Which Year Was Lebron's Peak?

[dankok8]

I say 2013 because that's when his offense and defense both came together. Sort of a perfect blend of physicality, skill and basketball IQ.

[red1]

2009

[ArbitraryWater]

2018, easily at that

[scuzzy]

Physical peak - 2008-2011

Talent peak - 2012-2016

Cerebral peak - 2017-2020


I prefer this third stage the best, it's awesome watching Lebron dice up teams with his vision and control pace. Especially in the playoffs

[RRR3]

I said 2012. There was simply no one stopping him that year.

[2ball]

Physical peak - 2008-2011

Talent peak - 2012-2016

Cerebral peak - 2017-2020

Came here to say this. 3 distinct peaks

[2ball]

What’s interesting is he might have a 4th peak left in him. “Old man strength”

[Gray GOAT]

2018 was LeBron at his best. He had unlocked the game, physically as well as mentally. He gave no shits about anything or anyone, just played and killed everyone.

[Wally450]

2009 he was probably at his athletic peak, but 2013 he was unstoppable and the most efficient version of him I'd seen.

I voted 2013.

[Carbine]

Whatever year he made that running shot to win the game vs Raptors in the playoffs.

[Goldrush25]

First year that came to mind was 2012-13, so I picked 2012. He went on a ridiculous stretch in February of that season, which was technically in 2013 but was part of the 2012-13 season.

[Stanley Kobrick]

it's interesting when we observe the data, no one can decisively put their finger on Lebron's peak since it was quite consistant. stephen curry on the other hand, everyone would just choose his one 2016 regular season game in OKC. can't really recall a stephen curry peak before or after that

[DoctorP]

Peaked under spoelstra. Highest efficiency

[J Shuttlesworth]

Peaked under spoelstra. Highest efficiency

His TS% in Playoff runs ranked:

1. 2014 - .668
2. 2017 - .649
3. 2020 - .647

His Miami runs were 7th, 9th, and 10th in terms of TS%

[Smoke117]

2009 is clearly his most dominant season.

[Bronbron23]

I say 2013 because that's when his offense and defense both came together. Sort of a perfect blend of physicality, skill and basketball IQ.
Hard to say going by stats because as he got older the rules and game got easier. I'd say 2016. He was still near his peak physically but he was also at the start of his peak skill wise.

[DoctorP]

His TS% in Playoff runs ranked:

1. 2014 - .668
2. 2017 - .649
3. 2020 - .647

His Miami runs were 7th, 9th, and 10th in terms of TS%

Playoffs only? What about regular season...oh i forget, no one cares about the rs anymore

[Axe]

2007

[J Shuttlesworth]

Playoffs only? What about regular season...oh i forget, no one cares about the rs anymore

Top 4 in RS are 14, 13, 17, 18

[TheCorporation]

Physical peak - 2008-2011

Talent peak - 2012-2016

Cerebral peak - 2017-2020


I prefer this third stage the best, it's awesome watching Lebron dice up teams with his vision and control pace. Especially in the playoffs


I said 2012. There was simply no one stopping him that year.

+1

LBJ is too GOAT to call it

[SATAN]

2018 playoff LeBron was insane until the "incident" happened. He was kinda lazy on defense but you could see something in his mind had unlocked that year.

Probably not his peak season but it might be the best I've seen him play for a stretch.

[Indian guy]

If playoffs were starting tomorrow and I could choose any version of LeBron to give me the best chance of winning, 2013 wouldn't make my top 5. It's arguably his most complete season in the sense that he managed to win most of the accolades he was in competition for - MVP, title + FMVP. But so much of that is team-dependent and even dependent on your competition. To me, it doesn't really paint the most accurate picture of which version of LeBron possessed the highest ability to get shit done on the basketball court. 2013 is definitely not it. There are many versions that are notably superior offensively and mentally while losing very little on defense.

If we're strictly talking raw basketball ability; the versions who I believe would give me the best chance of winning on the floor are:

2009
2010
2014
2017
2018

Ironically enough none of them won a championship, but he had very limited teams in 3 of those years (09/10/18) and ran into GOAT-level teams the other 2 (14/17). But strictly in terms of basketball, those would be the 5 I'd go with to win a playoff series. They are his best offensive versions while still ranging from good to elite on defense (2018 aside - but that's more of a circumstantial slide than a slide in ability). If I absolutely had to pick one - it would be a toss up between 2009 and 2018.

[RRR3]

2018 playoff LeBron was insane until the "incident" happened. He was kinda lazy on defense but you could see something in his mind had unlocked that year.

Probably not his peak season but it might be the best I've seen him play for a stretch.
The incident=refs rigging the game against him?

