Has anybody consistently faced tougher Playoff defenses than Kobe Bryant?

[ardee]

Almost every year he went up against the best defense in the league and often times the team was historic.

2001: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were a -5.5 team on defense.
2002: The no. 1 ranked Nets who were -5.0 and the no. 2 ranked Spurs at -4.8.
2003: The no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -3.9.
2004: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were -8.8 and the no. 2 ranked Pistons who were -7.5.
2008: The no. 1 ranked Celtics who were -8.6 and the no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -5.7.
2009: The no. 1 ranked Magic who were -6.4, the no. 4 ranked Rockets who were -4.3, the no. 8 ranked Nuggets who were -1.5 and the number 10 ranked Jazz who were -1.3.
2010: The no. 5 ranked Celtics who were -3.8.

Most years he was facing multiple top 3 defenses en route to the Finals and in 2009 faced 4 of the top 10.

I think people should take a lot of this stuff into context when comparing his Playoff numbers (as good as they are) to other players who were able to feast on cupcake teams instead.

[falcolombardi]

Almost every year he went up against the best defense in the league and often times the team was historic.

2001: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were a -5.5 team on defense.
2002: The no. 1 ranked Nets who were -5.0 and the no. 2 ranked Spurs at -4.8.
2003: The no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -3.9.
2004: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were -8.8 and the no. 2 ranked Pistons who were -7.5.
2008: The no. 1 ranked Celtics who were -8.6 and the no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -5.7.
2009: The no. 1 ranked Magic who were -6.4, the no. 4 ranked Rockets who were -4.3, the no. 8 ranked Nuggets who were -1.5 and the number 10 ranked Jazz who were -1.3.
2010: The no. 5 ranked Celtics who were -3.8.

Most years he was facing multiple top 3 defenses en route to the Finals and in 2009 faced 4 of the top 10.

I think people should take a lot of this stuff into context when comparing his Playoff numbers (as good as they are) to other players who were able to feast on cupcake teams instead.

wilt chamberlain

lebron james

[An Unbiased Fan]

No. I think Kobe is 24-8 against 50-win teams which is far more than any other player. That thread about quality of defense faced, I think Kobe faced a tough defense 71% of the time.

[ty 4191]

Hi, I've been collecting stats for a while and I decided to make this post here. I separated some superstars offensive production in playoffs based on defense (RS ORtg) faced. Here are my (random) criteria:

Over +2.0 rDRtg - Bad Defense
From +2.0 to -2.0 rDRtg - Average Defense
From -2.0 to -4.0 rDRtg - Good Defense
From -4.0 to -7.0 rDRtg - Elite Defense
Below -7.0 rDRtg - All-Time Great Defense

I started with centers (my favorite position) and I haven't finished yet, but here are some results:


Centers

Spoiler:

Wilt Chamberlain (1960-68):

RS: 46.8 mpg, 24.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 36.0 ppg on 52.7% FG, 52.1% FT and 53.8% TS (+5.50% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (10.0% of playoffs games): -- mpg, 23.1 rpg, 8.6 apg, 27.9 ppg on 55.1% FG, 46.4% FT, 54.7% TS (+6.07 rTS%)
Against Average Defenses (23.75% of playoffs games): 48.0 mpg, 23.4 rpg, 4.1 apg, 34.2 ppg on 53.4% FG, 44.2% FT, 52.9% TS (+4.58 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (13.75% of playoffs games): 47.9 mpg, 27.5 rpg, 5.3 apg, 26.5 ppg on 49.6% FG, 45.0% FT, 49.9% TS (+1.23 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (28.75% of playoffs games): 47.3 mpg, 28.4 rpg, 5.4 apg, 25.5 ppg on 50.8% FG, 45.6% FT, 51.0% TS (+2.47 rTS%)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (23.75% of playoffs games): 47.7 mpg, 28.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 31.2 ppg on 50.9% FG, 56.8% FT, 53.4% TS (+5.30 rTS%)

Bill Russell (1959-66):

RS: 44.0 mpg, 23.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 16.2 ppg on 44.1% FG, 57.2% FT and 47.2% TS (-0.41% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (12.0% of playoffs games): 45.9 mpg, 24.6 rpg, 5.3 apg, 19.4 ppg on 51.5% FG, 60.8% FT, 55.0% TS (+6.32 rTS%)
Against Average Defenses (67.0% of playoffs games): -- mpg, 26.6 rpg, 4.7 apg, 18.9 ppg on 44.6% FG, 64.6% FT, 49.5% TS (+1.84 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (13.75% of playoffs games): -- mpg, 27.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 15.8 ppg on 42.7% FG, 51.2% FT, 45.9% TS (-1.89 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (11.0% of playoffs games): 42.8 mpg, 26.2 rpg, 3.8 apg, 16.4 ppg on 42.7% FG, 60.9% FT, 45.4% TS (-1.90 rTS%)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.0% of playoffs games):--

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-80):

RS: 40.8 mpg, 14.4 rpg, 4.5 apg, 28.3 ppg on 55.5% FG, 71.1% FT and 58.7% TS (+7.70% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (0.0% of playoffs games): --
Against Average Defenses (40.43% of playoffs games): 42.3 mpg, 16.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 30.7 ppg on 55.9% FG, 73.2% FT, 60.0% TS (+9.22 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (32.98% of playoffs games): 46.3 mpg, 14.0 rpg, 4.1 apg, 27.8 ppg on 49.9% FG, 72.3% FT, 53.6% TS (+2.34 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (26.60% of playoffs games): 44.1 mpg, 15.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 33.3 ppg on 54.5% FG, 72.2% FT, 56.9% TS (+5.28 rTS%)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.0% of playoffs games): --

Moses Malone (1979-89):

RS: 37.7 mpg, 13.6 rpg,1.6 apg, 3.5 tov, 24.6 ppg on 49.5% FG, 77.2% FT and 57.3% TS (+3.62% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (3.90% of playoffs games): 37.3 mpg, 17.7 rpg,1.3 apg, -- tov, 27.0 ppg on 52.5% FG, 63.0% FT and 55.6% TS (+2.47% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (40.26% of playoffs games): 42.8 mpg, 14.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.8 tov, 25.0 ppg on 48.8% FG, 72.2% FT, 55.2% TS (+1.69 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (41.56% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 12.7 rpg,1.4 apg, 2.9 tov, 21.2 ppg on 46.5% FG, 82.6% FT and 53.9% TS (+0.27% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (14.29% of playoffs games): 40.5 mpg, 13.7 rpg,2.1 apg, 1.9 tov, 27.0 ppg on 48.7% FG, 81.9% FT and 55.5% TS (+1.79% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.0% of playoffs games): --

Shaquille O'Neal (1994-04):

RS: 37.7 mpg, 11.9 rpg,3.0 apg, 2.8 tov, 27.5 ppg on 57.9% FG, 53.2% FT and 58.4% TS (+5.85% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (2.53% of playoffs games): 35.5 mpg, 13.5 rpg,1.0 apg, 2.0 tov, 22.5 ppg on 53.7% FG, 58.2% FT and 57.6% TS (+3.24% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (25.32% of playoffs games): 41.2 mpg, 12.7 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.9 tov, 30.2 ppg on 57.3% FG, 50.8% FT, 57.4% TS (+4.84 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (41.77% of playoffs games): 39.7 mpg, 12.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 3.0 tov, 25.8 ppg on 55.8% FG, 50.8% FT and 56.2% TS (+3.63% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (20.89% of playoffs games): 41.0 mpg, 13.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.6 tov, 28.2 ppg on 54.6% FG, 56.5% FT and 56.6% TS (+3.89% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (9.49% of playoffs games): 41.3 mpg, 12.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.7 tov, 24.2 ppg on 59.3% FG, 46.6% FT and 57.7% TS (+6.28% rTS)

Hakeem Olajuwon (1986-96):

RS: 38.0 mpg, 12.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 24.6 ppg on 51.4% FG, 72.1% FT and 55.8% TS (+2.07% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (6.36% of playoffs games): 39.9 mpg, 9.0 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.9 tov, 29.6 ppg on 50.9% FG, 61.4% FT and 52.7% TS (-1.59% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (54.55% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 12.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.8 tov, 28.8 ppg on 54.1% FG, 71.7% FT, 58.1% TS (+4.37 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (23.64% of playoffs games): 43.2 mpg, 11.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 3.8 tov, 29.0 ppg on 54.3% FG, 77.1% FT and 58.7% TS (+4.94% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (9.09% of playoffs games): 41.2 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.3 tov, 22.1 ppg on 47.8% FG, 68.9% FT and 52.5% TS (-1.66% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (6.36% of playoffs games): 43.1 mpg, 9.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.6 tov, 26.9 ppg on 50.0% FG, 86.0% FT and 55.6% TS (+2.85% rTS)

