Each NBA Team's Most Clutch Player

It's nice when your team has a dominant scorer capable of changing a game quickly. It's even better when that scorer has a certain confidence, a clutch gene, that makes him a feared late-game presence every time he's on the court.

These clutch players draw the attention of defenses and are always relied upon to make or create open shots for teammates in the waning moments of crucial contests.

Here we present to you a breakdown of every NBA team's most clutch player.

Note: Stats in this article are accurate as of Tuesday, November 27th.

Atlanta Hawks

Jeff Teague

The answer to this question a year ago would have been Joe Johnson, but it's clear that Jeff Teague is the go-to guy down in Atlanta when the Hawks are in need of a big bucket.

Josh Smith, Al Horford and Lou Williams are all capable late-game performers, but Teague's fearlessness attacking the basket combined with his lethal three-point stroke have made him a legitimate crunch time threat.

So far this season, Teague is shooting 42.3 percent from three-point range, which is easily a career-high.

In addition to his career-highs in the shooting department Teague is doing a fantastic job of making the most of his late-game opportunities.

According to NBA.com Teague is knocking down 55 percent of his shots in the clutch (67 percent from three), while also producing around the rim.

Teague is getting to the rim at big moments, converting on 67 percent of his shots in the restricted area as well as 50 percent in the paint.

Boston Celtics

Paul Pierce

It seems like it would be unfair to leave a player nicknamed "The Truth" off of a list of clutch players.

Paul Pierce has hit a number of game-winners in his day, and he has earned the right to be the man with the ball in his hands late in games.

Although the addition of Jason Terry has given the Celtics an added dimension on the perimeter, Pierce is still the player you would most want to be taking a potential game-winner, especially in the postseason.

So far this season Pierce is converting on half of his three-point attempts in the clutch (via NBA.com), and he is producing a net player rating of 17.7 in the game's most crucial stages.

Brooklyn Nets

Deron Williams

The Brooklyn Nets have two clutch shooters in Joe Johnson and Deron Williams, although there seems to be a consensus regarding the most qualified player to take shots when the game is on the line.

While Johnson may be more of a threat from the perimeter, Williams has a more versatile game and a deadly crossover, one that can help free him up for open looks from mid-range.

The "Iso-Joe" experiment has not always been a success, and Williams is one of the elite players at this position in the NBA. With the game on the line, it's Williams' to lose.

However, a disturbing trend this season has been Williams' late-game inefficiency. According to NBA.com, Williams is just 1-of-8 shooting in 32 minutes in the clutch this season. A big reason for Williams' struggles may be that he's trying to force outside jumpers (0-of-5 from three) when he could be driving to the rim for easier conversions.

Charlotte Bobcats

Kemba Walker

Remember when Kemba Walker hit an absolutely filthy game-winner in the Big East Tournament after shaking Pittsburgh big man Gary McGhee with a lethal crossover?

Well, Walker is still making those exact same plays in the NBA, using his patented crossover and step-back jumper to strike fear into the hearts of opponents.

Walker is quickly becoming one of the NBA's most exciting young players on one of the league's surprisingly intriguing clubs.

Expect more highlights like these from Walker as the season goes on.

Chicago Bulls

Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose may be sidelined with an ACL injury, but he will always be the Chicago Bulls' most clutch scorer.

Rose has helped revolutionize the point guard position, playing a controlled-yet-unpredictable style that is an absolute nightmare for defenses to prepare for.

Luol Deng has performed admirably in Rose's absence, shouldering the scoring load to the tune of 17.2 points per game on 44.8 percent shooting.

If and when Rose returns this season, the Bulls will instantly become contenders for an Eastern Conference title.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Kyrie Irving

Despite recently suffering a broken finger, Kyrie Irving has been sensational in the 10 games he's seen action in this season.  

Irving's scoring average is up four points to 22.9 points per game, and he continues to shoot at a steady rate from the floor, converting on 46.3 percent of his field goals.

Irving has been a force since being drafted No.1 overall in the 2011 NBA Draft and is well on his way to leading a basketball revival in Cleveland.

Like LeBron James before him, Irving has the clutch gene, showing up at the most crucial moments for his young, exuberant team.

Dallas Mavericks

Dirk Nowitzki

The start of the 2012-13 season has deprived NBA fans of some superstar-caliber play, with players like Derrick Rose, Kyrie Irving, Dirk Nowitzki and Ricky Rubio all sidelined indefinitely throughout the early months of the season.

