JBOMB Basketball Blog

Have you ever wondered why people hate Starbury a lot? It’s because he has the worst value for money player in the NBA – He is paid a lotta dough, with questionable performance (and professionalism) – Sorry, Stephon!

On the contrary, I found the top 10 list of NBA players that shine in the 4th quarters, and often be the rock star of the game result changing – and deserved to be paid more (lucky for the NBA teams that contract them!).

Here is the list, consisting of 4 guards, 4 forwards, and 2 centers.

Please note, the percentage of shots that were made during the last five minutes of the fourth quarter and in overtime last season when neither team was ahead by more than five points.

Guards

1. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
   Clutch-time shooting percentage: 57.4, 2007-08 pay: $9.1 million, age/years in league: 31/6
2. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
   Clutch-time shooting percentage: 50.8, 2007-08 pay: $11.4 million, age/years in league: 34/12
3. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
   Clutch-time shooting percentage: 44.8, 2007-08 pay: $19.5 million, Age/years in league: 30/12
4. Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia Sixers
   Clutch-time shooting percentage: 48.5, 2007-08 pay: $2.8 million, Age/years in league: 25/4

Forwards

1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
   Clutch-time shooting percentage: 47.5, 2007-08 pay: $13 million, Age/years in league: 23/5
2. Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic
   Clutch-time shooting percentage: 40.2, 2007-08 pay: $6.4 million, Age/years in league: 29/8
3. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
   Clutch-time shooting percentage: 42.2, 2007-08 pay: $16.4 million, Age/years in league: 30/10
4. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
   Clutch-time shooting percentage: 50.0, 2007-08 pay: $13.8 million, Age/years in league: 26/6

Centers

1. Al Jefferson, Minnesota Timberwolves
   Clutch-time shooting percentage: 47.5, 2007-08 pay: $2.5 million, Age/years in league: 23/4
2. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
   Clutch-time shooting percentage: 48.8, 2007-08 pay: $13.8 million, Age/years in league: 28/6

My best value for money clutch NBA player is Manu Ginobili. Sorry, LeBron – he is THE REAL showstopper. And he is paid below $10 million a year – cheap for such important contribution. And he is the vital part that won NBA titles for the Spurs. Period.

Image by ESPN.com.