LeBron James - Defensive Dynamo (Playoff Edition)

LeBron James. 3x NBA Champion. 3x NBA Finals MVP. 4x NBA MVP. 5x All-Defensive First Team. 1x All-Defensive Second Team. Runner up to the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2013. He’s got about a thousand more awards and records, but one thing that will forever be associated with him is “THE BLOCK.” It was a moment that defined an entire series, if not an entire season, for the Cavaliers. It required supreme effort from James, tracking all the way back to block Andre Iguodala with just under 2 minutes to go. Coming from behind, chasing Golden State all the way down from 3-1, rising over the regular season record 73 win Warriors to deny them took everything LeBron had. A signature moment for a superstar who took his team, his city, to the promised land could not have been more storybook if someone tried. It was perfection.
Something that remained consistent about LeBron throughout his career is his ability to make great defensive reads. That much is clear when he’s able to anticipate when to jump to block shots, or even time things out when he’s going for his signature chase down (you will see A BUNCH of those in this video). He’s evolved to become more of a last line of defense type of player for the Cavaliers, as evidenced by standing strong in the paint against a barrage of Warriors in the Finals. What shouldn’t go unnoticed, however, is his ability to strip the ball. Yes, he’s STILL an exceptional athlete at 31, but having great timing is nothing without know-how and instincts, and you’ll notice he positions his body the right way in order to generate angles where he can strip the basketball.
LeBron James was certainly the difference maker, especially on the defensive end, in these NBA Finals, so let’s appreciate just how exceptional his performance was. Enjoy!
ALSO. If you’re somehow still here, people have been asking me if I make any money from doing this channel. I do not BUT if you do want to donate some to me www.paypal.me/EvinG is the way to go. Obviously, I would never demand money and I'm perfectly content with how things are now, but if you're feeling particularly generous, I'd thoroughly appreciate anything you could spare.
If you'd like to donate:
Venmo - @Evin_Gual
Cash App - $EvinGual
Patreon - / evin_gual

[@talal3c]

man that iguodala block sends chills down my spine

[@EvinGualberto]

I know there's more to defense than just steals and blocks, but I wasn't really able to get the full finals games like I did last year, so this is more about the stuff that makes highlights reels. Bron's help defense and rim protection was everything the Cavaliers needed it to be down the stretch, so enjoy!

[@kingjames3705]

Thanks 👌

[@knee-colayo-kitc104]

By far the best bball channel

[@aaronperry445]

W

[@atlkeary8791]

so many curry blocks in here. im not complaining tho lmaoo

[@BrbAtTheGym]

I always hear people talking about how Curry wasn't his normal self in the Finals since he didn't attack the basket as much versus the Cavs. And I always tell them, uh, maybe he attacked plenty and was tired of getting his shots sent out into the stands by LBJ lol. I'll have to share this video with a lot of people. Thanks EG!

[@Carlo-zk2cy]

Man, LeBron was at his best in terms of defense during the 2016 playoffs. His defensive scope covers the entire court. Guarding all five positions.

[@r91976]

He was beyond great defensively during this post season

[@ballerbaby5967]

thankyou, know I wasn't the only one who saw it. dude cna lock anyone up

[@folkscrazyouthere3076]

AND A SUPER HUMAN DEFENSIVE RECOVERY BY LEBRON JAMES pretty much nailed it.

[@theMacedonianLion]

Most complete player of all time

[@eeia3570]

Right.. LOL,!

[@brucewayne4670]

Thank you

[@brucewayne4670]

Can't ignore his stats and thank you for saying that. King James is a beast.

[@JamesBrown-pn1jw]

MJ?

[@zoom3248]

​@@JamesBrown-pn1jw MJ? MAGIC YES, not Jordan and I mean... Lebron is more complete overall than Jordan

[@tylerlucasj]

I have no idea how Lebron anticipates pump fakes. The best i've ever seen predicting when a pump fake are coming.

[@issho1445]

Bean Town he has a very high basketball IQ

[@TJzWayyy]

Bean Town you do that in 2k you'll go flying

[@ChidorivsRasengan3]

Kobe always got him lol

[@makanakylove1542]

Sasuke Uchiha you're right like in the exhibitions team USA blue vs white?

