Lebron averaged 35.8 ppg off of only 39.8% from the field, an average of 13 makes off 33 attempts. Can you imagine if Kobe or Westbrook did this and lost? The media would scrutinise them until the end of time.
The media then said that his minutes were off the charts and he should be expected to fall off. Well that isnt necessarily the case as seen here:
Lebron averaged 42.2 MPG over the playoffs over only 20 games.Compare this with some greats:
Oscar Rob and Wilt both over 48MPG in 1965
Allen Iverson 2005, 47.6 MPG,
Kareem 1974, 47.3 MPG,
Gilbert Arenas 47.33 MPG, 2006
Shawn Marion, 2003, 47 MPG
Kobe, 2006 44.86 MPG
Iguodala 2009, 44.83 MPG
Derrick Rose 2009, 44.71 MPG
There are many more, in fact he is not even in the top 244 minutes per games played in playoffs in history!
How about in the Finals?
Lebron averaged 45.7 MPG over those 6 games
Lebron averaged 45.7 MPG over those 6 games
Compared to:
Kobe, 2001, 46.8 MPG
Iverson, 2001, 47.4 MPG
Kobe, 2004 46.2 MPG
Kobe, 2001, 46.8 MPG
Iverson, 2001, 47.4 MPG
Kobe, 2004 46.2 MPG
and more
Support Cast Comparison
What about his supporting cast? Seen as one of the worst of all time. Well was it really?
Here we see the dominance of Mozgov and Tristan Thompson:
Let's compare to some other teams. I know some may seem quite crazy but this is what the media has led you to believe.
2009 Lakers
I would like to discredit everybody saying Bynum was a beast when Lakers won the title, because it is incorrect.
in 2009 Finals when Lakers won the championship v Orlando, Bynum averaged 18 mpg, 6ppg and 4rpg. If you are saying he was a major factor, thats just silly.
In contrast Tristan Thompson in the finals averaged 10ppg 13rpg and 1bpg. Clearly a more dominant player
In contrast Tristan Thompson in the finals averaged 10ppg 13rpg and 1bpg. Clearly a more dominant player
Secondly Lamar Odom, he averaged 13.4 ppg and 7.8 rpg in 34mpg. Compared to Mozgov who averaged 14ppg and 7.5 rpg in only 28mpg
Next Ariza, he averaged 11,0 ppg and 6rpg in 37.6 mpg, JR averaged 11.5 ppg and 4.3 rpg in 33,6 mpg
Dellavedova averaged 7.5 ppg 2.7 rpg 2.7 apg to Derek Fisher's 11ppg 3.0 rpg and 1.8apg
So overall we see that the only real advantage lakers had was the difference of DFish to Delly and Pau Gasol, but TT was much more dominant than Bynum and Mozgov actually out statted Pau in per 36mpg.
2010 Lakers
How about in 2010 I hear you ask? When Lakers beat the Celtics?
Pau Gasol: 18.6 ppg 11.6 rpg in 42 mpg
Timofey Mozgov: 14 ppg 7.5 rpg in just 28.3 mpg
Timofey Mozgov: 14 ppg 7.5 rpg in just 28.3 mpg
Metta: 10.6 ppg 4.6 rpg in 36mpg
JR: 11.5 ppg 4.3 rpg in 33.6 mpg
JR: 11.5 ppg 4.3 rpg in 33.6 mpg
D Fish: 8ppg 3rpg 2apg in 30.6mpg
Delly: 7.5 ppg 2.7rpg 2.7apg in 31.8mpg
Delly: 7.5 ppg 2.7rpg 2.7apg in 31.8mpg
Lamar: 7.6ppg and 6.6 rpg in 27 mpg
Tristan Thompson: 10ppg and 13rpg in 41mpg
Tristan Thompson: 10ppg and 13rpg in 41mpg
Bynum: 7.4ppg and 5.1 rpg in 25mpg
Shumpert: 6.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg in 36mpg
Shumpert: 6.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg in 36mpg
Now can we stop overhyping Lebron?
2011 Mavericks
So we all know how the 2011 series went, Lebron brick city, but have a look at this. Come on now, you aren't telling me Jason terry and 37 year old Jason Kidd should've run the Heat out of their building?
Tyson Chandler: 9.7 ppg 8.8 rpg in 37 mpg
Tristan Thompson: 10ppg and 13rpg
Tristan Thompson: 10ppg and 13rpg
Jason Terry: 18ppg 2rpg
JR: 11.5 ppg 4.3 rpg
JR: 11.5 ppg 4.3 rpg
Jason Kidd: 7.7 ppg 4.5 rpg 6.3 apg in 37mpg
Delly: 7.5 ppg 2.7rpg 2.7apg in 31.8mpg
Delly: 7.5 ppg 2.7rpg 2.7apg in 31.8mpg
Shawn Marion: 13.7 ppg 6.3 rpg
Timofey Mozgov: 14 ppg 7.5 rpg in just 28.3 mpg
Timofey Mozgov: 14 ppg 7.5 rpg in just 28.3 mpg
JJ Barea: 8.8 ppg 3.2 apg
Shumpert: 6.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg
Shumpert: 6.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg
2001 76ers
Allen Iverson I would say had a better Finals series in 2001, taking a game off that Lakers team, than Lebron did in 2015.
