The first playoff game with at least "45-15-5" since Wilt Chamberlain 1964

[pauk]

wow... thats like 48-49 years...

[kurt_rambis]

but has lebron stopped a herd of charging rhinos in its tracks with his bare hands???

[Round Mound]

:applause:

[Magic 32]

wow... thats like 48-49 years...

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200105130SAC.html

at 21.

[6JamesIsKing]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200105130SAC.html

at 21.

3 Assist

[kurt_rambis]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200105130SAC.html

at 21.
3 assists

doesn't meet the arbitrary 45-15-5 requirements

[oolalaa]

Pauk, is this his greatest ever post season game, in your opinion? Does it surpass '07 Detroit?

All things considered, I think it might, but I may just be a prisoner of the moment :oldlol:

[Noob Saibot]

the stuff that legends are made of

LeBron = Liu Kang the 2nd
Wilt = Goro

[Heilige]

Fukkin LeBron :applause: :applause: :applause:


http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1171687/kgface.gif

[pierce2008mvp]

that is not a good thing to be linked to Wilt in the playoffs.

[Jimmy2k8]

The question is, can Lebron take on a mountain lion with his bare hands?

[ConanRulesNBC]

wow... thats like 48-49 years...

:wtf:

That would be 48 years ago. Not 48-49 years ago.

[chips93]

that is not a good thing to be linked to Wilt in the playoffs.

:facepalm

[Scholar]

Damn, Shaq was off by only one point.

76ers @ LAL (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200106060LAL.html)

[Kurosawa0]

Damn, Shaq was off by only one point.

76ers @ LAL (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200106060LAL.html)

Tells you how great of a performance this was. LeBron just put up numbers usually reserved for the most dominant of centers.

[jlip]

Damn, Shaq was off by only one point.

76ers @ LAL (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200106060LAL.html)

That should count

[Magic 32]

That should count

This game was better:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200106080LAL.html

[KG215]

I don't like when they have an arbitrary cutoff point of like 45 points or 15 rebounds. Why can't we just appreciate the performance for what it is? A spectacular game by one of the best talents of all-time on a big stage in an elimination game on the road in the ECF? It was incredible.

But to have those arbitrary cutoffs makes it seem like it's not even really been matched before. That may just be me, though. I'd have to check, but I'd be willing to guess you could find a handful or two of Jordan games where he finished in the 45-15-5 neighborhood on 50%+ shooting. Same with guys like Wilt, Bird, Magic, Kareem, and maybe even Kobe. Durant had 34-14-4 last night which isn't as good, obviously, but it's at least in the vicinity of 45-15-5.

But LeBron definitely shut-up all his critics and haters for a few days at least. Good for him. I love seeing great players answer the bell in a big game, as should every other diehard NBA fan.

[Rose]

:applause: :applause:

[chips93]

I'd have to check, but I'd be willing to guess you could find a handful or two of Jordan games where he finished in the 45-15-5 neighborhood on 50%+ shooting. Same with guys like Wilt, Bird, Magic, Kareem, and maybe even Kobe. Durant had 34-14-4 last night which isn't as good, obviously, but it's at least in the vicinity of 45-15-5.

its hasnt been done since basketball reference has been keeping track, so thats since 86

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi?request=1&player_id=&match=game&year_min=&year_max=&age_min=0&age_max=99&team_id=&opp_id=&is_playoffs=Y&round_is_ec1=Y&round_is_ecs=Y&round_is_ecf=Y&round_is_wc1=Y&round_is_wcs=Y&round_is_wcf=Y&round_is_fin=Y&game_num_type=team&game_num_min=&game_num_max=&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=&is_starter=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&c1stat=ast&c1comp=gt&c1val=5&c2stat=trb&c2comp=gt&c2val=15&c3stat=pts&c3comp=gt&c3val=45&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=pts

[KG215]

its hasnt been done since basketball reference has been keeping track, so thats since 86

http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi?request=1&player_id=&match=game&year_min=&year_max=&age_min=0&age_max=99&team_id=&opp_id=&is_playoffs=Y&round_is_ec1=Y&round_is_ecs=Y&round_is_ecf=Y&round_is_wc1=Y&round_is_wcs=Y&round_is_wcf=Y&round_is_fin=Y&game_num_type=team&game_num_min=&game_num_max=&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=&is_starter=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&c1stat=ast&c1comp=gt&c1val=5&c2stat=trb&c2comp=gt&c2val=15&c3stat=pts&c3comp=gt&c3val=45&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=pts

I know. I said there's probably been players like Jordan, Shaq, Bird, Magic, and Kareem who came close or were in the neighborhood of a 45-15-5 playoff game.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Jordan had games of 40/15/9/56% FG and 47/11/6/67% FG in the same series vs. NY in 1989.