[@talal3c]

@@TJzWayyy lol fr the pump fakes get everyone. they always get me i be gettin sent flying

[@brucewayne4670]

LeBron James is one the most underrated defenders of all time. Check his stats haters.

[@knee-colayo-kitc104]

I don't think he'll give this type of effort anymore on a night to night basis but when he's locked in don't even pass the ball to his man, doesn't matter who it is

[@diehardknicksfansinceiwass2683]

i agree ., playoff time is when he really locks in, earlier in his career i can say it was on a night to night basis but since hes got older hes just tryna get them rings lmao when playoff time comes he just goes to another level

[@ryanbeckham8109]

NYprodigy Boss the reason he went to Miami was to learn how to win. He said he was ready to come home because he finally learned what it takes to win in the NBA. These last two years we are witnessing a new type of LeBron and I bet we are just witnessing the beginning of it all

[@bob_WRLD]

Meechy Merc Em he's chasing the ghost. He'll join Hakeem this season. Dpoty n reg. Season mvp. Don't be surprised.

[@GoBlue576966]

Ryan, you posted that just before Golden State whipped Cleveland in the Finals in 2017. He is too far along in his career to start something new. Boston has never lost a series when they have home court advantage and went up 2-0. so its highly unlikely Cleveland even makes the Finals. I never played in college, let alone professionally, but even I know what it takes without leaving my home team. Could I hit that level? Obviously not since I didn't have any potential. That is nothing more than a lie to make people complacent. The only reason he has a titled in 2016 is because he is the golden child of the NBA and the league was forced to bow down to him when he purposely walked over Green to bait him into a heat of the moment defensive swing. Anyone else in the league would have been given a tech and Green wouldn't have been suspended. The should be three year reign for Golden State is ending this year at the hands of the Rockets. Even if Cleveland miraculously beats Boston, they aren't beating Houston or Golden State. Boston isn't either.

[@jacksonmiller7745]

GoBlue576966 baiting green was a smart play so that’s not a bad thing. And if you swing at someone I promise you you will be suspended. You obviously don’t know much😂. And they beat them too 😂 this comment didn’t age well AT ALL. Nice try hating on LeBron though. He is the GOAT for a reason. And he WASTED his earlier years in Cleveland he deserves to make that decision. LeBron paved the way for players having the power.

[@dailydoseofjustnothing1616]

I dont understand why people hate him that much when he can do it atleast everything the basketball game needs to offer. And i can't believe they're knocking him down to the Goat debate just because he lost in the FINALS 6x. I mean i'd take 1-8 jerry west record all day than 0-0 or 1-0 in the finals.

[@23inthapatha63]

When you make it to the top you are gonna have a lot haters. It means you are doing something right. The hate for him is laughable now but it’s good for lebron because the haters just make him look better.

[@deshyrongrady5797]

His Defense is so underrated. maybe the most underrated defender of all time. He Should've won DPOY in the 08-09 season when the cavs were the leagues stingiest defense. Had a total of 22 chase down blocks alone that year

[@geordiejones5618]

I can understand Dwight being chosen over Lebron in 2009 but I will never understand how he finished second in voting to Gasol in 2013. He was the offensive AND defensive anchor of that team. Should have been the only other player other than Hakeem to snag MVP/DPOY/FMVP in the same year.

[@olyadmikias2638]

GOAT of the century

[@OneTrueAce]

I posted this on another video but its relevant here: Some call LeBron an overrated defender because of his 1v1 defense (I somewhat agree, particularly with effort and his late reactions to contesting shots) but James still is a very good 1v1 defender when locked in. LeBron is certainly an elite all around defender: in transition, help defense, passing lanes, rebounding, post defense, close outs, rotations, switching (which is amplified by his speed and size). James has a strong case for DPoY in 2009, 2012 & 2013, finished 2nd in DPoY voting in 2009 and 2013. Not to mention LeBron is top five all time in Playoff defensive win shares. 2016 LeBron not making any defensive teams is a crime. His defense in the Finals was astounding, its the first time a player recorded 15 steals & blocks in a PO series. Not to mention LeBron's defensive effort in 2016 ranks as the second highest DBPM in history, ahead of guys like Ben Wallace, Tim Duncan and Hakeem, just behind 2015 Andrew Bogut. As the primary defender in the 2016' Finals, James forced the opposition to shoot 21 / 58. This is against arguably the greatest offensive team ever. LeBron has locked up guys like Pierce, Carmelo, Rose & Parker during PO matchups. Has limited Kevin Durant in the 2012 Finals (guarded him 50% of the time, more than other HEAT player, while holding KD to 13/ 30 shooting when guarding him in 1v1 situations, no double teams), even put the clamps on lesser offensive machines like Joe Johnson and DeMar Derozan. LeBron has also had success guarding guys like Tim Duncan, Andre Drummond, Al Horford, Paul Millsap, in PO matchups, though in limited spans. However, James did a great job containing Draymond this past Finals (except for G7), and spent the majority of the series guarding him. The eye test + advanced stats support LeBron being an elite defender.

