Whether it’s fair or unfair, star players are judged by the way they perform when the stakes are highest. Putting up big numbers from October through the beginning of April puts your name on the map, but the true great ones separate themselves in the playoffs.
The best of the best don’t just maintain their level of play in the playoffs, they raise it. Stars such as Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James are obvious names that come to mind here, but the same goes for players like Jimmy Butler, Donovan Mitchell and even Jamal Murray.
On the other hand are guys whose regular season success doesn’t translate to the playoffs at the same level.