3 Terrible Playoff Performances
Prior to last night's 7-13 performance from three-point range, NBA MVP Steph Curry had opened the Finals by going 4-21 from three in the first two games. Atrocious as it may be, Steph's cold streak is not among some of the greatest playoff failures that sport has seen. Here are a few that stand out.
1. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles - 2003-04 NFC Championship
The combination of McNabb and former coach Andy Reid guided the Eagles to four straight NFC title games, but only one Super Bowl. Much of the blame has been directed toward McNabb's reputation for puking in big games, represented greatly by his performance against Carolina in the '03-'04 NFC title game. Ricky Manning Jr. picked off McNabb three times as the Eagles fell 14-3 to the Panthers, with McNabb completing just 10 of 22 passes for a 19.3 rating.
2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers - 2007 NBA Finals Game 1
Curry's Finals counterpart, in his first finals appearance, turned in a performance that was... underwhelming. In fact, the whole series was terrible for James, and his team went on to get swept by the Spurs.
3. John Starks, New York Knicks - 1994 NBA Finals Game 7
Michael Jordan's brief foray into baseball opened the window for someone other than Chicago to come out of the East, and Starks' Knicks took advantage. In a hotly contested series with the Rockets, New York forced seven games - and Starks wilted. He made just 2 of 18 from the field, including a beyond-comprehension 0-for-10 in the fourth quarter. What's more? He missed eleven - ELEVEN - three-pointers.
