Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and the Player On Each Team With the Most Pressure
The NBA is a highly competitive league that showcases the best basketball players in the world, including LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
NBA players must continually keep themselves relevant by facing intense pressure situations in their bids to win the ultimate prize.
It’s no secret that both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James place a lot of pressure on themselves and their teammates to succeed. While one of these players has repeatedly met his goals, the other is going through the required due process and will also have multiple championships when it’s all said and done.
But success on the hardwood is simply not possible without the ability to face and conquer pressure.
This slideshow will present the most pressured players of each and every team.
No. 30: Tracy McGrady, Detroit Pistons
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Tracy McGrady is a 6’8” PG who was previously a SF for the majority of his amazing career.
McGrady’s game has been on a constant decline because of an assortment of injuries that have robbed him of his unbelievably explosive game.
He is not even close to being the superstar he once was.
You have to admire McGrady’s tenacity, however, because he has earned a starting spot with the Pistons by adapting to the role of a PG.
He actually looked good there for a few games, but surprisingly or not, he is again slowing down.
In the final analysis, McGrady is just not good enough anymore and faces the pressure of retirement.
No. 29: Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets
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Devin Harris is a 6’3” PG who was the fifth overall pick in the 2004 NBA draft.
Harris is in his sixth year in the league, and previous years showed a forward progression in his game as he consistently got better.
This season, however, Harris is struggling to shoot 40 percent, and he is less than 30 percent from downtown. His 7.8 APG is decent for a quarterback, but he must improve his shooting.
The Nets are a young team that needs Harris to step up and be the leader.
Harris faces the pressure of spiraling downward.
No. 28: Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks
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Michael Redd is a 6’6” SG and the face of the Bucks franchise, but unfortunately, that face has been missing all season.
Redd has not been able to lead the Bucks to the Promised Land, and Milwaukee fans are getting a little impatient with their expensive, underachieving team.
In fact, no Buck is scoring over 15 PPG since Redd was injured in January 2009, as he missed the rest of the season. Less than one year later, he reinjured the knee and has been out since.
Redd is expected back in the lineup soon, and his 20 PPG should be a shot in the arm for the Bucks.
Redd faces the pressure of staying healthy and taking the Bucks out of their present state of mediocrity.
No. 27: Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers
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Roy Hibbert is a 7’2” center who has the tremendous potential to be the game's next great big man, but you might have to cross your fingers for that to happen.
Whatever the case, it does appear his slumps are over.
He has turned into a double-double machine since the arrival of brand new head coach Frank Vogel, who is instilling the young Pacers with a positive attitude.
Hibbert had a season-high 29 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks over Charlotte on Wednesday, and he has double-doubled in four of his last six games.
The young Hibbert still has a long way to go, but under the right guidance, he should become the league’s next dominating center.
As a result, Hibbert faces the pressure of being the game's next Big Man.
No. 26: Mike Bibby, Atlanta Hawks
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Mike Bibby was part of that talented Sacramento Kings team a few years ago that included Chris Webber.
An NBA purist will recall that the Kings came within a hair’s width of disposing of the eventual champion L.A. Lakers, only to find out later that the referees fixed the game in L.A.’s favor.
Mike Bibby is now with the talented Atlanta Hawks that boast a Big Three of their own in Joe Johnson, Josh Smith and Al Horford.
The only problem is that Bibby is not the same player he used to be and is not capable of pulling a Chris Paul in Atlanta.
In fact, a PG like Steve Nash would make the Hawks an elite team in the east.
In the final analysis, Bibby’s depleted abilities at PG put his career with the Hawks at the pressure point.
No. 25: John Wall, Washington Wizards
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John Wall is a 6’4” PG that was picked first overall in the 2010 NBA draft.
He is so ultra talented that he has even flirted with a quadruple double in his rookie campaign and seems to have the ability to revolutionize the PG position.
During the first part of the season, Wall often led the Wizards in several categories.
Unfortunately, Wall became injured and his play has fallen short of its previous dominance, and teammate Nick Young has picked up the scoring slack.
The shame of it is that Wall was right up there in the ROY debate with Blake Griffin.
Wall’s previous foot and knee injuries are on the radar, but if he can move past those issues, he will face the expected pressure of being a superstar.
No. 24: Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings
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Tyreke Evans is a 6’6” SG that was picked fourth overall in the 2009 NBA draft.
He has endless potential on a young and talented team that is trying to find its way out of the dark with a dismal record.
Evans has become the number one scoring option with the Kings and is averaging 18 PPG to go along with about five assists and five rebounds.
