Hmmm, so you would rather have the ball in Bryants hands than Reggie Miller's? How many game winners has Kobe hit (I'm not saying he hasn't hit any...I just don't know how many).
Yes, Reggie's effectiveness in the clutch is coming off screens and hitting the game winning shot. Rarely do you see him creating shots on his own. With 20 seconds left in a tight game, I'd choose to have the ball in Kobe's hands over anyone else in the NBA. Not only can he create for himself, but he can create for others as well. Now if you're talking about just taking and making the game winning shot, I'd probably choose Reggie, with Robert Horry, Kobe, or the Vince Carter of 1-2 years ago as honorable mentions. MJ, even at this age, would still be an excellent choice as well.
Reggie Miller is tough - normally, I don't really believe that some people elevate their game that much. After all, it seems odd that someone could perform that much *better* in a situation like that... makes one wonder why they don't play that way all the time. Rather, I think it's simply that "clutch" players don't do worse. Michael Jordan missed more last-second shots than he hit... but most people don't do that good. But Reggie Miller's made an uncanny # of buzzer beaters. Still, I'd rather Kobe have the ball... because he's a better player. And I would rather have my best player have the ball, than my most "clutch" player. Incidentally, Robert Horry has been mentioned here. I wonder how many of Horry's clutch shots have come off of plays designed for him. I'd wager very few, if any. Horry gets so many great last minute opportunites because the defense isn't keying in on him. If you gave him the ball, say over Bryant, consistently, the other team would figure it out... and Horrys' rep would be gone with the wind.
