10 NBA Players Who Carried Their Teams On Their Back

By Court Zierk

Players Who Carried Their Teams On Their Back

Los Angeles Lakers v Miami Heat — Teams like the 2014 San Antonio Spurs, or the 2004 Detroit Pistons relied heavily on contributions from numerous players on their roster to achieve their success. Other teams have been far more devoid of talent, and depended almost solely on the heroic efforts of their star player. These 10 players in particular had once-in-a-lifetime seasons, put their teams on their backs and carried them to great heights.

10. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers 2005-06)

Los Angeles Lakers v Miami Heat

10. Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers 2005-06)

Los Angeles Lakers v Miami Heat — Kobe has been a part of five championship teams, but the 2005-06 season may actually be his most impressive. His 35.4 PPG ranks second all time, and Kobe carried the Lakers to the playoffs, despite players like Chris Mihm, Smush Parker and Kwame Brown suiting up alongside him. They ultimately lost in the first round, but not before giving the No. 1 seed Phoenix Suns all they could handle in seven games.

9. Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder 2013-14)

Los Angeles Clippers v Oklahoma City Thunder - Game Two

9. Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder 2013-14)

Los Angeles Clippers v Oklahoma City Thunder - Game Two — When Russell Westbrook underwent knee surgery the day after a monstrous Christmas Day game, the pressure was entirely on Kevin Durant to carry the load for the Thunder. Westbrook wouldn’t return to the lineup until nearly three months later, and even upon his return, he was on a minutes restriction. Durant would average 32 PPG on the way to his first MVP award, and willed his team to 59 wins and a second seed in the playoffs.

8. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Milwaukee Bucks 1971-72)

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Portland Trail Blazers

8. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Milwaukee Bucks 1971-72)

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Portland Trail Blazers — Armed with little more than average teammates plus an aged Oscar Robertson, Abdul-Jabbar averaged 34.8 PPG and 16.6 RPG, and carried the Bucks to 63 wins and a second place finish in their conference. This coming off of the franchise’s first championship, and with increased expectations despite inferior talent, Abdul-Jabbar brought the Bucks back to the cusp of another NBA Finals appearance, losing to the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers.

7. Oscar Robertson (Cincinnati Royals 1963-64)

Cincinnati Royals vs. Boston Celtics

7. Oscar Robertson (Cincinnati Royals 1963-64)

Cincinnati Royals vs. Boston Celtics — When you nearly average a triple-double on the season (31.4 PPG, 11.0 APG and 9.9 RPG), you are clearly carrying your team squarely on your back. When you carry your team to the playoffs, and into the second round when your second best player is a rookie in Jerry Lucas, you know you have done something special.

6. Moses Malone (Houston Rockets 1982-83)

Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics

6. Moses Malone (Houston Rockets 1982-83)

Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics — Malone’s final season in Houston was perhaps his most impressive. He played in every single game, and averaged 42 minutes per game, which means he rarely took a break. He also averaged 31.1 PPG and pulled down 14.7 boards. The best talent around him was Elvin Hayes, who was at the tail end of his career, and Calvin Murphy in his final NBA season. Malone carried the load for this team and helped them win 46 games and make the playoffs.

5. Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves 2003-04)

Minnesota Timberwolves v Golden State Warriors

5. Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves 2003-04)

Minnesota Timberwolves v Golden State Warriors — Garnett never had a whole lot of talent surrounding him in Minnesota, one of the major reasons he ultimately left. In 2003, he managed to carry the Timberwolves to 58 wins, a No. 1 seed and into the Western Conference Finals, before falling to the Lakers. He also won his only MVP award by averaging 24.2 PPG, 13.9 RPG, 5.0 APG and 2.2 BPG.

4. Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic 2008-09)

Houston Rockets v Orlando Magic

4. Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic 2008-09)

Houston Rockets v Orlando Magic — Before he was a Rocket or a Laker, Dwight Howard was on the Orlando Magic, and managed to put up one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history, by taking a talent devoid Magic team all the way to the NBA Finals. His 20.6 PPG and 13.8 RPG don’t really tell the whole story. Playing next to Rafer Alston, Mickael Pietrus and Hedo Turkoglu, and managing to maneuver his way to the game’s biggest stage should tell you all you need to know.

3. LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers 2006-07)

Cleveland Cavaliers v San Antonio Spurs

3. LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers 2006-07)

Cleveland Cavaliers v San Antonio Spurs — Before he left for Miami, LeBron played next to the likes of Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden and Eric Snow. All LeBron did that season was take that overwhelmingly mediocre team to the NBA Finals. His 27.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 6.0 APG don’t really show how absolutely dominant LeBron was, and how he squarely put this team on his back.

2. Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers 2000-01)

Allen Iverson #3 with coach Larry Brown

2. Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers 2000-01)

Allen Iverson #3 with coach Larry Brown — Theo Ratliff, Aaron McKie, Eric Snow and Tyrone Hill. These were Iverson’s teammates in 2001. Yet, somehow Iverson imposed his will, game in and game out, and carried his team to 56 wins and a trip to the NBA Finals. His 31.1 PPG is good for 15th on the all-time list. But, you really have to watch some highlights from that season to appreciate how incredible Iverson actually played.

1. Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat 2005-06)

Los Angeles Lakers v Miami Heat

1. Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat 2005-06)

Los Angeles Lakers v Miami Heat — Outside of Shaquille O’Neal, who was in the twilight of his career, the Miami Heat’s cupboard was absolutely bare. Wade’s performance throughout that season was incredible, but how he turned his dominance up in the NBA Finals is what really sets Wade apart (34.7 PPG, 7.8 APG and 2.7 SPG). Before there was the Big 3 in Miami, there was really the Big 1, and Wade put the Heat on his back and brought the franchise their first championship.

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