All-Time Greats TS%: Regular Season vs. Playoffs

[Im Still Ballin]

Notes:

- Magic surprisingly efficient
- Bird less efficient than expected
- Significant playoff drop-offs (-3 TS% or more) from: K. Malone, D. Robinson
- Moderate playoff drop-offs (-2 TS% or more) from: C. Barkley, S. O'Neal, K. Garnett, K. Abdul-Jabbar
- Significant playoff increases from: K. Leonard, A. Davis, H. Olajuwon


Michael Jordan:

56.9 TS% (Regular season) (Includes Wizards)
58.0 TS% (Regular season)
56.8 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 53.6 TS% (Bulls only)
League average: 53.4 TS%


LeBron James:

58.6 TS% (Regular season)
58.3 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 54.2 TS%


Kareem Abdul-Jabbar:

59.2 TS% (Regular season)
57.1 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 52.0 TS%


Magic Johnson:

61.0 TS% (Regular season)
59.5 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 53.7 TS%


Larry Bird:

56.4 TS% (Regular season)
55.1 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 52.0 TS%


Shaquille O'Neal:

58.6 TS% (Regular season)
56.5 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 52.9 TS%


Tim Duncan:

55.1 TS% (Regular season)
54.8 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 52.9 TS%


Hakeem Olajuwon:

55.3 TS% (Regular season)
56.9 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 53.5 TS%


Wilt Chamberlain:

54.7 TS% (Regular season)
52.4 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 48.5 TS%


Bill Russell:

47.1 TS% (Regular season)
47.4 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 47.6 TS%


Kobe Bryant:

55.0 TS% (Regular season) (Includes Post-Achilles)
55.5 TS% (Regular season)
54.1 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 53.1 TS%


Dirk Nowitzki:

57.7 TS% (Regular season)
57.7 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 53.4 TS%


Kevin Garnett:

54.6 TS% (Regular season)
52.5 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 52.9 TS%


Karl Malone:

57.7 TS% (Regular season)
52.6 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 53.1 TS%


David Robinson:

58.3 TS% (Regular season)
54.7 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 53.1 TS%


Charles Barkley:

61.2 TS% (Regular season)
58.4 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 53.6 TS%


Julius Erving:

55.8 TS% (Regular season)
55.3 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 52.7 TS%


Dwyane Wade:

55.4 TS% (Regular season)
54.9 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 53.9 TS%


Kevin Durant:

61.5 TS% (Regular season)
60.0 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 54.4 TS%


Steph Curry:

62.6 TS% (Regular season)
60.9 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 54.7 TS%


Giannis Antetokounmpo:

60.0 TS% (Regular season)
58.2 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 55.5 TS%


Kawhi Leonard:

60.0 TS% (Regular season)
62.1 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 55.1 TS%


Anthony Davis:

58.6 TS% (Regular season)
62.5 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 55.0 TS%

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Kawhi Leonard posted the third-highest TS% in NBA postseason history (minimum 200 FGA) in the 2021 playoffs and the fourth-highest ever in the 2017 playoffs.

Kawhi Leonard also had the greatest playoff run of total points and TS (732 points on 62% TS in 2019).

Kawhi is the GOAT.

I don't believe in that adjust for league average bullshit either. Was everybody in the 1950s\1960s a Ron Artest defender or what? because the league average sucked ass then hahahhaa

The league average is just high now because the offensive talent is so high, playbooks\coaching

Kawhi would do the same exact thing in any other era, he would especially tear apart a dork swimmer like Tim Duncan.

[hold this L]

Biggest outliers there are PS shooting from Kwhitter and AD. Looks AD's stats are mostly bumped from 2 seasons ago, where he went nuts. He is usually a 1 series player, but that year he was amazing for the entire PS bumping his numbers big time. I expect him to average out at 60% within the next two PS. On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if Kawhi keeps up scoring efficiency


Bird.. I expected to be a lot better. That's awful for one of the goat shooters.

[Im Still Ballin]

Another name to round out the 90's choker gang.


Patrick Ewing:

55.3 TS% (Regular season)
51.7 TS% (Playoffs)

League average: 53.4 TS%

[Im Still Ballin]

Bill Russell, Karl Malone, and Kevin Garnett are the only ones who shot below league average TS% during the playoffs.

