It’s well known that one of the major attributes an NBA player (and every other athlete) must have is their clutchness. That’s what differentiates good players from stars and in recent seasons, it has taken more importance than ever before.
This season we have seen really good plays in crunch time, including go-ahead and game-winning shots that have caught the attention of a lot of people. Stars are more used to doing this than role players but it seems like some of them are struggling to get things going this campaign. Recently, Twitter account @NBACentral listed the worst FG% in the Clutch this campaign and there are some big names there.
- Derrick Rose – 18.2%
- Kemba Walker – 20%
- Dillon Brooks – 23.8%
- Kawhi Leonard – 28%
- Buddy Hield – 29.2%
- Brandon Ingram – 29.7%
- Lonzo Ball – 30%
- Malik Beasley – 30%
- Tyler Herro – 30.4%
Worst FG% in the Clutch this season
(Min. 20 FGA)
Derrick Rose – 18.2%
Kemba Walker – 20%
Dillon Brooks – 23.8%
Kawhi Leonard – 28%
Buddy Hield – 29.2%
Brandon Ingram – 29.7%
Lonzo Ball – 30%
Malik Beasley – 30%
Tyler Herro – 30.4%
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 1, 2021
As you can see, a player like Derrick Rose is struggling to make those shots when his Detroit Pistons and now New York Knicks need him, ranking first on this list with 18.2%. A star like Kemba Walker, who hasn’t had a very good season, ranks second (20%).
Kawhi Leonard, who made one of the most memorable shots in the playoffs two years ago, ranks 4th on this list, shooting 28% from the field. Brandon Ingram, one of the future stars of the league, is making 29.7% of his FGA this campaign, followed by his teammate Lonzo Ball with 30%.
NBA fans took notice of this and reacted to the list, going after certain players and defending others that didn’t appear there but have been labeled as not clutch.
https://twitter.com/JBsGoat/status/1366420911411376128
" I wouldn't trade tyler herro for james harden." lmaoo
— NBA Expert. (@WhatSeperatesU) March 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/SixersDee/status/1366421059461914624https://twitter.com/KevinBwenge/status/1366422129525325826https://twitter.com/sackedbyprez/status/1366422145266446336https://twitter.com/Ritcuh1/status/1366420886161551360
These players are struggling in the last moments of games!
— SGG Media (@SGG_hq) March 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/MetGoat/status/1366420685954899968
is this the kawhi leonard guy thats supposed to be more clutch than kobe bryant?
— legoatjames (@legoatj39793821) March 1, 2021
Kawhi is only here because no one else on his team can shoot the ball in the clutch so he takes all the shots!!
— cole (@cole4395) March 1, 2021
FG% is a terrible stat
— Pranav Sriraman (@PranavSriraman) March 1, 2021
https://twitter.com/PeakLuka/status/1366424547747069952https://twitter.com/SmushGoat/status/1366420804771209216https://twitter.com/MavsPlsWin/status/1366425918588215300
This is a very surprising list but it is what it is. Some of these players can improve these numbers and be better at it in the next seasons, but a lot of people believe you either have that clutch gene or not. Well, time will tell if these guys can get that and become the leaders of their teams in the future.