That said, Lebron's game tonight was one of the best I've ever seen in the playoffs, and likely better than at least one or perhaps both of those. Reminded me a lot of MJ's game 1 of the '92 Finals where he had 35 points on like 14-18 FG in the first half despite sitting out 7:00 of the half; Jordan could have had a 43+ point half and a 60+ point game that day, much like Lebron could have had 55+ today if it was needed. Lebron was hitting EVERYTHING today, much like MJ that game. Pure ownage. Next level stuff from Lebron tonight. :applause: :bowdown:

[Magic 32]

Jordan had games of 40/15/9/56% FG and 47/11/6/67% FG in the same series vs. NY in 1989.

That said, Lebron's game tonight was one of the best I've ever seen in the playoffs, and likely better than at least one or perhaps both of those. Reminded me a lot of MJ's game 1 of the '92 Finals where he had 35 points on like 14-18 FG in the first half despite sitting out 7:00 of the half; Jordan could have had a 43+ point half and a 60+ point game that day, much like Lebron could have had 55+ today if it was needed. Lebron was hitting EVERYTHING today, much like MJ that game. Pure ownage. Next level stuff from Lebron tonight. :applause: :bowdown:

Check these ones out!!!!

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199405040GSW.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198705140SEA.html

49 and 25 :hammerhead:

[Blue&Orange]

lol what a joke :facepalm

I guess 45-15-5 is better than 42-19-6 :facepalm


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX92j8wp7f8

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=310419002



\End Thread.

[Big#50]

Best player since Duncan.
Just impacts the game so much.

[KG215]

I had some Jordan games in mind, because yes, Jordan had some sick playoff games in the 45-15-5 neighborhood.

1989 ECSF vs Knicks
Game 3: 40 pts, 15 reb, 9 ast, 6 stl, 14/25 FG
Game 4: 47 pts, 11 reb, 6 ast, 2 blk, 12/18 FG
Game 5: 38 pts, 8 reb, 10 ast, 5 stl, 13/30 FG
Game 6: 40 pts, 5 reb, 10 ast, 4 blk, 14/22 FG

Oh, and he had a 34-10-12 triple-double in game one.

Other games in the 45-15-5 neighborhood (only off in one category)

1989 1st RD: 44 pts, 7 reb, 10 ast, 5 stl, 18/34 FG
1989 1st RD: 44 pts, 9 reb, 6 ast, 17/32 FG
1990 1st RD: 48 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast, 20/35 FG
1990 2nd RD: 45 pts, 6 reb, 11 ast, 16/31 FG
1990 ECF: 47 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast, 17/32 FG
1991 2nd RD: 38 pts, 19 reb, 7 ast, 14/31 FG (bad shooting %)
1992 1st RD: 45 pts, 11 reb, 9 ast, 21/34 FG
1992 Finals: 39 pts, 5 reb, 10 ast, 16/32 FG

You get the picture. Anyway, I don't care how old and broken down the Celtics are right now, what LeBron did tonight was incredible and should not and can not be diminished. Any true NBA fan can appreciate his performance, especially given the pressure and circumstances of the game.

[CavaliersFTW]

that is not a good thing to be linked to Wilt in the playoffs.
:facepalm :facepalm only on ISH it isn't

[pauk]

Yea... its kindof nitpicking...

[Pointguard]

I don't like when they have an arbitrary cutoff point of like 45 points or 15 rebounds. Why can't we just appreciate the performance for what it is? A spectacular game by one of the best talents of all-time on a big stage in an elimination game on the road in the ECF? It was incredible.

But to have those arbitrary cutoffs makes it seem like it's not even really been matched before. That may just be me, though. I'd have to check, but I'd be willing to guess you could find a handful or two of Jordan games where he finished in the 45-15-5 neighborhood on 50%+ shooting. Same with guys like Wilt, Bird, Magic, Kareem, and maybe even Kobe. Durant had 34-14-4 last night which isn't as good, obviously, but it's at least in the vicinity of 45-15-5.

But LeBron definitely shut-up all his critics and haters for a few days at least. Good for him. I love seeing great players answer the bell in a big game, as should every other diehard NBA fan.
Magic rarely scored that high. Bird in the playoffs had better rounded numbers but I rarely recall a gaudy 45 from him, but a 35/15/10 is probably there several times. Young Kareem definitely had the rebounds and points for sure and I would say 4 assist. Kobe against Pheonix likely got close but 15 boards is a lot. MJ averaged 41 on Pheonix in the finals but 15 is a high number for perimeter players. Outside of Kareem, I think TD would have very close numbers on several ocassions.

Wilt was capable of having those numbers in several different ways. With rebounds in the 40's, blocks around 15 and assist at the 5's much less the easier way (they didn't count blocks back then but the paper's talked about it). Wilt probably has it in some way that the average fan wouldn't naturally think it.

Lebron's accomplishment is amazing because it seemed effortless. He did it on 3 pointers, post moves, penetrations, cuts, floaters, fadaways, without the ball, all over the court while being efficient, his team in command, and holding down a clutch HOFer to boot. In a weird way it seemed like a stroll in the park in a way. Hats off to him.

[Magic 32]

Magic rarely scored that high. Bird in the playoffs had better rounded numbers but I rarely recall a gaudy 45 from him, but a 35/15/10 is probably there several times. Young Kareem definitely had the rebounds and points for sure and I would say 4 assist. Kobe against Pheonix likely got close but 15 boards is a lot. MJ averaged 41 on Pheonix in the finals but 15 is a high number for perimeter players. Outside of Kareem, I think TD would have very close numbers on several ocassions.

Wilt was capable of having those numbers in several different ways. With rebounds in the 40's, blocks around 15 and assist at the 5's much less the easier way (they didn't count blocks back then but the paper's talked about it). Wilt probably has it in some way that the average fan wouldn't naturally think it.

Lebron's accomplishment is amazing because it seemed effortless. He did it on 3 pointers, post moves, penetrations, cuts, floaters, fadaways, without the ball, all over the court while being efficient, his team in command, and holding down a clutch HOFer to boot. In a weird way it seemed like a stroll in the park in a way. Hats off to him.

I agree, but the man has had one or two amazing games each playoffs since 2007, only to nullify it by failing miserably later on. This game is not some sort of breakthrough for him.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200705310DET.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200905200CLE.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201004190CLE.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/201105090BOS.html

[jstern]

wow... thats like 48-49 years...

2012 - 1964 = 48 Years

[Round Mound]

Almost as Good as this Game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs-XO5h5bAg

43 Points, 15 Rebounds & 10 Assists on 72.7% FG (16-22)

[TheOne]

Only 4 points in 4th qtr? King of first 3 qtrs as usual.

[KevinNYC]

list of players who did 40 12 and 3 in the playoffs just for comparison (http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi?request=1&player_id=&match=game&year_min=&year_max=&age_min=0&age_max=99&team_id=&opp_id=&is_playoffs=Y&round_is_ec1=Y&round_is_ecs=Y&round_is_ecf=Y&round_is_wc1=Y&round_is_wcs=Y&round_is_wcf=Y&round_is_fin=Y&game_num_type=team&game_num_min=&game_num_max=&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=&is_starter=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&c1stat=ast&c1comp=gt&c1val=3&c2stat=trb&c2comp=gt&c2val=12&c3stat=pts&c3comp=gt&c3val=40&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=pts) since 1986.

Here's players who did 35 10 and 10 in the playoffs since 1986 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi?request=1&player_id=&match=game&year_min=&year_max=&age_min=0&age_max=99&team_id=&opp_id=&is_playoffs=Y&round_is_ec1=Y&round_is_ecs=Y&round_is_ecf=Y&round_is_wc1=Y&round_is_wcs=Y&round_is_wcf=Y&round_is_fin=Y&game_num_type=team&game_num_min=&game_num_max=&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=&is_starter=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&c1stat=ast&c1comp=gt&c1val=10&c2stat=trb&c2comp=gt&c2val=10&c3stat=pts&c3comp=gt&c3val=35&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=pts)


Here's 30 10 and 10. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi?request=1&player_id=&match=game&year_min=&year_max=&age_min=0&age_max=99&team_id=&opp_id=&is_playoffs=Y&round_is_ec1=Y&round_is_ecs=Y&round_is_ecf=Y&round_is_wc1=Y&round_is_wcs=Y&round_is_wcf=Y&round_is_fin=Y&game_num_type=team&game_num_min=&game_num_max=&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=&is_starter=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&c1stat=ast&c1comp=gt&c1val=10&c2stat=trb&c2comp=gt&c2val=10&c3stat=pts&c3comp=gt&c3val=30&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=pts)


Bird hasn't had any playoff games like that since 1986

[KevinNYC]

Bird did do 39-12-10 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWr5JLVZV-E)in 1984 against the Knicks.

[KevinNYC]

Almost as Good as this Game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs-XO5h5bAg

43 Points, 15 Rebounds & 10 Assists on 72.7% FG (16-22)

Check the 40, 12, 3 link I posted and look at number 1

[pauk]

Damn those are some nice games/statlines, wish i could see all those games, especially live

[Round Mound]

Check the 40, 12, 3 link I posted and look at number 1

[B]Good Find. :applause:

Coincidently Charles Appears N

[Magic 32]

Almost as Good as this Game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs-XO5h5bAg

43 Points, 15 Rebounds & 10 Assists on 72.7% FG (16-22)

Unreal. He had one or two more of those (and yet he isn't a top 10 all time).

[Magic 32]

Sir Charles was something else:

http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199505020POR.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199405040GSW.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199306010PHO.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199306050PHO.html
http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/199004260PHI.html

[blacknapalm]

[QUOTE=Round Mound][B]Good Find. :applause:

Coincidently Charles Appears N

[Deuce Bigalow]

That was a great performance :applause:

[Deuce Bigalow]

[QUOTE=Round Mound][B]Good Find. :applause:

Coincidently Charles Appears N

[blacknapalm]

^ perfect. :roll:

[KevinNYC]

I don't like when they have an arbitrary cutoff point of like 45 points or 15 rebounds.

It's not arbitrary, it's what he got tonight and then you put into the statomatic and you find out nobody's done it since Wilt. It's pretty impressive.

[blacknapalm]

It's not arbitrary, it's what he got tonight and then you put into the statomatic and you find out nobody's done it since Wilt. It's pretty impressive.

by 'arbitrary', i think he meant that games like 48/14/6 or whatever is not included. in reality, it should pretty much be right there. those tend to get recognized in one way or another though

[no pun intended]

Damn, Shaq was off by only one point.

76ers @ LAL (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200106060LAL.html)
lolverson.

[KG215]

It's not arbitrary, it's what he got tonight and then you put into the statomatic and you find out nobody's done it since Wilt. It's pretty impressive.

Bad use of the word, but you know what I meant. Yes, what LeBron did tonight was extremely impressive, I'm not arguing that.

I'm just pointing out that there's been other players come within a few points, rebounds, or assists of a 45-15-5 playoff game.

Look at the games someone posted about Charles Barkley.

vs. Warriors 1994: 56 pts, 14 reb, 4 ast, 23/31 FG
vs. Sonics 1993: 43 pts, 15 reb, 10 ast, 16/22 FG

In one game he's just one rebound and one assist off, and in the other he's two points off. I'm sure we could go through quite few all-time greats and find games where they score 40+ and miss the assists or rebounds by 2-5. But still, hats off to LeBron tonight.

[OmniStrife]

The L-Train!
Best player in the world, wish we had him in Phoenix... lol

[sbw19]

Exemplary performance by LeBron is a reminder of how special he can be if he plays with the mentality of a James Harden night in and night out. Game 7 should be a real test of will power. Better not disappoint.

[bdreason]

Honestly my first thought was that I was sure Barkley had posted these stats before.

[RaininTwos]

Exemplary performance by LeBron is a reminder of how special he can be if he plays with the mentality of a James Harden night in and night out. Game 7 should be a real test of will power. Better not disappoint.

:eek: :roll:

[qrich]

Damn, Shaq was off by only one point.

76ers @ LAL (http://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/200106060LAL.html)

10-22 FTs :oldlol:


Edit: an interesting stat I'm curious on is any games a player hasn't registered a point/assist/rebound/steal/block in at least 15 minutes of action.

[Sakkreth]

3 Assist

And 19fta

[Magic 32]

And 19fta

and 21.

[andgar923]

[QUOTE=Round Mound][B]Good Find. :applause:

Coincidently Charles Appears N

[blacknapalm]

It keeps getting harder and harder to argue against this if we look and judge him on 'his' performances, and not the team's achievements.

yep. when looking at his achievements/accolades, barkley's biggest obstacles are:

- he played on a pretty terrible philly team during his 'athletic prime' where boston/LA dominated the scene. he was somewhat recognized for that in MVP votes but his team wasn't good enough for him to really get a serious look or go deep in the playoffs (did make it to the ECF once). against the knicks in the 88-89 season vs. NY, he averaged 27.0 (64.4 FG%)/11.7/5.3 and was swept. he had a strong case for MVP in 89-90.

- once he got help, he played during the MJ era where MJ and hakeem racked up titles. here, he became a more refined post player and passer, just smarter in general.

- his longevity/consistency. longevity will never make his totals look good. he admittedly started to get out of shape in his twilight years. back injuries didn't help matters. consistency is a small issue.

- he didn't make any all-defensive teams. i feel he's not as bad defensively as people make him out to be. he wasn't elite but he wasn't a liability either.

peak barkley? raised his game in the playoffs, huge win shares and constantly in the mix for MVP talks. doesn't hurt that he had an MVP to boot. i don't think you have any say in the top 10 without at least one. who knows what his legacy would been if he was able to get a FMVP? i have a feeling most would rank him above malone in that case. best player outside wilt without a ring? again, you could make the case.

anyway, not to totally derail the thread....what lebron did was simply amazing. he almost made it look halfway effortless. i think it's because he picked his spots so well. it didn't look like he was draining himself out of energy out there, just scoring in the flow of the game. the fact that we have to even discuss if it's his best playoff performance speaks volumes. it's definitely in the top 5 of his

[TheFan]

Lebron totally destroyed the Celtics... People here know im no Lebron fan... but it was amazing.. he went there and dominated the court... the crowd never got into the game... it was Lebron spectacle from the beginning..

[Phenith]

list of players who did 40 12 and 3 in the playoffs just for comparison (http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi?request=1&player_id=&match=game&year_min=&year_max=&age_min=0&age_max=99&team_id=&opp_id=&is_playoffs=Y&round_is_ec1=Y&round_is_ecs=Y&round_is_ecf=Y&round_is_wc1=Y&round_is_wcs=Y&round_is_wcf=Y&round_is_fin=Y&game_num_type=team&game_num_min=&game_num_max=&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=&is_starter=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&c1stat=ast&c1comp=gt&c1val=3&c2stat=trb&c2comp=gt&c2val=12&c3stat=pts&c3comp=gt&c3val=40&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=pts) since 1986.

Here's players who did 35 10 and 10 in the playoffs since 1986 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi?request=1&player_id=&match=game&year_min=&year_max=&age_min=0&age_max=99&team_id=&opp_id=&is_playoffs=Y&round_is_ec1=Y&round_is_ecs=Y&round_is_ecf=Y&round_is_wc1=Y&round_is_wcs=Y&round_is_wcf=Y&round_is_fin=Y&game_num_type=team&game_num_min=&game_num_max=&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=&is_starter=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&c1stat=ast&c1comp=gt&c1val=10&c2stat=trb&c2comp=gt&c2val=10&c3stat=pts&c3comp=gt&c3val=35&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=pts)


Here's 30 10 and 10. (http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pgl_finder.cgi?request=1&player_id=&match=game&year_min=&year_max=&age_min=0&age_max=99&team_id=&opp_id=&is_playoffs=Y&round_is_ec1=Y&round_is_ecs=Y&round_is_ecf=Y&round_is_wc1=Y&round_is_wcs=Y&round_is_wcf=Y&round_is_fin=Y&game_num_type=team&game_num_min=&game_num_max=&game_month=&game_location=&game_result=&is_starter=&is_active=&is_hof=&pos_is_g=Y&pos_is_gf=Y&pos_is_f=Y&pos_is_fg=Y&pos_is_fc=Y&pos_is_c=Y&pos_is_cf=Y&c1stat=ast&c1comp=gt&c1val=10&c2stat=trb&c2comp=gt&c2val=10&c3stat=pts&c3comp=gt&c3val=30&c4stat=&c4comp=gt&c4val=&order_by=pts)


Bird hasn't had any playoff games like that since 1986

By your first list there, this playoffs is the first time in 3 years it's been done (twice by LeBron and once by DH12 in 2009) and LeBron is on that list twice this year and 4 times out of 34 overall.
So even making the statistical range bigger, LeBron is still in very select company and is more than 10% of the list himself.

