@Carter Bilbro Jordan has the 4th, 7th, 24th and 25th best playoff games for a total of 4 of the top 25 playoff performances. His average ranking would thus be 15. Lebron has number 18 and 20. His average would be 19.
@CitsVariants You are such a fool to say that this era had weaker defense. Curry while not having the ball was already guarded. Who is guarding LeBron in opposing team? Wait I'm wrong the question is who are guarding LeBron on opposing team? Not 1,not 2,not 3 not 4 but almost everyone is guarding him. Even parker guarding him parker just let him pass cause Duncan is waiting at the rim. That's how LeBron should be guarded. Small player on perimeter and just let him pass and contest at the rim.
Legit one of the greatest playoff performances ever, especially under those circumstances, game 6 on the road in a must win game against a really good Boston Celtics squad that beat LeBron two years before. This man was determined to win by any means necessary and get that first 🏆
@Brent Tenoriothey weren’t in their prime yes, but they definitely weren’t a bad team, they had a nack for playing bad our not as good as they could early in the playoffs especially against bad teams but always had a switch they flip, everyone including Rondo had a lot of experience at that point including Rondo, they were a deep team with 15 deep useful players. Saying it shouldn’t have gone to 7 games isn’t completely right Paul Pierce’s age wasn’t really a big deal in terms of playing now at the time, he always had an old man game and was still moving pretty good, KG was still playing like he was 5 years younger, Ray Allen was pretty much pushed into a spot up shooter/pick and pop shooter, Rondo was obviously in his peak as well posting the playoff high in game 2 of that series with 44 and still his career high, obviously before LeBron’s 45.
this was the opening flood gates of a legendary NBA career alongside Jordan's playoff arrival vs prime bird Kobe's 81 point game Steph's vs OKC that made him the MVP
Lebron first legendary game is game 5 vs Piston in the 2007 ECF, 48 pts, scored the last 25 and 29 of the last 30 of his team, most clutch performance i’ve ever seen .
This is one of the most important games of LeBron's career. He took matters into his own hands and put on a virtuoso performance for the ages. For me, this outweighed his 25 straight points performance back in the 2007 East Finals in terms of the circumstances he and the Heat faced after the 2011 Finals.
@jrdb19 i get all that, however, i don't believe that it is called saving when someone performs on a high level and wins the game. The reason for that is because it's everyone's job to contribute and make sure that the team wins. My point about the championship is you may have all the championship but you will never be considered best just by having those. Yes it will boost the resume but you have to consider as well that you will be define more on your skill, how you play the game, your resiliency and how you are on the court day in and day out. Team accomplishments is a factor but not as big as your overall performance.
In my opinion, the best individual playoff performance ever!! Under high pressure and delivered when it matters.. Shows why many ppl consider him in the GOAT conversation🏆🏆
In my eyes lebron is the greatest player ever . Jordan is great I'm watch him in highlights ... But lebron is greatest player ever . Until now I'm watch him I'm cry if he retired someday 😭
@Felipe Fernández def a pretty good one too. I just like to give Dirk his props because I think most people don't realize how difficult his playoffs runs was. Unironically pu the team on his back more than probably any player ever did for the span of multiple games
Before this game, LeBron James has basically achieved every single achievement individually: MVPs, All Star MVPs, All Star Games, All NBA Teams, and many other accolades except for defensive player of the year. The only one missing is the ultimate goal, which is a championship. He went into the NBA Finals with the Cavs in 2007 but he has faced the much more experienced and heavily favored Spurs, which had them swept the Cavs. Since then, LeBron hasn't made back into the NBA Finals. He got close in 2009 but on those last games, he basically disappeared in those games and for that, he was heavily criticized because again, LeBron has achieved so much individually but underachieved in the playoffs. Then in 2010 free agency, LeBron decided to go to Miami in a nationally televised program called The Decision. That move was received negatively by everyone and viewed as “unnecessary” because it was unprofessional, and a punk move on the part of LeBron. It was so bad that some Cavs fans burned his jersey and putting it on camera. LeBron has formed the “Big 3” with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and was