In fact, Tyreke had 16 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and a steal on 6-of-19 shooting in Wednesday's tough loss to the Mavs.
The Kings will undoubtedly be better next year, and Evans will be facing the pressure of stepping up his game.
No. 23: Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers
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Andre Iguodala is a 6’6” SG who has yet to reach his amazing potential in the NBA.
He is an explosive leaper who can score and defend, especially on the perimeter.
This season has been part of an annoying siege of endless trade rumors for him.
It’s not a question of whether or not Iguodala will be traded, but when, and there are a lot of teams that could benefit from the 26 year olds talents.
The 76ers, however, have turned on the steam and are gunning for a playoff spot.
Iguodala has been a big part of Philly’s recent turn around, yet he must feel unappreciated with the fact that the 76ers don’t want him.
Iguodala is feeling a nomad’s kind of pressure.
No. 22: Antawn Jamison, Cleveland Cavaliers
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Antawn Jamison is a 6’9” PF that is approaching the end of his career, one that has been relatively good but could have been much better given his talents.
He is not having all that great a season in Cleveland and is not getting any help either.
The fact is that the Cavs are in rebuilding mode after the departure of LeBron James, who has left the club with a titanic sized gaping hole.
Jamison is still a very effective player who would become motivated on a contending team.
Cleveland has lost 26 games in a row and counting. They are a depleted club with several starters out of the lineup with injuries.
Right now, Jamison must be feeling the end of the world kind of pressure.
No. 21: Deron Williams, Utah Jazz
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Deron Williams is a 6’3” PG that is arguably the best at his position in the NBA.
The Utah Jazz have impressed, and behind their superstar and indispensable point guard, they are proving to be a legitimate contender.
They have all the pieces, including Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson, to cause enough havoc against the best in the west.
Unfortunately, Jazz center Mehmet Okur suffers from nagging injuries, and this old workhorse needs help desperately.
In order to make a title run, the Jazz must pursue a true center to take the workload off of Okur.
Until then, all the pressure in the world will not make Williams a champion.
No. 20: Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors
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Andrea Bargnani is a seven foot center that was the first overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft.
Not much pressure?
Consider that the Raptors could have picked LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Gay or Rajon Rondo instead. The ultra talented Brandon Roy was also available, but due to his ongoing health issues, the verdict is still out on him.
In addition, after Chris Bosh left for Miami in the offseason, Bargnani became the focal point of the Raptors’ offense.
Bargnani’s major strength is his perimeter game—not such a good thing considering he is a center, a position that demands a player that knows how to setup base camp.
Although his numbers are not bad all around, the Raptors are still waiting on him to lead them.
Bargnani has found himself in the pressure cooker.
No. 19: Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
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Zack Randolph is a 6'9" PF who, at the age of 29, is having a breakout year and is the Grizzlies’ double-double machine.
The Grizzlies are another young and promising team, and Randolph should be a big part of their nucleus over the next four years.
Certainly, Randolph’s name doesn’t come to mind when ranking the best players in the NBA, and he does not even make anybody’s top-20 list, but this year, he is the eighth-most efficient player thus far.
Even though he is playing under the radar, you can see that Randolph is better because of the pressure he’s put on himself.
No. 18: Kwame Brown, Charlotte Bobcats
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Kwame Brown is a 6’11” center with a name that will go down in history.
He was the first overall pick of the 2001 NBA draft straight out of high school and has become one of the NBA’s biggest draft busts of all time.
To say that Brown has not lived up to his expectations is an understatement.
The fact that Michael Jordan picked him first in that draft will forever be an albatross that hangs around both of their necks.
After floating around the league the last few years, Brown has been reunited with Jordan in Charlotte, and he is having a decent year.
And Jordan seems intent on proving that he wasn’t so wrong by picking Brown first in that draft, after all.
Brown’s performance is being watched closely and he is being pressured from above.
No. 17: Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
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Monta Ellis is a 6’4” PG who is having a breakout year after already being in the league for several seasons.
So good has he been this season that Ellis has established himself as a superstar.
He is averaging 25.4 PPG, which is six points more than his career average.
He is among the scoring leaders as the Warriors’ number one scoring option and most definitely an elite player.
From a PG perspective, however, his 5.5 assists falls short of elite quarterback status.
Now that he is an elite player, Ellis faces the pressure of remaining a superstar.
No. 16: Vince Carter, Phoenix Suns
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Vince Carter is a 6’6” underachieving SG who was supposed to be the next Michael Jordan.
