As the NBA playoffs creep closer and closer, some teams have begun to rest their starters, while others attempt to keep their foot on the gas for a final push. Whether or not their teams make a deep run in the postseason, the following is a list of players who you can expect to push the limit.
1. LeBron James
The King always seems to elevate his game in the postseason. Last year, on the Cleveland Cavaliers' road to the NBA Finals, James increased his scoring average from 25.3 points-per-game in the regular season to 30.1 in the playoffs, which led all players who advanced past the first round. He also averaged 11.3 rebounds and 8.5 assists in the 2015 postseason, the first of which was nearly double his regular season average.
In his ten playoff appearances, he has averaged more than 30 points-per-game four times. It took James a couple tries to get that extra playoff edge needed to take his game to the next level, but he found it. While he may not be the clutchest player in the playoffs, he elevates his game when it matters most. In last year's Finals, James led all players with averages of 35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 8.8 assists.
The Cavs are beginning to rest James, which is even more of an indication that he has already set his sights on the postseason. Just two games ahead of the Toronto Raptors atop the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers' season has not gone unscathed. Yet, the 31 year-old appears poised for yet another stellar postseason run. As the favorites to represent the East in The Finals for the second consecutive season, the Cavs will go only as far as The King leads them.
2. Draymond Green
The third leading scorer on the Golden State Warriors in the 2015 postseason, Green could be in for an even better postseason in 2016. In his third season in the NBA, Green turned a 11.7 points-per-game regular season average into 13.7 points-per-game in the playoffs. The triple-double threat also elevated his rebounding and ball distribution, averaging a double-double over the course of May and June. Green's sole triple-double of the 2015 postseason came on the final game of the year, a game in which the Warriors dispatched the Cavaliers 105-97 in Cleveland to seal the title.
Green was in foul trouble for a large portion of the playoffs last year, but his foul rate is down this season. He fouled out in two playoff games in 2015 and was whistled for five fouls on six other occasions. With age comes wisdom and it appears Green has learned how to stay out of foul trouble. The 26 year-old has fouled out in just one contest in the 2015-2016 season to this point. He has not been whistled for more than four fouls in a game since March 6. The playoffs are a whole different animal, but all signs point to Green inching closer to a monster postseason.
3.DeMar DeRozan
Averaging a season-high 25.5 points-per-game in the month of March, the Toronto Raptors' leading scorer will be key in making a deep postseason run. Last season, DeRozan drastically increased his scoring in March and continued that trend into April, before the Raptors were ridden out of the playoffs in short fashion.
This season it will, again, be up to the dynamic duo of DeRozan and Kyle Lowry to avoid another collapse. After an effective postseason in 2014, Lowry was struggled in the Raptors' four playoff games in 2015. DeRozan, on the other hand, has consistently brought his scoring along with him to the playoffs. While much will depend on Lowry's effectiveness as well as Jonas Valanciunas's impact in the post, it is the team's leading scorer who is most poised to guide the Raptors into later rounds.
4. Damian Lillard
The best point guard in the game who has yet to be named an All-Star, Lillard has led the Portland Trail Blazers to arguably the most shocking success story of the 2015-2016 season. Terry Stotts is a should-be Coach of the Year in the Western Conference. After losing every player in the starting lineup with the exception of Lillard this offseason, Stotts' Blazers are destined for the playoffs.
While C.J. McCollum has been an equal contributor, it is Lillard who is at the helm. The fourth-year guard is averaging a career-high 25.4 points-per-game. On a depleted Blazers team, the 25 year-old leads the team with a career-high 6.9 assists-per-game. Like DeRozan, Lillard's numbers have remained fairly constant once the postseason arrives. The only difference is that Lillard did not lead his team in scoring in either of his two postseason appearances. Rather, it was LaMarcus Aldridge who guided the Blazers during that time. Now, a new pair has emerged with Lillard having the upper hand over McCollum.
Motivated by two All-Star snubs, the Weber State graduate has always played with a chip on his shoulder. And let's not forget what he has shown he is capable of in the postseason.
5. Nicolas Batum
Lillard's former teammate has proved his worth in the previous two postseasons. Now with the Charlotte Hornets, Batum is the second option behind Kemba Walker. The small forward leads the team in assists and is right amongst the team's big men in rebounding. A triple-double threat, Batum increased his scoring, rebounding, and assist numbers in each of the last two playoffs with the Blazers.
He is now removed from the shadows of Lillard and Aldridge and, while Walker remains the top dog in Charlotte, Batum is a valuable wing player who should continue his trend into this year's Eastern Conference playoffs. In the month of March, the 27 year-old Frenchman has averaged a season-high 18.5 points-per-game. Whoever the Hornets' postseason opponent will be, their defense will need to be weary of the Hornets' weapon on the wing.