Nowitzki had a down year during the truncated 2011-12 season but earned his title as one of the game's most clutch scorers during the Mavericks' 2010-11 NBA title run.

The German sharpshooter's brilliant play in the NBA Finals will be remembered forever, as will his reputation as one of the game's most inventive scorers in the clutch.

Denver Nuggets

Ty Lawson

The Denver Nuggets don't have a conventional closer, instead relying on a platoon of talented role players to come up big in the clutch.

A case could be made for many of their players, specifically Andre Iguodala and Andre Miller, although neither is typically an option No. 1 on the offensive end.

Ty Lawson's game is based around his lightning-quick speed and agility, although his three-point shot can be a nice weapon at times.

Unfortunately, Lawson has faltered early on this season, shooting just 41.2 percent from the field and a meager 24.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Detroit Pistons

Greg Monroe

The Detroit Pistons and the term "clutch" have not been synonymous over the past few years, although they do have one player worthy of praise.

Georgetown alum Greg Monroe shoots over 50 percent for his career, piling up the majority of his points at the rim and between 3-9 feet. He uses his 6'11'', 250-pound frame to impose his will on inferior low-post opponents.

While the Pistons would like to see point guard Brandon Knight emerge as a heroic late-game player, it appears he's still a few years off.

Golden State Warriors

Stephen Curry

So long as his ankles don't shatter, Stephen Curry will remain one of the NBA's premier three-point shooters.

A 6'3'' point guard with a flawless outside stroke, Curry has recorded an effective field-goal percentage (via Hoopdata) of greater than 65 percent each of his first three years in the league, although he has gotten off to a lukewarm start this season.

Since ridding themselves of Monta Ellis, the Warriors have put the onus on Curry, who has the ability to knock down a flurry of big shots in a matter of minutes.

Houston Rockets

James Harden

Even when he was surrounded by offensive talents like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook during his days in Oklahoma City, James Harden was called upon to take big-boy shots in the clutch.

With a pure lefty three-point stroke, the lethal southpaw has established himself as the Rockets' go-to scorer and has proven his worth so far this season.

Scoring the ball at a rate of 25.2 points per game, Harden is firmly in the running for the NBA's scoring title.

Indiana Pacers

Danny Granger

Who knew the absence of Danny Granger would have such a profound impact on this Indiana Pacers ball club?

The Pacers' most offensively gifted wing, Granger not only helped give Frank Vogel's squad another dimension, but it freed up some of his teammates, most notably Paul George and Roy Hibbert, for easier looks.

Hibbert and George have both struggled mightily in the early going, and it's hard not to think that Granger's absence as an offensive constant has hurt their production.

Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul

Is it possible that by the end of the season we'll be calling Jamal Crawford the most clutch player on the Los Angeles Clippers?

While his early season performances have been encouraging, we still haven't seen enough from Crawford to make a valid argument for him over Chris Paul as the team's most clutch player.

Paul is the most complete point guard the game has to offer, and his clutch play goes beyond just his scoring abilities.

Constantly drawing the attention of opposing defenses, Paul uses his extraordinary court vision to pick apart defenses while freeing up his teammates for open looks.

According to NBA.com, Paul is being used on 38.6 percent of the Clippers' plays in the clutch, and is converting on 46 percent of his shots in the waning moments of games (50 percent from beyond the arc).

Los Angeles Lakers

Kobe Bryant

If there's one player who deserves to be on this list, it's Kobe Bryant. Arguably the most clutch shooter of all time, Bryant has hit big shots in every setting imaginable, whether it be a mundane regular season game or a decisive NBA Finals tilt.

The footage above speaks for itself, and what makes Kobe's game-winners all the more impressive is that they're accomplished in a variety of ways.

While several of Kobe's big moments have come via jumpers off of isolation, he has had some relentless moments, tearing down rebounds in order to preserve last-second possessions.

According to NBA.com, Bryant is being used on 43.3 percent of his team's plays in the clutch this season, and his offensive rating in the clutch is more than 10 percentage points above the league average at 137.2.

Memphis Grizzlies

Rudy Gay

Giving a freakishly athletic wing like Rudy Gay an improved jump shot spells disaster for opponents all over the NBA.

Gay has always been regarded as a freak athlete whose length and athleticism set him apart from the game's other perimeter players, but his complete offensive game makes him more lethal than ever.

The Memphis Grizzlies have never had a problem scoring on the interior, but Gay's improvement on the perimeter has given them a unique, balanced offense that has made them one of the Western Conference's few elite contenders.

