LeBron on Pace for Most Dominating Playoffs Ever

by TheStats on May 6, 2009 9:29 PM CDT

Five games into the playoffs LeBron James is on pace to record the most dominating individual performance ever as measured by P.E.R., a statistic that combines all the offensive and defensive stats recorded by the NBA. Here are the greatest single year playoff performances of all time:

1. LeBron James 41.82 (so far) this year

2. Hakeem Olajuwon 38.95 in 1988

3. George Mikan 33.58 in 1954

4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 32.35 in 1977

5. Michael Jordan, 32.04 in 1991

Then there are six others at 31something including Dwight Howard so far this year. The Hakeem number should have an asterisk because they lost in the first round, only 4 games. Most likely that 38.95 would have dropped with more games. LeBron's number may drop too, especially when the Cavs face better teams.

LeBron is 6th and rising on the career playoff PER list at 25.38. There's a good chance he'll pass Olajuwon's 25.69 during these playoffs and then Tim Duncan and Shaq shortly thereafter. The top two will be tougher: Jordan at 28.59 and Mikan at 28.51. Still, even those numbers are not out of reach but it would take several more excellent playoff seasons.

LeBron led the league in PER during the regular this year. He trails only Michael Jordan and Shaq for career regular season PER and will probably pass Shaq next season.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on FearTheSword.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff at FearTheSword

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Neat post.

Just confirms what we know intuitively. By every objective measure, LeBron may be the best to play the game. I am so glad we get to “witness” him.

So I told her," I'll be nicer if you try to be smarter!'..That was a mistake.

by Juannieboy on May 6, 2009 9:54 PM CDT reply actions

Isn’t PER a rate stat? If so, how can you say he’ll “probably pass Shaq next season.” If he has another great season then it’s possible but if his stats are down a little then his PER will go down, not up, right? Of course, it’s likely he will have another statistically dominate season next year, but he could be very good and still see his stats go down slightly, so I don’t think we can assume he’ll be passing anyone yet.

by Buckeye Brad on May 6, 2009 9:59 PM CDT reply actions

i figure two things

1. Shaq’s 2009-2010 PER will be low. This year he played very well for his age and put up a 22.3 so I figure him for a 21 or so next year. That will bring his career number down a bit.

2. LeBron’s per this year was SIX points higher than his career number. He’s better and his team is better. Next year, even if he slips to 30, will push him up near the Shaq career number.

by TheStats on May 6, 2009 10:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Just Awful

I contend the Cavs and Lebron hasn’t done anything yet. They are not that good people come on. (SARC)

Baseball is God's sport! All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist

by E5 on May 7, 2009 10:34 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah best player ever

Yeah I agree

Celtics 17 banners. That's more than your team.

by Celtics 4 life on May 9, 2009 1:45 PM CDT reply actions

Certainly better then

McHale, Bird or that guy who traded you KG for a bag of peanuts.

Baseball is God's sport! All Truth Goes Through Three Stages 1.It is ridiculed 2.It is violently opposed 3.Finally, it is accepted as self-evident. kinesiologist

by E5 on May 9, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions