LeBron James - Defensive Dynamo (Playoff Edition)

LeBron James. 3x NBA Champion. 3x NBA Finals MVP. 4x NBA MVP. 5x All-Defensive First Team. 1x All-Defensive Second Team. Runner up to the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2013. He’s got about a thousand more awards and records, but one thing that will forever be associated with him is “THE BLOCK.” It was a moment that defined an entire series, if not an entire season, for the Cavaliers. It required supreme effort from James, tracking all the way back to block Andre Iguodala with just under 2 minutes to go. Coming from behind, chasing Golden State all the way down from 3-1, rising over the regular season record 73 win Warriors to deny them took everything LeBron had. A signature moment for a superstar who took his team, his city, to the promised land could not have been more storybook if someone tried. It was perfection.

Something that remained consistent about LeBron throughout his career is his ability to make great defensive reads. That much is clear when he’s able to anticipate when to jump to block shots, or even time things out when he’s going for his signature chase down (you will see A BUNCH of those in this video). He’s evolved to become more of a last line of defense type of player for the Cavaliers, as evidenced by standing strong in the paint against a barrage of Warriors in the Finals. What shouldn’t go unnoticed, however, is his ability to strip the ball. Yes, he’s STILL an exceptional athlete at 31, but having great timing is nothing without know-how and instincts, and you’ll notice he positions his body the right way in order to generate angles where he can strip the basketball.

LeBron James was certainly the difference maker, especially on the defensive end, in these NBA Finals, so let’s appreciate just how exceptional his performance was. Enjoy!

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[atlkeary]

so many curry blocks in here. im not complaining tho lmaoo

[EvinGualberto]

I know there's more to defense than just steals and blocks, but I wasn't really able to get the full finals games like I did last year, so this is more about the stuff that makes highlights reels. Bron's help defense and rim protection was everything the Cavaliers needed it to be down the stretch, so enjoy!

[BrbAtTheGym]

I always hear people talking about how Curry wasn't his normal self in the Finals since he didn't attack the basket as much versus the Cavs. And I always tell them, uh, maybe he attacked plenty and was tired of getting his shots sent out into the stands by LBJ lol. I'll have to share this video with a lot of people. Thanks EG!

[Carlo-zkcy]

Man, LeBron was at his best in terms of defense during the 2016 playoffs.

His defensive scope covers the entire court.
Guarding all five positions.

[r]

He was beyond great defensively during this post season

[tylerlucasj]

I have no idea how Lebron anticipates pump fakes. The best i've ever seen predicting when a pump fake are coming.

[folkscrazyouthere]

AND A SUPER HUMAN DEFENSIVE RECOVERY BY LEBRON JAMES pretty much nailed it.

[frenchrapsucks]

I'm surprised he wasn't convicted for attempted murder on that Barbosa block.

[knee-colayo-kitc]

I don't think he'll give this type of effort anymore on a night to night basis but when he's locked in don't even pass the ball to his man, doesn't matter who it is

[OneTrueAce]

I posted this on another video but its relevant here:

Some call LeBron an overrated defender because of his 1v1 defense (I somewhat agree, particularly with effort and his late reactions to contesting shots) but James still is a very good 1v1 defender when locked in. LeBron is certainly an elite all around defender: in transition, help defense, passing lanes, rebounding, post defense, close outs, rotations, switching (which is amplified by his speed and size). James has a strong case for DPoY in 2009, 2012 & 2013, finished 2nd in DPoY voting in 2009 and 2013. Not to mention LeBron is top five all time in Playoff defensive win shares.

2016 LeBron not making any defensive teams is a crime. His defense in the Finals was astounding, its the first time a player recorded 15 steals & blocks in a PO series. Not to mention LeBron's defensive effort in 2016 ranks as the second highest DBPM in history, ahead of guys like Ben Wallace, Tim Duncan and Hakeem, just behind 2015 Andrew Bogut. As the primary defender in the 2016' Finals, James forced the opposition to shoot 21 / 58. This is against arguably the greatest offensive team ever.

LeBron has locked up guys like Pierce, Carmelo, Rose & Parker during PO matchups. Has limited Kevin Durant in the 2012 Finals (guarded him 50% of the time, more than other HEAT player, while holding KD to 13/ 30 shooting when guarding him in 1v1 situations, no double teams), even put the clamps on lesser offensive machines like Joe Johnson and DeMar Derozan. LeBron has also had success guarding guys like Tim Duncan, Andre Drummond, Al Horford, Paul Millsap, in PO matchups, though in limited spans. However, James did a great job containing Draymond this past Finals (except for G7), and spent the majority of the series guarding him.

The eye test + advanced stats support LeBron being an elite defender.

[talalc]

man that iguodala block sends chills down my spine

[deshyrongrady]

His Defense is so underrated. maybe the most underrated defender of all time. He Should've won DPOY in the 08-09 season when the cavs were the leagues stingiest defense. Had a total of 22 chase down blocks alone that year

[geneleeplays]

how people might not admire his greatnest..

[aaronrampersad]

how dare people say he is not a lock down defender. when lebrons kicked in he's on you like glue

[atsatsats]

He is Curry's father now. Mayor of Atlanta too.

[Luckymag-ifdw]

You know the funny thing? If by some idiot's logic, it's easier to be a great offensive player and rack up points today (not supported by any kind of metrics or numbers but let's leave it at that), woudn't those same rules make it much harder to be a great denfender as you can't bang offensive players that much and these players are as atlhetic and fast as ever in the NBA. So even if you say Lebron wouldn't be this great offensively in other eras (completely false), woudn't he by the same logic be much better on defense. Doesn't that make defensove players of the past overrated as they could take advantage of rules like handchecking and bodying somebody up? Can you imagine a guy lebron's size and speed being able to body and touch guards up more than he's allowed today? He would easily throw then off balance, for me it's WAY HARDER TO BE A GREAT DEFENDER TODAY, so lebron's defense is quite underrated by all time standards... Unbelievable player, top 3 all time and on sheer talent, he might be first

[dailydoseofjustnothing]

I dont understand why people hate him that much when he can do it atleast everything the basketball game needs to offer. And i can't believe they're knocking him down to the Goat debate just because he lost in the FINALS 6x. I mean i'd take 1-8 jerry west record all day than 0-0 or 1-0 in the finals.

[ballerbaby]

when a few idiots on LeBron's last video said "he can't defend he's only an ok shot blocker now" LMAO. I'm like did you watch him this playoffs? Silencing all the haters. LBJ never gets enough credit for some reason

[brucewayne]

LeBron James is one the most underrated defenders of all time. Check his stats haters.

[Carlo-zkcy]

LeBron's defense covers the entire court.