Who Has the Most Clutch Shots in NBA History?
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We all know that certain players come up big in the clutch. But who has the most clutch shots in NBA history? Check out our list to find out.
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is often considered the greatest basketball player of all time. He was known for his clutch shooting, which is the ability to make shots when the game is on the line. Let’s take a look at some of the most clutch shots in NBA history.
The Shot
In the 1988 NBA Playoffs, the Chicago Bulls were up against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. The Cavaliers were a better team, and the Bulls were down 2-0 in the series. In Game 3, with time running out, Jordan made “The Shot”: a jump shot that gave the Bulls a 103-102 lead with seconds remaining. The Cavaliers tried to score, but failed, and the Bulls won the game. This clutch shot is considered one of the greatest moments in NBA history.
The Flu Game
During the 1997 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan displayed one of the most clutch performances in NBA history. Despite being severely ill with the flu, Jordan scored 38 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to victory over the Utah Jazz in Game 5. The Bulls went on to win the series in six games.
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant, also known as the Black Mamba, is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. He was known for his clutch shots and his will to win. Let’s take a look at some of his most clutch shots in NBA history.
The Shot
In the 2006 playoffs, Kobe Bryant hit a game-winning jump shot against the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the Western Conference first round. The Suns were leading the series 2-1 at the time, but the Lakers went on to win that series in seven games.
This shot was significant not only because it helped the Lakers advance in the playoffs, but also because it cemented Kobe’s reputation as a clutch player.
Since then, Kobe has hit numerous other clutch shots, including a game-winner against the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA Finals. He also hit a buzzer-beater to beat the Detroit Pistons in 2008, and he hit another game-winner against the Boston Celtics in 2010.
Kobe’s ability to hit big shots in pressure situations is one of the reasons why he is considered one of the greatest players of all time.
The Fadeaway
Kobe Bryant’s fadeaway is one of the most unstoppable shots in NBA history. With his size, strength, and agility, Kobe can create space against any defender and get his shot off over them. His fadeaway is so deadly because he has the ability to shoot it with such a high degree of accuracy from anywhere on the court.
Kobe’s fadeaway has been a integral part of his game since he entered the league, and it has become even more effective as he has gotten older and lost some of his athleticism. It is now one of the go-to shots in his repertoire, and he has used it to score some of the most clutch baskets in NBA history.
LeBron James
When it comes to clutch shots, LeBron James is the king. From game-winning buzzer beaters to dagger three-pointers, James has done it all. But which shot was the most clutch of them all? Let’s take a look at some of LeBron’s most clutch moments and find out.
The Block
In the final moments of Game 7 the score was tied at 89. LeBron had the ball and was being guarded by Andre Iguodala, one of the best defenders in the league. Iguodala was playing LeBron tough, but LeBron used his size and strength to back Iguodala down into the paint. As LeBron went up for a jumper, Iguodala jumped to contest the shot and…LeBron blocked him! The crowd went crazy and LeBron had one of the most clutch blocks in NBA history.
The Shot
In the final seconds of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron James hit a three-pointer that will go down as one of the most clutch shots in NBA history. The shot gave the Cleveland Cavaliers a lead they would never relinquish, and helped James cement his legacy as one of the greatest players of all time.
Since that clutch shot, there have been many debates about who has the most clutch shots in NBA history. Some say it’s LeBron James, while others argue it’s Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan.
There’s no definitive answer, but one thing is for sure: LeBron James has hit some of the most clutch shots in NBA history. Here are five of his most memorable buzzer-beaters:
1. Against the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the 2018 first round playoffs, LeBron hit a game-winning buzzer-beater to give the Cavaliers a 3-2 series lead.
2. In Game 2 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron hit a game-tying three-pointer with 49 seconds left in regulation, then proceeded to block Indiana’s Victor Oladipo’s shot attempt at the buzzer to send the game into overtime. The Cavaliers went on to win in overtime, 111-102.
3. In Game 1 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron hit a game-tying three-pointer with 2.2 seconds left in regulation to force overtime against the Atlanta Hawks. The Cavaliers went on to win in overtime, 118-115.
4. In Game 6 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals, LeBron hit a game-winning jumper over Indiana’s Paul George to force a seventh and deciding game against the Pacers. The Cavaliers went on to win Game 7, 93-90.
5. And of course, there is The Shot againstGolden State in 2016 that we mentioned earlier. With 48 seconds left and his team down by one point, LeBron drove to the basket and was met by Warriors’ forward Andre Iguodala. Instead of trying to finish at the rim or kicking it out to an open teammate, LeBron pulled up from three and drilled it over Iguodala’s outstretched arm to give his team a lead they would never relinquish en route to an NBA title.
