The Clutch...

[kevC]

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[NNpF]

I would have to agree with that.

It's always nice to have a player that can score when your team is down at the end of the game, but isn't it just important to score in the 1st quarter than it is the last?

Wouldn't it be nice if a player like Robert Horry play like he does in the clutch all the time? Or a player like Vince Carter to play in the playoffs like he does in the regular season?

[Jona]

Playing the clutch is completely different and much harder than playing regular quarters.

The ability to play (and well) under pressure that a few gifted individuals have, so IMHO, if you find yourself one of those players, he is a keeper.

[Kemp]

I still go for MJ to be the best clutch shooter ever because he is always consistent, especially hitting the game winning shot. I think it is the 2nd and 4th quarter that have the most impact on the game because you are trying to close out the first half and the end of game. MJ was there in those quarters, he average more than 10 points in those quarters by hitting clutch shot one after another. "Michael Jordan is on fire" - Marv Albert

[kevC]

I'm not doubting MJ's ability of being able to deliver in the clutch nor am I doubting the existence of the clutch. I'm just merely doubting the vast importance we put on the clutch.

[cklitsie]

I think 'clutch' players are overrated. If players don't score too much in the first three quarters, there would be no opportunity to deliver in the crunch time anyway.

[Kemp]

So is MJ overrated?

[Matthew]

Being clutch is still important. Being a winner is important. In the end stats only mean so much. What seperates Magic from a young penny hardaway? Winning. What seperates Kobe from McGrady? Winning. What seperates Shaq from Patrick Ewing? Winning. What seperates Duncan from KG? Winning.

Winning isnt everything, but when you think about why people play the game, it's a pretty big thing. Anyone can put up big numbers on a non-playoff team (Tmac on the magic in 2004). But to put up big numbers, make your teamates better and take your team on your shoulders when they need it is indeed a sign of greatness.

Winng is more important than stats. As much as I like Malone, theres no way I (or any serious fan) would rank him ahead of Bill Russell.

[MaD_hAND1e]

I would think being to play well under pressure is all about psychology. Under pressure, some players would think too much about "what if?" and that would hamper their ability, but some great players with the mental toughness would just play at their usual level or are capable of meeting that pressure and taking their game to a whole new level.

[Carmo]

So is MJ overrated?

mj wasnt just clutch though, he was everything basically

[Andrew]

Perhaps "the clutch" is overrated at times, but it does seperate the great players from the rest of the crowd. When you look at the guys considered to be "clutch", they can deliver at any time but always seem to rise to the occasion when in a pressure filled situation. I believe it's one of the defining characteristics of a great player, but hardly the only one.

[cklitsie]

I agree with Andrew, so maybe I stated it wrong.
I think player who do a lot of work in the first three quarters are underrated in comparison to players who are known as 'clutch'.

[LeBron17]

MJ=clutch.
Anyways,my friend is stupid he can play a bit,but in close and tough games,he always make important shots.
+ he ain't good ballhandler.He just get's through the traffic and makes akward shot,what usually is a basket!

[TheFranchiseKing]

Anyways,my friend is stupid he can play a bit,but in close and tough games,he always make important shots.
+ he ain't good ballhandler.He just get's through the traffic and makes akward shot,what usually is a basket!

Are you saying your friend is clutch?

[LeBron17]

Here where i live yes.NBA=no.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Here where i live yes.NBA=no.

So your friend does not live in the NBA? Interesting... j/k

Anyway, being able to perform under pressure, and sometimes actually being better under tough circumstances has to do with individual character and personal toughness. It's not that all of a sudden someone becomes a smoother shooter just becaus ethe clock is winding down, it's merely the fact that the 'clutch' player ( I hate that term, BTW, too much of an automotive reference... ) is gifted with the ability to maintain his poise and composure. Usually, this is followed by either a great determination to win or the exact opposite "winning isn't everything" mentality. In both these cases the individual virtually 'erases' fear as factor, for vastly different reasons ofcourse.

I actually took a group course-study at Universuty about people who thrive under pressure, and the above rant was pretty much the consensus, mosified of course to fit the current issue of basketball.

