The NBA playoffs are where stars are born and where superstars make the difference. That’s why it’s no surprise that the teams still in contention for an NBA title are led by some of the best in the association. Now that we know who the regular season MVP was, let’s take a look at the players who have been the most valuable in the postseason:
1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
LeBron has played in each of the last four NBA Finals and he won two of them, so it’s no surprise that in his first season back in Cleveland, he is leading the way for the Cavaliers. James has averaged 26.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.6 blocks per game so far this postseason and more importantly, he has stepped up his game when the spotlight has been the brightest in the second round versus the Chicago Bulls.
With the Cavaliers trailing 2-1 in their Best-of-7 series with the Bulls, LeBron hit the game-winning buzzer beater in Game 4 and then put up 38 points in Game 5 to help them take a 3-2 series lead. He also may have broken the will of a Chicago team that didn’t show up for Game 6 when Cleveland won 94-73. With the pressure building ahead of the Eastern Conference Finals, it will be interesting to see what LeBron has in store next.
2. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
The NBA MVP has averaged 27.8 points per game in these playoffs, which is more than any other player on this list. With Curry playing at such a high level, it will be tough for any team to knock off the Warriors. Curry’s incredible shooting ability has been his best attribute but he is also averaging 6.4 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game along with 4.2 three-point shots. Perhaps most impressive about Curry’s numbers are the fact that they have been so good – even against one of the best defensive teams in the NBA in the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s also worth mentioning that his partner in crime, fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson, hasn’t quite been himself in the postseason. Entering Game 6 against the Grizzlies, Thompson was just averaging just 17.5 points per game. That’s left more of a load for Curry to shoulder and he’s had no problem doing so.
3. Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
Griffin has been a beast for the Clippers this postseason as he has averaged 25.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.1 steal and 1.0 blocks. The most important face is that he played at an even higher level when Chris Paul was injured in the first two games of their series versus the Houston Rockets. In those two contests, he averaged 30.0 points and 14.5 rebounds per game. Los Angeles will get another chance to put away the Rockets with Game 7 and while anything can happen in a winner take all type of game, the bottom line is that Griffin deserves to be considered among the NBA playoff MVP’s to this point.
4. James Harden, Houston Rockets
Harden has averaged 26.3 points per game along with 8.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals this postseason. While some might not expect to see him on this list because he was on the bench during Houston’s incredible comeback in Game 6 against the Los Angeles Clippers, that’s just straight nonsense.
If he performs at an elite level and helps the Rockets win Game 7 against Los Angeles, then he will vault ahead of Griffin on this list of potential NBA postseason MVPs. Harden has been outstanding all season and if he can help Houston move on to the Western Conference Finals – a feat nobody expected of this Rockets team – his name will be talked about a lot more than it already has been for the level of play that he has brought to the Rockets this year.
