Playoffs > Regular Season
The difference between regular season and post-season play in the NBA is as staggering as its ever been. With load management, injuries, and tanking becoming so common during the regular season, the importance and effort on an average NBA regular season night seems to be at an all-time low, but the playoffs have clearly been another story. This year’s NBA playoffs are the reason why us fans love the NBA. The league’s brightest stars have put on amazing performances and the best teams have battled through exciting games and thrilling finishes. The skill level and athleticism on display in the NBA is unprecedented and with so many young stars ascending to super-stardom as they are playing their best games against the toughest competition on the biggest stage, the future of the NBA is in good hands. So many players have had elite performances so far in the playoffs, but only one team will be Champions and only one player can win Finals MVP.
Here are the nominees for the players with the best performance so far in the playoffs and to help you decide who you would most want to lead your team to an NBA Championship.
1. Nikola Jokić
2023 Playoff Stats – 10 Games, 7W-3L, 30.6 points, 13.1 rebounds and 9.5 assists, 53% FG, 49% 3P
The 2x MVP has been putting up insane numbers all season and somehow has upped his game throughout these playoffs. Coming off a game 5 win posting a 29 point, 13 rebound, 12 assist triple double, the Joker broke Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most career playoff triple doubles for a Centre with 10. Leading the Nuggets to the best record in the Western Conference and the front runners to win the Title, there is a reason why the Joker is at the top of this list. His playmaking ability may be the best for any big-man ever and his scoring ability puts defenses in a frenzy. If the defense sends a double team, Jokic will find the open man for an easy basket nearly every time. If the defense leaves him on an island 1-on-1, he can use his array of post moves and impressive shot making ability to beat any defender in the league nearly every time. He is the engine that makes this Nuggets team run and can control any game with his combination of scoring and playmaking. The argument can be made that his defense in sub-par, but his offensive game makes up for it. Legitimately one of the most complete offensive players in NBA history, Nikola Jokić will consistently be in the conversation for best player in the league for years to come.
2. Steph Curry
2023 Playoff Stats – 11 Games, 5W-6L, 30.6 points, 6.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds, 47% FG, 38% 3P
The 4x champion is the best shooter of all-time and can make a shot from anywhere on the floor. Despite his age at 35 years old, he is still playing some of the best basketball of his career and influences the game every time he steps on the floor. In game 7 of the first round against the Sacramento Kings, Steph Curry put up an iconic 50 point performance to set an NBA record for points in a game 7, proving he still has the ability to take over a game on the biggest stage. With shot making so crucial late in games in the playoffs, his post-season value and championship pedigree makes him one of the most valuable players in the NBA.
3. Jimmy Butler
2023 Playoff Stats – 8 Games, 6W-2L, 33.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists, 56% FG, 39.4% 3P
Playoff Jimmy is real. After a mediocre regular season and limping into the playoffs, the Heat have been on a tear since the start of the post-season. Upsetting the #1 seed Milwaukee Bucks who held the best record in the NBA and outplaying the #4 seed New York Knicks to take a 3-1 lead in the second round, the red and black look like the most ferocious and consistent teams in the NBA right now. That is all led by the remarkable playoff performances of their leader Jimmy Butler who was nearly unguardable going up against the best defense in the NBA with a phenomenal 56 point performance in game 4 of the first round to go up 3-1 on the Bucks and 42 points to close out the series. Butler is no stranger to dragging his team to the finals; in the 2020 bubble season he led the Heat on a gruelling run through the Eastern Conference to eventually lose to the surging LA Lakers. Despite the finals loss, Jimmy proved that he could carry his team on his back and has a chance to do so once again, this time hoping to seal the deal and come back to South Beach with the Larry O’Brien trophy.
4. Devin Booker
2023 Playoff Stats – 10 Games, 6W-4L, 35.9 points, 7.1 assists and 5.2 rebounds, 60% FG, 52% 3P
After trading much of their depth and future picks for fellow superstar Kevin Durant, the Suns have relied on their two stars to carry them through the playoffs. Many assumed it would be the former finals MVP Kevin Durant leading the way for the Suns, but it has been the stellar play and crazy efficiency of Devin Booker that has propelled the Suns past a talented Clippers team and within striking distance of the #1 seed Nuggets. With the second round series slipping away down 2-0 heading back home to Phoenix for game 3 and game 4, Booker scored 83 points on just over 79% shooting across the two games to even the series. He did so against a Nuggets defense that aggressively ignored his teammates so that it could throw double-teams at him but it did not matter whatsoever. He punished them with his passing too, dishing out 12 assists in their Game 4 victory. In the process, he became the first player in NBA history to score at least 35 points on at least 75% shooting in back-to-back postseason games. His incredible efficiency has willed his team through this series and even if they lose to the Nuggets, Booker has solidified himself as one of the most lethal shot makers in the NBA.
