RealGM

Playoff only how would you rank these 4 players?

Peaks or careers?

70sFan wrote:Peaks or careers?

Over the course of their careers.

Damn, that's a tough one. All of them have been beasts in the playoffs and have had some iconic playoff runs.

I am going to take Wilt out since I never saw him.

Shaq and Duncan are on the same tier

Magic a half tier below

70sFan wrote:Peaks or careers?

We'd need strength of playoff defenses faced for all 4 for their careers.

70's Fan, thoughts?

Here's all I know for sure, thus far:

Wilt vs. Elite + All Time Great Defenses:
45% of total playoff games played
47.2 MPG
25.0 PPG
26.6 RBG
3.5 AST/G
rTS%: +3.8%

Lebron vs. Elite + All Time Great Defenses:
22.1% of total playoff games played
42.3 MPG
26.3 PGG
7.8 RBG
rTS%: -1.3%

Kareem vs. Elite + All Time Great Defenses:
13.9% of total playoff games played
42.1 MPG
29.4 PPG
14.2 RBG
3.8 AST/G
rTS%: +4.8%

My Conclusion:
1. I can say with almost 100% certainty that Wilt Chamberlain faced the toughest defensive competition in the playoffs in NBA History.

I feel like Magic was more consistent than the others, but his average level of play was still lower than the others if that makes sense. I think with the big men there’s just so much that can be made up with from defense if they have a poor offensive series or game. Probably less the case with Shaq though.