1st Round of Playoffs used to be Best-of-5. Can we still compare total PO stats?

[Poetry]

In 2003, the NBA changed the first round of the playoffs from a best-of-5 series to a best-of-7. That means that older players had fewer opportunities to pad their stats in the easiest round of the playoffs.

MJ, for instance, missed out on at least 13 games to add to his playoff totals.

Things get even messier before 1984 when the NBA had Best-of-3 rounds and first round byes.

So how can we best compare TOTAL playoff stats across eras? Is it even possible?

How would we credit points to a player for first round byes?

Is it best to just focus on per game averages when discussing the playoffs?

[Shaquille O'Neal]

Championships as the best player = most important stat.

[Uncle Drew]

Who cares?

[SpaceJam]

Ehh sort of balanced out by the fact 30-52 teams were making playoffs in the 80s

[Uncle Drew]

The only thing you’re showing with this thread is that it really bothers you that LeBron has passed Dad Killer in more than just the GOAT rankings, but also in scoring (total and playoffs). I like that. Secondly, the gap between them is 1000 points... as if those 13 games would have mattered. :oldlol:

[Kblaze8855]

The first round didn’t exist at all. Then it didn’t exist for the top seeds. Then it was 3 games. Then 5. Now 7. You used to be able to win the title in 8 games.

Being too good hurts playoff numbers because you end series sooner and in the past...end a series sooner and dont play a round due to a high seed.

Shaq in 01 scored 30ppg in the playoffs and won the title. Harden last year scored 29ppg and lost in the conference finals. Shaq had exactly 1 more point in the playoffs. 1 more point playing an entire extra round....while scoring more per game. It doesnt take much common sense to see what happened and what problems it presents for going off playoff totals.

[TheCorporation]

[QUOTE=Uncle Drew]The only thing you

[TheCorporation]

[QUOTE=Kblaze8855]The first round didn

[SouBeachTalents]

Championships as the best player = most important stat.
So Russell's your GOAT

[Poetry]

[QUOTE=Uncle Drew]The only thing you