Test Your Sports Knowledge With NBA Playoffs Trivia

By Jeff Figler

W elcome to the first installment of a sports trivia column by Jeff Figler. The goal is to run this on a monthly schedule. No prizes, just bragging rights – but what’s better than one-upping your buddies when it comes to sports?

The questions are seperated by difficulty. Answers are located at the bottom and are applicable through the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

Easy
1. Who holds the record for the most rebounds in a playoff game?

2. Which team has lost the most playoff games?

3. Which player has won the most NBA playoff championship MVP awards? Who is second?

4. Which coach has won the most NBA championships?

5. Which player has played in the most playoff games? How many?

Moderate
6. Which two players hold the record for the most assists in a playoff game? How many assists? Which games?

7. Who has the highest winning percentage in playoff games: Bill Russell, Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan?

8. Which NBA team was the only team to win a championship other than the Celtics from 1956-62? Who was their leading scorer in the final game?

9. Which NBA player holds the record for most free throws made in a playoff game?

10. Which player has the highest playoff points per game average? Who is second?

Difficult
11. Which player won NBA championships with the most different number of teams?

12. Which current NBA teams have never been in the playoffs?

13. Who was the youngest player ever to be in the NBA Finals?

14. In which year was the playoff schedule format changed from a best 3-of-5 format to a best 4-of-7 format in the first round?

15. Who were the first black players to play in a NBA playoff game?

Bonus
Who was the tallest player ever to win an NBA Championship ring?

Jeff Figler is a noted trivia expert, collector and author. His most recent book “Collecting for Beginners” can be ordered from his website, www.collectingwithjeff.com.

Trivia answers

1. 41 by Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics on April 5, 1967.

2. Los Angeles Lakers.

3. Michael Jordan has won the most with six, 1991-93, 1996-98. Tied for second place with three each are Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal and Magic Johnson.

4. Phil Jackson, with 11 championships. With the Chicago Bulls in 1991-93, 1996-98, and with the Los Angeles Lakers, in 2000-02, 2009-10.

5. Robert Horry, 244 games.

6. 24 by Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns on May 15, 1984; 24 by John Stockton, Utah Jazz vs. Los Angeles Lakers on May 17, 1988.

7. Michael Jordan, with 66.5 percent. (Kobe Bryant has a 65.8 percent, and Bill Russell has a 64.8 percent.)

8. The Saint Louis Hawks, 1958. Bob Pettit – 50 points.

9. 30 by Bob Cousy, Boston Celtics vs. Syracuse Nationals on March 21, 1953. The game featured four overtimes.

10. Michael Jordan is the highest, with a 33.45 average. Allen Iverson is second, with 29.73.

11. Robert Horry. He won seven championships with three different teams: Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs.

12. None. There are no current NBA teams that have never been in the playoffs.

13. Magic Johnson. In 1980, at 20 years old, he suited up with the Los Angeles Lakers.

14. 2003.

15. Jim Tucker and Earl Lloyd. (Both played in 1955 with the Syracuse Nationals.

Bonus answer: Chuck Nevitt, 7 feet, 5 inches, with the Chicago Bulls in 1992.