[gengiskhan]

Bad use of the word, but you know what I meant. Yes, what LeBron did tonight was extremely impressive, I'm not arguing that.

I'm just pointing out that there's been other players come within a few points, rebounds, or assists of a 45-15-5 playoff game.

Look at the games someone posted about Charles Barkley.

vs. Warriors 1994: 56 pts, 14 reb, 4 ast, 23/31 FG
vs. Sonics 1993: 43 pts, 15 reb, 10 ast, 16/22 FG

In one game he's just one rebound and one assist off, and in the other he's two points off. I'm sure we could go through quite few all-time greats and find games where they score 40+ and miss the assists or rebounds by 2-5. But still, hats off to LeBron tonight.

:bowdown: :bowdown:

& most ISH'ers here consider Kobe better than Barkley. :roll: :roll:

[triangleoffense]

by 'arbitrary', i think he meant that games like 48/14/6 or whatever is not included. in reality, it should pretty much be right there. those tend to get recognized in one way or another though
It's incredibly arbitrary... I don't think the person who criticized the comment understands the word :facepalm


arbitrary:
Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
(of power or a ruling body) Unrestrained and autocratic in the use of authority.

the "45-15-5" qualifications are the very definition of arbitrary. They are random cherry picked statistics that establish a certain point (that hasn't been done since Wilt). Is 46-16-4 or even Kobe's 48-16-3 any less impressive?

[greymatter]

ESPN = king of useless statistics

Charles Barkley's game 7 in the 93 WCF against the Sonics was more impressive. He put up 44/24 (10 offensive). I vividly remember how monstrous one of those offensive boards was. Detlef Schrempf got his hands on the board at almost the same time Barkley did. Barkley pulled it away and in the process threw Schrempf on his ass.

[All Net]

Great performance by a great great player. Just shows what he can when he is focused and gets hard without worrying about the end result.

[The Iron Fist]

I don't like when they have an arbitrary cutoff point of like 45 points or 15 rebounds. Why can't we just appreciate the performance for what it is? A spectacular game by one of the best talents of all-time on a big stage in an elimination game on the road in the ECF? It was incredible.

But to have those arbitrary cutoffs makes it seem like it's not even really been matched before. That may just be me, though. I'd have to check, but I'd be willing to guess you could find a handful or two of Jordan games where he finished in the 45-15-5 neighborhood on 50%+ shooting. Same with guys like Wilt, Bird, Magic, Kareem, and maybe even Kobe. Durant had 34-14-4 last night which isn't as good, obviously, but it's at least in the vicinity of 45-15-5.

But LeBron definitely shut-up all his critics and haters for a few days at least. Good for him. I love seeing great players answer the bell in a big game, as should every other diehard NBA fan.
:applause:

[Psileas]

the "45-15-5" qualifications are the very definition of arbitrary. They are random cherry picked statistics that establish a certain point (that hasn't been done since Wilt). Is 46-16-4 or even Kobe's 48-16-3 any less impressive?

I guess 46-16-4 is considered less arbitrary than 45-15-5, due to the nature of the numbers themselves (numbers ending with "5" are usually the most noticed ones after the ones ending with "0" or with repetitive numbers). That considered, the source simply mentions the uniqueness of the situation, without implying that this is more impressive than other combinations, the same way that a 20/10/10 triple double is not necessarily more impressive than a 25/9/9 single double - that's up to the fans to decide - but it will still be a more widely used reference point.

[Pointguard]

Lebron is going to be the owner of these type of stats. He's just entering his prime and can do it without there looking like much effort goes into it. Lebron has done this twice in two weeks against superb defenses. I believe Lebron will have a few complete monster games against OKC if they are to win the title. Scoring like that is not Lebron's motivation but Durant is now motivation to go crazy.

