How LeBron James’ Playoff Resume Stacks Up Against Those of NBA Legends

June 4th, 2013 by Josh Martin Leave a reply »

Another brilliant Game 7 performance, this time at the expense of the Indiana Pacers, did plenty to bolster LeBron James' already burgeoning legacy while moving him within four wins of his second consecutive NBA title.

But what does this latest virtuoso performance mean for LeBron's place among the NBA's pantheon of all-time greats? To better understand where and how James fits in, we must first figure out amongst whom he fits in.

 

The Caveats of Comparison



Realistically, there's no use comparing LeBron—or any other modern champion, for that matter—to Bill Russell. The Boston Celtics legend played in a league that merely resembles today's NBA.

When Russell retired in 1969, there were 14 teams in the NBA (11 in the then-independent ABA) and three rounds in the playoffs. The three-point line had yet to be invented, and the Finals MVP award had just been instituted, with Jerry West becoming the first (and still only) player from a losing team to take home the honor.

Compare that to the NBA of 2013, which features 30 teams, four playoff rounds, a prominent ...

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