He signed contracts with the Toronto Raptors and the New Jersey Nets and talked about “a dynasty in the making” with both teams, yet he is still looking for that allusive first title in the dawn of his career.
Even worse than Carter’s dynasty line is his own admission that his lack of motivation was due to his incredible talents.
After setting records as the leading vote getter at several All-Star games, fans began to wise up to this lazy bum, who will best be remembered for his stunning dunks.
The Nets shipped him off to the unsuspecting Orlando Magic, and it didn’t take long for anti-Carter sentiments to start buzzing. And Phoenix Suns fans were not exactly enthralled to see him (and his huge contract) on their doorstep as part of a recent blockbuster trade.
The overachieving Steve Nash is helping Carter revive his career at the age of 34, and Suns fans are crossing their fingers while expectations are quietly increasing.
Will Carter finally be able to handle the pressure?
No. 15: Baron Davis, L.A. Clippers
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Baron Davis is a 6’3” PG that was the third overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft and he has talent—that much is apparent.
Baron Davis also has a bad attitude and is incredibly lazy—that much is also apparent.
In his 10 years in the league, he has yet to live up to his tremendous potential.
After a dreadful start to the season, the L.A. Clippers are playing exciting ball and have disposed of the NBA’s Goliaths, including the Spurs, Lakers, Heat, and Thunder.
They consist of a young and explosive nucleus including the likes of Blake Griffin, and they are beginning to run after learning how to walk.
The young Clippers are a motivated group that will leave Davis in the dust if he doesn’t follow suit, something he can easily do with a little bit of hustle.
In a sense, Davis is being pressured to keep pace.
No. 14: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
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Kevin Love is a 6’10” PF that has only been playing in the NBA for a couple of years, and this season, he is having a breakout year.
Everyone recalls his 31 point and 31 rebound game that was the first of its kind since Moses Malone parted the Red Sea as a Philadelphia 76er.
Love is averaging 21.4 PPG to go with his 15.6 RPG, and for some unbelievable reason, he has many critics.
He has just recorded his 38th consecutive double-double, another feat that goes all the way back to Moses Malone.
It’s almost as if it doesn’t matter what the hell Kevin does, because he is not getting any love from his critics.
Kevin Love must continually motivate himself, even while facing a no win pressure situation.
No. 13: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
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Dwight Howard is a 6’11” center that has unbelievable athletic skills for such a big man.
With that kind of length to go with his gravity defying vertical jump, he can get his head higher off the ground than anyone else in the NBA not named Blake Griffin.
But sadly, Howard is the biggest superstar that isn’t.
Aside from having continuous foul troubles that in itself handicaps the Magic, Howard tends to disappear from games almost entirely for long periods of time while still remaining on the floor.
In two recent, highly anticipated games versus the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, Howard disappeared for the entire second halves.
During the Miami game, he was 3-of-13 from the charity stripe in a close loss.
Going forward, Howard must discontinue the disappearing act by facing the pressure head-on.
No. 12: Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
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Chris Paul is a six foot PG who is arguably the best in the game at that underrated position in a season that represents a sudden breakout out of elite quarterbacks.
Before starting the 2010-11 preseason, Paul indicated he wanted out of the Big Easy, but things seemed to have sorted themselves out.
In fact, Paul has had the Hornets buzzing almost all season.
The Hornets are not the biggest, strongest, quickest or most talented team on the hardwood, but they may well be the grittiest.
Paul pushes the envelope of his teammates’ potentials, making them better than even they thought they were.
With the Hornet’s future still uncertain in New Orleans, a city that puts football above all else—it’s hard to argue that Paul would be better off in a big market city.
Paul becomes a free agent after next year, and it’s almost certain that he will be pressured to leave..
No. 11: Amar`e Stoudemire, New York Knicks
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Amar’e Stoudemire is a 6’10" PF who has been playing out of position at center all season long.
After the Knicks dreadful start this season, they ran off a string of wins that put the franchise back in the pack of respectable teams.
Stoudemire has been the lightening rod that has sparked the Knicks to success this season, and the entire starting rotation are having breakout years.
Over the last month, however, the Knicks total lack of defense has crippled their efforts to advance and as a result, Stoudemire is not a serious MVP candidate anymore.
It all seems to be a shame, because it’s evident that all the Knicks need is a true center and a defensive minded assistant coach.
But New Yorkers’ expectations have already been raised significantly, and Stoudemire’s shoulders are alone, carrying the pressure.
No. 10: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
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Kevin Durant is a 6’9 SF that is leading the league in scoring yet again.
