronn Lue, but sometimes, even established stars such as Rick Barry could achieve surprise victories.
Bet on the NBA Finals MVP here
Rick Barry (GSW) – GSW 4-0 Bullets (1975)
Rick Barry, a proven NBA star and former scoring champion, led the Golden State Warriors into the 1975 NBA Finals as their only All-Star player. Facing a powerful Washington Bullets lineup featuring Elvin Hayes, Wes Unseld, and Phil Chenier, the Warriors were clear underdogs.
In what became his final NBA Finals appearance, Barry led with brilliant play and averaged 29.5 points per game, earning Finals MVP honours. Golden State swept the series 4–0, securing their first title since 1956 in one of the biggest upsets in NBA Finals history.
Cedric Maxwell (Celtics) – Celtics 4-2 Rockets (1981)
The Boston Celtics entered the 1981 NBA Finals as clear favourites over the Houston Rockets, with much of the spotlight on rising star Larry Bird. However, Maxwell played beautifully in key moments, reaching an average of 17.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per match.
While Bird also had a strong showing, averaging 15.3 points and 15.3 rebounds, Maxwell’s consistent efficiency and leadership proved more impactful. As a result, he was named the 1981 NBA Finals MVP, earning the honour over the heavily favoured Bird.
Vinnie Johnson (Pistons) – Pistons 4-1 Blazers (1990)
Vinnie ‘Microwave’ Johnson earned his nickname for how quickly he could heat up off the bench and deliver explosive scoring runs. While he was rarely in the spotlight—often overshadowed by stars like Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, and Dennis Rodman—he proved invaluable during critical playoff moments.
In the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals against Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, Johnson played a key role as the Pistons advanced to the NBA Finals. He once again showcased his clutch scoring ability in the 1990 NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. Johnson later admitted he wasn’t always aggressive, but when he felt in rhythm, he kept attacking, making him one of Detroit’s most reliable spark plugs off the bench.
Tyronn Lue (Lakers) – Lakers 4-1 76ers (2001)
The 2001 Los Angeles Lakers boasted a star-studded lineup featuring Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, supported by key role players like Derek Fisher. Tyronn Lue, often overshadowed by these stars, suddenly gained widespread attention after Allen Iverson’s memorable step-over in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Although the 76ers won that opening game, the Lakers bounced back to win the next four games, clinching the championship. Lue’s tenacious defence on Iverson throughout the series was crucial, earning respect from fans and teammates alike. Although Iverson delivered a standout performance as the 2001 MVP, Lue’s relentless defence managed to unsettle his rhythm and played a key role in the Lakers’ championship win.
Chauncey Billups (Pistons) – Pistons 4-1 Lakers (2004)
By 2004, the Los Angeles Lakers had already won three NBA championships earlier in the decade (2000–2002), boasting superstars Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Their opponents in the Finals, the Detroit Pistons, featured stars such as Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, and Tayshaun Prince, making it a challenging matchup.
The 2004 NBA Finals were a hard-fought five-game series, with the Pistons emerging victorious largely due to Billups’ leadership. Averaging 21 points and 5.2 assists per game, Billups’ stellar performance earned him the Finals MVP title and cemented his role as a key figure in the Pistons’ unexpected championship win.
Robert Horry (Spurs) – Spurs 4-3 Pistons (2005)
Entering the 2005 NBA Finals with the San Antonio Spurs, 34-year-old Robert Horry brought his experience as a five-time NBA champion to the team’s pursuit of another title. Most fans and players see him as a veteran role player past his prime, and fully expect other athletes to overshadow him. Among the top prospects were the stars from the Detroit Pistons’ 2004 lineup of defending champions.
The San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons were evenly matched, giving NBA fans a wonderful series that reached up to Game 7. It was Horry who became a deciding factor in this series after an explosive performance in Game 5. He scored 24 points, 21 of which were in the 4th quarter and overtime, including a 3-pointer in the last 5.9 seconds.
