“Was Scared Sh**less”: Kevin Durant On What It Was to Face Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant in Clutch Time

When we get into the discussion of one of the most clutch players of all time, names like Reggie Miller, Jerry West, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and now LeBron James ring to our ears. This is a largely debatable topic and we can all have our own list of Top 10. 

Clutch performance is very important, given that most NBA games are very closely fought. The last five minutes of 4th quarter or OT are crucial. In fact, that moment in the game when scores are almost tied, and a player has the possession of the ball with 24 seconds remaining, that’s the decisive clutch moment. 

Put this question around the best clutch player on the table of two-time NBA Champion Kevin Durant, and he has a clear as crystal answer to it. 

Kevin Durant picks his best clutch player

KD recently gave an interview for a podcast. He talked about his future, his business, LeBron James, and other issues important to him. He also participated in a small rapid-fire where he was asked about his favorite clutch money player. The Slim Reaper took no more than two seconds to say, “Kobe, I was scared sh*tless of Kobe Bryant late in games.”

Now the 6’10” star is a legend in his own league, and he took The Black Mamba’s name out of so many players he could’ve considered. 

The two men played against each other a total of 36 times. Kobe Bryant leads the victories 14-11 in the regular games while KD leads 6-5 in the playoffs. Also, Kevin Durant beats Kobe when we compare the rebounding because that is Kevin’s strength. In their careers, Kobe dominated in the beginning while Durant dominated in their final meetings.

Kobe Bryant and his clutch time magic!

The Black Mamba’s clutch shot percentage remained 33.8% (97/287). It is a class in itself, given the enormity in those situations. If we compare the likes of Kobe Bryant with LeBron James, we will find, statistically, Bron beats Kobe. The Mamba averaged 3.5 points on 39.3% shooting and 29.2% from the downtown against The Akron Hammer’s 3.7 points on 46.8% shooting and 32.5% from behind the arc (until last year). 

But many other factors also come into play as we define a better clutch player. It is not always about the shooting but also about playmaking and other intangible technicalities. So KD’s choice of Kobe must very correctly make perfect sense to him and many others too. 

We have seen many such moments when his side (Lakers) trusted in Kobe to take that last shot. That last dance.

Read also – “The Next Jordan”: Kevin Durant Remembers the First Time When He Heard about LeBron James