'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It's hard to argue the case for LeBron James being labeled the best player in NBA Playoffs history. His staggering 174-92 win/loss record is unparalleled and seems almost impossible to achieve for any other active player.
James has faced many great competitors during the postseason. It hasn't always been an easy route for him to claim so many playoff wins, the most in NBA history. He still managed to find success, though. That has played a huge role in him being regarded as one of the greatest players ever.
On that note, let's take a look at the top five players LeBron James has managed to eliminate in the NBA Playoffs (including Finals) in his career so far.
#5 Kevin Durant
Many have given Kevin Durant the best player tag in the NBA right now. Several analysts and fans believe he has overtaken LeBron James and claimed his throne as king of the NBA. The two players are playing for the top two favorites to win the title next season.
If KD leads the Brooklyn Nets to win the title, it would ultimately see the end of LeBron James' reign as the best player in the NBA currently. However, if James leads the LA Lakers to their record 18th championship, it would be tough to argue his case of still being the best player in the league.
It will be the fourth NBA Finals meeting between the two if they face off on the biggest stage next year. LeBron James got the better of Kevin Durant in their first meeting in the NBA Finals in 2012. James' Miami Heat beat Durant's OKC Thunder 4-1, which saw the former claim his first ring.
Interestingly, Durant also won his first ring in the NBA against LeBron. It was in 2017 after the KD's Golden State Warriors defeated James' Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1.
#4 Stephen Curry
LeBron James and Stephen Curry produced one of the greatest rivalries in the 2010s. The two superstars faced off in four straight NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018. Curry got the better of LeBron on three occasions and by crushing margins.
However, the one win James got against Curry's Golden State Warriors was a record-breaking one.
LeBron James led the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first NBA championship run. The Cavs were down 3-1 and managed to overturn that deficit to claim the win. They became the first team to achieve the feat in an NBA Finals series.
The two could face off in the postseason again next season. But with both playing in the same conference, they will be fighting to get to the NBA Finals this time and not for the title.
Also Check Out: Latest NBA News, Rumors and Updates
#3 Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce was recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The former Boston Celtics talisman has had some great battles against LeBron James. Pierce has the most wins in NBA history for any player against LeBron. The tally stands at 47 games, including the regular season and the playoffs.
The head-to-head record is in favor of LeBron James by a four-game margin. James was dominated by Pierce's Boston Celtics teams between 2007 and 2010. Pierce was on the winning team in both their playoff series' during that stretch.
But LeBron James was on the better team during their next three playoff series. The four-time MVP played for the Miami Heat at the time and claimed wins in all three series against Paul Pierce's teams. Pierce played for the Celtics twice and Brooklyn Nets once during that period.
#2 Kevin Garnett
Kevin Garnett was on the same teams as Paul Pierce when he faced off against LeBron James in the NBA playoffs. Overall, Garnett has the fifth-most wins (42) by any player in NBA history against James, comprising regular-season and playoff games.
Garnett has always been very straightforward in his opinions on the battles he has had with LeBron James. He has gone on to say the Celtics' teams he played on never feared James at all. Despite that, James still holds a head-to-head advantage against Garnett in the playoffs, with 17 wins in 30 games.
#1 Tim Duncan
Tim Duncan and LeBron James faced off in three NBA Finals series. James' debut finals appearance in 2007 was also against the former San Antonio Spurs' talisman.
Duncan was a three-time NBA finals MVP when he faced James. He was one of the most experienced and decorated players LeBron played against on the biggest stage of all. James has been on the losing side on two occasions against Duncan in the NBA Finals.
The only time LeBron James got the win was during the 2013 NBA Finals, when the Heat claimed the series win in seven games.
Guess the Lakers players!
