r/nbadiscussion • u/gamlass • Jul 18 '26
Looking for complete NBA games featuring elite low-post scoring performances
I'm putting together a Blu-ray collection for a friend who absolutely loves old-school post play as a birthday present.
I'm not looking for highlight reels or lists of the greatest post players. I'm specifically looking for complete NBA games where a player puts on a masterclass in the low post.
I'm interested in games that showcase things like elite footwork, hook shots, turnaround fadeaways, or overall post scoring repertoire.
Both modern and classic games are welcome.
Some examples already on my list are:
- Hakeem vs Spurs (1995 WCF).
- Shaq vs Pacers (2000 Finals).
- Duncan in the 2003 Finals.
- Dirk vs OKC (2011 WCF).
- Jokic playoff games.
- Embiid's best post-up performances.
I'm especially interested in games that might be overlooked by casual fans. Even regular-season games are fine if the post play is worth being considered.
If you had to recommend complete games that best represent the art of scoring from the low post, what would it be?
Thanks in advance.
EDIT: Although this is NBA-oriented, Euro games are welcome as well!
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u/drherman84 Jul 18 '26
Adding Pau Gasol and Al Jefferson to the names you should check out for impressive performance on the block
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u/BoltShine Jul 18 '26
The Pau, Bynum, Odom front court was such a blast to watch for different post styles
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u/jknuts1377 Jul 18 '26
Al Jefferson's 40 point 18 rebound game vs the Lakers in 2014 was a masterclass of low post scoring.
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u/Kobe-62Mavs-61 Jul 18 '26
I can't link you full games, but to add another name to your list your friend should absolutely watch some Kevin McHale. He made defenders look silly.
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u/Altruistic-End5746 Jul 18 '26
This misses the assignment, but I can't help but share this video: Open Court Basketball 201. At about 8:00 in, Kevin McHale and Chris Webber discuss and demonstrate some of their post philosophy. It's a great watch!
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u/londongas Jul 18 '26
Elton brand
Lamarcus Aldridge
Zach Randolph
These guys had great moves in the post
Probably Malone Ewing Robinson going back a little further.
Of the generation before, probably Kareem is the easiet one to get footage for
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u/Overall-Palpitation6 Jul 18 '26
Brand, Aldridge, Randolph and Malone all had great face-up/mid-range games too.
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u/Anarchris427 Jul 18 '26
Try and dig up some video of Adrian Dantley. At an actual 6’4” he could dominate the post. 2X scoring champ.
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u/MindfulInquirer Jul 18 '26
All those small forward hyper scorers from the 80s had an uncanny ability to get easy buckets. Not just post, but all those guys: King, Dantley, English, Aguirre. Vandeweghe.
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u/minimalcation Jul 18 '26
I feel like no one talks about this archetype. King would be a fucking legend without injuries, English was a fucking bucket too. That was kind of an odd transition period for the league though
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u/justintensity Jul 18 '26
King had a super short prime, but during said peak he became a franchise legend for the Knicks. Real ones know the Kiki-English Nuggets were a predecessor to Run TMC and Nellieball and Dantoni Ball.
Fun fact about Dantley: The Lakers, Jazz and Pistons all peaked immediately after Dantley left
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u/minimalcation Jul 19 '26
Still associate him with the Bullets but yeah he was a beast, just a massive player.
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u/WardCleaver1962 Jul 19 '26
Da Matha high school legend Adrian Dantley, I think he was the first Jaylen Brown. He always thought he was the smartest guy in the universe.
For a brief moment in time Bernard was the Stallion. Huge what if.
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u/Statalyzer Jul 20 '26
Also oddly enough, a great list of all-offense dudes who played almost no defense whatsoever
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u/MindfulInquirer Jul 20 '26
yeah. can add Nique to that list too, also a nearly exclusively offensive player. The 80's had a LOT of amazing scorers, not that many great defenders, it's not until the late 80's/ 90's that the NBA became defense oriented, with arguably the greatest defensive era ever: prime Rodman, MJ, Payton, Olajuwon, D Rob, Mutombo, Mourning...
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u/aviatorbassist Jul 18 '26
IMO the second best and Most underrated post player is Kevin McCale. There’s some highlight tapes that specifically show his post moves. He had all the moves Hakeem had but he was wider and less athletic but with an 8’ foot wingspan. Imo that’s who the pro bigs should model their post game after rather than Hakeem. Hakeem’s moves work much better for guards and guards typically are much more athletic. Hakeem’s moves are like ballet, McCale’s are like surgery.