[Im Still Ballin]

bump.

[Im Still Ballin]

Bill Russell, Karl Malone, and Kevin Garnett are the only ones who shot below league average TS% during the playoffs.

Patrick Ewing as well.

[coastalmarker99]

AVG D faced In the playoffs rankings.


1 Wilt Chamberlain -2.48 playoff games played 160

2 Kevin Garnett -2.02 playoff games played 133

3 Lebron James -1.8 playoff games played 260

4 Kobe Bryant -1.7 playoff games played 201

5 Shaquille O'Neal -1.51 playoff games played 199

6 Michael Jordan -1.11 playoff games played 178

7 Larry Bird -0.63 playoff games played 161

8 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -0.03 playoff games played 222

9 Tim Duncan 0.14 games playoff games played 252

10 Magic Johnson 0.38 games playoff games played 186

11 Bill Russell 0.98 playoff games played 167

12 Hakeem Olajuwon 1.05 playoff games played 140

[coastalmarker99]

I've seen many people criticize Wilt for his drop in scoring average in the playoff but fail to add the proper context that is needed. In this comment I will dive a little deeper into Wilt's playoff scoring.


As highlighted in my threads about the 1960's Celtics defensive scheme on this site.

Wilt faced a large amount of double and triple teams due to the refs allowing illegal defence to be played. This made it difficult to get shots in a half-court setting leading to fewer shots in the playoffs.


It's also important to remember Wilt was going up against some of the greatest defensive teams in NBA history each playoff run.

Wilt Regular Season TS%: '62-'68: 54.8%

Wilt Playoffs TS%: '62-'68: 52.8%

That is a 2-percentage drop off versus all-time level defence each year.


A dip in efficiency is to be expected, but couple that with a decrease in FGA from lack of playmakers--being denied the ball and that explains his drop in points.


It's hardly a drop off at all--but just for the hell of it let's compare him to other greats vs top defences sorted:


Jordan:
1993: vs. Knicks:
32.2 ppg on .522 TS% (-1.4 rTS)
(-8.3 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1997: vs. Heat:
30.2 ppg on .475 TS%(-6.1 rTS)
(-6.1 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1996: vs. Sonics:
27.3 ppg on .538 TS% (-0.4 rTS)
(-5.5 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)



1989: vs. Cavaliers:
39.8 ppg on .598 %TS (+6.1 rTS)
(-4.9 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)

1986: vs. Celtics:
47.3 ppg on .584 %TS (+4.3 rTS)
(-4.6 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)


LeBron:
2008: vs. Celtics:
26.7 ppg on .480 TS% (-6.0 rTS)
(-8.6 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

2014: vs. Pacers:
22.8 ppg on .637 TS% (+9.6 rTS)
(-7.4 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

2011: vs. Celtics:
28.0 ppg on .553 TS% (+1.2 rTS)
(-7.0 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)


2011: vs. Bulls:
25.8 ppg on .569 %TS (+2.8 rTS)
(-7.0 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)

2007: vs. Spurs:
22 ppg on .428 %TS (-11.3 rTS)
(-6.6 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)




Kareem:
1970: vs. Knicks:
34.2 ppg on .585 TS% (+7.4 rTS)
(-6.6 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1972: vs. Lakers:
33.7 ppg on .432 %TS (-2.2 rTS)
(-5.3 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)

1980: vs. 76ers:
33.4 ppg on .578 %TS (+4.7 rTS)
(-5.3 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)


1980: vs. Sonics:
30.6 ppg on .599 %TS (+6.8 rTS)
(-5.1 rDRtg, 3rd ranked defense)

1982: vs. Suns:
31.8 ppg on .663 %TS (+13.2 rTS)
(-4.5 rDRtg, 4th ranked defense)


Wilt:
1964: vs. Celtics
29.2 ppg on .509 TS% (+2.4 rTS)
(-10.8 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1965: vs. Celtics
30.1 ppg on .575 TS% (+9.6 rTS)
(-7.4 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1962: vs. Celtics
33.6 ppg on .515 TS% (+3.6 rTS)
(-8.5 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1966: vs. Celtics:
28.0 ppg on .500 %TS (+1.3 rTS)
(-6.6 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1960: vs. Celtics:
30.5 ppg on .510 %TS (+4.7 rTS)
(-6.2 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)




Toughest competition. Still efficient--just fewer shots.

