06-05-2009, 10:59 AM
<!--quoteo(post=42230:date=Jun 5 2009, 09:39 AM:name=Butcher)-->QUOTE (Butcher @ Jun 5 2009, 09:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Kobe Bryant's Free Throw percentages (career):
Regular season -- .840
Playoffs -- .812
Nobody is guarding you at the free throw line, so it doesn't really matter who the opponent is. It's just you, the crowd, and your thoughts. Seems as if Kobe had a magical "clutchiness" trait, certainly it would kick in at the free throw line during the playoffs.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah, but isn't the pressure just a tad higher in the playoffs, even if you're at the FT line? I'm kind of all over the place on this issue, but it's still clear to me that some players play better than others under pressure. What is the avg FT% for all players during the playoffs? I'd like to see relative stats. I also think that focusing on the elite players to prove/disprove "clutchness" is a waste of time because they're usually good regardless. I made a statement earlier in this thread which everyone ignored. Are situational stats simply meaningless? I'm not talking about the elites, but what about those average to above average players who DO perform in certain situations or environments (with RISP for example) at a higher level than their aggregate career averages? I think this can't be overlooked.
Regular season -- .840
Playoffs -- .812
Nobody is guarding you at the free throw line, so it doesn't really matter who the opponent is. It's just you, the crowd, and your thoughts. Seems as if Kobe had a magical "clutchiness" trait, certainly it would kick in at the free throw line during the playoffs.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah, but isn't the pressure just a tad higher in the playoffs, even if you're at the FT line? I'm kind of all over the place on this issue, but it's still clear to me that some players play better than others under pressure. What is the avg FT% for all players during the playoffs? I'd like to see relative stats. I also think that focusing on the elite players to prove/disprove "clutchness" is a waste of time because they're usually good regardless. I made a statement earlier in this thread which everyone ignored. Are situational stats simply meaningless? I'm not talking about the elites, but what about those average to above average players who DO perform in certain situations or environments (with RISP for example) at a higher level than their aggregate career averages? I think this can't be overlooked.