Clutch Stats Playoff Edition (Kobe, LeBron, Ginobili, Wade)

[Jimmy76]

From what i can tell Kobe is the better career closer though in 2009 Lebron put up more points,assists,rebounds,steals in the clutch on better percentages. Kobe had less than half as many turnovers though which will kill you if the game is that close.

I can see Lebron being a better overall closer in 2009 but career wise i think you have to wait until they have both retired.

edit:wade was killied em both in 09 with his .999% TS

[CHIMOCHI]

Ginobli exposed as most clutch player in the league

[rrravenred]

For Ginobili, that's just his job, pretty much. He's Horry, with benefits

[MasterRyu]

I would say Jordan.

[Dupp]

how many "most cluth player" threads can we have

[semi-sentient]

how many "most cluth player" threads can we have

There is a difference between this thread and your random opinion/perception based "who's more clutch" or "who's the better closer" threads.

[Sedale Threatt]

Good stuff Markus.

What's going on, by the way?

[Nbafanatic]

To be fair with Kobe, I remember some games these past two seasons, when the Lakers was ahead by 10 to 15 points, then the other team start a comeback, and Kobe makes 2 ou 3 straight threes to really finish up he game, even with 8, 7, or 6 minutes to go. I consider this pretty cluch, even not entering the established criteria of the research.

[Nbafanatic]

Now I realized this is only the plyoffs. I was considering regular season.

[kooldude]

bump for nyknick87 and lebronscavs

Don't forget twenty23. He's a valuable contributor to realgm as well.

[FANOFNBA]

This really shouldn't be shocking to anyone who actually pays attention while they are watching the games.

yes most basketball fans understand this, but this new generation of kids who have never played any type of organized sports especially basketball will never understand the concepts of the game, especially on the defensive end, its always comical reading posts about defense, I love it when people think guys like chris paul are good defenders, or a few years ago it was AI.

[Phil Jackson]

Kobe Bryant






Manu Ginobili

dwyane wade
lebron james

[semi-sentient]

Good stuff Markus.

What's going on, by the way?

Eh, not a whole lot. Waiting for the season to start already. We need to catch a Lakers/Spurs game (or both) this season if you're up for it. Thinking back, I don't think I've been to a live game since 1990 (Magic to Scott for the game-winner at the buzzer). Would be cool to go with another Lakers fan since all my buddies down there are psycho Spurs fans.

[ElGee]

Good stuff Markus.

What's going on, by the way?

Eh, not a whole lot. Waiting for the season to start already. We need to catch a Lakers/Spurs game (or both) this season if you're up for it. Thinking back, I don't think I've been to a live game since 1990 (Magic to Scott for the game-winner at the buzzer). Would be cool to go with another Lakers fan since all my buddies down there are psycho Spurs fans.

That was a great game, and one that ended with my favorite Chick Hearn quote:

"I can't believe I do this for a living!"

[Andrewchos]

Kobe's had a few very nice clutch moments but his career FG% on last second shots is close to 25%. Jordan in comparison was around 55%

Personally if its a last second shot im going with Wade>Carmelo>Kobe.

Bryant is pretty good at those shots though so I wouldn't feel terrible having him take the shot either.

[Vincent 666]

Kobe's had a few very nice clutch moments but his career FG% on last second shots is close to 25%. Jordan in comparison was around 55%

P.

lie

[NO-KG-AI]

Kobe is valuable in those situations because you know you are at least getting a shot. he's not getting blocked, and he's not any less likely to make or miss it because of a double or good close out.

his low percentage is probably more a product of the fact that he can actually take a shot where another guy would be forced into a pass or a turnover. Is it always bad to pass up a contested shot for a teammate though? That's debatable, I think there are enough great shooters and scorers in the NBA to pass to so that you don't have to be predictable.

[Andrewchos]

I agree, that's why I said I wouldn't mind him taking that last second shot for my team.

Still, I would prefer Wade or Melo if I had the choice.

its pretty damn amazing how well Jordan did in those situations.. truly clutch.

[J08]

I agree, that's why I said I wouldn't mind him taking that last second shot for my team.

Still, I would prefer Wade or Melo if I had the choice.

its pretty damn amazing how well Jordan did in those situations.. truly clutch.

where are you getting your numbers for jordan at 55 % and kobe at 25%?

[ChuckTheD]

Kobe's the best closer of this era. That doesn't necessarily mean he's the best game winning shot maker though. I think the Phoenix series last year illustrated my point perfectly.

Game 5, last second situation. Kobe has so much confidence in his abilities that he takes a completely nonsensical double-clutch three pointer that falls a foot short. Luckily it was such a terrible shot that Artest caught it and put it back in.

Game 6, down the stretch. Lakers nursing a lead. Trying to put the Suns away. Time and time again Kobe delivered to give the Lakers the cushion they needed. Nash scored to cut it to 4? Kobe hits a fadeaway on the other end. Dragic scored a 3 to pull within 3? Kobe gets away from the double team and hits a 20 foot pull-up. Every time the Lakers needed a basket down the stretch, Kobe bailed them out.

Now obviously this example was kind of extreme. Kobe doesn't always take a stupid shot with 5 seconds left, and he also doesn't always bail his team out down the stretch. But I've been watching the guy for 12 years. And this seems to be a pattern.

P.S. Kobe's not even the best game winning shot maker on his team.