Top Clutch Performances of the Week
Our weekly look at some of the top clutch performances returns, only this time there's a twist. Instead of focusing strictly on live-game action, this time we're also looking at marquee free-agent signings.
With a shift in criteria comes a shift in the word clutch. From NBA players switching teams to amazing MLB and Wimbledon action, here are 10 examples of clutch that went down over the last seven days.
Mike Napoli Extends the Cleveland Indians' Streak
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Who: Cleveland Indians first baseman Mike Napoli
When: July 4
Fireworks came in the form of Mike Napoli's bat for the Cleveland Indians on July 4. At the peak of a 5-5 contest, Napoli blasted a two-run, go-ahead home run in the seventh inning in order to extend the Indians' winning streak over the Detroit Tigers to 10 games.
Napoli's 17 home runs and 55 RBI this season prove his power remains strong. He's been a big contributor for the 2016 Indians, and it’s a reason why the club remains atop the American League Central Division.
On a side note, clutch hitting from Napoli had to have been a lovely way for the Indians to celebrate America's birthday.
Golden State Warriors Sign Kevin Durant
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Who: Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant
When: July 4
The biggest fish lurking around the waters of NBA free agency was Kevin Durant. As a former NBA MVP and perhaps the most fluid scorer left in pro basketball, Durant's excursion into the open market was widely expected to shift the balance of power in the league.
When the Golden State Warriors laid claim to Durant's services, per KD himself on the Players' Tribune, the world shook. It was eerily similar to LeBron James bailing for South Beach in the summer of 2010.
Durant joining forces with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green creates a team worthy of grandiose labels, as Zach Lowe of ESPN.com explained. The sky is the limit from here on out.
Sam Querrey Stuns Novak Djokovic
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Who: Sam Querrey
When: July 2 vs. Novak Djokovic (Wimbledon)
Wimbledon saw one of its most majestic Cinderella stories come true when Sam Querrey prevailed over Novak Djokovic on July 2.
Querrey's two-day takedown of the world's top tennis player—the match was delayed—was shocking on so many fronts. USA Today's Nick McCarvel summed it up best, writing: "Querrey clearly is not is a bad tennis player, and Saturday afternoon he closed out the most improbable of wins against an opponent who hadn’t been defeated in Grand Slam tournament play in 30 consecutive matches."
As Wimbledon moves forward without Djokovic, the playing field is now deemed to be wide open, per Christopher Clarey of the New York Times. That can be directly correlated to Querrey's clutch performance.
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Jonas Hector Pushes Germany Forward
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Who: German defender Jonas Hector
When: July 2 vs. Italy (2016 UEFA European Championship)
The UEFA European Championship clash between Germany and Italy was decided by penalty kicks. Germany's Jonas Hector was responsible for his side prevailing, sinking the game-winner in a 6-5 shootout.
This match represented two teams giving everything they had in order to advance. Hector's clutch kick just happened to be the icing on the cake.
The Germans' win has moved them into the semifinal stage of the tournament, where they'll take on the host country of France on Thursday. Maybe Hector can step up once again.
San Antonio Spurs Land Pau Gasol
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Who: San Antonio Spurs forward Pau Gasol
When: July 4
Durant's blockbuster free-agent decision swept up all the headlines on July 4. But below sea level, the San Antonio Spurs went about their business and inked Pau Gasol to a deal, per Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical and Marc Stein of ESPN.
Gasol coming to San Antonio is a huge move for a team looking to retool after a tough playoff loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Now with 19-year veteran Tim Duncan on the verge of hanging up his kicks, according to Wojnarowski, the Gasol move becomes even more consequential to the Spurs' future plans.
Junior Guerra Blanks the Washington Nationals
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Who: Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Junior Guerra
When: July 4 vs. Washington Nationals
Junior Guerra has become an athlete you can't help but for root for this season. The 31-year-old rookie pitcher has turned an opportunity with the Milwaukee Brewers into a 6-1 record with a 2.93 ERA to bode.
He's been dominant on all fronts. The Washington Nationals learned that the hard way on July 4.
Guerra brought silence to the stadium, allowing two hits and zero runs in just over seven innings of play. He was sharp with his stuff, striking out seven hitters along the way.
It was a clutch performance that kept the Brewers 10 games under .500. Despite their team-wide struggles, Guerra has continued to make waves.
Hassan Whiteside Returns to South Beach
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Who: Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside
When: July 1
Hassan Whiteside might not have the universal pull of a Gasol or Durant, but that doesn't erase or lessen his value.
Whiteside returning to the Miami Heat was announced on Snapchat, as Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald tweeted. It proved to be big news for Heat fans.
The deal Pat Riley struck with the 27-year-old center was valued at $98 million over four years, per Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.
It's a tremendous haul for one of the NBA's top in-paint performers. Whiteside's average of 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game last season transformed him into a serious gamer.
Riley needed to get the Heat on the board. Re-signing Whiteside was a surefire way to achieve that feat.
Hal Robson-Kanu Helps Wales Stun Belgium
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Who: Wales winger Hal Robson-Kanu
When: July 1 vs. Belgium (2016 UEFA European Championship)
Somehow, some way, Wales has advanced to the semifinal round of the UEFA European Championship. Part of that magic belongs to winger Hal Robson-Kanu, who headed in the go-ahead goal during the team's 3-1 takedown of Belgium.
Robson-Kanu channeled a sense of clutch, pushing a ball past Belgium keeper Thibaut Courtois in the 55th minute of action.
As Wales moves on to face Portugal on Wednesday, Robson-Kanu's continued clutch factor will remain a major key to success.
Dirk Nowitzki Remains a Dallas Maverick
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Who: Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki
When: July 5
The Dallas Mavericks came to terms with longtime forward Dirk Nowitzki on a two-year, $40 million deal, per Stein.
This is the type of deal that cements Nowitzki's commitment to the Mavericks organization. With free agents moving all over the place, Nowitzki stood his ground.
He might be 38 years old, but that didn't stop the 7'0" forward from dropping 18.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game last season.
Signing Nowitzki will help keep the Mavericks afloat this season. In that regard, it was clutch.
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Provides Fireworks at Wimbledon
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Who: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
When: July 3 vs. John Isner (Wimbledon)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga engaged in a tennis war with John Isner that lasted four hours and 24 minutes, per BBC Sport's Piers Newbery.
Tsonga and Isner collided, trading set after set. The end result was Tsonga stunning Isner, 19-17, in the fifth set.
A long, grueling match like this shows you how incredible the conditioning and athletic abilities of each man was. Speaking on the word of clutch, Tsonga winning the contest was a Wimbledon highlight tennis fans won't forget.
All stats, box scores and information via Sports-Reference.com unless noted otherwise.
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