Who is the Best NBA Player in the Playoffs?
The National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs are an exciting time of year for basketball fans. Every team is vying for the championship and each individual player is striving to be the best. But who is the best NBA player in the playoffs?
The Best Player is Not Always the MVP
While the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the regular season is often considered the best player, this is not always the case. In the playoffs, a player’s performance can be even more important than in the regular season.
Other Factors to Consider
When trying to determine who the best NBA player in the playoffs is, there are several factors to consider. These include:
- Leadership: A player’s ability to lead and inspire his teammates is essential for success in the playoffs. Players who are able to take control of the game and make their teammates better are invaluable.
- Consistency: A player’s performance must remain consistent throughout the playoffs. One great game is not enough; a player must be able to bring his A-game every night.
- Clutchness: In the playoffs, it often comes down to the wire. Players who can consistently perform under pressure and make the big shots are invaluable.
The Best Players in the Playoffs
There have been many great players in the NBA playoffs over the years, but a few stand out above the rest.
LeBron James
LeBron James is widely considered the best player in the league and he has had some of his best performances in the playoffs. He has been to the NBA Finals eight times and has won three championships. He is also a four-time MVP and a three-time Finals MVP.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant is another all-time great who had some of his best performances in the playoffs. He won five championships and was the 2008 Finals MVP. He also was the second-leading scorer in NBA playoff history.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest player of all time and his playoff performances certainly back that up. He led the Chicago Bulls to six championships and was the Finals MVP in all six. He is also the all-time leading scorer in NBA playoff history.
The Modern Greats
There are also many great players in the league today who are making their mark in the playoffs.
Stephen Curry
Stephen Curry is one of the best players in the league today and he has had some great performances in the playoffs. He won two championships and was the MVP of the 2015 Finals. He is also the all-time leader in three-pointers made in the playoffs.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is another top player in the league today and he has also had some great performances in the playoffs. He has made the NBA Finals five times and won two championships. He was also the MVP of the 2017 Finals.
James Harden
James Harden is a four-time scoring champion and has had some great performances in the playoffs. He has led the Houston Rockets to the Western Conference Finals twice and has been the MVP of the playoffs both times.
Conclusion
It is impossible to say definitively who the best NBA player in the playoffs is. There have been many great players throughout the years and there are many great players in the league today. Players like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan will always be remembered for their great playoff performances, but the modern greats like Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and James Harden are making their mark as well.
References
- NBA.com: MVP Awards
- Basketball-Reference.com: All-Time Playoff Points Leader
- Basketball-Reference.com: All-Time Playoff Three-Pointers Leader