Clutch Time: Comparing LeBron to all-time greats

WASHINGTON – MAY 5: Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James #23 and Damon Jones #19 celebrates the win against the Washington Wizards in game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2006 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2006 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The Cavs won 114-113 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Final Shot:

Hitting the game-winning shot. This may be the biggest factor when talking about whether a player is clutch or not. This is what being clutch is all about.

Many believe that this is the one place where LeBron James falters. Critics say that he doesn’t have the “Killer instinct” to take and make the final shot. Well, then let’s see how LeBron stacks up against Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.

Player

Final 24 Seconds

Final 10 Seconds

Michael Jordan

9-18 (50%)

5-11 (45%)

Kobe Bryant

7-28 (25%)

5-22 (23%)

LeBron James

8-20 (40%)

6-11 (55%)

As you can see, LeBron shoots the best percentage with 10 seconds left and the second-best percentage in the final 24 seconds. It may be shocking to see that James shoots over 30% better from the field than Kobe Bryant when taking the last shot. However, the numbers do not lie. LeBron James is a player you can rely upon to make the game-winning shot. LeBron also has the same amount of game-winning buzzer beaters in the playoffs as Michael Jordan (3 Shots).