David Robinson (1990-98):

RS: 37.4 mpg, 11.6 rpg,3.0 apg, 2.9 tov, 25.1 ppg on 52.4% FG, 74.5% FT and 59.1% TS (+5.61% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (12.90% of playoffs games): 38.8 mpg, 12.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 3.1 tov, 27.9 ppg on 60.6% FG, 85.1% FT and 67.8% TS (13.96% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (56.54% of playoffs games): 39.4 mpg, 11.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.1 tov, 23.6 ppg on 46.4% FG, 71.8% FT, 53.8% TS (-0.04% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (30.65% of playoffs games): 39.4 mpg, 12.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.4 tov, 21.0 ppg on 45.9% FG, 64.8% FT and 51.7% TS (-1.54% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Artis Gilmore (1972-83):

RS: 38.2 mpg, 14.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 3.5 tov, 20.9 ppg on 57.5% FG, 69.5% FT and 61.5% TS (+9.11% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (19.23% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 14.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 3.5 tov, 20.1 ppg on 54.8% FG, 76.4% FT and 61.0% TS (+8.67% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (61.54% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 15.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 4.0 tov, 21.6 ppg on 57.4% FG, 71.0% FT, 61.5% TS (+9.32% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (14.10% of playoffs games): 43.9 mpg, 14.7 rpg, 4.0 apg, -- tov, 20.5 ppg on 55.8% FG, 62.4% FT and 58.8% TS (+7.67% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (5.13% of playoffs games): 45.3 mpg, 18.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 tov, 15.3 ppg on 44.3% FG, 36.8% FT and 44.0% TS (-6.93% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games):--

Patrick Ewing (1988-97):

RS: 36.8 mpg, 10.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 3.3 tov, 24.0 ppg on 51.6% FG, 74.8% FT and 56.4% TS (+2.73% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (9.43% of playoffs games): 38.2 mpg, 10.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.8 tov, 20.9 ppg on 52.6% FG, 54.4% FT and 53.5% TS (-0.11% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (31.13% of playoffs games): 39.9 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.7 tov, 24.2 ppg on 50.6% FG, 69.8% FT, 54.6% TS (+0.98% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (37.74% of playoffs games): 39.1 mpg, 10.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.8 tov, 21.2 ppg on 47.9% FG, 74.5% FT and 53.4% TS (+0.06% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (21.70% of playoffs games): 40.7 mpg, 11.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 3.0 tov, 22.9 ppg on 43.7% FG, 80.0% FT and 49.0% TS (-4.48% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games):--

Power Forwards

Spoiler:

Tim Duncan (1998-08):

RS: 37.2 mpg, 11.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.8 tov, 21.6 ppg on 50.8% FG, 68.4% FT and 55.3% TS (+2.77% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (6.45% of playoffs games): 39.5 mpg, 10.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.6 tov, 26.7 ppg on 48.1% FG, 75.9% FT and 56.6% TS (+4.38% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (64.52% of playoffs games): 39.7 mpg, 12.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.0 tov, 23.4 ppg on 51.8% FG, 68.5% FT, 56.6% TS (+3.88 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (12.26% of playoffs games): 39.7 mpg, 14.1 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.2 tov, 23.6 ppg on 45.8% FG, 69.0% FT and 51.1% TS (-1.77 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (16.77% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 13.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.0 tov, 23.6 ppg on 47.8% FG, 68.0% FT and 52.7% TS (+0.50% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games):--

Kevin Garnett (1999-08):

RS: 38.7 mpg, 12.2 rpg, 4.8 apg, 2.7 tov, 22.0 ppg on 49.4% FG, 78.9% FT and 55.0% TS (+2.47% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (15.38% of playoffs games): 44.1 mpg, 16.4 rpg, 4.5 apg, 4.3 tov, 23.9 ppg on 43.7% FG, 78.1% FT and 51.3% TS (-0.45% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (47.59% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 12.5 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.7 tov, 23.1 ppg on 49.3% FG, 75.2% FT, 53.5% TS (+0.76% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (15.38% of playoffs games): 39.9 mpg, 12.1 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.7 tov, 18.4 ppg on 41.0% FG, 78.1% FT and 45.8% TS (-7.56 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (15.38% of playoffs games): 39.3 mpg, 10.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.3 tov, 22.1 ppg on 50.3% FG, 82.2% FT and 57.8% TS (+4.70% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (6.15% of playoffs games): 42.5 mpg, 12.0 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.3 tov, 21.8 ppg on 44.3% FG, 73.9% FT and 48.8% TS (-2.29% rTS)

Charles Barkley (1987-96):

RS: 38.0 mpg, 11.8 rpg, 4.2 apg, 3.3 tov, 24.7 ppg on 54.8% FG, 27.1% 3FG, 74.3% FT and 62.2% TS (+8.52% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --
Against Average Defenses (58.11% of playoffs games): 41.9 mpg, 13.6 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.7 tov, 26.2 ppg on 50.8% FG, 27.2% 3FG, 69.2% FT, 57.1% TS (+3.45% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (27.03% of playoffs games): 41.6 mpg, 12.6 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.8 tov, 26.6 ppg on 56.2% FG, 17.0% 3FG 76.6% FT and 63.1% TS (+9.37% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (14.86% of playoffs games): 42.2 mpg, 13.1 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.3 tov, 24.2 ppg on 45.3% FG, 29.6% 3FG, 79.8% FT and 54.3% TS (+1.03% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Dirk Nowitzki (2001-11):

RS: 37.4 mpg, 8.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.0 tov, 24.3 ppg on 47.9% FG, 38.5% 3FG, 88.2% FT and 58.6% TS (+5.43% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (4.03% of playoffs games): 42.4 mpg, 11.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 tov, 26.6 ppg on 45.0% FG, 46.7% 3FG, 85.7% FT and 56.1% TS (+4.53% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (48.39% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 10.4 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.5 tov, 27.4 ppg on 46.7% FG, 39.1% 3FG, 88.4% FT, 59.4% TS (+6.08% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (19.35% of playoffs games): 40.6 mpg, 9.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.5 tov, 25.8 ppg on 46.8% FG, 45.9% 3FG 94.5% FT and 57.8% TS (+4.38% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (28.23% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 10.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 tov, 23.4 ppg on 45.5% FG, 29.3% 3FG, 88.4% FT and 57.4% TS (+4.41% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Karl Malone (1989-01):

RS: 37.9 mpg, 10.4 rpg, 3.7 apg, 3.0 tov, 26.9 ppg on 52.6% FG, 75.9% FT and 59.1% TS (+5.98% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (3.50% of playoffs games): 39.8 mpg, 12.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 2.8 tov, 26.6 ppg on 46.1% FG, 83.0% FT and 54.2% TS (+1.81% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (33.57% of playoffs games): 41.0 mpg, 11.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.0 tov, 28.6 ppg on 47.9% FG, 78.9% FT, 55.5% TS (+2.58% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (21.68% of playoffs games): 41.6 mpg, 11.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.9 tov, 26.5 ppg on 43.7% FG, 80.5% FT and 52.5% TS (-0.79 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (41.26% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.7 tov, 25.4 ppg on 46.8% FG, 67.0% FT and 51.5% TS (-1.56% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --


Bob Pettit (1956-64):

RS: 39.2 mpg, 16.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, -- tov, 27.3 ppg on 43.9% FG, 75.9% FT and 51.3% TS (+4.64% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (11.49% of playoffs games): -- mpg, -- rpg, -- apg, -- tov, 21.9 ppg on 39.6% FG, 75.0% FT and 46.8% TS (-0.26% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (51.72% of playoffs games): 40.2 mpg, 15.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, -- tov, 25.8 ppg on 42.0% FG, 77.3% FT, 50.5% TS (+3.77% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --
Against Elite Defenses (31.03% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 15.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, -- tov, 26.5 ppg on 42.4% FG, 76.0% FT and 50.3% TS (+4.08% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (5.75% of playoffs games): 41.6 mpg, 16.4 rpg, 3.0 apg, -- tov, 28.4 ppg on 39.5% FG, 80.0% FT and 48.8% TS (+1.93% rTS)

Small Forwards

Spoiler:

LeBron James (2008-18):