heavily favored to win the championship. LeBron’s first year was basically a year full of media and fan scrutiny and he was also the most disliked athlete because again, his decision to tell that he was going to the Heat in a nationally televised program was uncalled for, and unnecessary. The Miami Heat then went to the NBA Finals facing the Dallas Mavericks, which the Heat were heavily favored. They were up 2-1 games, but LeBron has again disappeared, scoring only 8 points in game 4 and played bad for the rest of the series and the Mavs went on for the biggest upset, winning the championship in 6 games. This is the biggest meltdown that LeBron has faced in his career. After the championship series, the media, former players, and the fans were after on LeBron, heavily criticizing him for disappearing again, especially in the Finals where they were heavily favored, and it was deemed that LeBron will just seemingly disappear if he needs to step up or if he needs to win a big game. Facing the next season, LeBron was determined to get back and redeem himself. He won the MVP in that season (his 3rd), and the Miami place second in the Eastern Conference. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Heat faced the Boston Celtics, which is a rivalry existed between LeBron and the Celtics. The Heat were up 2-0 games, but the Boston Celtics managed to tie up the series. In game 5, Paul Pierce drained a 3 pointer in LeBron’s face to seal the game, and Boston was now up 3-2 games. Everyone assumed that the Celtics will go to the NBA Finals because game 6 is In Boston and everyone expects that LeBron is not going to show up based on his past games where he didn’t show up. Everyone is heavily criticizing and also questioning LeBron’s legacy coming into this game, and this game answered all of those questions and shutting the criticisms up.
@Simon Kanatschnig ppl hate comparing him to Jordan but he’s the only players ever to put up numbers just as good if not better than jordan averaging 35pt triple doubles for multiple series
@SS fasho. 51 against arguably one of the greatest teams ever assembled at their house coming off a tough 7 game series with a lackluster supporting cast. even if they still get swept, that 18 G1 wouldve been his best game ever
@scotti pippen That Dallas team was the deepest team in the NBA 2011 season. They were clearly the better team on paper, they swept Kobe's Lakers. Noone gives credit for Dallas' exceptional defense.
I remember me and my best friends were watching the game and the whole time we were as quiet as he was. He wasn’t even my favorite player at the time. I just wanted him to win. I’m glad we got to witness as well yo
The best part for me is the interview after. Dead serious he says he just wanted another game. He's knows whats on the line for himself and he sees his chance.
I remembered watching this, just in shock and happy! LBJ really showed us why he earned the name KING 👑🔥 This game will always be remembered and legendary!
THIS IS THE PEAK GREATNESS OF LEBRON!!! ATHLETICISM IS OFF THE CHARTS AND HIS JUMPER IN MIAMI ERA IS THE MOST EFFICIENT AND THE HIGHEST FIELD GOAL OF HIS CAREER SO WITH THAT COMBO, THAT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS PLAYER TO EVER GRACE THE COURT!!! NO ONE COULD STOP HIM BEING LIKE THIS!!!
@JB Tiamson that's literally the only finals loss i hold him accountable for because he performed badly after Game 1...the other 5 isn't his fault. You're right👏🏾
If anyone ever doubt LeBron for being clutch, this should proof you wrong. When it most mattered he delivered with such an all-time great performance and on top of that, this was during a time, in which he was even more hated, scrutinized (also by media) and where he hadn‘t won his first ring yet. 10 years later we can all agree his legacy will never fade away
@Love Peace MJ needed pippen and the greatest coach of all time in phil jackson :(. got swept twice in the first round L. lets just say he got swept 3 times cuz 1-9 , 0-9 same thing IMO.
@Love Peace mj couldn’t win a ring without pippen kept getting blown out in the playoffs year after year while bron brought his team to the finals at 22 years old by himself get real brons the goat
This is how legends are made, you can talk about his finals record but 2012 and 2016 playoffs are his most defining years. I mentioned those playoff runs because that’s is where he was down the series and put his team on his back.
No wonder Pierce hates LeBron, and will forever be beyond his death. LeBron stopped the Celtics era after Kobe's Lakers collapse by forming the superteam Heat. LeBron conquered East for almost a decade while in Heat and Cavs. LeBron crushed his and KG's old Nets. LeBron defeated the young excellent Celtics roster headed by Tatum and Brown. Lastly, LeBron humiliated him in his jersey retirement night. That's cold.
