The Best Closer in the NBA right now is....

[laronprofit9]

I'd like to see video evidence of all of Kobe's missed game winners. It's hard to define what clutch is in terms of stats.

Clutch is something you see watching a game in crunch time. Not something you look for in box scores. I don't get why people are so obsessed with the statistical side of an aspect of basketball that is intangible by nature.

Clutch in all sports is usually something you see, feel, with intensity in the closing moments of a game or a critical moment that effects the outcome of a game. You can't put a measure on that with numbers, its something you get while watching a game. It is intangible.

Stop looking at hoopscast, gamecasts, and boxscores. Watch the games progress without checking a players boxscore after every single play they do.

[Andrewchos]

Well, its also silly to just watch a few clips and assume a player is capable of doing whatever you watched him do on a consistent basis. Yes Kobe has had a few notably clutch games but he also has an equal amount where he's stunk or missed the GWinner. He would still be near the top of my list for taking a last second shot but certainly knowing that information alters my opinion of him as a clutch player.

Right now if I need someone to take over in the 4th and get a win for me, I am definitely choosing DWade with his cape on.

[Ron Harper]

It's easy to recognize great closers without relying on stats.

As the game's end nears, and the play gets tighter, the great players get looser and play slower. Like Laron said, you can tell who is in control.


Kobe, Manu, Duncan, Jordan ...Those guys slow down their games while everyone else speeds up their game. Just very composed and calculated.

[magic1fan]

i've seen kobe save the lakers too many times to doubt him.

[Zeitgeister]

Point production per 48 minutes in 4th quarter or overtime, less than 2 minutes left, neither team ahead by more than 3 points

Lebron James 48.4 FG% ; 74.9 PTS
Kobe Bryant 46.7 FG% ; 63.7 PTS
Manu Ginobili 61.9 FG% ; 56.8 PTS
Dirk Nowitzki 37.0 FG% ; 54.1 PTS

[Zeitgeister]

Point production per 48 minutes in 4th quarter or overtime, less than 2 minutes left, neither team ahead by more than 3 points

Lebron James 48.4 FG% ; 74.9 PTS
Kobe Bryant 46.7 FG% ; 63.7 PTS
Manu Ginobili 61.9 FG% ; 56.8 PTS
Dirk Nowitzki 37.0 FG% ; 54.1 PTS

First off, is your username in homage of the band or something else? Second, I'm not a big fan of the closer label in basketball.

[SuigintouEV]

Forget stats....I want the ball in Kobe's hand

Controlled variable - either

1) No gasol, odom, bynum, to grab his wild misses and stick the offensive board
Or in the case of a certain suns game, no artest to grab the airball.
2) Every other player gets kobe's front court.

[THROWBACK_91]

Hedo

[Silverballer]

Forget stats....I want the ball in Kobe's hand

Controlled variable - either

1) No gasol, odom, bynum, to grab his wild misses and stick the offensive board
Or in the case of a certain suns game, no artest to grab the airball.
2) Every other player gets kobe's front court.

oh, selective memory