RS: 37.8 mpg, 7.6 rpg, 7.5 apg, 3.5 tov, 27.3 ppg on 52.1% FG, 35.0% 3FG, 74.2% FT and 60.4% TS (+6.30% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (2.91% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 9.5 rpg, 7.7 apg, 2.8 tov, 29.8 ppg on 48.3% FG, 29.0% 3FG, 70.1% FT and 58.2% TS (+4.16% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (34.95% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 9.1 rpg, 7.0 apg, 3.5 tov, 29.8 ppg on 52.5% FG, 31.0% 3FG, 75.6% FT, 60.8% TS (+6.55% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (24.76% of playoffs games): 41.2 mpg, 8.9 rpg, 7.7 apg, 3.4 tov, 27.3 ppg on 49.1% FG, 33.0% 3FG 74.8% FT and 58.2% TS (+4.16% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (26.21% of playoffs games): 42.6 mpg, 9.8 rpg, 6.9 apg, 3.8 tov, 31.5 ppg on 49.6% FG, 37.5% 3FG, 71.1% FT and 57.9% TS (+3.90% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (11.17% of playoffs games): 42.0 mpg, 7.1 rpg, 6.0 apg, 4.0 tov, 25.8 ppg on 44.4% FG, 32.7% 3FG, 77.0% FT and 54.7% TS (+0.64% rTS)

Larry Bird (1982-90):

RS: 38.7 mpg, 10.0 rpg, 6.6 apg, 3.1 tov, 25.9 ppg on 50.5% FG, 37.3% 3FG, 89.1% FT and 57.5% TS (+3.68% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (2.42% of playoffs games): 45.3 mpg, 8.0 rpg, 8.0 apg, 3.3 tov, 28.3 ppg on 52.8% FG, 40.0% 3FG, 83.3% FT and 64.2% TS (+10.10% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (56.45% of playoffs games): 42.5 mpg, 9.6 rpg, 6.7 apg, 2.9 tov, 25.6 ppg on 47.6% FG, 35.8% 3FG, 89.8% FT, 56.2% TS (+2.14% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (24.19% of playoffs games): 43.7 mpg, 11.6 rpg, 7.0 apg, 3.0 tov, 23.4 ppg on 43.6% FG, 26.2% 3FG 86.9% FT and 51.5% TS (-2.25% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (16.94% of playoffs games): 39.9 mpg, 10.1 rpg, 6.1 apg, 4.0 tov, 25.6 ppg on 53.1% FG, 42.9% 3FG, 91.4% FT and 61.6% TS (+7.39% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Julius Erving (1972-82):

RS: 37.6 mpg, 9.6 rpg, 4.5 apg, 3.7 tov, 25.9 ppg on 50.9% FG, 30.8% 3FG, 77.9% FT and 56.1% TS (+3.76% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (17.61% of playoffs games): 41.2 mpg, 10.5 rpg, 5.7 apg, 4.1 tov, 29.2 ppg on 53.5% FG, 25.0% 3FG, 80.1% FT and 58.5% TS (+7.14% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (46.48% of playoffs games): 39.6 mpg, 10.0 rpg, 4.7 apg, 3.4 tov, 27.5 ppg on 51.2% FG, 23.8% 3FG, 76.9% FT, 56.8% TS (+4.70% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (27.46% of playoffs games): 37.6 mpg, 7.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, 3.2 tov, 23.1 ppg on 47.8% FG, 33.3% 3FG 79.7% FT and 53.8% TS (+0.62% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (8.45% of playoffs games): 40.7 mpg, 8.3 rpg, 5.3 apg, 3.7 tov, 26.0 ppg on 52.7% FG, 14.3% 3FG, 78.1% FT and 58.6% TS (+5.35% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Kevin Durant (2010-19):

RS: 36.9 mpg, 7.4 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.2 tov, 28.0 ppg on 50.1% FG, 38.4% 3FG, 88.5% FT and 62.6% TS (+8.27% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (4.35% of playoffs games): 36.8 mpg, 9.5 rpg, 5.7 apg, 2.5 tov, 26.2 ppg on 54.4% FG, 43.3% 3FG, 94.1% FT and 66.6% TS (+11.08% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (39.13% of playoffs games): 40.4 mpg, 7.2 rpg, 4.7 apg, 3.0 tov, 31.3 ppg on 49.1% FG, 37.4% 3FG, 87.9% FT, 62.1% TS (+7.71% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (37.68% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 8.2 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.1 tov, 27.9 ppg on 43.9% FG, 31.4% 3FG 85.9% FT and 56.1% TS (+1.73% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (14.49% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 7.9 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.9 tov, 28.2 ppg on 49.9% FG, 37.1% 3FG, 80.4% FT and 60.2% TS (+6.42% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (4.35% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 6.7 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.8 tov, 28.5 ppg on 50.0% FG, 29.6% 3FG, 89.1% FT and 60.1% TS (+6.01% rTS)

Shooting Guards

Spoiler:

Michael Jordan (1985-98):

RS: 38.6 mpg, 6.3 rpg, 5.4 apg, 2.8 tov, 31.5 ppg on 50.6% FG, 33.2% 3FG, 83.8% FT and 58.0% TS (+4.27% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (3.35% of playoffs games): 37.7 mpg, 8.2 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.5 tov, 39.7 ppg on 57.0% FG, 46.2% 3FG, 89.8% FT and 63.8% TS (+10.44% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (36.31% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 6.7 rpg, 5.7 apg, 2.9 tov, 34.6 ppg on 49.5% FG, 33.6% 3FG, 81.8% FT, 56.9% TS (+3.51% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (27.37% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 6.1 rpg, 5.9 apg, 3.1 tov, 32.1 ppg on 49.9% FG, 37.1% 3FG 81.3% FT and 57.9% TS (+4.40% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (29.61% of playoffs games): 42.5 mpg, 6.4 rpg, 5.5 apg, 3.3 tov, 32.7 ppg on 46.4% FG, 27.7% 3FG, 84.3% FT and 55.2% TS (+1.54% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (3.35% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 6.2 rpg, 7.0 apg, 2.3 tov, 32.2 ppg on 40.0% FG, 40.0% 3FG, 86.8% FT and 52.2% TS (-1.42% rTS)

Kobe Bryant (2001-12):

RS: 38.9 mpg, 5.7 rpg, 5.2 apg, 3.2 tov, 28.2 ppg on 45.4% FG, 33.7% 3FG, 84.2% FT and 55.6% TS (+2.44% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (3.53% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 7.2 rpg, 8.3 apg, 2.5 tov, 33.7 ppg on 52.1% FG, 43.2% 3FG, 88.1% FT and 63.7% TS (+9.43% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (33.53% of playoffs games): 41.8 mpg, 5.5 rpg, 5.6 apg, 3.3 tov, 30.5 ppg on 45.9% FG, 33.1% 3FG, 84.5% FT, 56.5% TS (+3.19% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (32.35% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 5.3 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.3 tov, 27.1 ppg on 43.1% FG, 32.8% 3FG 82.3% FT and 53.1% TS (+0.14% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (20.59% of playoffs games): 42.3 mpg, 5.9 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.7 tov, 28.4 ppg on 46.9% FG, 35.2% 3FG, 79.4% FT and 54.1% TS (+1.06% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (10.00% of playoffs games): 44.3 mpg, 4.7 rpg, 5.1 apg, 3.6 tov, 25.0 ppg on 41.7% FG, 27.6% 3FG, 80.0% FT and 50.1% TS (-2.40% rTS)

Dwyane Wade (2005-12):

RS: 37.5 mpg, 5.2 rpg, 6.4 apg, 3.6 tov, 26.2 ppg on 48.7% FG, 29.1% 3FG, 77.2% FT and 56.9% TS (+3.16% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --
Against Average Defenses (28.87% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 5.8 rpg, 5.8 apg, 3.8 tov, 28.8 ppg on 46.5% FG, 33.3% 3FG, 77.7% FT, 55.9% TS (+2.53% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (43.30% of playoffs games): 40.1 mpg, 5.8 rpg, 6.1 apg, 3.7 tov, 26.0 ppg on 51.3% FG, 35.5% 3FG, 77.1% FT and 59.4% TS (+5.72% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (17.53% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 5.1 rpg, 5.0 apg, 3.7 tov, 23.5 ppg on 43.9% FG, 14.3% 3FG, 78.5% FT and 50.9% TS (-2.23% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (10.31% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 6.6 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 tov, 24.5 ppg on 47.2% FG, 26.3% 3FG, 79.6% FT and 56.5% TS (+2.37% rTS)

James Harden (2013-19):