Miami Heat

LeBron James

Remember when LeBron James was considered a soft crunch-time player? The talk was never-ending, as fans protested LeBron's inability to knock down shots and his propensity to defer to teammates in the waning seconds of games.

However, since putting on an absolute show in the 2012 NBA playoffs and the London Olympic Games, James has enjoyed the label of "clutch performer."

James' game has evolved to the point where he is no longer reliant on his jump shot as a primary method of scoring, instead choosing to use his powerful frame and refined post moves to forcefully pave his way to the basket.

According to NBA.com, James has been stellar so far this season in the clutch. The league's reigning MVP is shooting 63 percent from the floor in the clutch (50 percent from three-point range) in 35 "clutch" minutes this season.

James' plus/minus so far this season in those 35 minutes exceeds 43 (43.2), making him an undisputed clutch late-game performer.

Milwaukee Bucks

Brandon Jennings

Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings often have problems sharing the ball in the Bucks' talented backcourt, but if the game is on the line, Jennings is the guy Scott Skiles wants taking the shot.

Ellis tends to think very highly of his inconsistent and reckless game, and is a huge proponent of hero ball when it comes to late game situations.

Jennings, on the other hand, plays with a much more controlled demeanor, and is quietly having a very nice year. To date, Jennings has posted averages of 16.5 points and 7.2 assists in addition to a PER of 19.46.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Love

What do you get when you give the game's best rebounder who already possesses a full arsenal of post moves a never-ending range? The answer is Kevin Love, the NBA's most complete frontcourt player.

With an outside shot that he knocks down at a 36.8 percent clip for his career, Love can play the stretch 4 and 5, creating matchup problems for opponents all over the floor.

Since returning from a hand injury Love has looked like his usual productive self, posting 24.3 points and 14 rebounds per game, and will be called upon by Rick Adelman throughout the season to knock down big shots down the stretch as the T'Wolves look to lock up a playoff spot.

New Orleans Hornets

Anthony Davis

We have yet to see heroic efforts from Anthony Davis at the professional level, so this is more of an inference based on his overall talent and his college production.

Davis is still just 19 years old but his play thus far has indicated that the Hornets have a true monster in the making.

While Davis' offensive game is still evolving, his presence in the post on the defensive end is enough to make opponents think twice about driving into the lane in late-game situations.

New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony

Consider for a moment that Carmelo Anthony's best days may still be ahead of him. That's quite a scary proposition for every other team in the Eastern Conference.

Conventional Carmelo had always been dependent on isolations out on the perimeter, but reformed Carmelo has taken to his role as a stretch 4, using his strength in the post to complement his pretty jump shot.

With the power to body up smaller power forwards and the quickness to blow by slower small forwards, Carmelo has made himself into the complete offensive package.

Surprisingly, Carmelo's numbers this season (via NBA.com) in the clutch have not been as expected. Although it's a small sample size, Anthony is converting on just 14 percent of his crunch time looks, and his team's plus/minus rating with him on the floor is at an even zero.

Granted, the Knicks haven't played in many nail-biters this season, so as the season progresses look for those numbers to spike.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant

It's an indisputable fact that Kevin Durant is the most clutch player on the Oklahoma City Thunder, although teammate Russell Westbrook would beg to differ.

As a three-time NBA scoring champion Durant has earned the right to take the Thunder's biggest shots, and Westbrook will have to learn to deal with deferring to the more consistent, talented shooter in crunch time.

Durant's quick release, great size and elite vertical are all reasons why he's the NBA's most reliable jump shooter, and why he will continue to hold onto that title for years to come.

This season, Durant's three-point shooting numbers in the clutch have not been up to par. According to NBA.com, Durant has converted on just 2-of-7 three-pointers above the break (29 percent) although his numbers do jump when he's taking shots in the paint (63 percent).

Orlando Magic

J.J. Redick

There's nothing to suggest that any one player on the Orlando Magic has the clutch gene, so J.J. Redick is as good as it gets for Jacque Vaughn's bunch.  

Redick established himself as the greatest three-point shooter in the history of the NCAA during his time at Duke, and he continues to build a name for himself as he's seen his role grow over the past few seasons.

Redick is converting at just under 40 percent from three for his career, but has posted a career-best 46.2 percent shooting from the field thus far this season.

Philadelphia 76ers

Jrue Holiday

The last viable closer the Philadelphia 76ers could rely on was Allen Iverson. Sure Lou Williams was a nice piece, but his pump-fakes and fade-away jumpers out of isolation sets became predictable components of his repertoire.

