In 1988, Jordan scoring 52 with 24/29 field goal shooting v Barkley's 42 points. Was watching it today. Also kudoz to Iverson and Carter putting on the show in Eastern semi-finals, there were three 50s in that series
It certainly was, although it was during EC semifinals. Allen vs Gordon in this year's playoffs wasn't bad either. I'm not considering it as one of the best of course, it's just one of the most recent ones. Bird vs Wilkins and Sprewell vs Duncan (1999 Finals Game 5) come in mind too.
"Fighting for peace, is like fucking for virginity" - George Carlin
The David Thompson/George Gervin battle to win the scoring title in 1978 is an interesting one. Perhaps it's not entirely appropriate given it wasn't head-to-head but it did happen on the same day with Gervin scoring 63 and Thompson topping that with 73 (on the last day of the regular season for those unfamiliar with the story). I reckon you'd need to put it in there as a special case.
One that I can recall is that new year's game of the Bulls against the Bucks back in 1998. MJ and Glen Robinson are contesting each other (I reckon MJ got 40 something and Robinson got 35 or 40). Jordan's shooting perfect in the 1st quarter. Rodman's triples almost stole the show
Sauru wrote:bird vs wilkens was my favorite shootout of all time
Yeah, that was plain sick they way they were going at it. But my favorite was the Bernard King/Isiah Thomas duel from the first round(Game 5) of the '84 playoffs.
The last one was Lebron and Wade. Wade had 41, Lebron had 40 and the Cavs won.
But yeah. Jordan vs Barkley was a great game. Saw it full length, including Jordan's tough shot over Barkley in the end. Jordan with 55, Barkley with a triple-double..