“Top NBA Players’ Playoff Performances: Rising Stars and Playoff Proven Veterans”
The playoffs are where superstars shine brightest, but also where some falter under pressure. Players who dominate in the regular season sometimes struggle to replicate their success in the postseason. Take Bill from the Suns or Russell from the Lakers, for instance. If they had stepped up their game, the Lakers and Suns might not have been eliminated so quickly.
Russell, in particular, broke the Lakers’ franchise three-point record during the regular season and often showcased his skills on the court. However, facing the Nuggets in a playoff series exposed his vulnerabilities. In five games, he underperformed in three, with one embarrassing zero-point game. Russell is likely to be one of the Lakers’ first targets for offseason changes. On the other hand, some players thrive in the postseason. Scoring averages of 34 and 32 points per game! The NBA playoffs haven’t even finished the first round, yet these four players have already secured maximum contracts.
Thus far, the highest scorer in this year’s playoffs isn’t Doncic or Embiid but rather Brent, often underestimated by many. Despite losing Randall to injury towards the end of the regular season, Brent led his team to second place in the East. Facing the strong 76ers in the first round, Brent’s team took a 3-1 lead, showing promising signs of advancing.
Throughout the five games, Brent scored 40+ points twice and 39 points in another, performing exceptionally well in crucial moments. In addition to scoring, Brent also contributed 8.4 assists per game, crucial for a team like the Knicks with lower scoring averages. Despite only being with the Knicks for two years, Brent has already earned eligibility for an early contract extension this offseason, potentially signing a four-year, $156 million maximum deal. If Brent desires more, he could wait until next year for a five-year, $260 million supermax deal.
Brent’s stellar performance can be attributed to formidable opponents pushing him to his limits. Embiid averaged 31.8 points per game, even scoring 50 points in one game. However, the standout performer for the 76ers was their backcourt leader, Maxie. While Maxie was named an All-Star during this year’s regular season and earned the Most Improved Player award, his playoff performance overshadowed even Embiid’s. With averages of 32.4 points per game and standout performances, Maxie is now eligible for a $260 million maximum contract extension.
With only one year left on his contract, Murray, regardless of whether the Nuggets win the championship this year, needs to address his contract extension. Murray has proven his worth with averages of 23.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game in four playoff games. While his shooting percentage is lower than last year’s, Murray’s ability to perform in clutch moments is invaluable, with two potential game-winning shots in just five games. Murray’s partnership with Brent seems to be the best fit for the Knicks, as replacing him with another All-Star might not yield the same results. If the Nuggets aim to build a dynasty, securing Murray with a maximum contract extension is a top priority.
Lastly, there’s Chalro, last year’s Rookie of the Year winner, who led the Magic into the playoffs this season. Despite facing formidable big men like Allen and Mobley from the Cavaliers, Chalro’s talent surpassed them. In five games, Chalro scored 20+ points twice, 30+ points twice, and exploded for 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists in Game 5, despite the Magic’s loss. Not only does Chalro possess immense talent, but he also thrives in big moments. Whether or not the Magic advance this year, Chalro has evolved, showing a new level of understanding of the game. It’s no doubt that by next summer, the Magic will offer him a maximum contract without hesitation.