ambchang
04-26-2011, 02:02 PM
Kobe is well known as one of the clutchest players of all time, and to an extent, it is deserved. He has shown repeatedly to nail difficult shots at the end of close games, but what do the numbers say during the clutchest of the clutch moments?
From 2008 to 2010, the Lakers played in 4 elimination games:
2008 Game 6 vs. the Celtics - Lakers lost.
Kobe shot 7/22 for 22 points, had 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 TO. The second best performer on that team was Lamar Odom, with 14pts (2/8 shooting, 10 rebs and 5 asts
2009 Game 7 vs. the Rockets - Lakers won.
Kobe shot 4/12 for 14 points, had 7 rebounds, 5 asts, 1 TO. Pau Gasol had 21 (10 for 19), 18 rebounds and 1 assist.
2010 Game 6 vs. the Celtics - Lakers won.
Kobe shot 9/19 for 26 points, 11 rebs, 3 asts, 2 TOs. Pau Gasol had 17/13 and 9 on 6/14 shooting.
2010 Game 7 vs. the Celtics - Lakers won.
Kobe shot 6/24 for 23 points, 15 rebs, 2 asts, 4TOs. Pau Gasol had 19/18/4 on 6/16 shooting.
Overall, in 4 elimination games over the last 3 years (when the Lakers became relevant with Kobe as their clear-cut leader), Kobe has shot 38% from the field for 21.25 points (way below average), 9 rebounds (way above average, 2.75 asts (way below average), and 2.75 TOs (slightly below average).
Another side note is that in those 4 games, the Lakers only lost came when the 2nd best player on the team did not have a good game (Game 6 vs. the Celtics).
Even more interesting is that in those four games, the only lost came when the Lakers shot about the same amount of FTs than the other team (38 FTAs vs. 37 FTAs, or 3% more FTA than the other team).
In the other 3 games, the Lakers outshot the Rockets 18 to 14 (29% more FTAs), the Celtics 19 to 10 (90%), and again the Celtics 37 to 17 (118%) at the FT line when the Lakers usually shoot between 15 to 20% more FTs than the oppositions in the regular season throughout the year. I guess you can say the Lakers just know when to become aggressive in the game.
EDIT: Listed Game 7 instead of Game 6 in 2008 vs. the Celtics. Apparently the biggest error on this thread that people can nitpick on. Not really sure why nobody is responding on how Kobe has played poorly in almost all elimination games, and how the Lakers can only win elimination games when they have a significant advantage at the FT line.
From 2008 to 2010, the Lakers played in 4 elimination games:
2008 Game 6 vs. the Celtics - Lakers lost.
Kobe shot 7/22 for 22 points, had 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 TO. The second best performer on that team was Lamar Odom, with 14pts (2/8 shooting, 10 rebs and 5 asts
2009 Game 7 vs. the Rockets - Lakers won.
Kobe shot 4/12 for 14 points, had 7 rebounds, 5 asts, 1 TO. Pau Gasol had 21 (10 for 19), 18 rebounds and 1 assist.
2010 Game 6 vs. the Celtics - Lakers won.
Kobe shot 9/19 for 26 points, 11 rebs, 3 asts, 2 TOs. Pau Gasol had 17/13 and 9 on 6/14 shooting.
2010 Game 7 vs. the Celtics - Lakers won.
Kobe shot 6/24 for 23 points, 15 rebs, 2 asts, 4TOs. Pau Gasol had 19/18/4 on 6/16 shooting.
Overall, in 4 elimination games over the last 3 years (when the Lakers became relevant with Kobe as their clear-cut leader), Kobe has shot 38% from the field for 21.25 points (way below average), 9 rebounds (way above average, 2.75 asts (way below average), and 2.75 TOs (slightly below average).
Another side note is that in those 4 games, the Lakers only lost came when the 2nd best player on the team did not have a good game (Game 6 vs. the Celtics).
Even more interesting is that in those four games, the only lost came when the Lakers shot about the same amount of FTs than the other team (38 FTAs vs. 37 FTAs, or 3% more FTA than the other team).
In the other 3 games, the Lakers outshot the Rockets 18 to 14 (29% more FTAs), the Celtics 19 to 10 (90%), and again the Celtics 37 to 17 (118%) at the FT line when the Lakers usually shoot between 15 to 20% more FTs than the oppositions in the regular season throughout the year. I guess you can say the Lakers just know when to become aggressive in the game.
EDIT: Listed Game 7 instead of Game 6 in 2008 vs. the Celtics. Apparently the biggest error on this thread that people can nitpick on. Not really sure why nobody is responding on how Kobe has played poorly in almost all elimination games, and how the Lakers can only win elimination games when they have a significant advantage at the FT line.