Bet on in-play basketball games here
Mario Chalmers (Heat) – Heat 4-1 Thunder (2012)
The Miami Heat entered the 2012 NBA Finals as favourites against the Oklahoma City Thunder, powered by stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. After the Thunder took Game 1, the Heat responded by winning the next four games to claim the championship. They almost caught a snag in Game 4 when LeBron got a leg cramp, giving Mario Chalmers a chance to shine.
Chalmers registered 25 points in the last minutes, sinking a highly efficient ratio of 9 shots out of 15 attempts. This stunt impressed his peers, with Dwyane Wade commenting that he came through for the team and is due for a big game.
Danny Green (Spurs) – Spurs 3-4 Heat (2013)
The Miami Heat were chasing their second consecutive NBA title when they faced the San Antonio Spurs in the 2013 NBA Finals. Despite being underdogs, the Spurs pushed the series to a dramatic Game 7.
Danny Green emerged as a breakout star, hitting 27 three-pointers across the series, shaking up expectations as a key role player. Though the Spurs lost and LeBron James earned the Finals MVP, Green’s shooting remains one of the series’ most memorable highlights.
Andre Iguodala (GSW) – GSW 4-2 Cavaliers (2015)
LeBron James is at the top of his game after consistent finals appearances, even as he moved to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2014. That’s when he met Andre Iguodala of the Golden State Warriors, rivalling his tempo and nabbing the 2015 Finals MVP award. It’s also surprising because legendary point guard Stephen Curry is the favourite for the award.
Iguodala is, by no means, a slouch in the ring. Most experts simply have their eyes on James and Curry this season because of their strong form and the fact that Andre was benched for most of the season. Andre averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, playing a crucial role in the Warriors’ victory and securing the 2015 Finals MVP award.
Fred VanVleet (Raptors) – Raptors 4-2 GSW (2019)
Fred VanVleet was one of the most overlooked contributors heading into the 2019 NBA Finals. He was undrafted in early 2016 and didn’t appear in the spotlight for the majority of his time with the Toronto Raptors. Though he spent much of his early NBA career out of the spotlight, VanVleet broke through during the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors.
At this point, the Warriors are already two-time winners of the 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals, and it is their fifth consecutive Finals appearance since 2015. However, their victory revolves around Curry, whom VanVleet guarded effectively in the series. VanVleet threw off the Warriors’ star shooter, lowering his accuracy to 1-of-5 in the 4th Quarter of Game 6. His performance was vital to the Raptors securing their first-ever NBA title.
Why do these moments matter?
Spotlight-stealing performances are reminders that no game is decided from the jump. Players reach superstardom for their consistency, but a hero can come out of the shadows to shake up people’s expectations.
Every player has a role to play, and sometimes, they break past their limits and shine brighter than ever in the heat of the moment. These are golden moments that keep sports as thrilling as ever. You can often see these in high-stakes events like the NBA Finals series.
Who could be this year’s wildcard?
The NBA 2024/25 is drawing to a close, and the Finals are just around the corner. Betting markets will be open as soon as the competing teams are decided, and you’ll have all the best markets in NBA underdog betting right here at Sportsbet.io. You can bet on the Finals MVP winner, and when you do, remember that the underdogs could outshine the favourites.
Back the next underdog at Sportsbet.io
Sportsbet.io brings you the best sports betting experience for crypto betting. Check out the promotions page and see all the best deals available to you. We have giveaways in USDT, rakeback offers, and bonuses dedicated to the NBA Finals. Opt in to any deals you find exciting to enhance your sports betting session with cryptocurrency.
Bet on basketball outrights here
DISCLAIMER
The information provided by the blog above on Sportsbet.io is for general information purposes only. While all information on the site is provided in good faith, we make no representation, warranty, or guarantee of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, or completeness of any information or betting tips on the Site.