RS: 37.1 mpg, 6.0 rpg, 7.7 apg, 4.4 tov, 29.1 ppg on 44.3% FG, 36.4% 3FG, 86.1% FT and 61.0% TS (+6.43% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (6.85% of playoffs games): 35.8 mpg, 4.8 rpg, 7.4 apg, 2.8 tov, 29.0 ppg on 41.1% FG, 38.5% 3FG, 86.8% FT and 56.3% TS (+0.72% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (49.32% of playoffs games): 38.8 mpg, 5.5 rpg, 6.7 apg, 4.4 tov, 29.4 ppg on 41.6% FG, 30.5% 3FG, 89.8% FT, 57.7% TS (+3.08% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (15.07% of playoffs games): 39.6 mpg, 6.0 rpg, 5.9 apg, 4.8 tov, 26.5 ppg on 40.0% FG, 32.6% 3FG 82.0% FT and 55.2% TS (+1.37% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (28.77% of playoffs games): 37.0 mpg, 6.1 rpg, 8.0 apg, 4.7 tov, 27.1 ppg on 41.2% FG, 33.5% 3FG, 86.9% FT and 56.6% TS (+1.52% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

George Gervin (1975-83):

RS: 35.2 mpg, 5.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 26.7 ppg on 50.8% FG, 27.4% 3FG, 83.9% FT and 56.8% TS (+4.38% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (11.11% of playoffs games): 39.5 mpg, 7.4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.4 tov, 30.1 ppg on 55.9% FG, 0.0% 3FG, 88.4% FT and 63.0% TS (+9.87% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (52.78% of playoffs games): 40.2 mpg, 7.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.6 tov, 29.6 ppg on 49.0% FG, 16.7% 3FG, 80.5% FT, 54.5% TS (+1.77% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (29.17% of playoffs games): 35.8 mpg, 7.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.4 tov, 24.6 ppg on 52.4% FG, 25.0% 3FG 84.0% FT and 59.0% TS (+7.15% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (6.94% of playoffs games): 40.4 mpg, 6.8 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 27.2 ppg on 45.1% FG, 0.0% 3FG, 83.9% FT and 50.1% TS (-3.77% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Point Guards

Spoiler:

Magic Johnson (1980-91):

RS: 36.9 mpg, 7.3 rpg, 11.4 apg, 3.9 tov, 19.7 ppg on 52.1% FG, 29.8% 3FG, 84.8% FT and 61.0% TS (+7.23% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (14.97% of playoffs games): 38.5 mpg, 7.5 rpg, 12.7 apg, 3.2 tov, 21.2 ppg on 49.3% FG, 18.5% 3FG, 82.5% FT and 58.6% TS (+4.73% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (44.39% of playoffs games): 38.7 mpg, 7.4 rpg, 13.3 apg, 3.5 tov, 19.5 ppg on 51.9% FG, 20.5% 3FG, 83.4% FT, 59.3% TS (+5.57% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (25.13% of playoffs games): 41.3 mpg, 7.8 rpg, 11.6 apg, 4.1 tov, 18.2 ppg on 48.8% FG, 29.7% 3FG 85.5% FT and 60.5% TS (+6.82% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (15.51% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 8.2 rpg, 10.5 apg, 3.9 tov, 19.7 ppg on 51.9% FG, 19.2% 3FG, 83.3% FT and 59.5% TS (+5.96% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Here are culminative stats against -2.0 rDRtg defenses or better:

Centers

Spoiler:

Bill Russell (21.0% of playoffs games): -- mpg, 26.8 rpg, 4.4 apg, 16.1 ppg on 42.7% FG, 54.7% FT, 45.6% TS (-1.90 rTS%)
Wilt Chamberlain (66.25% of playoffs games): 47.6 mpg, 28.3 rpg, 4.5 apg, 27.7 ppg on 50.6% FG, 49.5% FT, 51.7% TS (+3.30 rTS%)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (59.57% of playoffs games): 45.3 mpg, 14.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 30.3 ppg on 52.1% FG, 72.3% FT, 55.1% TS (+3.75 rTS%)
Moses Malone (55.84% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 13.7 rpg,1.5 apg, 2.4 tov, 22.7 ppg on 47.2% FG, 82.4% FT and 54.4% TS (+0.73% rTS)
Shaquille O'Neal (72.15% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 13.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.1 tov, 26.3 ppg on 55.8% FG, 51.9% FT and 56.5% TS (+4.04% rTS)
Hakeem Olajuwon (39.09% of playoffs games): 42.7 mpg, 11.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.6 tov, 27.1 ppg on 52.3% FG, 76.4% FT and 56.9% TS (+3.22% rTS)
David Robinson (30.65% of playoffs games): 39.4 mpg, 12.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.4 tov, 21.0 ppg on 45.9% FG, 64.8% FT and 51.7% TS (-1.54% rTS)
Artis Gilmore (19.23% of playoffs games): 44.3 mpg, 15.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, -- tov, 19.1 ppg on 52.6% FG, 57.7% FT and 54.8% TS (3.79% rTS)
Patrick Ewing (59.43% of playoffs games): 39.7 mpg, 10.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.9 tov, 21.8 ppg on 46.2% FG, 76.4% FT and 51.6% TS (-1.77% rTS)

Power Forwards

Spoiler:

Tim Duncan (29.09% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 13.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.1 tov, 22.5 ppg on 46.9% FG, 68.4% FT and 52.0% TS (-0.50% rTS)
Kevin Garnett (36.92% of playoffs games): 40.1 mpg, 11.5 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.6 tov, 20.5 ppg on 45.1% FG, 79.6% FT and 51.1% TS (-1.75% rTS)
Charles Barkley:(41.89% of playoffs games): 41.8 mpg, 12.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.6 tov, 25.7 ppg on 52.0% FG, 23.1% 3FG, 77.6% FT and 59.9% TS (+6.30% rTS)
Dirk Nowitzki: (47.58% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 10.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.2 tov, 24.4 ppg on 46.1% FG, 36.7% 3FG, 90.5% FT and 57.6% TS (+4.41% rTS)
Karl Malone (62.94% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 11.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.8 tov, 25.8 ppg on 45.7% FG, 72.1% FT and 51.9% TS (-1.29% rTS)
Bob Pettit (36.78% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 15.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, -- tov, 26.8 ppg on 41.9% FG, 76.6% FT and 50.0% TS (+3.75% rTS)

Small Forwards

Spoiler:

LeBron James (62.14% of playoffs games): 41.9 mpg, 9.0 rpg, 7.1 apg, 3.7 tov, 28.8 ppg on 48.5% FG, 35.1% 3FG, 73.6% FT and 57.5% TS (+3.42% rTS)
Larry Bird (41.13% of playoffs games): 42.1 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 6.7 apg, 3.4 tov, 24.3 ppg on 47.3% FG, 32.9% 3FG, 88.8% FT and 55.4% TS (+1.72% rTS)
Julius Erving (35.92% of playoffs games): 38.3 mpg, 7.8 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.3 tov, 23.8 ppg on 49.0% FG, 26.3% 3FG, 79.3% FT and 54.9% TS (+1.73% rTS)
Kevin Durant (56.52% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 8.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 3.4 tov, 28.0 ppg on 45.8% FG, 32.7% 3FG 84.9% FT and 57.4% TS (+3.27% rTS)

Shooting Guards

Spoiler:

Michael Jordan (60.34% of playoffs games): 42.0 mpg, 6.2 rpg, 5.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 32.4 ppg on 47.6% FG, 32.4% 3FG, 83.1% FT and 56.2% TS (+2.67% rTS)
Kobe Bryant (62.94% of playoffs games): 41.9 mpg, 5.4 rpg, 4.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 27.2 ppg on 44.2% FG, 32.6% 3FG, 81.1% FT and 53.0% TS (+0.04% rTS)
Dwyane Wade (71.13% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 5.7 rpg, 5.4 apg, 3.7 tov, 25.2 ppg on 48.8% FG, 31.3% 3FG, 77.8% FT and 56.8% TS (+3.28% rTS)
James Harden (43.84% of playoffs games): 37.9 mpg, 6.0 rpg, 7.3 apg, 4.8 tov, 26.8 ppg on 41.2% FG, 33.5% 3FG, 86.9% FT and 56.6% TS (+1.52% rTS)
George Gervin (36.11% of playoffs games): 36.7 mpg, 7.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.6 tov, 25.1 ppg on 50.6% FG, 20.0% 3FG, 84.0% FT and 56.9% TS (+5.05% rTS)
)

Point Guards

Spoiler:

Magic Johnson (40.64% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 8.0 rpg, 11.2 apg, 4.0 tov, 18.8 ppg on 50.1% FG, 27.0% 3FG, 84.8% FT and 60.1% TS (+6.49% rTS)

Here are culminative stats against -4.0 rDRtg defenses or better:

Centers

Spoiler:

