The intensity of the NBA playoffs is much higher than that of the regular season, with more intense confrontation and more targeted defense. For the core players of the team, the opponent will often conduct in-depth research through consecutive encounters, develop a special defensive strategy, and make the game more difficult. However, some of the top players have been able to shine under high pressure.
Today we take a look at what three NBA legends – Michael· Jordan, Kobe· Bryant, LeBron, · James – have averaged the highest points per game in a playoff series.
Michael · Jordan: A historic performance of 45.2 points
Jordan had a brilliant career, with six championships making him one of the best players of all time. However, before that, Jordan also experienced a lot of setbacks. The Bulls were not a strong team at the beginning of their careers, and Jordan led the team to three consecutive first-round stops in the 1984-1987 season, and was swept twice. However, even in the midst of difficult times, Jordan still showed amazing scoring ability.
In the 1986 playoffs, Jordan led the Bulls against the Celtics, who had the best defensive efficiency in the league that season. The Celtics have plenty of defensive talent, with Kevin · McHale, Dennis · Johnson, Robert · Parrish and others forming a solid defensive line. However, Jordan averaged a staggering 43.7 points per game in this series, including 63 points in the second game of the series, and still holds the NBA playoff single-game scoring record.
Two years later, in 1988, Jordan led the Bulls against a defensive Cavaliers. This year, Jordan won many honors such as MVP, Best Defensive Player, Scoring Champion and Steal King in the regular season, and he was in good shape. In this round of the playoffs, Jordan went to the next level, averaging a career-high 45.2 points per game in a series and leading the Bulls to a series victory. The series also marked the transition of Jordan's career from "individual hero" to "team leader."
Kobe · Bryant: 35-point pinnacle series
Bryant began his career off the bench, but he quickly developed into a Lakers starter and became a Lakers perimeter core player during the 1999-2000 season. In this year, Bryant helped the Lakers win a championship and start their three-game winning streak.
In the 2000-01 season, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille · O'Neal led the Lakers to a 15-1 record in the playoffs to complete the title defense. In the second round of the playoffs against the Sacramento Kings, Bryant averaged the most points per game of his career series — 35 points. The Kings have the league's top defensive player, Doug · Christie, but even in the face of such a strong defensive player, Bryant still frequently broke through the defense and played an impressive performance of 35 points per game.
The fourth game of the series was one of Kobe's masterpieces, and he scored 48 points on 51.7 percent shooting from the field, leading the Lakers to victory in the face of adversity. Bryant scored 15 points in the final quarter of the game to ensure the Lakers completed the sweep over the Kings.
LeBron · James: 38.5 points personal peak
LeBron · James excelled in his first career trip to the playoffs, averaging an impressive 35.7 points per game in the first round of the 2006 playoffs against the Washington Wizards. Since then, James has repeatedly scored high points in the playoffs, especially in the 2008-09 season, when James led the Cavaliers to the Eastern Conference Finals, which became the highest scoring average in a series of his career.
In the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, the Cavaliers faced the defense-strong Orlando Magic, and James averaged 38.5 points per game. The Magic have Dwight · Howard, the defensive player of the season, who is the best in the league in defensive efficiency. However, James scored 49 points in the first game of the series, and even under the opponent's tight defense, he still showed his scoring ability.
In Game 2 of the series, James made a game-winning three-pointer to help the Cavaliers beat the Magic 96-95 and extend the Cavaliers' hopes of advancement. Despite James' extremely good performance throughout the series, scoring 40+ points in consecutive games and even a triple-double of 37 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists in Game 5 of the series, the Cavaliers were still eliminated by the Magic in six games.
In this round of the series, James' individual performance reached its peak, averaging 38.5 points per game, but the Cavaliers were defeated in overall strength and ultimately failed to enter the Finals. It was also the only time in James' career that he lost the Eastern Conference Finals.
Jordan, Bryant and James are some of the greatest players in NBA history, not only in the regular season, but also in the playoffs, a more challenging arena with unmatched scoring prowess. They were able to maintain a high level of performance in the face of strong opponents and high pressure, leading the team to victory.
Jordan's 45.2 points per game in the 1988 playoffs, Kobe Bryant's 35-point performance in the second round of the 2001 playoffs, and James' 38.5 points per game in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals are some of the highlights in NBA playoff history. Although basketball is a team sport and victory or defeat is often determined by many factors, these supergiants still leave an indelible mark on the playoff stage with their individual strength.
Their performance is not only the victory or defeat of a game, but also the challenge and transcendence of the limits of basketball. Every highlight performance is a testimony to their unremitting efforts and fighting spirit in their careers.