Kobe's ability as a "closer" needs to be called out

So if they're just "ruled by emotion" why would they be more scared of Bryant with the ball in a close game than James? Why would the 'cold hard facts' be different than what coaches and players think? What do you think they see that is in conflict with the 'cold hard facts'? Seems like James gets more hype than anyone in the league - it would stand to reason that if the facts were on his side, that along with all that hype, he would be the most feared in clutch situations.

 

Only seen the first half so far. Boston is finally playing the kind of defense on him that they did in '08. Doing everything they can to keep him out of the paint. Bryant's teammates are failing to capitalize on that as evidenced by their sub-30 percent shooting despite a ton more attempts than Boston. Not sure why Boston didn't play D like that the entire series.

 

One reason is that Kobe has taken more game winning shots and few people seem to remember that he also misses a higher percentage of them.

Another reason that people talk so positively about Kobe could just be that they don't want to piss him off and risk getting embarrassed by Kobe dropping 50 points on them (even if it means his team would lose).

 

true that. the same applies to MJ.

Yet, in crunch time, these two are the best to take the shot. what sets them apart is that they're not afraid of taking the shot.

Peja, formerly of the Sacto Queens, are far superior shooter than either MJ and Kobe. but at crunch, he habitally chokes, as witness by his choke against the Lakers in WC series early this century

 

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9:36 of Kobe clutch shots for all the haters. :grin: