The three-most clutch players in Los Angeles Lakers history:
3. Jerry West
Jerry West had many nicknames. “Zeke from Cabin Creek”, “The Logo”, and of course, “Mr. Clutch”.
Could there possibly be a better nickname for someone?
West was one of the all-time greatest players. A cerebral athlete who knew the game well and had a deadly jump shot. It is fair to say that when he came along, he could have been perhaps the greatest player in the NBA.
Unfortunately, he only won one ring during his reign as he should have won more. He is remembered for many things but his last-second shot against the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals is one that stands out. West’s shot helped bring the game to overtime, where the Lakers would eventually lose.
2. Magic Johnson
Magic Johnson was one of the most clutch players of all time. When it came down to it, there was nothing he could not do as he was always in command and control of himself and the game at hand.
Magic was more than just a player. He was like a second coach on the floor. Pat Riley used to leave the command in Magic’s hands because he could rely on him to get it done on the court and be the commander in the game.
There has never been such a player who has had the type of talent and complete understanding of the game as a whole. I think that he may have been the greatest player to see the floor completely.
Magic has taken many last-second shots and been successful. For it was he who wanted the ball in the clutch. Magic was fearless and aggressive. Most famously was his hook shot against the Boston Celtics in the 1987 finals. Below are some of the many more.
1. Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant could be the personification of the word clutch. In my opinion, (And not because I feel he is the greatest player of all time) there was no one more clutch than he was during his reign.
The Black Mamba had the mind and moves to find a way to get open. He was quick and deadly. Kobe had too many game-winning shots to count. One more reason why Bryant will go down as one of the best.
The ball was always in his hands when it mattered most and he would not have had it any other way. He was similar to the great Michael Jordan in many ways, and wanting the ball in the clutch was just one more of the many.
Opponents knew who the ball was going to with the game on the line. They might call a time out and try their best to come up with a defensive scheme to stop him, but it really didn’t matter.