Both historically bad in efficiency, both seemingly leading their team to the finals. Iverson tiny in comparison to Lebron physically
Iverson came up against an incredible Shaq-Kobe team and took a game, Lebron came up against an inexperienced Warriors team and took 2 games. Lets look more in depth at the stats
Lebron: 35.8 ppg on 39.8% shooting, 13.3 Rpg, 8,8 Apg, 3.5 TO
Iverson: 35.6 ppg on 40.7% shooting, 5.6 rpg, 3.8 apg and 1.8 spg, 2.2 TO
Iverson: 35.6 ppg on 40.7% shooting, 5.6 rpg, 3.8 apg and 1.8 spg, 2.2 TO
Also everyone was sooking about how many mins lebron played. He played 45.7 MPG compared to Iverson's 47.4 MPG.
Mutombo: 16.8 ppg 12.2 RPG
TT: 10 ppg 13 RPG
Eric Snow: 12.6 ppg, 6apg, 4,4 rpg
JR Smith: 11,5 ppg, 4,3 RPG
JR Smith: 11,5 ppg, 4,3 RPG
Aaron Mckie: 8ppg, 6apg
Delly: 7.5 ppg 2.7 apg
Delly: 7.5 ppg 2.7 apg
Tyrone Hill: 6.6 ppg 6.6 rpg
Mozgov: 14 ppg, 7.5 rpg
Mozgov: 14 ppg, 7.5 rpg
Matt Geiger: 5.2 ppg
Shumpert: 6.5 ppg 3.8 rpg, 1.8 spg
Shumpert: 6.5 ppg 3.8 rpg, 1.8 spg
Taking into consideration that Iverson came up against a superior opponent, and that LBJ had Kyrie in game one with a 23/7/6/4 game and still lost who do you think did better?
1994 Rockets
Hakeem the dream, compare this 1994 cast that he won with v Lebron 2015. Please tell me who is an all star for Hakeem
Vernon Maxwell 36.5% FG, 13.4 PPG 3RPG 3APG
Mozgov 55% FG, 14 PPG 7.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG
Mozgov 55% FG, 14 PPG 7.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG
Robert Horry 32.4% FG, 10.3 PPG 6RPG 3.7 APG
JR Smith 31% FG, 11.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG
JR Smith 31% FG, 11.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG
Sam Cassell 10 PPG, 3RPG, 3 APG
Delly 7.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.7 APG
Delly 7.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.7 APG
Otis Thorpe 9.3 PPG 11.3 RPG
Tristan Thompson 10 PPG, 13 RPG, 1BPG
Tristan Thompson 10 PPG, 13 RPG, 1BPG
Kenny Smith 5.6 PPG 1.4 RPG 3.1 APG
Shumpert 6.5 PPG 3.8 RPG 1.8 SPG
Shumpert 6.5 PPG 3.8 RPG 1.8 SPG
2003 Spurs
This is an interesting comparison, one I had no idea about and totally didnt expect until it was brought to my attention
The 2003 SPURS! Can you believe it. Tim Duncan may have actually had a worse support cast than 2015 LBJ.
Tony was only 20 years old and Robinson was on the way out 37 years old. Lets have a look
The 2003 SPURS! Can you believe it. Tim Duncan may have actually had a worse support cast than 2015 LBJ.
Tony was only 20 years old and Robinson was on the way out 37 years old. Lets have a look
Tony Parker 39% FG, 14 PPG, 4.2 APG, 3.2 RPG
Mozgov 55% FG, 14 PPG 7.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG
Mozgov 55% FG, 14 PPG 7.5 RPG, 1.5 BPG
Stephen Jackson 38% FG 10.3 PPG, 4.2 RPG
JR Smith 31% FG, 11.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG
JR Smith 31% FG, 11.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG
Malik Rose 7.7 PPG 3.8 RPG 0.7 APG
Delly 7.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.7 APG
Delly 7.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.7 APG
David Robinson 10.8 PPG 7.3 RPG 1.8 BPG
Tristan Thompson 10 PPG, 13 RPG, 1BPG
Tristan Thompson 10 PPG, 13 RPG, 1BPG
Manu Ginobili 34% FG 8.7 PPG 4.5 RPG
Shumpert 6.5 PPG 3.8 RPG 1.8 SPG
Shumpert 6.5 PPG 3.8 RPG 1.8 SPG
Noticibly the FG% of Manu, Tony and Jackson were all quite low. Can we really say LBJs cast was that much worse than Duncan's here?
So overall we have found that Lebron's minutes weren't anything special, and his support cast wasn't THAT bad. We haven't even taken into consideration that Lebron had Kyrie and Love in the reg season and Kyrie for the playoffs, whereas the teams above made it on their own.
Another case of media hype I guess
Who Had the Worse Support Cast