One of my all time favorite performances from LBJ ALL TIME. The pressure in this game was insane but he remained cool, calm and collected the entire game. Now that is impressive.
Not even a Lebron fan, heck I was even rooting for the Celtics to close this out lol. But this game is the greatest performance by a single player i have ever seen. The way he carried the Heat from start to finish despite all the pressure is crazy.
Doesnt matter how you feel about lebron this is one of the greatest performances of all time. So much on the line and he came out on a completely different level and was near perfect
I don't know if everyone has appreciated the whole journey. This man has made his teammates better throughout his career and still become individually better. Appreciate these last few years. We won't ever see a King James like this again once he hangs it up.
This was the greatest games in sports history knowing what was on the line. Career was on the line here not just the series. Not only did he deliver but he delivered in a game of perfection.
100% iconic!! Ya knew when ya saw LBJ face n them eyes looking like that, this game was his fr 💯… Dude didn’t let a thing phase him for anything.. He wasn’t smiling, jus watching his god given talent n how he took that to tha next next level, made a lot smile fr.. Legit one of tha best playoff performances by this man I’ve ever ever seen 🎯Dubbed as tha unselfish 👑, he is…… To everyone everywhere, stay safe stay blessed 🙏🏽❤️✝️
have never seen a game like this one from any other player. it's ridiculous how he shows the advantage he has over the other players in the court. never forget
At this point in time (2012), LeBron was a 3x league MVP with zero championships. The Heat were also up 2-0 in this series before the Celtics took three straight including Game 5 at Miami. With the Cs up 3-2 ready to close it out at home in Boston for Game 6, all the noise was directed towards the Heat. The critics and fans were ready to celebrate the end of this failed superteam, and there were serious rumors of breaking up this James-Wade-Bosh trio (2011 Finals loss plus potentially losing in ECF in G6). Bron had 30 points in the first half and was easily on pace to drop 55+ if the game was close in the second half (fourth quarter). The only sign that told me he was human was him going 5-9 from the line for the game (all FTAs in first half). This game goes beyond the 45-15-5 stat line. It marked a turning point in his career before he won his first chip.
I was born In 2000 so I never seen any of MJs games live on tv but this is probably the best playoffs performance I’ve seen by far. The fact that people were building crazy narratives after game 5 and he came out next game like it was his last game shit was crazy! That crowd was quiet asf the whole game.
Considering all the pressure he faced that season and playing in that hostile environment, this feels like the greatest elimination game performance ever.
Added this video to my likes and my favorites immediately, I remember watching this game live, I was so nervous but then I realized who the King IS. Top 5 favorite game from the GOAT
This game and game 1 of the 2018 finals were the two greatest performances I've ever watched. so upsetting that Cavs team let him down that game, I was screaming at JR through the tv lol, but george hill did just have to hit that free throw too. If they win that game the whole series changes, all that momentum goes to them. Anyways, appreciate the greatness while you can. Also idk when he was better, This Lebron back in 2012 or that 2018 playoff run Lebron.
This is the best one man show performance I've seen in from the last decade since MJ when he had 45 points against Utah in Game 6 of the Finals in 1998. Lebron was wrecking everybody in this game especially Paul Pierce. Lebron literally shut down the whole Boston Arena, the Haters and the doubters
This was the most clutch performance in NBA history! Everything was on the line that night for LeBron, that was a diciding game in his legacy and he more than just delivered everybody counted them out and sad the big 3 was over and lebron went in there ij Boston and outscored their whole starting five and never let them a chance from start to finish the crowd was silent for 90 percent of the game. Remember watching it live it was unbelievable to watch i am blessed that I saw it at about 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning where I live but more than worth it 🙏🏼 the king 🤴🏿
Lebron right here, was the PERFECT blend of youth, experience, hunger, strength, athleticism, and straight up god given basketball abilities. This is what I mean when I say this version of lebron is the very best basketball player ever. MJ just was not this good, his teams were.
Even Michael Jordan never been down a series and had this type of adversity. He maybe 6-0 in the finals but he never got to experience being down 2-3 elimination games and see how much pressure it will be for them.