[@maxsavage9128]

OneTrueAce bruh he can be an elite anything with the body and talent he has

[@OneTrueAce]

LeBron is the most skilled he's ever been this season.

[@lPlanetarizado]

He is a average defender now (i dont know 3 years ago)

[@ՇԹՇԹ]

OneTrueAce i hope he gets back being a great defender now that AD is in the lakers

[@joaquimstar7630]

ՇɧԹՇɧԹ he’s a really good defender rn let’s see if he proves it against the clippers tonight

[@thisiseku]

Curry wasn't even LeBron's match-up in the Finals, but got destroyed every game.

[@RumbleFighterSolid]

funny how he could block an injured curry but on this finals couldnt even stay infront of him

[@tavianwalker1865]

@@RumbleFighterSolid stfu

[@trueyoutribe]

@@RumbleFighterSolid you sure a one hell ass of a comedian

[@silkyutters3137]

@@RumbleFighterSolid he let him get past just so he could block him 😂

[@aaronrampersad7806]

how dare people say he is not a lock down defender. when lebrons kicked in he's on you like glue

[@aaronrampersad7806]

so has kobe and michael. both were crossed up by iverson but are still lockdown defenders so stfu

[@TheSeahawksDidntRunTheBall]

+Omraj Kang - Detroit Basketball Never Dies almost never my ass lebron has never let anyone drop as many points on him that Jordan let Nique, Miller, or Kobe drop on him

[@TheSeahawksDidntRunTheBall]

+Omraj Kang - Detroit Basketball Never Dies almost never my ass lebron has never let anyone drop as many points on him that Jordan let Nique, Miller, or Kobe drop on him

[@TheSeahawksDidntRunTheBall]

+Omraj Kang - Detroit Basketball Never Dies almost never my ass lebron has never let anyone drop as many points on him that Jordan let Nique, Miller, or Kobe drop on him

[@TheSeahawksDidntRunTheBall]

Omraj Kang - Detroit Basketball Never Dies oh yea don't forget when Pooh Richardson gave him buckets one year ... Pooh Richardson along with Damon Stoudemire (in Damon's rookie year) don't act like Jordan never got exposed either and no don't give that excuse he was in his second year he doesn't get a pass for that. and MJ guarded Kobe on more than several occasions so he got it too and he also guarded miller on more than seperate occasions as well.

[@trentirvin2008]

Goat

[@atsatsats111]

He is Curry's father now. Mayor of Atlanta too.

[@Kreze202]

Orpheus Don't forget owner of the Chicago Bulls

[@zstring7943]

Orpheus 😂😂😂

[@Brwmiagoon305mia]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@RumbleFighterSolid]

nope. curry owns him and his ankles

[@jarvasedundy1]

Orpheus How when he's 1-3 vs him in the finals?

[@ballerbaby5967]

when a few idiots on LeBron's last video said "he can't defend he's only an ok shot blocker now" LMAO. I'm like did you watch him this playoffs? Silencing all the haters. LBJ never gets enough credit for some reason

[@Miltonman100]

LeGod

[@theprodigy7002]

+Miltonman100 W

[@Miltonman100]

Omraj Kang - Detroit Basketball Never Dies were talking about 2016 playoffs though

[@ballerbaby5967]