A big reason he wasn't dropping 40+ points anymore is because he went from playing against awful-to-average defences for most of the reg season to all-time goat level defences for an entire series in the 1st-2nd rounds.



Essentially, it was more of a result of Wilt's teammates and aspects of the era rather than his own lack of abilities.

[Im Still Ballin]

I've seen many people criticize Wilt for his drop in scoring average in the playoff but fail to add the proper context that is needed. In this comment I will dive a little deeper into Wilt's playoff scoring.


As highlighted in my threads about the 1960's Celtics defensive scheme on this site.

Wilt faced a large amount of double and triple teams due to the refs allowing illegal defence to be played. This made it difficult to get shots in a half-court setting leading to fewer shots in the playoffs.


It's also important to remember Wilt was going up against some of the greatest defensive teams in NBA history each playoff run.

Wilt Regular Season TS%: '62-'68: 54.8%

Wilt Playoffs TS%: '62-'68: 52.8%

That is a 2-percentage drop off versus all-time level defence each year.


A dip in efficiency is to be expected, but couple that with a decrease in FGA from lack of playmakers--being denied the ball and that explains his drop in points.


It's hardly a drop off at all--but just for the hell of it let's compare him to other greats vs top defences sorted:


Jordan:
1993: vs. Knicks:
32.2 ppg on .522 TS% (-1.4 rTS)
(-8.3 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1997: vs. Heat:
30.2 ppg on .475 TS%(-6.1 rTS)
(-6.1 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1996: vs. Sonics:
27.3 ppg on .538 TS% (-0.4 rTS)
(-5.5 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)



1989: vs. Cavaliers:
39.8 ppg on .598 %TS (+6.1 rTS)
(-4.9 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)

1986: vs. Celtics:
47.3 ppg on .584 %TS (+4.3 rTS)
(-4.6 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)


LeBron:
2008: vs. Celtics:
26.7 ppg on .480 TS% (-6.0 rTS)
(-8.6 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

2014: vs. Pacers:
22.8 ppg on .637 TS% (+9.6 rTS)
(-7.4 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

2011: vs. Celtics:
28.0 ppg on .553 TS% (+1.2 rTS)
(-7.0 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)


2011: vs. Bulls:
25.8 ppg on .569 %TS (+2.8 rTS)
(-7.0 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)

2007: vs. Spurs:
22 ppg on .428 %TS (-11.3 rTS)
(-6.6 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)




Kareem:
1970: vs. Knicks:
34.2 ppg on .585 TS% (+7.4 rTS)
(-6.6 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1972: vs. Lakers:
33.7 ppg on .432 %TS (-2.2 rTS)
(-5.3 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)

1980: vs. 76ers:
33.4 ppg on .578 %TS (+4.7 rTS)
(-5.3 rDRtg, 2nd ranked defense)


1980: vs. Sonics:
30.6 ppg on .599 %TS (+6.8 rTS)
(-5.1 rDRtg, 3rd ranked defense)

1982: vs. Suns:
31.8 ppg on .663 %TS (+13.2 rTS)
(-4.5 rDRtg, 4th ranked defense)


Wilt:
1964: vs. Celtics
29.2 ppg on .509 TS% (+2.4 rTS)
(-10.8 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1965: vs. Celtics
30.1 ppg on .575 TS% (+9.6 rTS)
(-7.4 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1962: vs. Celtics
33.6 ppg on .515 TS% (+3.6 rTS)
(-8.5 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1966: vs. Celtics:
28.0 ppg on .500 %TS (+1.3 rTS)
(-6.6 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)

1960: vs. Celtics:
30.5 ppg on .510 %TS (+4.7 rTS)
(-6.2 rDRtg, 1st ranked defense)




Toughest competition. Still efficient--just fewer shots.

A big reason he wasn't dropping 40+ points anymore is because he went from playing against awful-to-average defences for most of the reg season to all-time goat level defences for an entire series in the 1st-2nd rounds.



Essentially, it was more of a result of Wilt's teammates and aspects of the era rather than his own lack of abilities.

Great post.