LeBron breaks a Michael Jordan playoff record with 33 points in Game 3 loss
Throughout his illustrious career, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James has learned the hard way that gaudy statistics don’t necessarily translate to championships.
Including the 33 points he scored in Wednesday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, James has 6,888 career playoff points, per ESPN. That’s the most all time, well ahead of Bulls legend Michael Jordan’s 5,987 career postseason points.
The difference between the two players?
Jordan was a perfect six-for-six in NBA Finals appearances. James, on the other hand, has been to nine NBA Finals, winning three and losing five. And facing a 3-0 deficit this season, he could very well be on his way to another loss in the Finals.
Still, that shouldn’t take away from the fact that James is a once-in-a-generation player. Argue all you want about whether he or Jordan is the GOAT, but it’s impossible to deny that James makes the extraordinary look all too easy.
That has been evident a lot in this series, especially in Game 1, when James scored 51 points but the Cavs still lost.
And on Wednesday, James gave his team another great performance, with the aforementioned 33 points to go along with 10 rebounds and 11 assists.
Though the Cavs lost 110-102, James still broke another Jordan playoff record.
He’s now scored 30 points or more in 110 career playoff games. Jordan, meanwhile, “only” accomplished that feat 109 times.
LeBron James records his 10th career #NBAFinals triple-double with 33 PTS, 11 AST, 10 REB at home in Game 3.
LBJ passes Michael Jordan for the most 30-point #NBAPlayoffs games in NBA history.#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/ZthE2xqxan
— NBA (@NBA) June 7, 2018
It should be noted that James has played in considerably more playoff games than Jordan (238 for James compared to 179 for Jordan). Still, the fact that he’s been able to consistently perform so well in the postseason is impressive.
For his career, James has averaged 28.9 points per game in the playoffs (Jordan averaged 33.4). The Cavs star also has 10 career triple-doubles in the Finals, which is the most all time.
Career Triple-Doubles in the NBA Finals
— LeBron James: 10 (No. 1 all-time)
— All other active players combined: 3 (Curry, Draymond & Rondo)
— Michael Jordan: 0 pic.twitter.com/pLP3wK7UQj— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) June 7, 2018
But at the end of the day, James might not be able to save the Cavaliers, who are now one game away from being eliminated.
Because while the Cavaliers have one player in James, the Warriors have four All-Stars, including Kevin Durant, who went off for 43 points on Wednesday.
“You know that you can never relax. You know if you relax, they make you pay, and making you pay could cost you a game,” James said of facing the Warriors. “So, it’s tough, but it’s all part of the competition, which I love and which I continue to lace them up (for) every night.”
“It’s almost like playing the Patriots,” he added. “You can’t have mistakes. They’re not going to beat themselves.”
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