In your opinion, which season was LeBron at his peak?

[Cavsfansince84]

Either 17 or 18. Those were the years he broke basketball IMO. Completely different level of skill, control and ability to read plays, while arguably matching 2013 and 14 in terms of shooting and athleticism.

Let me just say this: in the first 5 games of the 2013 finals, the Spurs did a pretty good job of shutting LeBron out of the paint. In the 2014 Finals he averaged only 18 FGA when his team desperately needed for offense. That would never, ever happen with '17 or '18 LeBron. This was by far the most aggression we ever saw from him. Miami LeBron would not ever be able to put up 51/8/8 surrounded by scrubs in a Finals game like he did in '18.

Everything else aside, when he wanted to do something, he was impossible to stop in his last two Cleveland years. Not the case in Miami.

I would take peak Jordan over '13 LeBron because some of those Playoff performances left doubts, while Jordan never did. I would take '17 LeBron over peak Jordan though, and '18 Playoffs LeBron as well.

I think you could say that about him in 2009. That was his most aggressive playoffs in terms of getting into the paint.

[Odinn21]

The cavs had won 66 games in 2009 ... It was legendary and he was even better in the playoffs even against Orlando

But since he lost, some will blame him...Sometimes you can not do anything .... If Dwight would have been contained as he was contained against the lakers in the finals, the result would have been different

But I'm not surprised by the critics ... A player is criticized when you lose even when you play great .... as in the same year, Aaron Rodgers had lost 51-45 in overtime against Arizona in the playoffs and some said that he was not clutch because of his fumble in the overtime ... Many forget that without its legendary game, the game would not even be close.

I'm not blaming anyone. Definitely not blaming LeBron.

People usually consider 2009 as his peak because of the numbers he had in 2009 playoffs. I don't see people considering 2010 as LeBron's peak because he had similar regular season numbers and performance, if not better.
I showed those numbers in 2009 playoffs aren't 'that' unique, one-of-a-kind thing. Most of the great players had been in that situation, where they team depended on them way too much, and they had great numbers. Comparable numbers.
And if you want I can post the numbers for title winning players. Winning has an effect on the numbers.

If you feel like me pointing out how winning affects the numbers is blaming, you should check yourself before making assumptions.

I should probably remind you that I pick 2012 as LeBron's peak. So, his playoffs performance is not in questioning here.

[Doctor MJ]

2017 for me.

He was just different that season for me especially in the playoffs. He played with such ridiculous poise and control. It looked easy for him.

He was pretty damn good in the finals too.

For me it's:

Best Overall Season Performance: 2009

Most Overall Capable Performance: 2013

Most Unstoppable Offensively: 2017

He got harder and harder to disrupt offensively as he grew savvy, but also lost that youthful motor. 2013 marks the balance where he was still doing great things on defense and was extremely savvy on offense. He couldn't repeat 2009 over the course of 100 games, but he could ramp up to a peak that was more bullet proof.

But I do think that something changed for LeBron during and after the finals where he beat Golden State. I think he's essentially unstoppable now on offense as an individual but it comes with some more glaring negatives than he had in the past.

In terms of pure impact, SRS terms like ElGee and SSB use, who do you pick?

I think I'd still take 2017. I would rate 2013 at perhaps 5.5/2.0 on offense/defense, with 2017 at 6.5/1.5.

2009, Best Overall Season Performance.

He became a more robust player after that, but he never matched that all-season impact again.

[ardee]

For me it's:

Best Overall Season Performance: 2009

Most Overall Capable Performance: 2013

Most Unstoppable Offensively: 2017

He got harder and harder to disrupt offensively as he grew savvy, but also lost that youthful motor. 2013 marks the balance where he was still doing great things on defense and was extremely savvy on offense. He couldn't repeat 2009 over the course of 100 games, but he could ramp up to a peak that was more bullet proof.

But I do think that something changed for LeBron during and after the finals where he beat Golden State. I think he's essentially unstoppable now on offense as an individual but it comes with some more glaring negatives than he had in the past.

