Top 5 currently in the NBA to me: Peja - As unclutch as they come. Watch him handle the ball like a hot potato during the end of the games. He cant seem to get rid of it fast enough. And if he is put in a position where he absolutely has to shoot it, expect an air ball or it barely grazing the rim. Kings would have had a ring if not for his annual choking. Mo Williams - Did he ever stink it up in the playoffs! If Lebron had any doubts about going to Miami, he probably erased it all. Kevin Martin - Smaller, lighter version of Peja. His shots in the 4th quarter lack confidence. Refs are not going to call the fouls like they do earlier in the game and here's an even scarier though...they might not call those at all during the playoffs when the games become more physical. Rashard Lewis - I think he is still recovering from that lottery diss Rockets laid on him years ago. This guy has a knack for disappearing in big games and playoffs. Get a little physical with him and you have taken him out of his game. Joe Johnson - He builds great hopes and nations during the regular season and then it all comes tumbling down once the playoffs role around. Honorable mentions.... Tracy McGrady - 0 for 7. The one time his team did make it through he was at home surfing Lakersground.net. Dirk Nowitzki - Dirk has had some great performance in playoffs like the series against the Spurs. But then he has also had some monumental choke jobs, such as the missed FTs and the choke in the finals, the 1st round exit as a MVP at the hand of 8th seed after his team won 70+ games (Warriors and Nellie shut him down, which resulted in a public whining by Cuban), and also 4th quarter melt-down against the Hornets. Look, if your owner has to publicly come out to defend your poor performance and all he has to say is that the opposite coach was the reason why, it's looking pretty bad. He is a mixed bag.
Martin is definitely up there, probably first. Peja, back when he was an MVP candidate type guy, he was the most unclutch top player in the nba. Could never hit the big shot
our bench is unclutch...all game long.... I don't mind if our unclutch player hits 31 points. Our other guys really have to step up and help Martin and Scola!! How can they be focus in the 4th when they carry our team for 3 quarters?? Just when they rest for a moment, our bench lost the lead that they built in no time! So immediately they are thrown back in the game without much rest. And Adelman is reluctant to put back his bench in the 4th because fear of losing the lead, although the starters are tired..
you know, if RA wanted KM to be our closer, KM would be our closer, simple as that, if KM isn't instructed to take over the offense, he won't do it, it's not his fault
This thread is almost comical. When the Rockets start winning all you "unclutch" whistle blowers will swollow that whistle.
I do not think BEING CLUTCH deserves all the accolades its gets most the time. As in, I don't think a clutch performer goes "off the charts", I think 'clutch' is more a player keeping his level of competence and retaining his poise. Its trait about having GUTS more than it is about TALENT. THOUGH, like in most things, I very much think its easier to RUIN something by shying away. You will never be clutch when you're timid. Its just as important to identify guys you CAN'T count on along with identifying ones you CAN
He does tend to choke in the 4th, but he's pretty valuable the other 3 quarters. Besides who are we gonna sub in? Cortney Lee?? The guy missed two free-throws against the Spurs to end the game. We'll get it together... in the meantime I hope Ish Smith steps up his game! He's been a no show after pre-season.
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i agree, he has no idea what he's talking about and hasnt watched many dirk games... probably just going along with popular opinion and not much else. dirk is clutch
Why is it a scary thought that refs don't call as many fouls in the playoffs? Kevin Martin will be at home watching on TV anyway.
Retired Remember his numbers are inferior in the playoffs, Jazz were briefly kings of first round exits, and even lost to teams that were supposed to beat. Cannot remember this guy hitting too many game winners. Ring chasers (only applies to all-star players) in general. John Starks and Game 7s (Every Game 7 in the 94 playoffs he managed to shoot no better than 31%, shot 5/16 against the Pacers, shot 2/11 against the Bulls, and the notorious 2/18 against the Knicks). Dan Marjerle against the Rockets Active Mo Williams - Weak playoff performances and almost none factor in many of the games. I don't think he hits alot of nerve-racking shots in the 4th quarter Carlos Boozer - Outside of the 2007 playoffs, he hasn't really lit the playoffs up. Also, he is kind of in the background at the end of games. Shaquille O"Neal (in the very end of games for his entire career) - His atrocious free throw shooting kept alot of teams in the game. Though, he is unstoppable for 3 and 1/2 periods.