Bill Russell (11.0% of playoffs games): 42.8 mpg, 26.2 rpg, 3.8 apg, 16.4 ppg on 42.7% FG, 60.9% FT, 45.4% TS (-1.90 rTS%)
Wilt Chamberlain (52.50% of playoffs games): 47.5 mpg, 28.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 28.1 ppg on 50.8% FG, 50.6% FT, 52.2% TS (+3.84 rTS%)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26.60% of playoffs games): 44.1 mpg, 15.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 33.3 ppg on 54.5% FG, 72.2% FT, 56.9% TS (+5.28 rTS%)
Moses Malone (14.29% of playoffs games): 40.5 mpg, 13.7 rpg,2.1 apg, 1.9 tov, 27.0 ppg on 48.7% FG, 81.9% FT and 55.5% TS (+1.79% rTS)
Shaquille O'Neal (30.38% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 13.3 rpg, 2.9 apg, 3.3 tov, 26.9 ppg on 55.8% FG, 53.5% FT and 56.9% TS (+4.59% rTS)
Hakeem Olajuwon (15.45% of playoffs games): 42.0 mpg, 10.2 rpg, 3.1 apg, 3.4 tov, 24.1 ppg on 48.9% FG, 75.2% FT and 53.9% TS (+0.30% rTS)
David Robinson (0.00% of playoffs games):--
Artis Gilmore (5.13% of playoffs games): 45.3 mpg, 18.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 tov, 15.3 ppg on 44.3% FG, 36.8% FT and 44.0% TS (-6.93% rTS)
Patrick Ewing (21.70% of playoffs games): 40.7 mpg, 11.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 3.0 tov, 22.9 ppg on 43.7% FG, 80.0% FT and 49.0% TS (-4.48% rTS)

Power Forwards

Spoiler:

Tim Duncan (16.77% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 13.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.0 tov, 23.6 ppg on 47.8% FG, 68.0% FT and 52.7% TS (+0.50% rTS)
Kevin Garnett (21.54% of playoffs games): 40.2 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.6 tov, 22.0 ppg on 48.3% FG, 80.2% FT and 55.0% TS (+2.41% rTS)
Charles Barkley:(14.86% of playoffs games): 42.2 mpg, 13.1 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.3 tov, 24.2 ppg on 45.3% FG, 29.6% 3FG, 79.8% FT and 54.3% TS (+1.03% rTS)
Dirk Nowitzki (28.23% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 10.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 tov, 23.4 ppg on 45.5% FG, 29.3% 3FG, 88.4% FT and 57.4% TS (+4.41% rTS)
Karl Malone (41.26% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.7 tov, 25.4 ppg on 46.8% FG, 67.0% FT and 51.5% TS (-1.56% rTS)
Bob Pettit (36.78% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 15.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, -- tov, 26.8 ppg on 41.9% FG, 76.6% FT and 50.0% TS (+3.75% rTS)

Small Forwards

Spoiler:

LeBron James (37.38% of playoffs games): 42.4 mpg, 9.0 rpg, 6.6 apg, 3.9 tov, 29.8 ppg on 48.2% FG, 36.3% 3FG, 72.8% FT and 57.1% TS (+2.93% rTS)
Larry Bird (16.94% of playoffs games): 39.9 mpg, 10.1 rpg, 6.1 apg, 4.0 tov, 25.6 ppg on 53.1% FG, 42.9% 3FG, 91.4% FT and 61.6% TS (+7.39% rTS)
Julius Erving (8.45% of playoffs games): 40.7 mpg, 8.3 rpg, 5.3 apg, 3.7 tov, 26.0 ppg on 52.7% FG, 14.3% 3FG, 78.1% FT and 58.6% TS (+5.35% rTS)
Kevin Durant (18.84% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 7.6 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.9 tov, 28.3 ppg on 49.9% FG, 35.7% 3FG 82.5% FT and 60.2% TS (+6.33% rTS)

Shooting Guards

Spoiler:

Michael Jordan (32.96% of playoffs games): 42.4 mpg, 6.3 rpg, 5.6 apg, 3.2 tov, 32.6 ppg on 45.8% FG, 29.5% 3FG, 84.6% FT and 54.9% TS (+1.24% rTS)
Kobe Bryant (30.59% of playoffs games): 42.9 mpg, 5.5 rpg, 5.2 apg, 3.0 tov, 27.3 ppg on 45.3% FG, 32.4% 3FG, 79.6% FT and 52.8% TS (-0.07% rTS)
Dwyane Wade (27.84% of playoffs games): 40.7 mpg, 5.6 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.6 tov, 23.9 ppg on 45.0% FG, 20.0% 3FG, 78.9% FT and 52.9% TS (-0.53% rTS)
James Harden (28.77% of playoffs games): 37.0 mpg, 6.1 rpg, 8.0 apg, 4.7 tov, 27.1 ppg on 41.2% FG, 33.5% 3FG, 86.9% FT and 56.6% TS (+1.52% rTS)
George Gervin (6.94% of playoffs games): 40.4 mpg, 6.8 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 27.2 ppg on 45.1% FG, 0.0% 3FG, 83.9% FT and 50.1% TS (-3.77% rTS)

Point Guards

Spoiler:

Magic Johnson (15.51% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 8.2 rpg, 10.5 apg, 3.9 tov, 19.7 ppg on 51.9% FG, 19.2% 3FG, 83.3% FT and 59.5% TS (+5.96% rTS)

Tell me what you think about it. I expect good discussion

[HeartBreakKid]

Almost every year he went up against the best defense in the league and often times the team was historic.

2001: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were a -5.5 team on defense.
2002: The no. 1 ranked Nets who were -5.0 and the no. 2 ranked Spurs at -4.8.
2003: The no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -3.9.
2004: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were -8.8 and the no. 2 ranked Pistons who were -7.5.
2008: The no. 1 ranked Celtics who were -8.6 and the no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -5.7.
2009: The no. 1 ranked Magic who were -6.4, the no. 4 ranked Rockets who were -4.3, the no. 8 ranked Nuggets who were -1.5 and the number 10 ranked Jazz who were -1.3.
2010: The no. 5 ranked Celtics who were -3.8.

Most years he was facing multiple top 3 defenses en route to the Finals and in 2009 faced 4 of the top 10.

I think people should take a lot of this stuff into context when comparing his Playoff numbers (as good as they are) to other players who were able to feast on cupcake teams instead.

What makes you think people don't take into account defense, or that most all time greats do not face an elite defense in deep playoff runs?

But to answer your question - Jerry West.

[ChartFiction]

Almost every year he went up against the best defense in the league and often times the team was historic.

2001: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were a -5.5 team on defense.
2002: The no. 1 ranked Nets who were -5.0 and the no. 2 ranked Spurs at -4.8.
2003: The no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -3.9.
2004: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were -8.8 and the no. 2 ranked Pistons who were -7.5.
2008: The no. 1 ranked Celtics who were -8.6 and the no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -5.7.
2009: The no. 1 ranked Magic who were -6.4, the no. 4 ranked Rockets who were -4.3, the no. 8 ranked Nuggets who were -1.5 and the number 10 ranked Jazz who were -1.3.
2010: The no. 5 ranked Celtics who were -3.8.

Most years he was facing multiple top 3 defenses en route to the Finals and in 2009 faced 4 of the top 10.

I think people should take a lot of this stuff into context when comparing his Playoff numbers (as good as they are) to other players who were able to feast on cupcake teams instead.

wilt chamberlain

lebron james

Wilt played in a time where team staff tried to limit the amount of black players on a team.

International basketball was not even a thing.

Players were 6'5 on average and it wasn't because they were playing small ball.

He averaged 30 ppg easily every finals.

What is the argument that he played the toughest defenses? Because the league sucked?

Every time you guys try to ignore the egregious differences in talent "out of respect for the old timers" it's absurd.

[HeartBreakKid]

Almost every year he went up against the best defense in the league and often times the team was historic.

2001: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were a -5.5 team on defense.
2002: The no. 1 ranked Nets who were -5.0 and the no. 2 ranked Spurs at -4.8.
2003: The no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -3.9.
2004: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were -8.8 and the no. 2 ranked Pistons who were -7.5.
2008: The no. 1 ranked Celtics who were -8.6 and the no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -5.7.
2009: The no. 1 ranked Magic who were -6.4, the no. 4 ranked Rockets who were -4.3, the no. 8 ranked Nuggets who were -1.5 and the number 10 ranked Jazz who were -1.3.
2010: The no. 5 ranked Celtics who were -3.8.

Most years he was facing multiple top 3 defenses en route to the Finals and in 2009 faced 4 of the top 10.

