Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of?

Moderators: Clyde Frazier, Doctor MJ, trex_8063, penbeast0, PaulieWal

User avatar
giordunk
Assistant Coach
Posts: 3,798
And1: 522
Joined: Nov 19, 2007

Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#1 » by giordunk » Fri Jul 25, 2025 5:26 pm

Attention to who do you want the ball in the hands of - they don't have to take the shot, they just have to be the primary initiator of the play. So you can have Jokic/LeBron pass the ball to a teammate.

Let's assume they have an 'average' playoff caliber roster.

I'd go Kevin Durant, I think he's the guy who is the most capable of getting off any single shot in the NBA. If I'm down 1 in a high stakes situation I'd rather just get a solid shot attempt.
i like peanuts
User avatar
RCM88x
RealGM
Posts: 15,185
And1: 19,129
Joined: May 31, 2015
Location: Lebron Ball
     

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#2 » by RCM88x » Fri Jul 25, 2025 6:08 pm

Has KD ever hit a game winning buzzer beater in his entire career? I honestly can't think of any but I'm far from an encyclopedia on the topic. He wouldn't make my list, just don't trust his decision making or ball handling enough at all.

My choice would be Jordan, LeBron or Jerry West (for some older era love).

Elite shot creators but also good decision makers and known to be capable performers in those situations.
Image

LookToShoot wrote:Melo is the only player that makes the Rockets watchable for the basketball purists. Otherwise it would just be three point shots and pick n roll.
AStark1991
Freshman
Posts: 68
And1: 35
Joined: Apr 30, 2025
 

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#3 » by AStark1991 » Fri Jul 25, 2025 6:17 pm

“If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save a game, I’d choose Michael Jordan. If I had to choose a player to take a shot to save my life, I’d take Larry Bird.” That's a quote from Pat Riley. For that reason I'm going with Larry Legend.
User avatar
AEnigma
Assistant Coach
Posts: 4,120
And1: 5,959
Joined: Jul 24, 2022
 

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#4 » by AEnigma » Fri Jul 25, 2025 7:26 pm

Read on Twitter


I would also entertain Tyrese Haliburton based off these past two postseasons.
Ol Roy
Junior
Posts: 472
And1: 557
Joined: Dec 03, 2023

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#5 » by Ol Roy » Fri Jul 25, 2025 7:39 pm

Jordan gives you some flexibility. He can navigate his way to the basket with the best of them, or if the lane closes up, he can always pull up for a highly efficient jumper.

James might be the answer though. Less of a threat with the jumper, but even better at getting to the rim and probably more likely to draw a shooting foul.
KembaWalker
RealGM
Posts: 11,952
And1: 13,565
Joined: Dec 22, 2011
 

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#6 » by KembaWalker » Fri Jul 25, 2025 8:57 pm

anyone passing it to Ray Allen
clutchest player I've ever seen
Image
penbeast0
Senior Mod - NBA Player Comparisons
Senior Mod - NBA Player Comparisons
Posts: 30,209
And1: 9,795
Joined: Aug 14, 2004
Location: South Florida
 

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#7 » by penbeast0 » Sat Jul 26, 2025 3:14 am

History says, Robert Horry.
“Most people use statistics like a drunk man uses a lamppost; more for support than illumination,” Andrew Lang.
capfan33
Pro Prospect
Posts: 871
And1: 749
Joined: May 21, 2022
 

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#8 » by capfan33 » Sat Jul 26, 2025 3:36 am

Besides the usual Lebron/MJ picks, my choice might be Dirk.
OhayoKD
Head Coach
Posts: 6,038
And1: 3,924
Joined: Jun 22, 2022
 

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#9 » by OhayoKD » Sat Jul 26, 2025 5:16 am

AEnigma wrote:
Read on Twitter


I would also entertain Tyrese Haliburton based off these past two postseasons.

Lebron's perception would be alot better if his proponents weren't constantly restyling Michael Jordan arguments:

Spoiler:
2009 Cavaliers: +39.9
2013 Heat: +33.7
2011 Mavericks: +29.5
2007 Mavericks: +29.0
2006 Clippers: +27.1
2010 Cavaliers: +26.4
1998 Lakers: +26.2
1999 Magic: +25.7
2008 Cavaliers: +24.2
2004 Pacers: +23.4


#1, #5, and #8 on that list won a combined 1 of 14 games without him.
its my last message in this thread, but I just admit, that all the people, casual and analytical minds, more or less have consencus who has the weight of a rubberized duck. And its not JaivLLLL
User avatar
AEnigma
Assistant Coach
Posts: 4,120
And1: 5,959
Joined: Jul 24, 2022
 

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#10 » by AEnigma » Sat Jul 26, 2025 5:26 am

OhayoKD wrote:
AEnigma wrote:
Read on Twitter


I would also entertain Tyrese Haliburton based off these past two postseasons.

Lebron's perception would be alot better if his proponents weren't constantly restyling Michael Jordan arguments:

Spoiler:
2009 Cavaliers: +39.9
2013 Heat: +33.7
2011 Mavericks: +29.5
2007 Mavericks: +29.0
2006 Clippers: +27.1
2010 Cavaliers: +26.4
1998 Lakers: +26.2
1999 Magic: +25.7
2008 Cavaliers: +24.2
2004 Pacers: +23.4


#1, #5, and #8 on that list won a combined 1 of 14 games without him.

Only seeing two Finals teams in there does not exactly lend itself well to the thread question.
penbeast0
Senior Mod - NBA Player Comparisons
Senior Mod - NBA Player Comparisons
Posts: 30,209
And1: 9,795
Joined: Aug 14, 2004
Location: South Florida
 

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#11 » by penbeast0 » Sat Jul 26, 2025 6:30 am

Another one no one thinks of, James Silas, mainly for the nickname: Captain Late.
“Most people use statistics like a drunk man uses a lamppost; more for support than illumination,” Andrew Lang.
User avatar
FrodoBaggins
Sixth Man
Posts: 1,860
And1: 2,948
Joined: Dec 25, 2013

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#12 » by FrodoBaggins » Sat Jul 26, 2025 10:07 am

McHale in the post.
jdzimme3
Pro Prospect
Posts: 856
And1: 337
Joined: Oct 29, 2003

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#13 » by jdzimme3 » Sat Jul 26, 2025 5:50 pm

Jordan. Would like to have horry and ray allen on the floor with him as well.
SerialChiller
General Manager
Posts: 7,862
And1: 13,690
Joined: Jul 05, 2012

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#14 » by SerialChiller » Yesterday 2:30 am

Give me Wade. I just know he'll get around any defender with his speed/strength and is going to be aggressive and on the attack. He wouldn't settle for a 3 in that situation ever. He'll always either get a high quality look likely from in very close, force the defense to foul him on the drive, or find an open teammate after breaking down the defense. He even had the right mix of never being one to shrink or shy away from a big moment, while also being an unselfish player and gifted passer who I'd trust to make the right play.
Mavrelous
Forum Mod - Mavericks
Forum Mod - Mavericks
Posts: 19,241
And1: 17,010
Joined: Aug 20, 2020

Re: Final possession, down 1 - Who do you want the ball in the hands of? 

Post#15 » by Mavrelous » Today 6:23 am

If I have 20s on the clock, Jokic.
If I have 10s on the clock, MJ.
If it's a C&S, Horry or RayRay.
Defense wins draft lotteries!

Return to Player Comparisons