5. Joel Embiid
2023 Playoff Stats – 7 Games, 5W-2L, 24.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.9 blocks, 45% FG, 90% FT
The 2023 MVP has dealt with injury during the playoffs, but still has put up some dominant performances to lead his team to a 3-2 lead over the Boston Celtics in the second round after sweeping the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. Embiid has yet to make an Eastern Conference Finals in his career, but finally has a legit shot at winning the Title this season with the league wide open and no real front runner at the moment. Not only is the MVP an elite post player with a versatile offensive game, but he is one of the most feared defenders in the league. A beast in the paint, teams have to alter their approach at driving in the lane to avoid Embiid’s demoralizing shot blocking ability. In their pivotal game 5 victory over the Celtics to take a 3-2 lead, Embiid put up one of the best performances of his career during one of the most important games in on the Sixers playoff run thus far. Philadelphia’s dominant big man put up 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks, knocking down three 3-pointers and making over 90% of his free throws. Although his stats were formidable, his dominance couldn’t be seen on the stat sheet, as his ability to suck in the defense gave his teammates many open looks and his presence in the paint on defense made it incredibly difficult for the Celtics to generate any offense close to the basket. Due to his great two way game, the 7 foot Cameroonian has been a difference maker throughout the playoffs and has the chance to take his game to the next level if he can continue putting up great performances on the way to an NBA Championship.
6. Anthony Davis
2023 Playoff Stats – 10 Games, 7W-3L, 21.4 points, 14.0 rebounds and 3.7 blocks, 53% FG, 89% FT
Anthony Davis is the main reason why the Los Angeles Lakers have been able to turn their season around and are one game away from reaching the Western Conference finals. Despite somehow missing out on an all-defensive team this season, AD has been the best defensive player throughout the playoffs. His 3.7 blocks per game lead the all playoff performers and has made a big impact on the offensive strategy of their opposition in both series’ so far. The Warriors have struggled immensely with AD’s defense and is a big reason why the Champs are trailing right now in the series. On offense, AD has been slightly inconsistent, alternating between absolute dominance and under performance. Nevertheless, he has done enough to lead the Lakers on this incredible playoff run and is the engine that keeps this Lakers train running. The Purple and Gold will continue to lean on him for the rest of the playoffs and if they can escape a miraculous comeback from the Warriors, a potential AD vs the Joker Western Conference Finals would be an amazing matchup to watch. To fend off the mighty Nuggets, Davis will need to be at his best and cannot afford any mediocre performances. If he is able to slow down Jokic even in the slightest and carry his Lakers offense to a series win over Denver, AD’s legacy will be solidified as the best two-way big man of this era.
7. Kevin Durant
2023 Playoff Stats – 10 Games, 6W-4L, 29.6 points, 9.1 rebounds and 5.6 assists, 48% FG, 33% 3P
After a mid-season trade from the Nets to the Suns and an unfortunate injury quickly after arriving in Phoenix, the Slim Reaper didn’t have much time to gel with his new teammates heading into the playoffs. Trading much of their depth and future draft picks, the Suns have invested a lot in Durant and believe that he can take them over the hump and deliver Phoenix their first Championship in franchise history. Even though Booker has taken the lead for the Suns throughout these playoffs, Durant has been impressive and crucial throughout this Suns run. In their two second round victories over the Nuggets in games 3 and 4, Durant posted 39 point and 36 point performances on 48% shooting combined to keep their season alive and give his team a chance at reaching the Western Conference Finals. Now down 3-2 to the Nuggets, Durant and Booker will need more lethal shooting nights to avoid elimination and upset the conference leading Nuggets. The 2x finals MVP has already proven that he is one of the best scorers of this generation. More accolades would only be icing on the cake for his career, but another Championship would cement KD as an all-time great, especially if he can do so without the help of Curry, Klay, and the rest of the Warriors dynasty.
