I still remember watching the 2019 NBA playoffs with that particular mix of professional curiosity and genuine fan excitement. There's something about postseason basketball that reveals players' true characters - the pressure either forges legends or exposes limitations. That year, we witnessed several athletes who didn't just perform well but genuinely dominated, leaving their mark on every game they played. What fascinates me about playoff leadership is how it manifests differently across players - some through scoring explosions, others through defensive mastery, and a special few through that intangible quality that elevates everyone around them.
Kawhi Leonard's performance that postseason was nothing short of historic, and I'd argue it ranks among the most complete playoff runs I've ever witnessed. His numbers tell part of the story - 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field - but they don't capture how he completely controlled games on both ends. I recall specifically game seven against Philadelphia, that iconic buzzer-beater that bounced four times before dropping through the net. Beyond that moment though, what impressed me was his consistency; he scored at least 25 points in 18 of 24 playoff games, demonstrating a level of sustained excellence that separates true leaders from flash-in-the-pan performers. His defensive prowess, which had already earned him Finals MVP honors years earlier, remained elite, often guarding the opposition's best player during crucial moments.
Stephen Curry's leadership took a different form - less about quiet dominance and more about explosive game-changing stretches that could demoralize entire teams. When Kevin Durant went down with his calf injury during the Western Conference semifinals, many wondered if Golden State could survive without him. What followed was Curry averaging 33.5 points in the four complete games without Durant during that playoff run, including a 33-point second half against Portland in game six of the Western Conference Finals that I still consider one of the most spectacular displays of shot-making I've seen. His gravity - the defensive attention he commands even without the ball - created opportunities for his teammates in ways that don't always show up in traditional stats. The spacing he provides is like nothing else in basketball, and during those playoffs, he mastered leveraging that attention to make everyone else better.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's 2019 postseason represented his arrival as a genuine superstar, though Milwaukee's conference finals exit showed there was still room for growth. His physical dominance was breathtaking - 25.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 49% - but what struck me was how he'd improved his decision-making from previous years. He seemed to understand better when to attack versus when to facilitate, though his limited shooting range became more exposed against Toronto's disciplined defense. Watching him evolve during those playoffs felt like witnessing a player on the cusp of something special, and we all know what happened just two seasons later. His leadership style was more by example than vocal direction, but his work ethic visibly inspired his teammates.
What connects these dominant performances to the concept of leadership that Bahay mentions in his quote about wanting teammates to "feel my leadership more" is the understanding that postseason success requires more than individual excellence. The best playoff leaders make their presence felt consistently, whether through scoring, defense, or intangible contributions. Damian Lillard's 50-point series-clinching shot over Paul George - complete with his wave goodbye - demonstrated another leadership quality: the willingness to embrace momentous pressure. His 26.9 points and 6.6 assists per game throughout the playoffs don't fully capture how he carried Portland emotionally, especially after losing Jusuf Nurkic to that gruesome leg injury late in the regular season.
Looking back, the 2019 playoffs highlighted how leadership manifests differently but remains essential for deep postseason runs. The statistical leaders - Leonard in scoring, Andre Drummond in rebounding despite Detroit's early exit, Nikola Jokić in assists - all contributed to their teams in ways that transcended numbers. Jokić in particular showed glimpses of the playoff performer he'd become, averaging 25.1 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 8.4 assists while leading Denver to the Western Conference semifinals. His unique style of leadership through brilliant passing and basketball IQ offered yet another model for how stars can elevate their teams when it matters most.
Reflecting on these performances five years later, what stands out is how each player's leadership style reflected their personality and skills. Leonard's quiet dominance, Curry's explosive brilliance, Antetokounmpo's physical overwhelm - each approach worked because it was authentic to who they were as players. That authenticity is what I believe Bahay was referring to when talking about making teammates feel his leadership. The 2019 playoffs demonstrated that while statistical production is essential, the greatest postseason leaders find ways to imprint their will on games through means both measurable and intangible. They don't just put up numbers - they define moments, elevate teammates, and leave an impression that lasts long after the final buzzer sounds.