[RRR3]

Top 4 in RS are 14, 13, 17, 18
Uh no his top 4 regular seasons were 09,10, 12 and 13.

[SouBeachTalents]

If playoffs were starting tomorrow and I could choose any version of LeBron to give me the best chance of winning, 2013 wouldn't make my top 5. It's arguably his most complete season in the sense that he managed to win most of the accolades he was in competition for - MVP, title + FMVP. But so much of that is team-dependent and even dependent on your competition. To me, it doesn't really paint the most accurate picture of which version of LeBron possessed the highest ability to get shit done on the basketball court. 2013 is definitely not it. There are many versions that are notably superior offensively and mentally while losing very little on defense.

If we're strictly talking raw basketball ability; the versions who I believe would give me the best chance of winning on the floor are:

2009
2010
2014
2017
2018

Ironically enough none of them won a championship, but he had very limited teams in 3 of those years (09/10/18) and ran into GOAT-level teams the other 2 (14/17). But strictly in terms of basketball, those would be the 5 I'd go with to win a playoff series. They are his best offensive versions while still ranging from good to elite on defense (2018 aside - but that's more of a circumstantial slide than a slide in ability). If I absolutely had to pick one - it would be a toss up between 2009 and 2018.
The end of the Boston series disqualifies 2010 for me, I know he played phenomenal basketball before that, but he has WAY too many elite playoff runs for me to consider 2010 over any of those. And personally I'd take 2016 over 2014

[SouBeachTalents]

Uh no his top 4 regular seasons were 09,10, 12 and 13.
He was talking about TS% bruh

[FireDavidKahn]

Trick question, every year is his peak. Each year he starts adapting his game differently then the year before. This year he played PG the vast majority of the time and displayed his superman IQ.

This ability to adapt from year to year is why he is the GOAT and that his decline will be very gradual.

[Indian guy]

The end of the Boston series disqualifies 2010 for me, I know he played phenomenal basketball before that, but he has WAY too many elite playoff runs for me to consider 2010 over any of those.

That's a historically great Boston defense though. They usually made most players look bad. I don't see other versions of LeBron that I didn't include in the top 5 faring any better, honestly. But I can see why how that season ended would sour most people on 2010.


And personally I'd take 2016 over 2014

Nah. 2016 LeBron couldn't shoot for most of that year, including the playoffs. Terrible perimeter shooting percentages. And nobody remembers now because of his spectacular finals, but by his standards he was rather ordinary the first 3 rounds of the playoffs.

2014 is arguably his most complete offensive version on the other hand (with 2018 being his only competition).

[dankok8]

That's a historically great Boston defense though. They usually made most players look bad. I don't see other versions of LeBron that I didn't include in the top 5 faring any better, honestly. But I can see why how that season ended would sour most people on 2010.



Nah. 2016 LeBron couldn't shoot for most of that year, including the playoffs. Terrible perimeter shooting percentages. And nobody remembers now because of his spectacular finals, but by his standards he was rather ordinary the first 3 rounds of the playoffs.

2014 is arguably his most complete offensive version on the other hand (with 2018 being his only competition).

Agree with a lot of this post.

I will say though that Lebron wasn't very good in the 2014 Finals. The last 3 games he was kind of passive and not good on defense. I can't understand anyone ranking 2014 over 2013. I see no case for that despite better playoff scoring. I think it's either 2012, 2013 or 2016 depending on how you look at it. Those are the 3 acceptable responses to me personally. 2011 and before Lebron just didn't put it all together including mentally. After 2016 he started bleeding way too much defensive impact and league average efficiency and pace took off which can explain the better playoff stats. 2018 Lebron wasn't better than 2016 Lebron for instance. I don't believe that at all.

[StrongLurk]

2013 cant be Lebron's peak simply because his playoff run was actually underwhelming somewhat. He's had probably 5 other better playoff runs. I do get that his jumpshot in the regular season was clicking all year but he was too inconsistemt in the 2013 playoffs/finals.

I'd say his peak was 2009 or 2018.

[imdaman99]

Still hasn't peaked. The man is on his way to the goathood and keeps adapting his game. I think he'll peak once Bronny is in the league :pimp:

[SATAN]

The incident=refs rigging the game against him?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwmZZZwE_iY

[FireDavidKahn]

2013 cant be Lebron's peak simply because his playoff run was actually underwhelming somewhat. He's had probably 5 other better playoff runs. I do get that his jumpshot in the regular season was clicking all year but he was too inconsistemt in the 2013 playoffs/finals.

I'd say his peak was 2009 or 2018.