I think people should take a lot of this stuff into context when comparing his Playoff numbers (as good as they are) to other players who were able to feast on cupcake teams instead.

wilt chamberlain

lebron james

Wilt played in a time where team staff tried to limit the amount of black players on a team.

International basketball was not even a thing.

Players were 6'4.5 on average and it wasn't because they were playing small ball.

He averaged 30 ppg easily every finals.

What is the argument that he played the toughest defenses? Because the league sucked?

Every time you guys try to ignore the egregious differences in talent "out of respect for the old timers" it's absurd.

Players were measured without shoes...and on average only like an inch smaller than today. Your shoes make you taller, so good job not thinking that one through. Why on earth would basketball players be smaller in the 70s, that doesn't even make sense.

Um..he played against tough defenses because they were highly rated defenses? The same way the OP measured defenses. Your opinion on whether they sucked or not isn't relevant.

If they sucked because they were old then like...Wilt Chamberlain was old also? So...your point is moot.

[ty 4191]

Players were 6'5 on average and it wasn't because they were playing small ball.

What is the argument that he played the toughest defenses? Because the league sucked?

Every time you guys try to ignore the egregious differences in talent "out of respect for the old timers" it's absurd.

This post is absurd and ignorant.

Watch on YouTube

[ChartFiction]

wilt chamberlain

lebron james

Wilt played in a time where team staff tried to limit the amount of black players on a team.

International basketball was not even a thing.

Players were 6'4.5 on average and it wasn't because they were playing small ball.

He averaged 30 ppg easily every finals.

What is the argument that he played the toughest defenses? Because the league sucked?

Every time you guys try to ignore the egregious differences in talent "out of respect for the old timers" it's absurd.

Players were measured without shoes...and on average only like an inch smaller than today.

Um..he played against tough defenses because they were highly rated defenses? The same way the OP measured defenses. Your opinion on whether they sucked or not isn't relevant.

If they sucked because they were old then like...Wilt Chamberlain was old also? So...your point is moot.

Yeah, they were highly rated defenses in an era where the top 95% of the league today would not even be playing on social reasoning.

Race quotas. No international play.

It's legitimately a joke that people continue to ignore enormous facts.

[70sFan]

Wilt played in a time where team staff tried to limit the amount of black players on a team.

It happened only at the beginning of his career, by 1964/65 half of the league was black.

International basketball was not even a thing.

There were very few international players in the NBA, but it's not true that international basketball didn't exist.

Players were 6'4.5 on average and it wasn't because they were playing small ball.

This is false, even if we don't adjust to height with shoes vs without shoes:

https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/average-nba-height/

1960: 6'5.4"
1961: 6'5.6"
1962: 6'5.6"
1963: 6'5.6"
1964: 6'5.8"
1965: 6'5.8"
1966: 6'5.7"
1967: 6'5.7"
1968: 6'5.8"
1969: 6'5.9"
1970: 6'5.8"
1971: 6'5.8"
1972: 6'5.8"
1973: 6'5.9"

2022: 6'6.2"

He averaged 30 ppg easily every finals.

He technically never averaged 30 ppg in the finals.

What is the argument that he played the toughest defenses? Because the league sucked?

No, the argument is that he faced all-time great defensive teams year after year: Russell's Celtics, Thurmond's Warriors, Holzman's Knicks, Kareem's Bucks...

Every time you guys try to ignore the egregious differences in talent "out of respect for the old timers" it's absurd.

Every time you try to force false narratives, it's absurd. You didn't even check the average height from that time, you just made it up.

[ty 4191]

Players were 6'5 on average and it wasn't because they were playing small ball.

Every time you guys try to ignore the egregious differences in talent "out of respect for the old timers" it's absurd.

Again, ignorant and misinformed.

[ChartFiction]

Wilt played in a time where team staff tried to limit the amount of black players on a team.

It happened only at the beginning of his career, by 1964/65 half of the league was black.

International basketball was not even a thing.

There were very few international players in the NBA, but it's not true that international basketball didn't exist.

Players were 6'4.5 on average and it wasn't because they were playing small ball.

This is false, even if we don't adjust to height with shoes vs without shoes:

https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/average-nba-height/

1960: 6'5.4"
1961: 6'5.6"
1962: 6'5.6"
1963: 6'5.6"
1964: 6'5.8"
1965: 6'5.8"
1966: 6'5.7"
1967: 6'5.7"
1968: 6'5.8"
1969: 6'5.9"
1970: 6'5.8"
1971: 6'5.8"
1972: 6'5.8"
1973: 6'5.9"

2022: 6'6.2"

He averaged 30 ppg easily every finals.

He technically never averaged 30 ppg in the finals.

What is the argument that he played the toughest defenses? Because the league sucked?

No, the argument is that he faced all-time great defensive teams year after year: Russell's Celtics, Thurmond's Warriors, Holzman's Knicks, Kareem's Bucks...

Every time you guys try to ignore the egregious differences in talent "out of respect for the old timers" it's absurd.

Every time you try to force false narratives, it's absurd. You didn't even check the average height from that time, you just made it up.

This is Wilt's own teammate Joe Ruklick: owner Eddie Gottlieb told him, "We need you next year. Fans won't buy tickets if you have too many Negroes."

[70sFan]

This is Wilt's own teammate Joe Ruklick: owner Eddie Gottlieb told him, "We need you next year. Fans won't buy tickets if you have too many Negroes."

So this is a stronger argument than Wilt playing most of his career in fully integrated league?

[HeartBreakKid]

Wilt played in a time where team staff tried to limit the amount of black players on a team.

It happened only at the beginning of his career, by 1964/65 half of the league was black.

International basketball was not even a thing.

There were very few international players in the NBA, but it's not true that international basketball didn't exist.

Players were 6'4.5 on average and it wasn't because they were playing small ball.

This is false, even if we don't adjust to height with shoes vs without shoes:

https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/average-nba-height/

1960: 6'5.4"
1961: 6'5.6"
1962: 6'5.6"
1963: 6'5.6"
1964: 6'5.8"
1965: 6'5.8"
1966: 6'5.7"
1967: 6'5.7"
1968: 6'5.8"
1969: 6'5.9"
1970: 6'5.8"
1971: 6'5.8"
1972: 6'5.8"
1973: 6'5.9"

2022: 6'6.2"

He averaged 30 ppg easily every finals.

He technically never averaged 30 ppg in the finals.

What is the argument that he played the toughest defenses? Because the league sucked?

No, the argument is that he faced all-time great defensive teams year after year: Russell's Celtics, Thurmond's Warriors, Holzman's Knicks, Kareem's Bucks...

Every time you guys try to ignore the egregious differences in talent "out of respect for the old timers" it's absurd.

Every time you try to force false narratives, it's absurd. You didn't even check the average height from that time, you just made it up.

This is Wilt's own teammate Joe Ruklick: owner Eddie Gottlieb told him, "We need you next year. Fans won't buy tickets if you have too many Negroes."

Have to like how you ignored his entire post.

[Purch]

I haven't seen the stats, but I imagine Duncan would have to surpass him due to simply the amount of time.

[ChartFiction]

It happened only at the beginning of his career, by 1964/65 half of the league was black.


There were very few international players in the NBA, but it's not true that international basketball didn't exist.


This is false, even if we don't adjust to height with shoes vs without shoes:

https://www.thehoopsgeek.com/average-nba-height/

1960: 6'5.4"
1961: 6'5.6"
1962: 6'5.6"
1963: 6'5.6"
1964: 6'5.8"
1965: 6'5.8"
1966: 6'5.7"
1967: 6'5.7"
1968: 6'5.8"
1969: 6'5.9"
1970: 6'5.8"
1971: 6'5.8"
1972: 6'5.8"
1973: 6'5.9"

2022: 6'6.2"


He technically never averaged 30 ppg in the finals.


No, the argument is that he faced all-time great defensive teams year after year: Russell's Celtics, Thurmond's Warriors, Holzman's Knicks, Kareem's Bucks...


Every time you try to force false narratives, it's absurd. You didn't even check the average height from that time, you just made it up.

This is Wilt's own teammate Joe Ruklick: owner Eddie Gottlieb told him, "We need you next year. Fans won't buy tickets if you have too many Negroes."

Have to like how you ignored his entire post.

You guys will die on a hill defending a period of race quotas and owners saying they don't want too many black people in a sport where almost all of the players today are black or coming from another country.

Most of the players today would not even get interested in the sport.

This is the second part of the quote from Wilt's actual teammate: "I went and told my wife. She said, 'You mean you're on this team because you're white?' 'Well, yeah.' So I went to New York to look for a job outside of basketball."

