1. LeBron James
Breaking news: LeBron James is the best player in basketball. It’s astonishing that after 10 years, people still doubt the man’s greatness.
He’s appeared in five consecutive NBA Finals, and the King almost single-handedly propelled the Cavaliers to the 2015 crown. James racked up 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.3 steals per contest during the six-game championship series. Exactly zero players in NBA history have ever matched that output during the Finals.
Partly because of James, history suggests the second year of a proverbial super-team is wildly successful. If Cleveland doesn’t return to the title round, it would be shocking. The Cavaliers are easily the best team in the Eastern Conference.
James almost beat the Golden State Warriors by himself; just wait until the best NBA small forward has Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love for the whole postseason instead of J.R. Smith and Matthew Dellavedova.