[Owl]

I guess 46-16-4 is considered less arbitrary than 45-15-5, due to the nature of the numbers themselves (numbers ending with "5" are usually the most noticed ones after the ones ending with "0" or with repetitive numbers). That considered, the source simply mentions the uniqueness of the situation, without implying that this is more impressive than other combinations, the same way that a 20/10/10 triple double is not necessarily more impressive than a 25/9/9 single double - that's up to the fans to decide - but it will still be a more widely used reference point.
Indeed the numbers seem arbitrary because the numbers end in five which goes into ten, and we have a base ten system of numbers.

But they haven't been conjured out of nowhere, they are exactly what LeBron got. If they had been jerrymandered to say include Jordan but exclude Kobe to make a Jordan-LBJ comparision that would be arbitrary. But this isn't.

The problem is with any minimum threshold criteria, it demands a very specific thing rather than measuring overall performance (for which you could use Game Score, or the eye test or whatever).
But this is where the bolded comes in, so long as reaching those thresholds isn't used to support an outlandish claim (e.g. "best playoff performance ever") then there should be no arguments.

If at a future date someone choose 45-15-5, as the cutoffs for a great performance it would be arbitrary, but right now in the context of someone achieving exactly those numbers it makes perfect sense.

And its sad to see people so tied to an anti-LeBron agenda that they would try to diminish such a performance.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Well, Shaq had 45/15/5, except with blocks instead of assists.

46/17/5 on 21/33 FG and 4/5 FT in the 2000 playoffs vs Sacramento.

Was very close in game 1 of the 2000 finals. 43/19 with 4 assists and 3 blocks, and much like Lebron, didn't play the entire game because it was now a blowout. Impressively, it was a close game entering the 4th at 6 points, but Shaq scored or assisted on all but 2 baskets until his exit at 3 minutes left with the game now a blowout at 15 points, and the 2 baskets that weren't directly assisted on by Shaq started with Shaq getting doubled in the post, iirc, and were essentially hockey assists, to go with his 12 points in the first 9 minutes of the quarter. One of the most impressive finals games I've ever seen, could've had a 50/20 game had he felt like statpadding the last 3 minutes, especially since he pretty much wasn't missing that quarter, and when he was taken out for John Salley, another basket of his had just been waived off with the foul coming before the shot.

And in the 2001 playoffs vs Sacramento, he had 44/21 with 4 assists and 7 blocks, so 1 point and 1 assist shy, and it was the first of back to back 40/20 games, the only time that's ever been done in the playoffs.

And now, it's time for some love for Hakeem Olajuwon.

He got 45/15/5, just not with assists.

Game 6 vs Seattle, and an elimination game at that. A game in which he did everything possible to carry his deteriorating supporting cast to a 7th game, he took them to double OT and probably wins if Ralph Sampson doesn't miss a key free throw, or they didn't miss a goaltending call, iirc, that would've given Hakeem a chance at a 3 point play, instead he hit 2 free throws.

Keep in mind, this was Hakeem in his 3rd year, and he was pretty raw compared to the mid 90's since he had only started playing basketball in his mid/late teens.

Anyway, he had 49/25 with 6 blocks in this game. :bowdown:

As far as Kareem, I don't have his assist numbers for this game, but he had 46/25 to close out the Sixers....in his rookie season!

The closest ones I could find with known assist numbers were game 5 vs the Warriors in '77 when he had 45/18/3/3, which is his only other 45 point playoff game, so if he did it, it'd have to be the Sixer game, and 43/20/3/4 on 17/25 shooting and 9/11 from the line in game 6 of that same series, luckily that performance is available to watch so we can see a little of what Kareem was like at his peak. He also had 44/21/3/3 in game 2 of the '74 WCF.

[jlauber]

Of course, Wilt still has the only 50-15-5 game in post-season history (on 22-32 shooting BTW.) And in that series, Wilt averaged 38.6 ppg, 23.0 rpg, and shot .559. Which included a game seven of 39-26 with 10 blocked shots.

He also had THREE 50+ point games in ELIMINATION post-season games, including two of 56-35 and 53-22 in the absolute elimination games (game five of a best-of-five, and game three of a best-of-three.) And he had a monster 50-35 (on 22-42 shooting) game against Russell in the '60 playoffs...in a "must-win" game (and a win BTW.)

And against Russell in a "must-win" game five in the '66 ECF's, all he could do was put up a 46 point, 19-34 shooting, 34 rebound game.

And on ONE leg, in a "must-win" game six of the '70 Finals, Chamberlain hung a 45 point, 20-27 shooting, 27 rebound game.