LeBron James Is Untouchable In Playoffs Mode
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James has checked into what he calls, “Playoffs mode.” The rest of the NBA looks helpless against him.
Whether you love him or you hate him, there’s no rational way around the fact that LeBron James is one of the greatest players of all-time. He’s a four-time league MVP, a two-time NBA champion, a two-time Finals MVP, and a nine-time All-NBA First Team honoree.
After somehow flying somewhat under the radar for most of 2015-16, James is playing some of the best basketball of his career during the closing stretch of the regular season.
That may seem like hyperbole, but the level at which James has played since going into, “Playoffs mode,” isn’t fair. He’s dominating teams of all calibers, scoring with ridiculous efficiency and producing across the board in a manner that’s even impressive for him.
The Cleveland Cavaliers may or may not win it all this year, but James certainly seems like he’s preparing for the former outcome.
The flaws that have haunted James in 2015-16 are suddenly becoming strengths. The strengths that we’ve all taken for granted are being showcased at a level so extraordinary that lingering doubt is rapidly being eradicated.
James is playing like The King again, and there’s nothing the opposition has been able to do about it.
Playoffs Mode
When LeBron James deleted his social media accounts and claimed to be going into, “Playoffs mode,” most laughed. The average person who has deleted their Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram account may be able to relate, but even then, it seems like a relatively minor course of action.
Or not.
Since going into playoffs mode, James has been an absolute terror.
“Playoffs mode,” has been a period of 10 games played and 12 outings overall. During James’ 10 appearances, he’s averaging 28.4 points, 8.5 assists, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 3-point field goals on a slash line of .620/.519/.800.
During that Oscar Robertson-esque stretch, James has recorded at least 30 points on 76.5 percent shooting or better on three different occasions. Ridiculous.
James isn’t just padding the stat sheet and walking away with a loss in hand. Cleveland is 8-2 during the 10 games James has played, which is even more impressive when one considers it’s 0-2 when he’s been absent.
The key to James’ stunning push to return to his throne: his jump shot.
His Jumper Works Again
Throughout his storied career, the primary knock on LeBron James has been that he can’t shoot. That, of course, is ignoring the fact that he converted 35.4 percent or more of his 3-point field goals in every season between 2011-12 and 2014-15.
Improved as his jump shot had been between those four seasons, the rims of 2015-16 were not quite as kind as those between 2011-12 and 2014-15.
Prior to entering, “Playoffs mode,” James had a slash line of .506/.286/.722. In other words, he was converting worse than 29 percent of his 3-point field goal attempts, and made just 72.2 percent of his shots from the free throw line.
That’s not good.
Since entering, “Playoffs mode,” however, James is making an absurd 51.9 percent of his 3-point field goals and 80.0 percent of his free throws. He’s averaging 2.7 3-point field goal attempts and 6.0 free throws per game, which neutralizes the sample size argument as it pertains to shots attempted.
James needs to do this for more than 10 games, and 51.9 percent shooting from 3-point range will be almost impossible to maintain, but if his jump shot is working again, only he can stop himself.
Best In The World?
Stephen Curry is going to win a second consecutive MVP award, and deservedly so. He’s dominated the NBA with a combination of scoring volume and efficiency that’s never been seen before—no, literally, never before.
When LeBron James is going all-out on the court, however, there’s no one who does what he does at the level he does it.
James still a 6’8″ and 250-pound freight train who, at full speed, can bulldoze through even the strongest of NBA players. That full speed is still freakish for a man his size, and those physical gifts are nothing to overlook—the moment you do is the moment James obliterates you.
Coupled with his basketball IQ, improved jump shot, remarkable court vision, and knack for postseason brilliance—seriously, who insults five consecutive NBA Finals appearances?—James is one of the elite of the elite.
One could argue Curry over James, and that’s an argument worth supporting after the season Chef Curry has put forth. The two superstars from Akron, Ohio seem to be on a collision course, however, and while Curry’s team is certainly better, an answer could soon present itself.
If nothing else, James is setting the stage for what promises to be one of the greatest individual battles in NBA Finals history.
Good luck to the Eastern Conference teams hoping to stand in James’ way.