In terms of pure impact, SRS terms like ElGee and SSB use, who do you pick?

I think I'd still take 2017. I would rate 2013 at perhaps 5.5/2.0 on offense/defense, with 2017 at 6.5/1.5.

2009, Best Overall Season Performance.

He became a more robust player after that, but he never matched that all-season impact again.

Interesting. How would you rate all 3 seasons SRS wise?

Sent from my SM-G615F using RealGM mobile app

[Doctor MJ]

I will go with 16.
Btw, I think we will see a different type of peak Lebron this season, maybe another "peak" year. Not with scoring or numbers, but with AD and possibly Kawhi taking on a bigger load, Lebron could go for MVP with a 10+ assist, 23 hyper efficient pts, 8 rbs type season.

For the record, '15-16 is his career defining season with his greatest achievement.

But for the bulk of that season he was still struggling with his shot. Too in his head. He figured something out when push came to shove in the finals that year and the next year he just played better start to finish.

[Doctor MJ]

In terms of pure impact, SRS terms like ElGee and SSB use, who do you pick?

I think I'd still take 2017. I would rate 2013 at perhaps 5.5/2.0 on offense/defense, with 2017 at 6.5/1.5.

2009, Best Overall Season Performance.

He became a more robust player after that, but he never matched that all-season impact again.

Interesting. How would you rate all 3 seasons SRS wise?

Sent from my SM-G615F using RealGM mobile app

I'm not that big in doing that to be honest.

LeBron's offense got better, his defense, energy, and intangibles got worse. My gut is to say that from a raw impact perspective that made him worse in 2017 than 2013, but both are in the same ballpark whereas I'd say his peak season-long impact by a good margin happened during his 1st run in Cleveland.

[Heej]

I'd go with 2017. He reached a level of coaching on the floor where he basically became an entire ecosystem unto himself. I think one of the most telling quotes is how JR said LeBron just makes the entire team a step faster collectively on defense. And offensively he could diagnos exactly what read to make when running a play based on the defensive scheme nearly every time en route to producing the GOAT postseason offense.

Not to mention he was able to meld his off-ball and screen and roll game to fit alongside a talented albeit selfish scoring maestro in Kyrie. Kevin Love was understandably marginalized because his only creation came out of the post where his impact was nerfed compared to a mere 3 seasons ago for a smorgasbord of reasons. Also up until they ran into the GOAT team in the 2017 Warriors with a fully bought-in KD, LeBron's defense was epic that postseason. But there's only so much you can do when you have to be the primary help defender that closes out on KD who's committed to playing an Uber Harrison Barnes role that can spot up for 3 and attack closeouts, or get smalls switched onto him with 90s levels daylight to operate in the mid-post due to the spacing of Klay and Curry.

[_Game7_]

I will go with 16.
Btw, I think we will see a different type of peak Lebron this season, maybe another "peak" year. Not with scoring or numbers, but with AD and possibly Kawhi taking on a bigger load, Lebron could go for MVP with a 10+ assist, 23 hyper efficient pts, 8 rbs type season.

For the record, '15-16 is his career defining season with his greatest achievement.

But for the bulk of that season he was still struggling with his shot. Too in his head. He figured something out when push came to shove in the finals that year and the next year he just played better start to finish.

I agree 2016 was his defining moment, kinda like in 2012 game 6 vs the Celtics.
2017 he was in his bag, he was really freed up and I think that allot of it had to do with 2016 and the way things transpired. You can tell he was super confident with his walk off buzzer beaters he was hitting in the playoffs. KD robed us of another epic finals showdown.

[CodeBreaker]

2013 was LeBron's most complete form. Outside shot, athleticism, post-up game, off-ball, experience and IQ

[OverAndOut]

Really close vote. I can see arguments for all of them.

[ronnymac2]

I've got 2013 just for the consistent monster defense and underrated offensive skill, but I can see the argument for 2016/2017 LBJ who was basically nuclear offense and could ramp up the D basically at will.