Isn't it amazing that when people are talking about what year LeBron's peak was is that it is spanning over 10+ years:lol:hammertime::hammertime:

[Indian guy]

I can't understand anyone ranking 2014 over 2013. I see no case for that despite better playoff scoring.

Far better playoff scoring in 2014 as opposed to 2013, actually. He was simply better on that end of the floor in 2014. He slid defensively but then again, I'm more interested in who I'd rather have in a playoff series (where LeBron can ramp up his defensive effort) as opposed who plays harder over the course of a regular season.


I think it's either 2012, 2013 or 2016 depending on how you look at it.

See, this just reeks of winning-bias. He-won-so-he-must-have-been-better. No serious LeBron fan would consider 2012 or 2016 anywhere close to his best versions.


2018 Lebron wasn't better than 2016 Lebron for instance. I don't believe that at all.

More winning-bias. 2018 LeBron is on a different stratosphere as an offensive player than 2016 LeBron.

[dankok8]

Far better playoff scoring in 2014 as opposed to 2013, actually. He was simply better on that end of the floor in 2014. He slid defensively but then again, I'm more interested in who I'd rather have in a playoff series (where LeBron can ramp up his defensive effort) as opposed who plays harder over the course of a regular season.



See, this just reeks of winning-bias. He-won-so-he-must-have-been-better. No serious LeBron fan would consider 2012 or 2016 anywhere close to his best versions.



More winning-bias. 2018 LeBron is on a different stratosphere as an offensive player than 2016 LeBron.

It's not winning bias though. Lebron wasn't as good in 2014. Against Indy in the ECF he kind of struggled... had a 7-point game where he almost fouled out at one point. Then got outplayed by a young Kawhi from Game 3 to 5 on the Finals while being bad on defense. He looked passive and scored a bunch of points in garbage time so even his 28/8/4 statline is kind of misleading. His impact was mediocre compared to 2013 even though you don't see it in the numbers.

2018 Lebron put up better offensive numbers but it's because his team got pushed to the limit in 2018. 2016 Lebron cruised through the East and never had to put up big numbers. That's why you should be cautious comparing numbers on an elite team to numbers of a merely good team. It's not winning bias. On elite teams guys often don't put up great numbers because of better supporting casts and more comfortable wins. In 2016 when it really counted against the Warriors Lebron came up big.

Compare Lebron's stats in series in his career that he won in 4 games vs those that he won in 7 games. Which ones do you think he put up better numbers in? When all time greats get challenged we see their best production. Don't confuse that with playing better.

[trada7029]

2009

He sucked in 09'

Couldn't shoot... Played a horrible brand of ball like Giannis

He was a worse version of giannis

[SouBeachTalents]

He sucked in 09'

Couldn't shoot... Played a horrible brand of ball like Giannis

He was a worse version of giannis
Tbh he's sucked every year

[BigKobeFan]

2010, when he choked the shit outta his prime.

[trada7029]

2009 is clearly his most dominant season.

Wow lebron sucks then

All he knew was aau-ball and he couldn't shoot for shit

Lost to 1-star teams as the heavy favorite

[Indian guy]

It's not winning bias though.

You chose 3 of his 4 championship seasons as his peak seasons. How's that not winning bias? Especially when no serious LeBron fan would put 2012 or 2016 anywhere close to his peak. Because we are actually basing it on what we saw (to go along with stats). The casual fan, non-fan or an obvious detractor/hater (like yourself) who hasn't followed him that closely is simply basing it on the bottom line (won ring? ok then he's better).


Lebron wasn't as good in 2014.

Offensively we know for a fact that he averaged more ppg on far better efficiency in 2014 than 2013. Obviously, he was better defensively in 2013.


Against Indy in the ECF he kind of struggled... had a 7-point game where he almost fouled out at one point.

lol nice cherry picking. That was one of the most poorly officiated games in playoff history. LeBron was whistled for one bogus foul after another, limited to 24 minutes and basically wasn't allowed to do much. He averaged 26 ppg on 60% FG in the other 5 games of that series. He dominated when he was on the floor.

The Spurs series, at the very least, he equaled his play from the prior Finals. They didn't win because 2014 Spurs are notably better than their 2013 self while Miami declined.


2018 Lebron put up better offensive numbers but it's because his team got pushed to the limit in 2018. 2016 Lebron cruised through the East and never had to put up big numbers. That's why you should be cautious comparing numbers on an elite team to numbers of a merely good team. It's not winning bias. On elite teams guys often don't put up great numbers because of better supporting casts and more comfortable wins. In 2016 when it really counted against the Warriors Lebron came up big.