[ty 4191]

I haven't seen the stats, but I imagine Duncan would have to surpass him due to simply the amount of time.

viewtopic.php?f=64&t=1836300

Courtesy of 70's Fan, in order, of % of games played in the playoffs....

Players with the highest percentage of games against "Elite" (-4 through -6.9 team Defensive Rating) plus "All Time Great" (-7 or better team dRTG). Note: This is peaks only:

1. Wilt Chamberlain (52.50% of playoffs games): 47.5 mpg, 28.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 28.1 ppg on 50.8% FG, 50.6% FT, 52.2% TS (+3.84 rTS%)

2. Karl Malone (41.26% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.7 tov, 25.4 ppg on 46.8% FG, 67.0% FT and 51.5% TS (-1.56% rTS)

3. LeBron James (37.38% of playoffs games): 42.4 mpg, 9.0 rpg, 6.6 apg, 3.9 tov, 29.8 ppg on 48.2% FG, 36.3% 3FG, 72.8% FT and 57.1% TS (+2.93% rTS)

4. Bob Pettit (36.78% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 15.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, -- tov, 26.8 ppg on 41.9% FG, 76.6% FT and 50.0% TS (+3.75% rTS)

5. Michael Jordan (32.96% of playoffs games): 42.4 mpg, 6.3 rpg, 5.6 apg, 3.2 tov, 32.6 ppg on 45.8% FG, 29.5% 3FG, 84.6% FT and 54.9% TS (+1.24% rTS)

6. Kobe Bryant (30.59% of playoffs games): 42.9 mpg, 5.5 rpg, 5.2 apg, 3.0 tov, 27.3 ppg on 45.3% FG, 32.4% 3FG, 79.6% FT and 52.8% TS (-0.07% rTS)

7. Shaquille O'Neal (30.38% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 13.3 rpg, 2.9 apg, 3.3 tov, 26.9 ppg on 55.8% FG, 53.5% FT and 56.9% TS (+4.59% rTS)

8. Dirk Nowitzki (28.23% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 10.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 tov, 23.4 ppg on 45.5% FG, 29.3% 3FG, 88.4% FT and 57.4% TS (+4.41% rTS)

And:

Tim Duncan (16.77% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 13.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.0 tov, 23.6 ppg on 47.8% FG, 68.0% FT and 52.7% TS (+0.50% rTS)

Duncan did not face great or outstanding defenses in the playoffs in his prime, overall.

[ty 4191]

No. I think Kobe is 24-8 against 50-win teams which is far more than any other player. That thread about quality of defense faced, I think Kobe faced a tough defense 71% of the time.

How about quality of teams faced in the playoffs, overall?

This thread was inspired by 70's Fan and his thread, here:

viewtopic.php?f=64&t=1836300

I wanted to find out which ATG Players faced the best teams in the Playoffs, so I looked at the Net Rating of opposing teams (for every series) for each player, and ran the numbers using this criteria, which 70s Fan used, but for overall opponent production, (not just defense, this time):

Lower -2.0 Net Rating: Bad Team
From -2.0 to +1.9 Net Rating: Average Team
From +2.0 to +3.9 Net Rating: Good Team
From +4.0 to +6.0 Net Rating: Elite Team
Above +7.0 Net Rating: All-Time Great Team

I started with a few ATG Centers, and I'm just getting started, but here are some results:

Wilt Chamberlain:

Regular Season: 45.8 MPG, 30.1 PPG, 22.9 RBS, 4.4 AST, .540 FG% (+5.5 rTS%)

Against Bad Teams: (0% of playoff games): -----
Against Average Teams: (30.6% of playoff games): 47.9 MPG, 27.2 PPG, 26.9 RBS, 5.9 AST (+5.2 rTS%)
Against Good Teams: (23.1% of playoff games): 46.6 MPG, 27.2 PPG, 21.2 RBS, 3.2 AST (+5.2 tTS%)
Against Elite Teams: (31.2% of playoff games): 47 MPG, 18.1 PPG, 23.3 RBS, 4.2 AST (+1.6 rTS%)
Against All Time Great Teams: (15% of playoff games): 47.4 MPG, 35.4 PPG, 25.3 RBS, 2.5 AST, (+4.0 rTS%)

Bill Russell:

(Regular Season): 42.3 MPG, 15.1 PPG, 22.5 RBS, 4.3 AST, .440 FG%, (-0.8 rTS%)

Against Bad Teams: (3.6% of playoff games): 47.8 MPG, 20.0 PPG, 26.0 RBS, 5.3 AST (+3.6 rTS%)
Against Average Teams: (44.2% of playoff games): 46 MPG, 15.2 PPG, 23.5 RBS, 5.4 AST (-1.3 rTS%)
Against Good Teams: (26% of playoff games): 42 MPG, 15.6 PPG, 25.9 RBS, 2.9 AST (-1.2 rTS%)
Against Elite Teams: (21.8% of playoff games): 47.2 MPG, 19.8 PPG, 27.7 RBS, 4.7 AST (+1.3 rTS%)
Against All Time Great Teams: (4.2% of playoff games): 48 MPG, 9.1 PPG, 21.1 RBS, 5.1 AST (-4.5 rTS%)

Kareem Abdul-Jabaar:

Regular Season: 36.8 MPG, 24.6 PPG, 11.2 RBS, 3.6 AST, .559 FG%, (+6.8 tTS%)

Against Bad Teams: (5.8% of playoff games): 42.6 MPG, 30.2 PPG, 13.9 RBS, 3.6 AST, (+4.4 rTS%)
Against Average Teams: (26.6% of playoff games): 44.8 MPG, 29.7 PPG, 15.8 RBS, 4.1 AST (+8.1 rTS%)
Against Good Teams: (40.4% of playoff games): 29.9 MPG, 18.4 PPG, 6.1 RBS, 2.5 AST, (+2.2 rTS%)
Against Elite Teams: (18.8% of playoff games): 36.6 MPG, 23.4 PPG, 8.2 RBS, 3.3 AST, (+6.9 rTS%)
Against All Time Great Teams: (8.3% of playoff games): 42.2 MPG, 30.8 PPG, 16.6 RBS, 3.3 AST, (+2.5 tTS%)

LeBron James:

Regular Season: 38.2 MPG, 27.1 PPG, 7.4 RBS, 7.4 AST, .505 FG%, (+4.4 rTS%)

Against Bad Teams: (0% of playoff games): ---
Against Average Teams: (33.4% of playoff games): 42.3 MPG, 27.8 PPG, 8.7 RBS, 6.4 AST, (+5.4 rTS%)
Against Good Teams: (23.7% of playoff games): 39.4 MPG, 30.7 PPG, 9.4 RBS, 8.6 AST, (+8.1 rTS%)
Against Elite Teams: (22.6% of playoff games): 40.1 MPG, 28.0 PPG, 9.3 RBS, 7.1 AST, (+3.8 rTS%)
Against All Time Great Teams: (21% of playoff games): 43.5 MPG, 28.5 PPG, 8.4 RBS, 7.2 AST, (+1.4 tTS%)

Michael Jordan:

Regular Season: 38.3 MPG, 30.1 PPG, 6.2 RBS, 5.3 AST, .497 FG% (+3.7 rTS%)

Against Bad Teams: (3.9% of playoff games): 43.1 MPG, 31.3 PPG, 5.7 RBS, 4.3 AST, (-0.6 tTS%)
Against Average Teams: (20.1% of playoff games): 40.1 MPG, 35.0 PPG, 7 RBS, 7.5 AST, (+6.6 rTS%)
Against Good Teams: (15% of playoff games): 41.9 MPG, 32.7 PPG, 5.5 RBS, 3.9 AST, (+1.4 tTS%)
Against Elite Teams: (40.2% of playoff games): 41.0 MPG, 32.4 PPG, 6.3 RBS, 5 AST, (+2.6 rTS%)
Against All Time Great Teams: (20.7% of playoff games): 42.8 MPG, 35.8 PPG, 6.8 RBS, 6.6 AST, (+4.5 rTS%)

Larry Bird:

Regular Season: 38.4 MPG, 24.3 PPG, 10.0 RBS, 6.3 AST, .496 FG%, (+2.8 rTS%)

Against Bad Teams: (8.5% of playoff games): 41.3 MPG, 27.9 PPG, 9.4 RBS, 6.0 AST, (0.5 rTS%)
Against Average Teams: (28.6% of playoff games): 41.3 MPG, 22.0 PPG, 11.9 RBS, 6.2 AST (+0 tTS%)
Against Good Teams: (25.6% of playoff games): 40.5 MPG, 21.0 PPG, 8.0 RBS, 6.7 AST (-2.1 rTS%)
Against Elite Teams: (25% of playoff games): 43.2 MPG, 26.5 PPG, 9.5 RBS, 7.7 AST (+6.0 rTS%)
Against All Time Great Teams: (12.2% of playoff games): 42.9 MPG, 23.2 PPG, 12.0 RBS, 5.4 AST, (+2.6 rTS%)