Omraj Kang - Detroit Basketball Never Dies was an anomaly lmfao he locked Tony Parker down in the Finals the same year and Kawhi, LBJ is the only 1-4 SF defender, not Kawhi.. & as if MJ never got scorched 1 series before he had Pippen or Harper to guard the best scorer (in a much easier league to defend). and Kobe been scorched plenty too. LBJ played George in 3 series he did well once

[@jordanwouldwinmoreringsinl6494]

Myth - LeBron is an elite defender and can guard 1-5 well Reality - LeBron has been outscored in 4 of 9 NBA Finals by the other team's top perimeter scorer 2007 Parker 2011 Terry 2012 Durant 2017 Durant In all of these 4 instances, the player that outscored LeBron increased their Finals PPG and FG% against LeBron compared to their regular season and rounds 1-3 PPG and FG% averages. In 6 of 9 NBA Finals, the opposing teams top perimeter player increased BOTH their PPG and FG% in the Finals against LeBron compared to BOTH their regular season and Round 1-3 averages. 2007 Parker 2011 Terry 2012 Durant 2014 Leonard 2015 Iguodala 2017 Durant Kevin Durant in 2018 went from 29 PPG on 48% in the first 3 rounds to 28.8 PPG on 53% in the Finals. In the 2014 Finals, Leonard shot 65% when guarded by Lebron according to the ESPN article "MVP Leonard Does it All." This led to Leonard shooting the highest FG% of any Finals MVP in history at 61.2% FG. Up to 2018, Kevin Durant (9th - 54.5%) and Kawhi Leonard (8th - 55.0%) are both in the top 9 all-time for highest FG% for an NBA Finals career. and all of their NBA Finals games came against LeBron's vastly overrated defense. Durant only has 2 playoff series in his entire career when he averaged 30+ PPG on 50%+ FG, both were against LeBron in the 2012 and 2017 Finals. LeBron evidently has far too much trouble guarding his own position let alone guarding all 5 positions. Even in the year LeBron was supposedly "robbed" of DPOY he was badly lit up by Paul George in the 2013 ECF, who only had 17 ppg on 42% in the season and shot 40% for Rounds 1-2 combined. like the aforementioned players, his PPG/FG% increased in his ECF series against LeBron compared to his season and Rounds 1-2 averages. Lebron was also outscored by Paul George in the 2014 ECF. There are many other examples of Lebrons vastly overrated defense being exposed but not near enough time to list them in one post.

[@tramaineholloway8054]

He has the highest basketball iq ever

[@Luckymag-if4dw]

You know the funny thing? If by some idiot's logic, it's easier to be a great offensive player and rack up points today (not supported by any kind of metrics or numbers but let's leave it at that), woudn't those same rules make it much harder to be a great denfender as you can't bang offensive players that much and these players are as atlhetic and fast as ever in the NBA. So even if you say Lebron wouldn't be this great offensively in other eras (completely false), woudn't he by the same logic be much better on defense. Doesn't that make defensove players of the past overrated as they could take advantage of rules like handchecking and bodying somebody up? Can you imagine a guy lebron's size and speed being able to body and touch guards up more than he's allowed today? He would easily throw then off balance, for me it's WAY HARDER TO BE A GREAT DEFENDER TODAY, so lebron's defense is quite underrated by all time standards... Unbelievable player, top 3 all time and on sheer talent, he might be first

[@GoBlue576966]

No he wouldn't. I just watched a 21 minute video of terrible defense when he doesn't stand a chance to win. His mentality of being lock down only works if he is winning. All you have to say is NBA players can't be compared in eras because they would adapt. How long? I don't know. James would adapt to getting pounded inside the paint and his incessant crying for fouls would stop because he would learn how to play physical properly. Just like Jordan would learn how to play in this pansy everything is a foul era. I don't remember which year it was, or series, but Cleveland was down by 8 or so. Maybe it was while he was in Miami? Anyways, James quit with two minutes left in the game. One of his teammates, I think his name was Anderson, and not the white tattooed guy in Miami, hit three threes in consecutive possessions to bring the deficit down to 4 with a minute left. James quit standing around and started playing again. He put up three bricks and allowed the other team to pull away. He was a massive cancer that game because he is a quitter. He might be a top three talent on offense when things are close or going his way, but I would be hard pressed to draft him on an all NBA team from the history of the game because he can't finish. He brought it on himself by claiming he is the greatest player in the world. If the greatest player in the world can't carry a team for one more series win, he isn't the greatest in the world. If he would learn how to have a killer instinct all the time, he would go down as the greatest player of all time in the public's view, but he doesn't.

