LeBron James: The Best Finisher in NBA History

“LeBron James with no regard for human life!” 

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“Chalmers, Cole… JAMES!”

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Immortalized through the calls of Kevin Harlan and Mike Tirico respectively, LeBron James has thrown down two of the most memorable posters in NBA history. But it’s not just emphatic dunking that LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers does well; it’s any kind of finishing at the rim. He may very well be the best at it in league history.

Just from watching him play, it’s so obvious that LeBron has been given some form of Herculean strength that allows him to finish a through a ridiculous amount of contact. There’s even a nine and a half minute highlight reel of his sheer finishing-through-contact ability.

The numbers don’t lie either. No one in the NBA today finishes at a higher rate with the same volume and same shot creation ability as LeBron.

Below are the players in the top 100 of shots attempted within three feet of the basket for the past three seasons, sorted by field goal percentage.

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 8/29/2015.

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 8/29/2015.

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 8/29/2015.

And it’s not just that LeBron has been in the top five two of the past three seasons, top ten in all three, it’s the percentage assisted that makes his incredible conversion rate on ridiculous volume all the more impressive.

Only ever relying on his teammates to set up plays for him only roughly 50 percent of the time, LeBron uses his tremendous strength and locomotive style of play to relentlessly attack the basket. James has a downhill style of playing, frequently using his quickness and speed to blow by slower defenders, finally finishing with strength around the rim.

And it’s not just the past three seasons that reflect LeBron’s efficiency; his entire career is a reflection of it as well. Shooting nearly 43 percent of his shots at the rim and finishing at nearly a 70 percent rate, LeBron James is by far the best finisher since the NBA started tracking shot locations in the 1997-1998 season.

On a per possession basis, a LeBron James shot at the rim is worth 1.4 points for his career. At his peak of nearly 80 percent conversion- 1.6 points per possession. That’s more efficient than a Kyle Korver spot up three (he shoots about 50 percent).

Often times, LeBron does receive criticism for his game and the fact that, last season, he had a sharp decline in his efficiency. Sure, his shooting was definitely below average compared to what it was in Miami, but he is still the deadliest offensive weapon in the game when it comes to driving to the hoop.

Combined with his remarkable passing ability, LeBron is essentially unstoppable when it comes to converting at the rim and setting up his teammates for easy buckets. He may be aging and his athleticism waning, but it’s no secret that he is still one of the most physically gifted athletes to play the sport.

Although his rugged style of attacking the rim at all costs is far from beautiful, his game will age gracefully. It already is. And that’s the thing about LeBron James; he’s already becoming the player he will be into his twilight years. And if only finishing 72 percent of his shots at the rim is his twilight, then one of the biggest superstars in NBA history is leaving on nothing short of a supernova.

Next: NBA Finals History: Ranking The Last 50 Champions

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