Clutch Shooting Tough In NBA
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Much has been made about Miami Heat forward LeBron James' ability to seal the deal in the clutch and hit the big shot.
But, everyone in the NBA has trouble with the big shot in the clutch, even the supposed best in the business; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.
When the Lakers need a shot at the end, Kobe is going to have the ball. But as he gets to the twilight of his stellar career; his shot isn't falling at the same rate it used to in years past.
In the clutch, defined as the last five minutes of a game with five points or less the difference in score, Kobe Bryant is just 13-46. His 28 percent shooting in the clutch is one of the worst in the league.
For comparisons sake, LeBron is shooting 33 percent, Dwyane Wade is shooting 35 percent, and Chris Bosh is shooting 57 percent in the clutch, according to John Schuhmann of NBA.com. Overall, the league is shooting 42 percent in clutch time.
It gets worse for the Lakers and Bryant. According to NBA.com, Kobe gets to the free throw line just 37 out of 100 field goals attempted in clutch time this season.
Needless to say, when it comes to clutch time in the NBA, even the best struggle.
