Eastern Conference has inflated Lebron's playoff success, West has contracted Duncan!

[Galileo]

The weak Eastern Conference has inflated Lebron's playoff success, strong West has contracted Duncan!

all stats from: http://www.basketball-reference.com/

Lebron average team SRS in 12 playoff seasons:

4.69

Average seed: 2.0

Tim Duncan average team SRS in 18 playoff seasons (not counting 2000):

6.59

Average seed: 2.5

Lebron average SRS of 12 first-round opponents:

-0.05

Duncan average SRS of 18 first-round opponents:

2.26

Lebron average SRS of 12 second-round opponents:

2.70

Duncan average SRS of 15 second-round opponents:

4.59

Lebron average SRS of 9 third-round opponents:

4.12

Duncan average SRS of 9 third-round opponents:

5.80

Basically, Duncan should be getting easier teams based on team performance, but the exact opposite is true. Lebron's 1st-round opponents are below average teams. Duncan 1st-round opponents are almost as good as Lebron's 2nd-round. Duncan's 2nd-round opponents are better than Lebron's opponents in the eastern conference finals.

Duncan's overall playoff series record versus West was 30 wins, 12 losses.

Lebron's playoff record versus East is 28 wins, 4 losses so far.

Duncan's Final's record versus East: 5 wins, 1 loss

Lebron's Finals records versus West: 3 wins, 4 losses

I have not calculated how many series Duncan has lost and Lebron has gained from this blatantly unfair disparity. Nor have I yet analyzed the home court advantage factor. I call on loyal viewers to carry on the work.

I apologize for any math errors, did this fast.

[GSH]

If I've understood right, you've uncovered the fact that the Western Conference has been much more difficult than the East for a long time? And that has made it easier for LeBron in the playoffs?


I am a little puzzled about your use of the present tense for this:
"Basically, Duncan should be getting easier teams based on team performance, but the exact opposite is true."

[SnakeBoy]

Somebody explain to this muthafuka that Duncan isn't in the NBA anymore.

[Arcadian]

I mean, yeah. Tim Duncan in the east would have about 9 rings.

[TheDoctor]

Somebody explain to this muthafuka that Duncan isn't in the NBA anymore.

[Galileo]

If I've understood right, you've uncovered the fact that the Western Conference has been much more difficult than the East for a long time? And that has made it easier for LeBron in the playoffs?


I am a little puzzled about your use of the present tense for this:
"Basically, Duncan should be getting easier teams based on team performance, but the exact opposite is true."

haters gonna hate.

[Galileo]

OK, I have done the calculations. If Duncan played in the East, he would have won all 18 1st-round series, 15 of 18 2nd-round series, and made the Finals 9 times.

If Lebron were in the West, he would have won 9 of 12 1st-round series, and 7 of 9 2nd-round series, and made Finals 3 times.

[dunkman]

Team mates are important, coaching too. Duncan would have success in Boston and maybe Orlando when they wanted to sign him, but by no means is sure he would won more than 5 champions or made it to finals more than 6 times.

[Thomas82]

The thing that amazed me the most about TD was that he was able to dominate games without putting up big numbers........I'm still trying to figure that one out.

[RD2191]

OP dropping truth nukes.

[TampaDude]

The thing that amazed me the most about TD was that he was able to dominate games without putting up big numbers........I'm still trying to figure that one out.

Simple...he made everyone around him better. The hallmark of a true champion.

If you're into big numbers, though, check out Game 6 of the 2003 Finals. MONSTER!!!

[Thomas82]

Simple...he made everyone around him better. The hallmark of a true champion.

If you're into big numbers, though, check out Game 6 of the 2003 Finals. MONSTER!!!

Yeah I know he made his teammates better, but the fact that his presence was so dominant was amazing. Speaking of that Game 6, there was avlomg stretch where he completely dominated the game without scoring a basket.

[TDomination]

I miss Timmy

[Thomas82]

I miss Timmy

Me too!!

[keeferob25]

3rd greatest player of all-time (I put the old-old players in a separate category because the game was just too different). But I contend that Duncan is THE greatest franchise centerpiece of all time... meaning that he more than any player provides the highest assurance of LASTING championship contention if you build around him while making the job of the GM easier than with other players that qualify as legendary centerpieces.

[NameLess Scrub]

Ok, I miss Timmy too.

Second, stop taking credit from Lebron. If anything, he needs more help. Nobody can do it alone like the tries to do.

[davidbowie]

cant believe we never went back2back for timmy SMH

we shouldve 5-peat 03-07

friggin fisher and manu foul

we are the goat franchise

[unleashbaynes]

The Heat were not le contenders before LeBron, but because of him they won 2. The Cavs were atrocious without LeBron, but at least they drafted Kyrie. Since he's been back they've been to the finals twice, losing one because of the loss of Kyrie and Love. And they pushed that series to 6 games.

MJ's most impressive finals victory was against a Laker team that had a freshly AIDS-infected Magic Johnson as it's best player. LeBron beat the Duncan Spurs and defending champion, all-time best regular season having Warriors. Don't ever tell me he isn't in the same conversation.

[Thomas82]

3rd greatest player of all-time (I put the old-old players in a separate category because the game was just too different). But I contend that Duncan is THE greatest franchise centerpiece of all time... meaning that he more than any player provides the highest assurance of LASTING championship contention if you build around him while making the job of the GM easier than with other players that qualify as legendary centerpieces.

+1

[Galileo]

Lebron's new record deserves an asterisk.

[Thomas82]

Lebron's new record deserves an asterisk.

Let's not forget that for MJ's entire Bulls career the 1st round was a 5-game series, which makes his totals even more impressive.

[therealtruth]

TD gave you consistent 20/10. Anchored the defense and helped make the offense run smoothly.

[Galileo]

Let's not forget that for MJ's entire Bulls career the 1st round was a 5-game series, which makes his totals even more impressive.

It reduced chance of injury in later rounds.

[testies]

Those are all known facts by everbody. LeBron might as well compete in the paralympics and it will be tougher. Kelly Olynyk was the best player he faced in the last two rounds this year. He also has that HGH and TRT help for his recovery time. Most fabricated star ever imo.

[Thomas82]

It reduced chance of injury in later rounds.

That's also true.