3. Magic Johnson, 1980, 1982 & 1987
Only two players in NBA history have won the Finals MVP award on more occasions than Los Angeles Lakers icon Magic Johnson. A three-time award-winner who helped Los Angeles dominate the 1980s, Johnson was the epitome of a big-game player.
Tied for the all-time Lakers lead in Finals MVP awards, Johnson spread his accolades out across the decade in yet another example of his all-time greatness.
Johnson's influence on the NBA Finals began during his rookie season, when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went down and the legendary point guard started Game 7 at center. Johnson rose to the occasion, dropping 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and one block as the Lakers successfully won the championship.
Two years later, Johnson again paced the Lakers past the Philadelphia 76ers as he won a second championship and Finals MVP in just three seasons.
Johnson was already an elite player by then, but 1987 would ultimately define his greatness as the top star of his generation. He averaged 26.2 points per game in the 1987 NBA Finals, as well as 13.0 assists, 8.0 rebounds, and 2.3 steals, as the Lakers defeated Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics.
With 19 assists in the decisive Game 6, Johnson proved once more why he's commonly known as the greatest point guard in NBA history.