I wasn't even basing it on numbers. This is simply a matter of watching the games. LeBron's functional athleticism is notably better in 2018 than 2016. He's also a much better shooter in 2018, more skilled overall and more assured in his game period. He could dominate games offensively with the type of consistency that 2016 LeBron never could. I don't see 2016 LeBron on that 2018 team getting past the 1st round (which went 7 games).

[3ball]

You chose 3 of his 4 championship seasons as his peak seasons. How's that not winning bias? Especially when no serious LeBron fan would put 2012 or 2016 anywhere close to his peak. Because we are actually basing it on what we saw (to go along with stats). The casual fan, non-fan or an obvious detractor/hater (like yourself) who hasn't followed him that closely is simply basing it on the bottom line (won ring? ok then he's better).



Offensively we know for a fact that he averaged more ppg on far better efficiency in 2014 than 2013. Obviously, he was better defensively in 2013.



lol nice cherry picking. That was one of the most poorly officiated games in playoff history. LeBron was whistled for one bogus foul after another, limited to 24 minutes and basically wasn't allowed to do much. He averaged 26 ppg on 60% FG in the other 5 games of that series. He dominated when he was on the floor.

The Spurs series, at the very least, he equaled his play from the prior Finals. They didn't win because 2014 Spurs are notably better than their 2013 self while Miami declined.



I wasn't even basing it on numbers. This is simply a matter of watching the games. LeBron's functional athleticism is notably better in 2018 than 2016. He's also a much better shooter in 2018. He could dominate games offensively with the type of consistency that 2016 LeBron never could. I don't see 2016 LeBron on that 2018 team getting past the 1st round (which went 7 games).

Lebron had 7 points in a playoff game? lol

Lebron only averaged 22 in the 2014 ECF and 20 for Wade... what a luxury to win the conference with shit stats

[dankok8]

You chose 3 of his 4 championship seasons as his peak seasons. How's that not winning bias? Especially when no serious LeBron fan would put 2012 or 2016 anywhere close to his peak. Because we are actually basing it on what we saw (to go along with stats). The casual fan, non-fan or an obvious detractor/hater (like yourself) who hasn't followed him that closely is simply basing it on the bottom line (won ring? ok then he's better).



Offensively we know for a fact that he averaged more ppg on far better efficiency in 2014 than 2013. Obviously, he was better defensively in 2013.



lol nice cherry picking. That was one of the most poorly officiated games in playoff history. LeBron was whistled for one bogus foul after another, limited to 24 minutes and basically wasn't allowed to do much. He averaged 26 ppg on 60% FG in the other 5 games of that series. He dominated when he was on the floor.

The Spurs series, at the very least, he equaled his play from the prior Finals. They didn't win because 2014 Spurs are notably better than their 2013 self while Miami declined.



I wasn't even basing it on numbers. This is simply a matter of watching the games. LeBron's functional athleticism is notably better in 2018 than 2016. He's also a much better shooter in 2018. He could dominate games offensively with the type of consistency that 2016 LeBron never could. 2016 LeBron on that 2018 team doesn't get past the 1st round against Indiana.

It's freaking scary when people think I'm a hater because I think Lebron isn't the GOAT. Honestly I might not post on here anymore. It used to be fun but this forum now is one MJ troll vs a whole group of LBJ trolls. Neither bring anything to the discussion and every thread gets derailed. If you post anything that favors one side of the argument you're automatically a stan to one group and a hater to another. I don't think I've even debated you before but you already have your mind made up that I'm a Lebron hater... You won't take anything I post seriously so I'm not gonna bother. Whatever...

[SouBeachTalents]

what a luxury to win the conference with shit stats
Tell me about it

https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-finals-heat-vs-bulls.html

[RRR3]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwmZZZwE_iY
That play legit wouldn’t have even happened if the refs didn’t blow it

[RRR3]

Tell me about it

https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-finals-heat-vs-bulls.html
47.5% TS :biggums:

[Axe]

2013 cant be Lebron's peak simply because his playoff run was actually underwhelming somewhat. He's had probably 5 other better playoff runs. I do get that his jumpshot in the regular season was clicking all year but he was too inconsistemt in the 2013 playoffs/finals.

I'd say his peak was 2009 or 2018.
2013 was the time his team had two playoff series that went to seven games en route to a championship.

Had he played better, that wouldn't have been the case.

[SATAN]

Honestly I might not post on here anymore.

Name calling aside, the guy addressed your comments without low grade trolling. Stick around.

[1987_Lakers]

Tell me about it

https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1997-nba-eastern-conference-finals-heat-vs-bulls.html

:roll:

[light]

2019-20 was LeBron's peak. 2020-21 will be LeBron's new peak.