Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James is many things, but “clutch shooter” is not one of the superstar’s attributes.
ESPN’s Marc Stein posted an intriguing stat about the severe lack of success the Cleveland Cavaliers star has managed in late-game situations throughout the last decade.
Late LeBron miss in Toronto left him 5-for-47 over last 10 seasons on game-tying or go-ahead FGs in last five seconds of fourth quarter & OT
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 29, 2016
Detractors will be quick to jump on Stein’s factoid as further proof that LeBron is simply overrated or an over-hyped media creation.
But this is a delicate conversation — one that most who have an established opinion on James may be unwilling to discuss critically. If you’re open to a thoughtful conversation, keep reading.
Something like a 5-of-47 shooting mark does not lie. You cannot debate that’s an ugly stat, no matter if LeBron is your favorite player. According to Basketball-Reference, he’s 1-of-5 in such situations so far this season.
However, it’s remarkably impressive James has only encountered 47 “clutch” shots during his last 10 seasons.
Consider that since the 2012 campaign began less than four years ago — this and all following shooting numbers per Basketball-Reference data — Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers) has hoisted 28 attempts, converting eight. Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets) sports a 9-of-33 clip.
But the execution of clutch shots isn’t the only number that matters.
During the 2014-15 regular season, Cleveland as a whole only attempted nine — nine! — meaningful field goals in the final 10 seconds. Of the nine teams that encountered at least 18 situations — again, double the Cavaliers’ total — six recorded 41 wins or fewer.
At an individual level, James’ most apt comparison is Carmelo Anthony, a fellow member of the 2003 draft class. The former Denver Nuggets leader and current New York Knicks star is 13-of-51 over the last decade.
Not only have they personally attempted approximately the same number of clutch shots, their teams are wildly similar. With James, the Cavs and Miami Heat launched 123 combined, while the Nuggets and Knicks — accounting for the midseason trade — have tossed up 116.
The primary objective of sports is to win, however.
Since 2006-07, Carmelo’s teams have 417 regular-season victories and advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs just twice, never reaching the NBA Finals. Conversely, LeBron’s squads have recorded 540 wins, six conference titles and two league championships.
LeBron isn’t always a clutch shooter. The numbers don’t lie. Then again, neither do James’ rings.