.png){kind=small}
*Photo via USA Today
It’s finally here, the NBA Finals a matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. We have seen 16 teams battle for this opportunity to get to these final two. Now which individual has had the most success this postseason? Who is the current playoff MVP?
There’s a lot of players who have shown up and some who might’ve had a shot at playoff MVP if their teams made a deeper run. With that being said, the current MVP of these playoffs is, LeBron James. LeBron has been nothing short of the best player in the league this postseason. On several occasions, he has single handedly won games while as well being the great team leader for this inexperienced Cavs roster. This postseason LeBron is averaging 27.6 points per game, 10.4 rebounds, and 8.3 assists. He has just one triple-double these playoffs, but he has eight double-doubles in just 14 games. LeBron has been living the Cavs motto “All In” this postseason and is on the cusp of winning his third NBA title, while making his fifth straight finals appearance.
LeBron may be the MVP, but who are the notable runner-ups? Well the first runner-up will be none other than the man he will face in the finals, Stephen Curry. Curry has showcased his unbelievable shooting and elusiveness this postseason. Curry is averaging 29.2 points per game, along with 6.4 assists and 4.9 rebounds; while shooting 46.1 percent from the field and 43.7 percent from three. Curry without a doubt has been the MVP all season long and could easily be MVP of the playoffs, especially if he manages to win a ring against this Cavs team in his first finals appearance.
The last runner up comes from the Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin. Griffin was having a tremendous all-around postseason and truly became a superstar in this league. Griffin averaged 25.5 points, 12.7 rebounds, with 6.1 assists; he also recorded three triple doubles. Griffin was key to the Clippers first round win over the San Antonio Spurs and despite their second round collapse, he was very productive in the series. With Griffin only playing in two rounds, he still has the same amount of games played as both LeBron and Curry; a deeper run could’ve made this a completely different discussion.
The true postseason MVP, however, will be decided when one of these two stars leads the way to a championship. Until then, LeBron holds a slight lead over Curry.