I love the music choice, makes me feel exactly how I felt while watching this game, as a heat fan I was feeling the pressure especially towards the 2nd quarter, so many people forget that that big 3 Boston had a habit of going down I. The 1st half even to teams that weren’t great and then turning it up in the half, I’ve watched so many games but this still ranks as the best game I’ve ever watched I can only imagine how it felt in person
This is the beat NBA video I've ever seen. It's like a documentary with epic camera work and great musical timing. I truly felt the tension even though I don't know the full history of LeBron. However, I feel his determination to win
I remember watching this game live and saying "what's up with LeBron?" beforehand. It's cliche', but he had a look that was borderline evil. But players posture all the time like that. What was weird is that he wasn't talking to his teammates or anybody, and everyone who has watched him knows he is always talking. Also, check D.Wade @ 8:42. The face of a guy who sees momentum slipping but refuses to let anyone see it because he knows it can swing right back. lol Oh, and LeBron had 31 and 12 in game 7, in case you wondered.
Damn can't believe how fast time passes by now he's turning 38 and not healthy anymore and I can say that the LeBron era is about to end it was a phenomenal career and I'm proud I did not take him for granted because we may not see another player like him One of the greatest player to ever touch a ball, King James 👑🔥🏀
This wasn't 45/15/5 against a scrub team. This was against a team full of all stars, defensive greats, offensive sensations and he basically took them on single handedly in the first half. This man was a monster that night.
I know he has a 4/10 record in the finals, but making the finals 10/20 times is crazy. He is in almost every top-5 category of the playoffs. Also one of the most clutch players ever, GOAT. Gotta appreciate the greatness till it lasts
This man owned the Celtics when he was the King of the East when he entered his prime. From the era of Garnett and Pierce to the era of Tatum and Brown, it is often sure that LeBron would reach the NBA Finals. Superteam or not, he is definitely a bus driver during his prime.
Looking back at what lebron said about his teammates knocking their shots down - he doesn't actually needs a lot of 3pt shooters. He just needs somebody who he can give the ball and who can make a shot. Don't care if you drive, pull up, or catch and shoot. You can even throw an assist if needed. Just make sure you're not a sellout for the team
I remember watching this game, screaming at the TV! “Do this every game and nobody could stop you!” This man could’ve literally played this way and had 50 every night back then but chose not to.
As a Heat fan, I remember this game like it was yesterday. Before it started I was nervous and I was thinking that this was the end. The entire game, I didn't say a single word because of how worried I was. Then after game, I spoke by saying "Thank God."
After Boston lost this game & seeing how locked in Lebron was in this game 6 I knew Miami had this series and I'm a Celtics fan! It hurt witnessing this, the end of the Boston big 3 but this was bound to happen, Lebron really breaking through and becoming a champion. It was inevitable!
Lebron carried the whole team on his shoulders, DOMINATING PERFORMANCE!🔥mannn incredible game. He played outstanding ball like it was his last game of career.
You know it’s weird that this game is so iconic but none of his 2018 playoff games are. I was more impressed what he was able to do with the cavaliers that year. Game 6 ecf he had 46 pts. It’s like nobody remembers that year cause he didn’t win a chip.
LeBron's and arguably Miami's most important playoff game ever - unbelievable that Jimmy Butler put up 47 in a similar though much lower stakes situation 10 years later also at TD Garden in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals
Jordan was my hero growing up as a kid in the early 90s. LeBron became my idol as an adult. Never seen such composure, discipline, skill and longevity in any other person I've ever seen.
The way he locked in, the look in his eye after every shot, he told himself he wasn’t going home. Just wish he had more performances like this. Should have more chips
The best playoff performance ever ‼️ The most pressure anyone has ever faced in a playoff game I don’t think it’s even close. If he loses this game the NBA wouldn’t be the same today.
Yeah, he was other-worldly. But he still managed to notice the kids and signed his autograph for them. He consistently treats fans well from what I've seen of him.
Greatest playoff game ever🤷🏾♂️💯the game with his whole legacy on the line he wasn’t going out wish he played like this every game he’d be the undisputed goat
