Evenard M. Panes
Spennies
Sports InsiderLeBron James is More Clutch than, Kobe? You Better Believe It!
January 31st 2008 12:25
LeBron James beating the Trail Blazers today with this game basket. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
Er, remember the time back in the day when the clutch abilities of LeBron James was constantly questioned, including this space? Well, if you haven’t checked into the NBA lately, things have most definitely changed towards the direction of the King.
LeBron leads the league in average points scored in the fourth quarter, with the Cleveland Cavaliers being the best come-from-behind team in the league. Yes, there are a number of inappropriate jokes we could have made in the previous sentence – but we’re too classy for the gutter.
In today’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers for instance, the Cavs were constantly on the back-foot and looked to be in danger of dropping a game against a very good opponent.
Then the unthinkable happened. James got riled by a Portland fan and then got postal on his opponents, scoring 17 final quarter points, which was two more then the entire Blazer squad. The cherry on top: Hitting the game winning lay-up, whilst making it looking like a stroll through the park. Most impressive of all, Bron-Bron made Brandon Roy look second rate when he was locking him down in the fourth.
Generally speaking, Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is seen to be the most deadly player with the game on the line, but again, James put paid to that general belief when their teams met last weekend.
Want some hardcore facts to back up our questioning of Kobe’s lack of clutch-ness? During the Cavs 98-95 win, King James dropped 14 in the fourth, with six in the final minute-and-a-half. Not only that, he was going against Bryant, with the Bean looking like the deer in the headlights when the game was to be won. Oh, yeah, in contrast, Kobe missed six of his seven attempts in the quarter where legends are made.
The final play from the Lakers had Bryant handling the ball needing a three – he ended up passing it to Luke Walton, who gave it back to the Bean, and the shot was always going to be weak.
James spent the offseason improving his jumper, and it killed the Blazers in the fourth quarter today when he hit three consecutive 3-point baskets. Not only that, LeBron spends so much time going to the free-throw line, and was shaky last season down the stretch – now, he is money due to his offseason work.
Kobe might still be the most deadly assassin in the league, but there is a new King of clutch.
Today’s video is of one of the best individual performances last season in the playoffs, obviously featuring, LeBron.
| 76 |
| Vote |
Add Comments