Now, as the leader of this Sixer team, point guard Jrue Holiday has assumed the role of the clutch, late-game performer.

Holiday has played at an All-Star level so far this season, averaging 18.5 points and 9.1 assists per game, while shooting career bests from the floor (45 percent) and the three-point line (40.4 percent).

Holiday has made a living out of getting to the basket at crucial times this season, converting on 50 percent of his shots in the paint and the restricted area in the clutch (via NBA.com).

For Holiday to become a complete late-game threat he will need to improve his three-point stroke late in games, as he's missed every three-point attempt in the clutch this season (0-3).

Phoenix Suns

Goran Dragic

As a Phoenix Suns fan, one of the few players you would want to see with the ball in his hands during the waning seconds of the game is Goran Dragic.

The perpetually underrated Yugoslavian point guard plays like many of his international contemporaries in that he's a capable outside shooter who excels when he's slashing into the paint and attacking the rim.

While Michael Beasley apologists would love to see the former No. 2 overall pick take on more late-game responsibilities, they're Dragic's to lose.

Portland Trail Blazers

Nicolas Batum

The Portland Trail Blazers have an embarrassment of riches as far as potential talent goes, with Nicolas Batum, Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge all sustaining high levels of play this season.

In just a matter of years Lillard will likely be considered one of the game's most dynamic point guards, being discussed along with names like Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving.

For the time being, however, it's French forward Nicolas Batum who has proven to be the Blazers' most valuable late-game asset.

Batum's game-winning tip-in against the San Antonio Spurs (seen above) last year was just one example of the Frenchman's versatility, and his angular frame gives the Blazers an added dimension when they need it most.

Batum's late-game composure has also been evident on the defensive end, where he has come up with big-time stops on more than a few occasions.

Established as a valuable component of the Blazers' late-game plans, Batum has held down the fort in the clutch this season, knocking down 43 percent of his three-pointers above the break, which is nine points better than the league average.

Sacramento Kings

Tyreke Evans

Is there even a good answer to this one? The Sacramento Kings rarely put themselves in prime position to win games, and when it comes to winning close ones, there's typically very little hope.

A step in the right direction for the Kings would be some steady production out of former Rookie of the Year winner, Tyreke Evans, who has been incapable of finding consistency since his stellar rookie year.

Evans has all of the tools to be a go-to guy in late-game situations, but it's becoming increasingly clear that he will need a change of scenery before his production picks up again.

San Antonio Spurs

Manu Ginobili

Arguably the smartest player in the NBA on the league's smartest team, Manu Ginobili has proven to be a clutch performer on both ends of the floor.

An unselfish yet highly qualified offensive player, Ginobili has phenomenal instincts and great recognition that have been key in helping him read defenses and pick apart opponents.

In the clip above Ginobili not only steals the game on the offensive end, but he makes a heads-up play on defense to rob the Denver Nuggets of a win as time expires.

You'd be hard-pressed to find another player in the NBA who could make such heads-up plays on back-to-back possessions in the clutch.

This season, Ginobili is continuing his strong, late-game play. Converting on 67 percent of his looks in the restricted area and 40 percent of his three-pointers above the break, the Argentinian looks as fresh as ever.

Toronto Raptors

Kyle Lowry

The smallest player on the court can often be the most dangerous, especially in a league where diminutive guards are emerging as dominant presences.

Lowry is more of a scorer than a conventional pass-first point guard, but he's proven his worth already in his new home north of the border.

Lowry's PER has sky-rocketed to 24.6, more than eight points above his career average. Pacing the Raptors on the offensive end, Lowry has totaled 18.3 points per game this season.

Utah Jazz

Al Jefferson

The Utah Jazz are loaded with talented big men, but their backcourt lacks a dominant scoring presence.

Without a big-time guard they can rely on late, the Jazz are forced to lean on a front line that possesses their three best players.

Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors and Al Jefferson have all established themselves as reliable bigs, but Jefferson has been just slightly better in the clutch than some of his teammates to earn the title as his team's most clutch player.

Washington Wizards

John Wall

This designation is based on a combination of factors. For one, Wall still possesses the potential to become a dynamic, professional point guard. Second, the Washington Wizards lack clutch players, or even good ones, at nearly every position.

Wall's speed and crossover are a few of his positive qualities, but he'll need to improve his jump shot if he's going to raise his profile as a complete point guard.

While Wall continues to sit due to a knee injury the Wizards will be forced to rely on rookie Bradley Beal and the always-entertaining Jordan Crawford to come up with big shots.