[@tavianwalker1865]

@@GoBlue576966 your a prime example of this comment

[@ColeMoney5]

@@GoBlue576966 Are you honestly arguing that Lebron has never carried a team in the playoffs??? This is coming from a Jordan fan too lmao

[@faizanraja5656]

HOW CAN YOU HATE THIS MAN!!!!!

[@Carlo-zk2cy]

LeBron's defense covers the entire court.

[@Panteraismael]

El jugador más completo! The king! El rey lebrón! 👑

[@pyarasingh9310]

LeBron's last block was the best of his career.Like if u agree

[@metauser4244]

And they say Currys better gtfo. Bron been doing this since he was 16 in high school, I'm surprised LeBron hasn't been in a dunk contest

[@FatherOmega]

The trolling in the comments is magnificent lol

[@jhunnelpepito3074]

most underrated player in D

[@ultrafoodieYT]

LeBron just blocking Curry and Iguodala all day LMAO..

[@bryanmartinez6643]

Why didn't he do that in of that in 2015 and 2017 finals or 2018?😂😅😊

[@michaelgray1803]

The greatest performance every

[@sideshowbob7782]

Best overall player in nba history

[@da1laba861]

I think in 2008/2009 is where Lebron got robbed of DPOY. He was number 1 in defense in both regular season and playoffs.

[@thetrollmaster5772]

LeBron is a lockdown defender. The only reason people say his defense was poor in the 2017 was because he was making up for his teamates mistakes but instead the others left the lanes wide open on switches.

[@ejjohnson6792]

Great vid bro

[@Preash26]

The KING still the KING LEBRON JAMES is the real GOAT💪

[@Miltonman100]

LeBron>Paul George on defense

[@theprodigy7002]

W

[@KingTre1023]

Miltonman100 well that's an L

[@treshtalk88]

+KingTre1023 L

[@eeia3570]

Big L..

[@fashion3745]

on offense yes but on defense no

[@kingwani8248]

I wish he won dpoty

[@titansegundera2.049]

Drive By!

[@stebeatmaker3951]

If he play like that now, Lakers are definitely going to the play offs

[@zoethegreat6049]

Lol King James good damn finals can't wait to see a battle in the finals again with KD on the Warriors squad it's going be war

[@shepherdcallmethat8269]

lebbbbbbroooooonnnn!!!!

[@damondudley3931]

Oh block by James! LeBron James with the rejection! Oh my goodness!

[@RibsBjj]

CLAMPS! Nice video

[@jgp4132]

one a block... want a block!!

[@2ndhokage970]

maybe a damian lillard pick and roll maestro video. just a suggestion

[@RAPeters239]

I appreciate the highlight reel, but I'm a bit upset that they're all over the place. It would be nice to see how his defense got better the deeper they got into the playoffs.

[@marcusg1021]

👑🐐🔥

[@greiinnn4982]

🐐

[@davidjames6036]

MJ >> Lebron >> Shaq >> Kobe FAXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[@camerondawkins6865]

Yeet

[@divine02759]

Lebron>MJ>Timduncan>Shaq

[@jakerojas4942]

If the King wanted to... he could hold KD to 7-18 points a game in a series. With 4-10 turnovers #BESTDEFENDER

[@hussainalmasbhi427]

The best all around player I have ever ever ever seen he is a fuckin legend he is the second GOAT 🐐 if he wins 3 more championships he will be the GOAT means the greatest of all time

[@stephcurrytheg.o.a.t]

Where Kevin Durants playoff defensive dynamo

[@DisturbedDood119]

uhhh you have to play defense in order to get a defensive dynamo😂

[@thegoat5963]

😂😂

[@knee-colayo-kitc104]

KD played amazing defense in the playoffs Stop being a hater lol

[@ballerbaby5967]

+Bleacher Report Curry fried his bum ass 1 on 1, couldn't even kill Kevin Love 1 on 1 in game 7 like he did KD at the end of game 5 and 7 WCF lol

[@knee-colayo-kitc104]

A seven footer shouldn't even be guarding curry let alone making him take tough shots curry was just making them.. Y'all more petty than some bitches lol

[@jeromebranchetti6002]

the last block on Iguodala wasn't that great .... if you give me a trampoline I can do it too xD

[@ballerbaby5967]

you would need a speed boat into the trampoline as well.