Magic Johnson:

Regular Season: 26.7 MPG, 19.5 PPG, 11.2 AST, .520 FG%, (6.7 rTS%)

Against Bad Teams: (8.4% of playoff games): 36.9 MPG, 17.6 PPG, 7.3 RBS, 15.5 AST, (+4.3 rTS%)
Against Average Teams: (27.8% of playoff games): 39.9 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 8.3 RBS, 12.2 AST (+0.0 tTS%)
Against Good Teams: (24.6% of playoff games): 39.6 MPG, 20.6. PPG, 6.9 RBS, 11.7 AST (+5.5 tTS%)
Against Elite Teams: (29.3% of playoff games): 38.3 MPG, 20.7 PPG, 6.7 RBS, 13.3 AST (+6.4 rTS%)
Against All Time Great Teams: (9.9% of playoff games): 41.4 MPG, 17.9 PPG, 8.9 RBS, 11.3 AST, (+3.4 tTS%)

Steph Curry:

Regular Season: 34.3 MPG, 24.3 PPG, 4.6 RBS, .473 FG% (+7.5 tTS%)

Against Bad Teams: ---
Against Average Teams: (30.4% of playoff games): 33.5 MPG, 26.0 PPG, 5.2 RBS, 5.9 AST (+13.7 rTS%)
Against Good Teams: (16.5% of playoff games): 34.4 MPG, 29.1 PPG, 5.3 RBS, 5.8 AST, (+6.9 rTS%)
Against Elite Teams: (33% of playoff games): 39.5 MPG, 26.8 PPG, 6.2 RBS, 5.9 AST, (+8.6 rTS%)
Against All Time Great Teams: (20% of all playoff games): 37.9 MPG, 25.9 PPG, 4.1 RBS, 8 AST, (+9.4 tTS%)

Tim Duncan:

Regular Season: 34.0 MPG, 19.0 PTS, 10.8 RBS, 3.0 AST, (+2.0 rTS%)

Against Bad Teams: (2.4% of playoff games): 20.2 MPG, 5.8 PPG, 6.3 RBS, 2.0 AST, (14.4 tTS%)
Against Average Teams: (19.1% of playoff games): 37.7 MPG, 19.7 PPG, 11.1 RBS, 3.2 AST (+2.3 rTS%)
Against Good Teams: (28.3% of playoff games): 37 MPG, 22.2 MPG, 10.2 RBS, 3.3 AST, (+4.7 rTS%)
Against Elite Teams: (34.7% of playoff games): 37.6 MPG, 20.0 PPG, 11.9 RBS, 3.0 AST (+0.2 rTS%)
Against All Time Great Teams: (15.5% of games): 38.5 MPG, 21.8 PPG, 12.5 RBS, 2.9 AST, (+0.9 rTS%)

Jerry West

Regular Season: 39.2 MPG, 27.0 PTS, 5.8 RBS, 6.7 AST (+5.5 tTS%)

Against Bad Teams: (3.3% of playoff games): 40.8 MPG, 28.4 PPG, 4.2 RBS, 5.6 AST, (+8.3 rTS%)
Against Average Teams: (40.5% of playoff games): 42.2 MPG, 30.8 PPG, 5.9 RBS, 6.3 AST, (+7.7 rTS%)
Against Good Teams: (20.3% of playoff games): 33.5 MPG, 20.9 PPG, 4.9 RBS, 6.5 AST, (3.1 rTS%)
Against Elite Teams: (19.6% of playoff games): 42.0 MPG, 31.3 PPG, 5.3 RBS, 5.0 AST (+4.4 rTS%)
Against All Time Great Teams: (16.3% of playoff games): 37.3 MPG, 23.3 PPG, 4.2 RBS, 5.9 AST, (-2.9 rTS%)

Kobe Bryant

Against Bad Teams: (0% of playoff games): -----
Against Average Teams: (7.7% of playoff games): 35.0 MPG, 19.4 PPG, 4.1 RBS, 4.3 AST, (+0.0 rTS%)
Against Good Teams: (20.5% of playoff games): 40.5 MPG, 28.0 PPG, 5.5 RBS, 5.2 AST, (+1.5 rTS%)
Against Elite Teams: (40.9% of playoff games): 39.6 MPG, 25.9 PPG, 5.0 RBS, 4.6 AST, (+2.6 rTS%)
Against All Time Great Teams: (30.9% of playoff games): 36.4 MPG, 22.9 RBS, 4.8 AST, 4.4 RBS, (+2.1 rTS%)

Performance Against The Very Best: Versus Elite + All Time Great Teams

Wilt: (46.2% of total games): 47.2 MPG, 26.8 PPG, 24.3 RBS, 3.4 AST, (+2.8 rTS%)

Russell: (26% of total games): 47.6 MPG, 14.5 PPG, 24.4 RBS, 4.8 AST, (-1.6 rTS%)

Kareem: (27.1% of total games): 39.4 MPG, 27.1 PPG, 12.4 RBS, 3.3 AST, (+4.6% rTS%)

Jordan: (60.9% of total games): 41.9 MPG, 34.1 PPG, 6.6 RBS, 5.8 AST, (+3.6% rTS%)

LeBron: (43.6% of total games): 41.8 MPG, 28.3 PPG, 8.9 RBS, 7.2 AST, (+2.6 tTS%)

Bird: (37.2% of total games): 43.0 MPG, 24.8 PPG, 10.8 RBS, 6.6 AST, (+4.3 rTS%)

Magic: (39.2% of total games): 39.9 MPG, 19.3 PPG, 7.8 RBS, 12.3 AST, (+3.9 tTS%)

Curry: (53% of total games): 38.7 MPG, 26.4 PPG, 5.2 RBS, 7 AST, (+9.0 rTS%)

Duncan: (50.2% of total games): 38.0 MPG, 20.9 PPG, 12.2 RBS, 3.0 AST, (+0.6 rTS%)

West: (35.9% of total games): 39.7 MPG, 27.3 PPG, 4.8 RBS, 5.5 AST, (+0.8 rTS%)

Kobe: (71.8% of total games): 38 MPG, 24.4 PPG, 4.9 RBS, 4.5 AST, (+2.4 rTS%)

[Owly]

Almost every year he went up against the best defense in the league and often times the team was historic.

2001: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were a -5.5 team on defense.
2002: The no. 1 ranked Nets who were -5.0 and the no. 2 ranked Spurs at -4.8.
2003: The no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -3.9.
2004: The no. 1 ranked Spurs who were -8.8 and the no. 2 ranked Pistons who were -7.5.
2008: The no. 1 ranked Celtics who were -8.6 and the no. 3 ranked Spurs who were -5.7.
2009: The no. 1 ranked Magic who were -6.4, the no. 4 ranked Rockets who were -4.3, the no. 8 ranked Nuggets who were -1.5 and the number 10 ranked Jazz who were -1.3.
2010: The no. 5 ranked Celtics who were -3.8.

Most years he was facing multiple top 3 defenses en route to the Finals and in 2009 faced 4 of the top 10.

I think people should take a lot of this stuff into context when comparing his Playoff numbers (as good as they are) to other players who were able to feast on cupcake teams instead.

wilt chamberlain

lebron james

Wilt played in a time where team staff tried to limit the amount of black players on a team.

International basketball was not even a thing.

Players were 6'5 on average and it wasn't because they were playing small ball.

He averaged 30 ppg easily every finals.

What is the argument that he played the toughest defenses? Because the league sucked?

Every time you guys try to ignore the egregious differences in talent "out of respect for the old timers" it's absurd.

This board has hosted serious discussions about the talent pool (including racial quotas), acknowledged the difficulty of comparing across eras etc.

In the areas where you might have a point, the points are widely known. Then there are the errors and the appearance of certainty which seem to damage your credibility and might inadvertently harm the position you are notionally supporting.

[70sFan]

You guys will die on a hill defending a period of race quotas and owners saying they don't want too many black people in a sport where almost all of the players today are black or coming from another country.

Most of the players today would not even get interested in the sport.

This is the second part of the quote from Wilt's actual teammate: "I went and told my wife. She said, 'You mean you're on this team because you're white?' 'Well, yeah.' So I went to New York to look for a job outside of basketball."

The league was fully integrated during Wilt's career. Why do you ignore that?