The NBA’s Conference Finals are in full swing and there is no shortage of star power on display.
With both series’ entering the stretch run, let’s take a look at the five players who are leading the way for their teams this postseason:
5. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
There has been a lot of talk surrounding the Celtics’ young wing players, but the one who stands out is Brown.
Brown was not expected to play a lead role this year but has stepped up in the post-season.
After averaging 14.5 points during the regular season, Brown has absorbed all the knowledge he learned during the 82-game campaign and unleashed it in the playoffs. The second-year player has upped his scoring average in the Conference Finals to 18.7 points per game, while also playing lock-down defence.
In Game 3, Brown struggled, calling his performance “an embarrassment,” but it shouldn’t overlook his performance in the first two games.
In Game 1 he outscored LeBron James 23 to 15 in a blowout win. In Game 2, Brown’s 23 points helped the Celtics capture home court advantage.
As great as the Celtics have been, they would not be where they are without Jaylen Brown. His aggressiveness on offence and solid defence is what gets the green engine going. With the series tied 2-2 heading back to Boston, he’ll need to continue to step up if the Celtics want to advance to the Finals.
4. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Full disclosure: If it wasn’t for Curry’s performance in Game 3, he wouldn’t have made this list.
In the first two games of the Western Conference Finals Curry, looked like a lost puppy and seemed out of sync with the Warriors’ offence. His lethal three-point shooting was cold as ice, shooting just 15 per cent in the first two games combined — and he was getting cooked for dinner on defence, too.
You would’ve thought that one of the Monstars from Space Jam came to Earth and stole his powers.
But in Game 3, the two-time MVP put his skills on full display in a 126-85 blowout win over Houston.
After relying heavily on Kevin Durant to carry the load, in Game 3, they went back to their pick-and-roll offence with Curry and Draymond Green, forcing James Harden to be the lead defender.
Golden State shot 63 percent (7-of-11) from the field with James Harden as the primary defender. The dynamic duo of Curry and Durant combined for 6-of-7 for 25-points.
.@StephenCurry30 brought out the Shimmy! #NBAPlayoffs | #DubNation pic.twitter.com/WUghdEPPY0
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 21, 2018
In a crucial third quarter, Curry scored 18 points, hitting all seven of his shots and finished the game with an easy 35 points. Curry was so in the zone that during the third quarter, after making a floater in the lane he yelled to the crowd, “This is my f—ing house!” Very uncharacteristic but who can blame him after playing a perfect quarter?
3. Al Horford, Boston Celtics
When Boston signed Horford to a four-year, $113 million max contract in 2016, many wondered if he was worth it.
If you have been watching this year’s playoffs, you know he’s worth it.
Arguably the Celtics MVP this season, Horford has done a fantastic job anchoring Boston’s elite defence while being the steadying veteran presence on offense.
Like most of the Celtic players, Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final was a dud; the team played poorly and got blown out of the water. But it didn’t mirror the excellence that was on display in the first two games.
In Game 1 against Cleveland, Horford scored 20 points in less than 28 minutes. His ability to run the pick-and-pop at the top of the key when the Celtics run cutters around him caused numerous problems for the Cavaliers. Playing small with a centre who can hit the three can create headaches for even the best rim protectors out there.
In Game 2, not only did Horford showcase his intelligence on offense again but he contribute heavily on the defensive end, too, finishing with 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks in a big Celtics win.
2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
When a team is down 2-0 in a conference final to the number two-seeded team, chances are you’re done and you’ll be on vacation sooner than expected.
But when you have LeBron James on your team the party is never over. James’s 44-point outburst on Monday night helped Cleveland even the series 2-2.
With one notable exception, his brilliance has been on display throughout the series.
Game 1 against the Celtics was a game James would surely like to be removed from his archives. His poor performance is mainly the reason why he’s not number one on this list.
In Game 2, James looked to have his swagger back. The Cavaliers lost, but it wasn’t because of ‘the King’ as he dominated the stat sheet recording a 42-point triple double.
In Game 3, he punished the Celtics for 27-points but it was his greatest skill that helped secure the win: His passing ability. James finished with 12 assists to seven different teammates, matching his season-high.
Cleveland’s chances of completing the comeback and advancing to another NBA Finals lies solely on LeBron James shoulders. When he’s on the court the Cavaliers offensive rating is number one in the league (115.3) but when he’s off the court they fall to 24th in the league (106.2).
1. Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
Curry may have had the biggest breakout game, but Durant that has been the most consistent Warrior throughout the playoffs.
He is Golden State’s best player and this post-season they have been relying on his greatness more than ever. He leads the team in usage rate, and their offensive rating with Durant on the floor is a league-best 113.3.
During the Western Conference Finals, Durant is averaging 33 points on 52.9 per cent shooting. The Rockets have used multiple defenders on Durant, and they seem to flow through like a revolving door.
What makes Durant so dangerous is that he has the ability to get off any shot he wants, regardless of the defender. If it’s a quicker small guard, Durant will post up and shoot over top of him. If it’s a bigger, stronger defender, he will beat him off the dribble for an easy shot. (Side note: and he gets 1-on-1 looks because teams can’t double off of Steph, or Klay.)
Durant is unguardable and the Rockets are learning that the hard way.
[relatedlinks]