Looking back at the 2019 NBA playoffs, I still get chills remembering how certain players completely took over the game. As someone who’s analyzed basketball for over a decade, I’ve rarely seen such concentrated dominance from so many superstars at once. The scoring race alone was absolutely wild—Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, and Giannis Antetokounmpo weren’t just putting up numbers; they were redefining what it meant to lead under pressure. I’ve always believed that playoff performance separates the stars from the legends, and that year, we witnessed several players firmly plant their flags in the latter category.

Kawhi Leonard’s run with the Toronto Raptors was, in my opinion, one of the most impressive carry jobs in modern NBA history. He averaged 30.5 points per game throughout the playoffs, but that number doesn’t even begin to capture his impact. I remember watching him in the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Philadelphia—the series where he hit that iconic Game 7 buzzer-beater. His stat line was monstrous: over 34 points, 10 rebounds, and relentless defensive pressure night after night. What stood out to me wasn't just his scoring; it was his efficiency. He shot 49% from the field and nearly 38% from three-point range while consistently facing double-teams. That’s the mark of a true leader—someone who elevates their game when the stakes are highest. It reminds me of the mindset we see in rising leaders across the league, like Bahay, who recently emphasized, "I want my teammates to feel my leadership more, as it is what we need to play good basketball." Leonard embodied that. His quiet, lead-by-example approach galvanized that Raptors team in a way that stats can’t fully measure.

Then there was Kevin Durant, whose playoff run was tragically cut short by that Achilles injury in the Finals. Before he went down, he was on an absolute tear, averaging 32.3 points per game on a scorching 51% shooting from the field and 44% from deep. I’ll never forget his 46-point outburst against the Clippers in the first round—it felt like he was playing a different sport. Durant has this unique ability to score from anywhere, at any time, and his leadership, though different from Kawhi’s, was just as vital. He wasn’t just the Warriors’ safety valve; he was their engine in high-pressure moments. It’s fascinating to see how leadership styles vary. Some guys, like Bahay, are vocal about wanting to amplify their presence for the team’s benefit, while others, like Durant, lead through sheer, unanswerable excellence. Both approaches can work, but in the 2019 playoffs, Durant’s scoring prowess was nearly unstoppable until fate intervened.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was another force, though his Milwaukee Bucks fell short in the Eastern Conference Finals. He put up 25.5 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, using his physicality in ways that few players ever could. Watching him attack the rim was like seeing a hurricane in sneakers—just pure, unstoppable momentum. But here’s where I’ll get a bit critical: his lack of a reliable outside shot hurt the Bucks when it mattered most. Toronto’s defense, specifically their "wall" strategy, exposed that flaw. Still, his dominance in the paint and on the glass was a huge reason Milwaukee came so close. It makes you think about how young leaders develop. Giannis was already a superstar, but he was still learning how to lift his team in the playoffs—a challenge that every aspiring leader, including someone like Bahay, has to navigate. The playoffs are the ultimate classroom, and in 2019, Giannis was both student and spectacle.

Stephen Curry’s performance often gets overshadowed because of Durant’s brilliance and the Finals loss, but let’s not forget—he averaged 28.2 points and 6.0 assists while shooting over 44% from three-point range in the playoffs. Once Durant went down, Curry shouldered the offensive load almost single-handedly. In Game 3 of the Finals, he dropped 47 points, and I remember thinking, "This is why he’s a two-time MVP." His leadership isn’t as fiery as some others, but it’s incredibly effective. He leads with joy and confidence, and his gravitational pull on defenses creates opportunities for everyone. That’s the kind of effect that can’t be taught, and it’s something I hope young players like Bahay study. Leadership isn’t always about demanding the ball; sometimes, it’s about making everyone else better just by being on the court.

Damian Lillard deserves a special mention for his iconic series-ending three-pointer against Oklahoma City—a shot that literally ended the Thunder’s season. He averaged 26.9 points that postseason and showed the world what clutch gene really means. That shot wasn’t just a moment; it was a statement about leadership under pressure. Lillard has always been the heart and soul of the Trail Blazers, and in 2019, he proved why. His ability to take and make big shots lifts his entire team, much like how vocal leaders aim to inspire through words and action. When I hear Bahay talk about making his leadership felt, I think of players like Lillard, who blend skill with an unmistakable aura of control.

Looking back, the 2019 playoffs were a masterclass in leadership and scoring excellence. Kawhi’s two-way dominance, Durant’s offensive artistry, Giannis’s raw power, Curry’s gravitational influence, and Lillard’s clutch heroics each offered a different blueprint for leading a team. For me, the biggest takeaway is that there’s no one right way to lead—only the way that works for your team. As we see new leaders like Bahay step up, they’ll likely draw from these examples, blending their own style with lessons from the greats. The 2019 playoffs didn’t just crown a champion; they gave us a lasting lesson in what it means to lead when everything is on the line.