King James Gospel
Fansided

32 Is The New 22: Why It’s The King’s Court Now More Than Ever

By Dan Gilinsky

May 3, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts in the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors in game two of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket over Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) during the third quarter in the second round of game four of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
May 7, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket over Toronto Raptors forward PJ Tucker (2) during the third quarter in the second round of game four of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Reason #1: Efficiency

It’s not just the statline James has posted in these playoffs. It’s how he’s going about his business. Bron is putting up 34.4 points per game (he’s now the postseason leader in this category), on 55.7 percent from the field (per nba.com). His player efficiency rating is also the best postseason mark of “The Return” at 31.0. Simply put, he’s getting everything he wants on the hardwood. That has resulted in mostly effortless numbers across the board for “Bron Bron.” Sorry Lance Stephenson.

In his 14th year in this league, he’s looking as spry as ever. He’s still arguably the toughest off-the-dribble guard in the NBA, and he’s finishing at a LeBron-typical-but-anyone else-unbelievable rate in his 14th season. On shots 0-3 feet from the rim, the King is shooting 76.1 percent this postseason.

The only times he shot better in the playoffs from that distance was in the 2012 playoffs (when he was the MVP of the league in Miami), and in his last postseason run with the Heat (per Basketball Reference).

Just take a look at the production in this sweep against the Toronto Raptors, starting with the home games. Bron had a “quiet” 35-point game, on 56.5 percent shooting and shot 7-of-8 from the charity stripe in Game 1. He was seemingly getting layup after layup, both in mismatches in halfcourt sets and in transition off rebounds and live-ball turnovers.

Then in Game 2, it was even easier for him. James had 39 points on just 14 shots (you read that right), including four-of-six triples and made 15 free throws. He was so bored by the Raptors defensive coverage that he probably could’ve had 70 points if he wanted to.

In Games 3 and 4, he was essentially getting everything he wanted again, as he was nailing step back threes and knocking down lefty floaters from 13 feet out. I’m not really sure how anyone can defend this guy right now; you probably just have to outscore him.

Overall, his true shooting rate this postseason is a remarkable 66.3% and his offensive rating is 117.4 (per nba.com). He is also averaging the most paint points per game in the playoffs, but that’s not the whole story, which brings me to my next point as to how he’s playing at the best level of his career.

The dude’s three-point shooting has been out of this world.