Who's Taking The Final Shot? Print E-mail
Written by Jeff Garcia   
Wednesday, 04 November 2009 00:00

Clutch.  In the NBA it means someone who isn't afraid to take the last shot for the win. The Spurs are no stranger to clutch players who will risk it all for the win.  Whether it be during the regular season or the playoffs, Spurs fans have been witness to some memorable clutch shots in Spurs history.

Today you will be the head coach for the Spurs in a close game situation.  You will have the choice between eight Spurs players, past and present, and I ask you this . . . with the game on the line, who do you want taking the last shot for the Spurs?

Here are the players for you to choose from.

Robert Horry: He established himself as a clutch shooter with the Rockets and Lakers but with the Spurs, he brought some dramatic endings.  He wasn't called "Big Shot Rob" for nothing and proved this against the Pistons in game five of the 2005 NBA Finals.

Roger Mason Jr.: What do the Clippers, Suns and Lakers all have in common?  All have been victims of Mason's clutch shooting.  One of his best clutch shots came against the Phoenix Suns on Christmas Day in 2009.  With seconds left, he made the Suns pay for leaving him wide open.

Steve Kerr: He hit clutch shots for the Bulls during their championship run and came up huge for the Spurs in game six of the the 2003 NBA playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks.

Stephen Jackson: Though his time with the Spurs was brief, during game six of the 2003 NBA Finals against the New Jersey Nets, he came up big with some clutch 3-point shooting to help the Spurs seal the series and win their second NBA title.

Tim Duncan: There is no doubt he is a low-post threat for any team playing against the Spurs, but Duncan isn't shy to take the shot when the game is on the line.  He proved this against the Seattle Supersonics in the 2005 NBA playoffs by hitting a layup to seal the win for the Spurs. He also hit a fall-away shot over Shaq in the 2004 NBA playoffs against the Lakers, though overshadowed by Derek Fisher's ".4" shot.  However, his most recent clutch performance was against the Suns in the 2008 NBA Playoffs.

Sean Elliott: All I have to say is "Memorial Day Miracle."

Manu Ginobili: He is controlled chaos on the court and has the ability to make the impossible possible. Manu Ginobili has given Spurs fans many reasons to yell his name in close games, but against the Phoenix Suns in game 1 of their series in the 2008 NBA Playoffs he proved once again you can trust him with the ball in close games.

James Silas: Before any of the recent clutch shooters for the Spurs, there was James Silas. He wasn't called "Captain Late" for nothing. Silas once said the following about his nickname, "I felt that my game was good for 48 minutes or however long I was on the floor, so I took offense at first, because I thought that it meant that I was only deadly at the end of the game. But it fit what I was about and I came to love it."   Even George Gervin said this of Silas in close games, "Give the ball to Jimmy Si and he'll get it done." If an NBA Hall of Famer like Gervin said this about Silas, then you know he was clutch.

It's the fourth quarter, there are only two seconds left in the game and the Spurs are down one.  You called a timeout and you're the drawing up the final play.  Who is taking the final shot for the Spurs?

Please leave us your comments and go vote on the poll.

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Who's Taking The Final Shot?
written by Chris Rinaldi, November 04, 2009
These clutch performances bring back great memories. Honorable mention: Chuck "Rifleman" Person. I think Robert Horry takes the cake, not just for his history of gamewinners, but for the improbable buckets he made for the Spurs in big spots.
BATMANU!
written by @fireb0x, November 04, 2009
Robert Horry is possibly the most clutch shooter who ever lived (MAYBE behind Jordan). The man has ice cold blood running through his veins.

Having said that, I don't know if I trust the ball in the hands of any Spurs more than BatManu! When he puts the ball up, you are more surprised if it DOESN'T go in.

I think it's a tie between Horry and Ginobili for me. Horry is just SO clutch.

...
written by mrxsports, November 04, 2009
I'm going with Manu and ability to get to the rim and draw fouls so if he misses the shot he can go to the line and win it there
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written by freezer13, November 04, 2009
This list brings back some good memories for sure (except for James Silas. He's before my time.) I love Tim Duncan and his somewhat surprising clutch shots from deep, but I don't think I'd put him number one. Roger Mason has hit big shots, but not in the playoffs yet. He's young though, so he has time to move up the list. I still think of Kerr hitting more big shots for the Bulls so I can't put him number one. I have no reason to question Ginobli or Elliott, but I have to stick with Robert Horry. He was nothing but clutch. I hated him for it when he was knocking them down with the Rockets and Lakers and loved watching him hit big ones for the Spurs. Gotta go with Big Shot Rob.
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written by Michael De Leon, November 04, 2009
Funny how the Suns find themselves on the wrong end of 3 of the above clips. I would have to say Manu though. That guy is unpredictable and whether he takes an outside shot, drives to the paint for a layup or drives and dishes to an open man, I want the ball in his hands.
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written by mrxsports, November 04, 2009
I was at the xmas day game with Mason's shot
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written by Dan Ehrlich, November 04, 2009
My initial reaction was Big Shot Rob. But having seen what mrxsports said about possibly drawing a foul and going to the line, I'd say it's a tie between Horry and Manu. Duncan is also very likely to draw a foul if passed the ball down low, but his free throw shooting are always a work in progress.
It's a tough one...
written by Robby21, November 04, 2009
Manu or Duncan would be fine... Manu has a lot of moves and can drive hard to the basket. TD is just clutch when the game is on the line. Can't decide between the two of them
mmmmm ...
written by MexiMedia, November 05, 2009
I would have to say it's a draw between Manu and Big Shot Rob.

If we're down 2 or 3, Horry get's the play.
If it's one or a tie, let Ginobili work his magic.


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