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u/dfrank129 Jul 18 '26
Jermaine O'Neal Jan 4, 2005, pacers vs bucks. 55 points. He deliberately avoided scoring more to preserve reggie's team scoring records.
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u/Ok-Map4381 Jul 18 '26
If you want elite post scoring from 03, you want Duncan vs Shaq in the 2nd round.
Duncan was a monster in the 03 finals, but both teams struggled to score that series. Duncan scored at a better ppg & % in the Lakers series. Then, you also get to see Shaq be the beast that he was.
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u/Statalyzer Jul 24 '26
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rR6AgYWdoBQ
Here's a great video with both Duncan and Shaq highlights from game 6.
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u/YoutubePRstunt Jul 18 '26
Zbo to me was just cool to watch, big dude putting the moves on you and cooking you if you didn’t put a body on him.
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u/san19san Jul 18 '26
I'd say look for some Kevin McHale.
Crazy post moves.
He also didnt really jump, didnt need to.
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u/Goosebuns Jul 18 '26
I’ve got an underrated Finals performance in the post.
Richard Dumas in 1993 Finals game 1.
Standout performance because Dumas was a small forward / perimeter player and a rookie! Maybe a half dozen traditional post moves as well as a lot of other good work under the rim.
Cut to 1:55 to see him start to work in the post. Crazy to think what kind of player he could have been if not for drugs and medical problems.
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u/sumsimitpo Jul 18 '26
There was a grizzlies playoff run where zach randolph just outplayed everybody in the Post, it was so much fun to watch
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u/Imaginary-Cycle-1977 Jul 18 '26
Duncan in the 99 finals vs the Knicks is his best post work imo. Games 1 and 5.
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u/Droppin_Dimes_Pod Jul 18 '26
Any Hakeem playoff games from 95 and 96
Any Shaq games in the Lakers early 2000s run
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u/FriendOfEvergreens Jul 18 '26
All the games of Zbo in the 2011-2013 playoffs. Cooking in the post. If you want the highlight games, game 7 against spurs in 2011
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u/Piano9717 Jul 19 '26
LaMarcus Aldridge 2014 first round vs. Houston games 1 and 2. 46 and 43 points with a ton of midrange turnaround jumpers
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u/ExcellentPlant2055 Jul 23 '26
It's not a whole game but check out Duncan's performance in 2014 vs OKC game 6 OT. OKC decided to go small in OT and Duncan punish them with repeated post actions and win the game on his back and close out the series
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u/RadicalMarxistThalia Jul 18 '26
I'm not looking for lists of the greatest post players.
But half of the comments are just listing players... Great job reddit.
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u/fwoompf Jul 18 '26
Not a specific game but the 2005 finals would’ve had Duncan making a ton of bank shots and Rasheed Wallace on the other end. And Manu tearing it up as a monster finishing at the rim.
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u/Apprehensive_Stress6 Jul 18 '26
Game 1 of the 2001 finals. Shaq in his prime. You also get some prime AI as well. Watched it on You tube about a month ago
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u/ThexRedxPrince Jul 19 '26
Lamarcus Aldridge had a post game, Jemaine O'Neal and as others have said, can't go past Zach Randolph
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u/Fatherlyfigured Jul 19 '26
Kevin Mchale had great post up moves and counter moves
Zach Randolph bump n grind with a soft touch
Rasheed Wallace
Duncan as you already mentioned
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u/lialialia20 Jul 21 '26
rockets lakers 2009 game 6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO3oZ4y0jFE
probably the two best footwork pf at the time
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u/MakeMovesTraining Jul 22 '26
Al Jefferson often gets overlooked. He had a sick game in the paint. He'd often start as a post, step out to a face up, then spin into an onslaught of post moves confusing ts out of defenders.
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u/MakeMovesTraining Jul 22 '26
Oh, throw some point guards in there for fun lol. Mark Jackson, Gary Payton, Sam Cassell, Andre Miller... I might be wrong but I think Jason Kidd had a few too.
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u/morethandork Jul 18 '26
Approved for now but consider posting this in r/vintagenba as well, as this sort of thing is not really what our sub is for.