Eastern Conference Playoffs ONLY - 2009 LeBron vs. 2011 LeBron

[ronnymac2]

Considering only the three completed rounds of the Eastern Conference Playoffs in 2009 and 2011 - so disregarding the respective regular seasons as well as the 2011 NBA Finals - which batch of games by LeBron was more impressive?

2009

First Round: Detroit Pistons 39 wins, -.36 SRS (17th), Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace
Second Round: Atlanta Hawks 47 wins, 1.70 SRS (10th), Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, Al Horford *plays three out of four games (80 mins total)*
Eastern Conference Finals: Orlando Magic 59 wins, 6.48 SRS (4th) Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkeyglue

2011

First Round: Philadelphia 76ers 41 wins, 1.00 SRS (14th), Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand
Second Round: Boston Celtics 56 wins, 4.83 SRS (6th), Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce
Eastern Conference Finals: Chicago Bulls 61 wins, 6.53 SRS (2nd), Luol Deng, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah

[capfan33]

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how this is even a discussion, it’s 09.

[Homer38]

He was in a another planet in 2009

[AEnigma]

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how this is even a discussion, it’s 09.

It is a “discussion” in the sense that the collective opposition in 2011 was appreciably stronger both defensively and overall (although based on actual performance I think the 2009 Magic still constitute the best overall opponent)… but I agree that Lebron was not so transcendent defensively in the 2011 eastern conference playoffs, or so clearly limited by the context at play for both teams, that it makes up for the virtually unparalleled offensive production in 2009.

[Narigo]

2011 was definitely a tougher run. Bulls and Celtics were top 2 defenses in the league. And the Sixers were also top 10

[capfan33]

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how this is even a discussion, it’s 09.

It is a “discussion” in the sense that the collective opposition in 2011 was appreciably stronger both defensively and overall (although based on actual performance I think the 2009 Magic still constitute the best overall opponent)… but I agree that Lebron was not so transcendent defensively in the 2011 eastern conference playoffs, or so clearly limited by the context at play for both teams, that it makes up for the virtually unparalleled offensive production in 2009.

Yea 100% get that but as you said the gap in production is enormous. Even though I agree that his 2011 run pre finals gets underrated in terms of who he faced. Like 2012 would be a much better discussion both because of lvl of play and competition.

[jjgp111292]

...I could understand comparing 2012, but 2011? LeBron was up and down in these playoffs, but the competition is definitely impressive.

But since I brought up 2012...I'd actually take 2012 over 2009 for the degree of difficulty. He had to carry Miami through injuries and a sudden change in their entire offensive system triggered by said injuries and he was just scarily consistent through it all; even if they lost the Boston series, he wouldn't have been to blame...but we saw how that went. He'd pull of some wizardry in Cleveland 2.0 that's probably better in a vacuum but for my money 2012 was his best work.

2011 had stronger competition as the Pacers were newbies and the Celtics were over the hill, but LeBron had to deal with 9.5 games of no Bosh and Wade's disappearing knees up against the #9 and #1 and defenses and he cooked. And OKC was better than any team he played in 2011 and he cooked on every level even with his jumpshot going Anthony McLelland on him. This was the start of LeBron being resilient no matter what type of defense he'd face (I'll pretend 2013 San Antonio didn't happen; that was his own fault anyway )