One of the attributes that define a great player is his ability to step up when it counts; in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. Some obvious names come to mind, MJ, Reggie, Larry Bird, etc. You can even throw Kobe in there. Here's the question: two minutes to go in the 4th, game tied: who do you give the ball to? It can be any player, past or present. Personally, I would give it to Michael but I think Reggie is a close second. However, Michael has made the shot when it mattered most- in the Finals.
my vote goes to nick the quick...second place goes to Sam "I am" Cassell....these boys got the balls to do it and the knack to drain the shot cold-blooded style
Kobe Bryant is an amazing clucth player. In the Lakers last meeting with the Kings, Shaq fouled out and Kobe had to carry the team. He was just amazing and got through all the double teams to lead them past Sacramento at home. Oh, wait. I hate Kobe Bryant!
Shooter1583, No Jordan pushed off when it counted the most and of course he got the call and that is just an example of his whole career. There are not that many Clutch players in the league anymore. Reggie Miller is the best right now
Clutch players 1. MJ 2. Reggie Miller 3. Bird 4. Dream 5. Kobe Bryant Choke players (who are considered stars): 1. Chris Webber 2. David Robinson 3. Scottie Quitten
Allen Iverson took a crummy team all the way to the finals and he almost single handily beat LA in one game. I remember thinking that was clutch. He was going nuts. Stockton. You know it's true to. When he wants to score he score on anyone.
John Starks, thanks for the 1993-94 championship Nick Anderson, thanks for the 1994-95 championship B
Past: these 3 are hard to seperate, MJ, Bird and West. But MJ did it more times with the league title on the line so--though I don't want to-- you have to go with him. Magic was a great player to have the ball in his hands in critical situations, even if he isn't a shooter near the caliber of the others above. Reggie is a great clutch shooter but you couldn't just hand it to him and tell him to score. He had to have his team set him up--as evidenced in his seminal moment to make history when Jordan/Pippen shut him down late in Game 7 with a trip to the finals on the line and the Pacers having the lead. Thus I don't think he deserves mention with the others. Preset: tough one as well. Probably Kobe. Carter looked to be the guy but has lost a lot of luster over the past 340 days or so, T-Mac hasn't even one a playoff game yet. Duncan is pretty clutch too--putting the ball in his hands with a few seconds left from about 10 feet out might be the best option going right now.
While I hate Jordan, obviously all-time he is the most clutch. But right now it's without a doubt Kobe (who I don't like either but I love his game). I mean does he ever freakin miss a last second shot (or at least one where jason kidd isn't smackin' him up side the head). He hit that one against charlotte that they said was late and then about 3 days later he had a last second shot that did count and he hit it. And basically from 2 minutes in he is money. DAMN THE LAKERS!
Anybody other than Jason Kidd. Watching him try to hit a big shot is very, very sad. I wouldn't put the ball in Duncan's hands either. The end of the Lakers game (biggest of the season for the Spurs) and last night against a decimated Sonics' frontcourt showed, imo of course, how mentally weak he is. I'm realizing that now. The unassuming confidence from his formative years in the league has been waning. If the Spurs don't land Jason Kidd, which I think they will btw, I could see him jumping ship to Orlando to team up with McGrady. Currently? Kobe. Not really another player that I can say I truly fear when they have the ball in their hands with the game on the line. Carter was approaching that level after his 2nd year in the league, but that was before he became self-absorbed in his own celebrity.
Bryant recieved more contact on his drive the previous possession. It wasn't just the one shot at the end. He missed, in succession, around 4 or 5 shots down the stretch. Maybe I'm reading too much into his mannerisms......but it just seems to me that he's come down with Kevin Garnett syndrome- amazing player who won't accept the carte blanche they have on the offensive end with the game on the line. With Duncan, I don't think it's a case of him being unwilling to take over......more a case of him just not being as successful at it lately. I'd rather have the ball in a guard's hands with the game on the line anyways (Bryant, Pierce, Iverson, etc...)... but that's more of a subjective issue.