[@woodchips1745]

LeBlock

[@makanakylove1542]

watching this and I conclude that he can still play defense but for some reason he's become lazy on that end not like he doesn't know how to play anymore is more about the will to do it

[@alexreyes5750]

This dude cant stand a chance next to MJ stats

[@boybieliber5]

lj>kb

[@dpistons149]

He’s quit playing defense

[@jerseytwin2]

He's not that great of a on ball defender but he's an amazing help defender

[@ballerbaby5967]

are we watching 2 different videos, someone please show this guy a full playoff game the most recent playoffs, any game.

[@jordanwouldwinmoreringsinl6494]

Myth - LeBron is an elite defender and can guard 1-5 well Reality - LeBron has been outscored in 4 of 8 NBA Finals by the other team's top perimeter scorer 2007 Parker 2011 Terry 2012 Durant 2017 Durant In all of these 4 instances, the player that outscored LeBron increased their Finals PPG and FG% against LeBron compared to their regular season and rounds 1-3 PPG and FG% averages. In 6 of 8 NBA Finals, the opposing teams top perimeter player increased BOTH their PPG and FG% in the Finals against LeBron compared to BOTH their regular season and Round 1-3 averages. 2007 Parker 2011 Terry 2012 Durant 2014 Leonard 2015 Iguodala 2017 Durant In the 2014 Finals, Leonard shot 65% when guarded by Lebron according to the ESPN article "MVP Leonard Does it All." This led to Leonard shooting the highest FG% of any Finals MVP in history at 61.2% FG. Up to 2017, Kevin Durant (6th - 55.2%) and Kawhi Leonard (8th - 55.0%) are both in the top 8 all-time for highest FG% for an NBA Finals career. Both have played in 2 NBA Finals apiece, and all of their NBA Finals games came against LeBron's vastly overrated defense. LeBron evidently has far too much trouble guarding his own position let alone guarding all 5 positions. Even in the year LeBron was supposedly "robbed" of DPOY he was badly lit up by Paul George in the 2013 ECF, who only had 17 ppg on 42% in the season and shot 40% for Rounds 1-2 combined. like the aforementioned players, his PPG/FG% increased in his ECF series against LeBron compared to his season and Rounds 1-2 averages. pbs.twimg.com/media/BLN22gOCYAAXLoV.jpg Lebron was also outscored by Paul George in the 2014 ECF. There are many other examples of Lebrons vastly overrated defense being exposed but not near enough time to list them in one post.

[@bigenough7051]

Jordan Would Win More Rings in LeBron's Shoes Very well structured point, now can you give me an objective opinion on this player LeBron James' defense and offense? Let's talk about the things beside finals record. How would you rank this player?

[@jordanwouldwinmoreringsinl6494]

Top 5 all-time and best at his position all-time

[@tylerlucasj]

There's only one guy that goes under Lebron videos and shits on him and it's that "Nobody touches Jordan" clown. You got burner accounts to spread your Anti-LeBronism. Fuckin nerd.

[@TheTruth_StraightNoChase]

So basically future NBA HOFs( 2 of which are premier of the premier except for Terry who was excellent while LeBron was blowing ass for once in a finals) these players shot percentage went up within a much smaller sample size as compared to their regular season stats? 👍👍👍

[@silkyutters3137]

Maybe if you weren’t a jordan fan girl I would listen but.....

[@ypcali7963]

If he can play this defense today 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️ he only plays defense wen it counts

[@mcmerry2846]

LeBron Dynamo defense = 7 minutes video LeBron overrated defense = 40+ minutes of video

[@yungrebel54]

They said he didn't play defense tho smh

[@icompletelyagreewithu9989]

Blocked by james

[@bryanmartinez6643]

Curry still owns him

[@angelasimon6705]

Llll

[@frankskee6]

This man's on ball defense is bad, all of his defensive highlights were from getting beat & making a chasedown or help defense

[@geneleeplays8730]

how people might not admire his greatnest..