If LeBron Completes This Title Run, He'll Have Dispatched the Best Small Forwards in the NBA
By Jason McIntyre
LeBron has mostly gone head-to-head against some of the best small forwards in the NBA this postseason, and gotten the better of them.*
1st Round: Carmelo Anthony
2nd Round: Danny Granger
Eastern Conference Finals: Paul Pierce
NBA Finals: Kevin Durant
The only elite small forward LeBron didn’t have to go through was Rudy Gay, and frankly, he might rank 5th of the guys listed above. So not only has LeBron faced the best players at his position in the league, but he’s also averaging 30.7 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, plus he’s leading the NBA in offensive rebounds this postseason (47), shot attempts, shots made, free throws attempted, free throws made, and minutes.
If LeBron is able to lock up the series – he’ll certainly secure MVP – we’ll be comparing his amazing postseason to what Jordan did in 1992 against Knicks, Cavs and Clyde Drexler’s Blazers or 1998 against the Pacers and Jazz.
* Yes, LeBron has played a lot of power forward in the playoffs because the Heat have gone small due to Chris Bosh’s absence. No, he didn’t defend Melo or Durant on every possession.