Kobe Bryant. Photo courtesy of sportsillustrated.cnn.com
By Brandi Hale
There was a recent article published regarding the NBA’s recent statistics on the league’s most impressive clutch players. In previous years, the title, ‘Mr. Clutch’ has been maintained by Kobe Bryant. However, with the recent release of general manager votes, critics are questioning Kobe Bryant’s status as a “clutch player”. Needless to say, everyone has their own opinion about their best ranked clutch player in the NBA, nonetheless the continuous debate suggests teams require a clutch player to be competitive.
In most situations a clutch is one that can close out the game. Now in the NBA, the clutch time is considered to be the last five minutes of the fourth quarter or in overtime. Typically the scores are neck to neck with a maximum of a five point score difference. The “clutch player” will demonstrate a high shooting average during this clutch time of the game. As the end comes closer, the clutch will exert endurance, tenacity, determination, focus, and drive. With everything on the line and in the final moments of crunch time, the clutch will carry the team to victory.
So You May Be Wondering What is a Clutch and How Does it Apply to You
Although your life is longer than four quarters of a basketball game, the same philosophy of the role of a clutch player can be identified in your life. Just as a clutch player, you may have someone or something in your life that you consider your clutch. It could be religion, a friend, a parent, a sibling, a person, or a belief. Most teens will say their clutch is someone or something that is near and dear to their heart or it could be the faith you possess in a higher power. Nevertheless, your clutch is your foundation in which your entire life is built upon.
What You Can Learn From the Clutch You Depend On
There are so many factors that can be learned from your clutch. Most teens will say they learn what it means to be dependable. It may be your clutch is always there in time of need or when nobody else is around to give you the support you need to carry on. It may be in those moments when you are afraid, unsure, scared, or self-conscious when your clutch will give you that edge you need to withstand an obstacle or challenge. It’s the sacrifices your clutch makes, the pressures they take on, and their willingness to surrender their own self-fulfillment and well-being for the betterment of another.
As you go through life and encounter new experiences, you may rely upon your clutch even more. As you develop more moments that are dependent upon your clutch, you will learn more and more about what it takes to be a closer. Who knows, you may be someone’s clutch someday!
