LeBron James won NBA Finals MVP, but that honor, which must be given to someone each year no matter how much or how little he elevates his game above his peers, doesn’t give the Heat star his full due.
LeBron dominated these Finals. His all-around game on as full a display as ever, he led the series in points (177), assists (49) and steals (16).
Nobody has done that since Magic Johnson in 1987, when he led the Lakers and Celtics in those stats.
The last player to lead the Finals in any three of the five major stats – points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks – was Tim Duncan, who led the 2003 Finals in points, rebounds and blocks.
And just because LeBron never faces high enough expectations, here’s one more: The last player to lead two different Finals in three major stats was Shaquille O’Neal, who had the most points, rebounds and blocks in both the 2000 and 2002 Finals. So, LeBron better do it again next season, so O’Neal won’t have that hanging over him.
