ESPN.com · Apr 6, 2018
'Playoff LeBron' is real, and defense is the reason
It's that time of year again.
As the NBA playoffs loom, it's time to commence talking about LeBron James "flipping the switch" and transforming from regular season LeBron into playoff LeBron before our very eyes. While it's true that some of the metamorphosis has to do with an increase in minutes -- regular season LeBron plays 37 minutes a game to playoff LeBron's 42 -- James' impact is about a lot more than playing time.
In fact, while many will focus on his scoring and offensive impact in the coming weeks, the switch that James flips should be labeled "defense." Defense on the ball. Help defense. Transition defense (Andre Iguodala can explain this to you). All kinds of defense.