[Jackal]

I think he meant that in Estonia his friend is a considered a clutch shooter, if he were playing in the NBA however, he wouldn't be considered a clutch player, isn't that what you mean Heido?

Pity you wrote all of that Dweaver, I think Michael Jordan best explained taking a final shot (thus, making him clutch)...there's a 50% chance of it going in, or 50% chance of it falling out. Just take the shot.

[maes]

Clutch ability is a huge asset, but just making baskets when the score is close isn't what i define as "clutch". If i show up to work every day am i "clutch"?

To me clutch players go beyond and above their game in critical moments, and just hitting a jump shot isn't that impressive (unless you're dennis rodman...then it's always impressive).

For real clutch play, Horace Grant's last few minutes against the Phoenix for the championship still stands out. On an inbounds play (no fast break) Horace outran phoenix down the floor, drew in the defense and made a perfect assist to Pax. It was pure catch & shoot, not even a dribble, and Pax was wide open. Seconds later, Grant came from behind against KJ for a completely clean block. Now horace can not normally attack the basket with any threat, does not get assists, and is not much of a shot blocker (relatively speaking, he gets a few just by being 6' 10"). To give all that in the final moments of the championship game is clutch.

But just doing what you're supposed to at the end of the game, that's not clutch, that's just not being choker.

[J@3]

If i show up to work every day am i "clutch"?

I agree with what you were saying though, being clutch isn't just about hitting 3's at the buzzer. Unfortunately though, that's usually what tends to get remembered the most.

[cyanide]

If i show up to work every day am i "clutch"?

I agree with what you were saying though, being clutch isn't just about hitting 3's at the buzzer. Unfortunately though, that's usually what tends to get remembered the most.

lol @ maes' quote

I agree. I made a post somewhere that clutch doesn't necessarily mean hitting shots at the basket. It can mean last second steals, last second blocks, huge rebounds and big plays on a consistent basis, or at least a player known and relied to make the crucial plays. Jordan and Bird are two big clutch performers in all aspects that come to mind.

[air gordon]

Clutch ability is a huge asset, but just making baskets when the score is close isn't what i define as "clutch". If i show up to work every day am i "clutch"?

To me clutch players go beyond and above their game in critical moments, and just hitting a jump shot isn't that impressive (unless you're dennis rodman...then it's always impressive).

For real clutch play, Horace Grant's last few minutes against the Phoenix for the championship still stands out. On an inbounds play (no fast break) Horace outran phoenix down the floor, drew in the defense and made a perfect assist to Pax. It was pure catch & shoot, not even a dribble, and Pax was wide open. Seconds later, Grant came from behind against KJ for a completely clean block. Now horace can not normally attack the basket with any threat, does not get assists, and is not much of a shot blocker (relatively speaking, he gets a few just by being 6' 10"). To give all that in the final moments of the championship game is clutch.

But just doing what you're supposed to at the end of the game, that's not clutch, that's just not being choker.

i agree with everything except horace grant on offense...

phoenix had no business doubling grant in the post (especially off of paxson). they hadn't done it all series in the first place. i will say it was perfect execution by the bulls and great recognition on grant's part to find the open paxson

that block was great.. ahh good times

anywho..

making a shot or free throw when the score is tied in the 1st and 4th quarter are 2 different things...

[Sauru]

you guys may claim that being cluth is over rated, but take horry away from the lakers and they only got thier 1 ring.

[beau_boy04]

To me, being clutch is how bad you want to win a game/serie. Michael Jordan, Jerry West, Reggie Miller, Larry Bird are some of the names that comes to mind.

Last season, Ben Gordon was the clutch player for the Bulls on the 4th quarter. Players who can deliver during those crucial times are the best!

[cyanide]

you guys may claim that being cluth is over rated, but take horry away from the lakers and they only got thier 1 ring.

As always, Sauru makes a good point

Sacramento would've probably won it all if it wasn't for Horry sinking that crucial, crucial game winner in that one huge game.

[Andrew]

Can't argue with that. Clutch performances seperate the great players from the good ones, as does consistently coming through in the clutch. Perhaps a more accurate way of putting it would be to say a clutch performance can lead to a player being overrated.