4. LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
LeBron James continues to turn away Father Time, as even at 38 years old he is averaging 23.4 points, 10 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.3 blocks per game so far in the playoffs. He is shooting 49.1% from the field as well. James has scored 20 points in every playoff game so far except one (Game 5 against Memphis).
While James has deferred and played through teammates more in these playoffs than we have seen in the past, he has done so effectively. So far, it feels like he is choosing the right moments to defer and the right moments to take over himself.
The best example of James turning it on when he needs to was his 30 point-9 rebound-9 assist performance in the Lakers’ closeout Game 6 win over the defending champion Warriors (which marked James’18th 30-point game in series-clinching win (which moves him to just one shy of Michael Jordan’s record of 19)).
James had another superb regular season this year, averaging 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. He shot 50% from the field. That led to James being selected 3rd team All-NBA (a record 19th All-NBA selection of his career).
3. Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)
Talk about going into the Conference Finals on a high note. Tatum put up 51 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 assists on 17/28 shooting (6/10 from three) in the Celtics’ blowout win over the 76ers in Game 7 of the Eastern semis. That’s after Tatum seemingly saved Boston’s season in Game 6 by scoring 12 points in the final 4:20 (after a dreadful 1/13 start to the game) to propel Boston to a win while facing elimination.
Overall in the playoffs, Tatum is averaging 28.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. He is shooting 45.3% from the field, 35.9% from three, and 86% from the line. Tatum has made the third most 3-pointers so far in the playoffs with 42, trailing only the two splash brothers (and he will likely pass them in the conference finals).
He hasn’t been perfectly consistent in the playoffs, but when he’s on, it’s tough to find anyone better. Even on top of the 51-point Game 7, Tatum has four other 30-point games.
In the regular season, Tatum averaged 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game on 46.6% shooting. Those numbers earned Tatum a 1st team All-NBA selection and a fourth-place finish in the MVP voting. Tatum is the only member of the 1st team All-NBA team to make the Conference Finals.