8. Jayson Tatum
2023 Playoff Stats – 11 Games, 6W-5L, 26.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists, 45% FG, 33% 3P
At 25 years old, Jayson Tatum has solidified himself as an NBA superstar, but he’s yet to take that next step as a certified killer that strikes fear in his opponents eyes every game like some of the other stars in the NBA. After an incredible unexpected run to the NBA finals last season, Tatum struggled in the last round, as the Champion Warriors swarmed and blitzed him making him uncomfortable all series. This year Tatum has been solid, but has still shown some of the same tendencies that hurt him last year. He hasn’t been as consistent as necessary to be considered a top 5 playoff performer, but certainly has the talent to become that if he continues to improve his game and develop that killer instinct. Now down 3-2 to the 76ers, he will need to have some career defining performances to lead his team back to the NBA finals and get over the hump to become a Champion.
9. LeBron James
2023 Playoff Stats – 10 Games, 7W-3L, 22.6 points, 10.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists, 47% FG, 23% 3P
At 38 years old, LeBron is still able to impact his team and help them win games, as the Los Angeles Lakers are now just one game away from the Western Conference finals after beating the Warriors in game 4 to take a 3-1 lead in the series. LeBron has counted on Anthony Davis to take the lead for his team, but the legendary point-forward has still found ways to dominate while keeping himself rested and healthy. The King is not the athlete he once was, but his incredible basketball IQ has set his teammates up for success and his experience playing at the highest level for so long will certainly help his team down the final stretch of the post-season. The team relies on AD to be their best player, but James is no doubt the heart and soul of this team and has been a huge part of this incredible turnaround that the Lakers have experienced since their array of trades at the trade deadline that reinvigorated them to make a run at the Championship. If LeBron is able to win another title with this team, his already outstanding legacy will only get stronger, and the G.O.A.T debate will only get more heated.
10. Giannis Antetokounmpo
2023 Playoff Stats – 2.25 games, 0W-2.25L, 23.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 5.3 assists, 53% FG, 45% FT
Despite losing in the first round of the playoffs after having the best record in the NBA during the regular season, we must remember that Giannis was hurt for the majority of this series and he has already proven to be capable of leading his team to an NBA Championship victory. Recency bias will hurt his stock in this discussion, but there is no doubt that he still is one of the best players in the NBA and impacts that game on both ends of the floor better than most superstars in the NBA. He must improve his free throw shooting to give himself the best chance to win, but the 2x league MVP and former finals MVP will be hungry to avenge the Bucks disappointing finish to this season. However, the Greek Freak’s dominance and fearlessness should not be forgotten by us volatile NBA fans as he is still one of the most feared players in the league when playing at the top of his game.
Honorable Mentions
James Harden – Once an elite scorer and MVP candidate, James Harden hasn’t quite been the same for some time. Despite this, he has had some vintage Harden performances these playoffs, especially in the second round against the Boston Celtics. In game 1 without Embiid, Harden had the green light to lead his offense, and boy did he deliver. Posting 45 points on 57% shooting while knocking down 7 3-pointers on 50% shooting from deep, the beard put his team on his back to shock the Celtics and take the series by storm. In typical Harden fashion, the lefty shot maker struggled in games 2 and 3, both losses, before exploding again in game 4 with another impressive shooting night to even up the series. JH13 had 42 points on an incredible 70% shooting while hitting 6 3-pointers on 67% shooting from distance and knocked down the game winning three to save his Sixers chances. Now up 3-2, Harden may or may not show up to close out the series, but his two outstanding performances to keep his team alive grant him a spot in the honorable mentions.
Kawhi Leonard – Since leading the Toronto Raptors to an NBA championship and winning the finals MVP in 2019, Kawhi has struggled to stay healthy, especially when the playoffs come around. In the 2021 post-season, Leonard suffered a partially torn ACL in the semi-finals, forcing him to miss the rest of the playoffs and the entire 2021-2022 season afterwards. Coming off the injury, Leonard played in 52 regular season games due to load management before tearing his meniscus in his knee in game 2 of the first round. Kawhi is still a great player when healthy, but his availability is just not reliable enough to lead a team through four straight playoff rounds.
Luka Dončić – Even though he missed the play-in game in an all-time collapse, the 6’7 point guard still deserves to be on this list and is one of the best young superstars in the NBA. It’s not all his fault that his team underperformed; the Kyrie trade clearly hasn’t worked this season and there are some big holes on the roster surrounding him. Nevertheless, a player of his caliber should always make the playoffs, so he belongs in the honorable mentions category for now, but with the right players around him, he could easily be at the top of this list.