[SeniorWalker]

I agree that LeBron has several peaks. It is difficult to sort out which of the peaks makes him most valuable because they are great in different ways.
2009 was LeBron with the greatest motor, he was just a physical force of nature. And for what it's worth the single time in his career where I thought his trajectory may put him ahead of MJ. It is strange that his prime was so well balanced in terms of overall effectiveness, yet we never saw him rise to a level above that raw dominance. We arguably never saw a peak LeBron in terms of this level of athlete and motor plus skill in the same way we did '91 MJ.

2013 was the best two way version of LeBron and the one i think i prefer overall. No weaknesses in his game. Less dominant offensively than 16 or 17 because he played on a more balanced team in terms of responsibility, but also because he still had occasional mental lapses.

2016 or 2017 would be LeBron at his mental/skill peak. LeBron seemed like he reached a zen like mastery of basketball here where as an individual, you couldn't contain his efforts. Take one thing away, he'll kill you somewhere else. Perfect floor IQ. Supreme confidence. Problem is that his athletic decline and motor started to become apparent towards the end of this.

If I want LeBron on a generic team where I know I'm going to have a more balanced offense and defense, basically not rely on one guy to be the system, I'd take 2013. 2013 is the most portable and the one I think that on average would experience the most success given random team selections in terms of offensive and defensive talent. 2016/17 I think monopolizes too much, and 2009 has exploitable weaknesses.

[dontcalltimeout]

Personally, it is very weird to see folks combine 2016 and 2017 into one season of LeBron at his skill peak. LeBron couldn't buy a jump shot in 2016.

Just shows the power of a few games/highlight moments and a finals win to paper over peoples' memories.

[No-more-rings]

Personally, it is very weird to see folks combine 2016 and 2017 into one season of LeBron at his skill peak. LeBron couldn't buy a jump shot in 2016.

Just shows the power of a few games/highlight moments and a finals win to paper over peoples' memories.

Prior to the finals in 2016, it wasn’t even a special playoff run by Lebron standards. I think people look at his last 3 games of the finals and think he was at that level all season long. He wasn’t and I don’t know if it was really representative of who he was as a player.

[Homer38]

Personally, it is very weird to see folks combine 2016 and 2017 into one season of LeBron at his skill peak. LeBron couldn't buy a jump shot in 2016.

Just shows the power of a few games/highlight moments and a finals win to paper over peoples' memories.

Prior to the finals in 2016, it wasn’t even a special playoff run by Lebron standards. I think people look at his last 3 games of the finals and think he was at that level all season long. He wasn’t and I don’t know if it was really representative of who he was as a player.

LBJ was better in 2017 than in 2016 ... I have no doubt that no way the Cavs would have lost against the warriors or other teams if the Warriors would not have signed KD.

LeBron had over 40% in his 3 points to a very good volume in the playoffs in 2017 ... When LeBron make his 3 points, nobody can contain LeBron

LBJ had also scored 30 points or more in 14 of his 18 playoffs games .He was very consistent .... 2016, it only happens 4 times in 21 games and 3 of his games were in the finals .... He had still a very good playoffs run and his finals was legendary, but for his playoffs run, he was better in 2017 than 2016 to start to finish.

[OverAndOut]

What the hell just happened to the poll?! It lost all votes

[JVL]

2009 was an indiscriminate wrecking ball. 2012-2013 was more controlled, focused.

I'll take 12/13. He was a more mature player and he made better decisions/was stronger mentally.

[No-more-rings]

What the hell just happened to the poll?! It lost all votes

You evidently edited the options which erases votes.

[OverAndOut]

What the hell just happened to the poll?! It lost all votes

You evidently edited the options which erases votes.

Ugh, didn't know that. Thanks for letting me know.

[Blazers-1977]

I have no idea why 2012 is never mentioned ,

It was by far his best overall playoff run , he performed with legendary performances whenever the Heat were in danger (40/18/9 down 2-1 against the Pacers on the Road in game 4 and 45/15/5 down 3-2 against Celtics on the Road ) , was amazing defensively that year as well .


Add in the amount of pressure he faced that year and that makes 2012 even better .