ESPN Ranks The Greatest Playoff Runs in NBA History

[THE MACHINE]

22. LeBron James, Cavaliers, 2009

Position: SF | Age: 24

Result: Lost in East finals

GP PPG RPG APG BPG SPG TS% USG
14 35.3 9.1 7.3 0.9 1.6 61.8 36.4

Unlike everyone ahead of him on the list, James didn't win a championship. In fact, the Cavaliers didn't even reach the NBA Finals, losing to the Orlando Magic in six games in the Eastern Conference finals. But James was more valuable in three series than any Finals loser was in four. On a per-minute basis, James' .879 individual win percentage (the estimate of how often James and four average players would win) blows away any playoff performance since the merger. He used 36.4 percent of Cleveland's plays with a true shooting percentage north of 60 percent, rebounded like a big man and passed like a point guard.

In the East finals, James averaged 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists, making a buzzer-beating 3 for one of the Cavaliers' two wins. Alas, Cleveland's supporting cast wasn't up to the task. No reserve averaged more than 3.6 points per game in the series.
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With this one post, I have to officially take back everything I said about ESPN not overhyping Bron.

he didn't even make the Finals that year.....didn't EVEN MAKE THE FINALS!!!!!

 

[H.J.Duck]

@ Dirk's 2011 run being #50

terrible list....

 

[GreatestLaker]

With this one post, I have to officially take back everything I said about ESPN not overhyping Bron.

he didn't even make the Finals that year.....didn't EVEN MAKE THE FINALS!!!!!

I don't have a problem with 09 Lebron being ranked that high. He was a beast. Especially in the Orlando series.

 

[Primetime21]

With this one post, I have to officially take back everything I said about ESPN not overhyping Bron.

he didn't even make the Finals that year.....didn't EVEN MAKE THE FINALS!!!!!

Did you read their rationale or no

No reserve averaged more than 3.6 points per game in the series.....3.6 POINTS PER GAME IN THE SERIES!!!!!!

 

[Higher Tech]

Dirk @ #50 when they beat the Heat.


Bron at #2 for beating OKC.

 

[Skooby]

So you mean to tell me these fakkits didnt even include Iversons 01 playoff run? the blatant blackballing of my nikka its amazing

I can't understand why he isn't there. He was a one-man offensive machine.

 

[Primetime21]

Dirk @ #50 when they beat the Heat.


Bron at #2 for beating OKC.

Is the article greatest finals opponent or greatest playoff runs? you cats are remedial

 

[Taadow]

The Dirk disrespect is disgusting

I gotta agree with this, yo. Dirk was ballin' outta his mind the year they won that chip...

 

[Absolut]

they even got dirk below wade from the same year, when dirk had better numbers across the board, and got the w and the finals mvp, which was said to have been a factor in the ranking placement.

Since the goal of a postseason run is the title, I also added one WARP for champions. And, though it doesn't always go to the player who was best in the playoffs, I also awarded a 0.5 WARP bonus to each year's Finals MVP

the fukk?

 

[Surreal]

Where's Paul Pierce as well?

 

[MoneyTron]

The stat geeks ruin yet another list.

In Kobe's 2010 run he averages 29/6/6 with a Finals MVP and is ranked 34th.

Dirk 2011's run was barely on the fukking list.

Bron getting playoff runs that didn't even get to the Finals.

GTFOH with this bullishyt. One star.

 

[Surreal]

Is the article greatest finals opponent or greatest playoff runs? you cats are remedial

Dirk sweeping Kobe, beating Durant/Westbrook in 5, and big 3 in 6
is #50 ?

 

[Primetime21]

Dirk sweeping Kobe, beating Durant/Westbrook in 5, and big 3 in 6
is #50 ?

I dont know why Dirk is at 50. But to say LeBron is at 2 for 'just beating OKC' is asinine. and ya'll gotta stop simplifying the game to the point where you're saying one person swept another player, or beat another 2-3 guys. It's a team game

 

[MoneyTron]

2006 DIRK BEFORE 2011 DIRK?!?!?!!?!?1

99 ROBINSON OVER 2011 DIRK?!?!?!?

AM I TAKING CRAZY PILLS?!?!?!

ESPN'S STAT GEEKS HAVE TO BE STOPPED.

 

[Texas2step]

Hakeem had the GOAT playoff run and Dirk had the 2nd