After pushing the Lakers in the playoffs last year, Durant and the Thunder put this city from the boonies on the map.
In fact, before the season began, there was much debate as to who was the best player in the NBA, and the question involved LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
Now on the downward slope of the second half of the NBA season, the Thunder are first in the Northwest Division and leading the Jazz by three games.
Only the Spurs, Mavericks and Lakers have better records in the West than that of the Thunder.
While Durant is already a top 10 superstar in the NBA, he must take the next step to affirm himself as a top five player in the league, and his team's playoff success this year is a prerequisite in attaining that goal.
Durant finds himself in the pressure zone.
No. 9: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
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Dirk Nowitzki is a seven foot PF with the Dallas Mavericks, an elite team this year that foxports.com has ranked at number one before their recent slide.
He is the leader of this deep club that is fighting through the injury of Caron Butler, who is lost for the season.
Nowitzki has possibly the best pull-up jumper in the game, and his determination and finesse make him a threat from all over the floor, including the low post.
He will undoubtedly finish his career as one of the top 20 players of all time, which is something to be proud of.
But Nowitzki desperately wants to add a championship to all his accolades—a championship he feels was stolen from him a few years ago by the Miami Heat.
Time is quickly running out on him, and as a result, this season, Nowitzki is feeling pressured to win it all.
No. 8: Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
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Carmelo Anthony is a 6’9 SF with oodles of talent to go along with his apathetic game, a Vince Carter like combination.
The Nuggets are a top 10 team that could easily be a top five team with unification, but Anthony has singlehandedly destroyed Denver’s cohesiveness.
The franchise is in limbo because of the stalemate situation Anthony has put them in.
As a result, the Nuggets cannot move forward, and Denver fans have been victimized by the Carmelo Anthony hijacking.
Melo will not deal with any team except for the NY Knicks, putting the Nuggets behind a rock and a hard place in their endeavor to improve the team.
The Knicks are playing hardball, because they know Melo will be on there doorstep when he becomes a free agent; they don't have to give up anything.
And as far as Denver is concerned, Melo has become the house guest from hell that just won’t leave.
Melo is sitting in the “get out of town already” pressure pot.
No. 7: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
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Tim Duncan is a seven foot PF with four championships to his name.
He has had a stellar career and was considered the best player in the game to start the decade.
Duncan’s fundamentally sound game is ultra boring to watch, but you cannot deny his effectiveness.
Although he is not in his prime anymore, he can still play with the best of them.
The Spurs have the best record in the NBA, and Duncan is a huge part of that.
If Duncan can win another title this year, he'll be tied with Kobe Bryant with five apiece, and the Spurs seem to be on track to make that happen.
What’s amazing is that the Spurs are still winning game after game with hard work and while remaining under the radar.
No one cares about the Spurs because they are ultra boring—they don’t have any rotten apples, they don’t believe in tattoos and they call their mommas after each and every game.
Duncan and his Spurs are working their tails off, but are facing a no pressure situation.
No.6: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers
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Kobe Bryant is 6’6” SG that has five championships to his name.
He is a perennial All-Star that has won the season MVP once and the finals MVP twice.
Kobe’s tandems with Shaquille O’Neal and Pau Gasol have made Lakers’ fans extremely proud, and as a result, his legacy is secured as one of the greatest players of all time, even if he never wins another championship.
But don’t tell that to Kobe because he wants more. You can see it in his eyes—they speak volumes of his incredible motivation, and he’s forcing his body to do the unthinkable.
Kobe is over 30, playing with bone-on-bone knees and is not practicing with the team to reduce wear and tear on his body.
When he plays, however, Kobe is still the 21st most efficient player in the league, a stat that will no doubt help the Lakers in their drive for their second three-peat.
Why does he want it so bad?
Because Jordan has a double three-peat—talk about pressure.
No. 5: Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
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Rajon Rondo is a 6’1” PG that has become all the rage of the NBA.
He already has helped Boston’s big three get their first title a couple of years ago, and since then, he has raised his game to the freaking’ moon.
Rondo has put himself in the thick of the MVP discussion this year by leading Boston to the best record in the east and in the process, is the league leader in assists.
What Rondo does best, however, is make the Big Three play younger than they actually are, a feat that will help the Celtics in their drive to win it all this year.
In fact, Rondo has turned Boston’s Big Three into a Big Four.
With so many strengths, however, it is hard to believe that Rondo’s major weakness is his putrid shooting from the charity stripe (.560).
Rondo is so bad at free throws that it’s bound to become a problem in the playoffs, especially when opponents foul him without impunity, when facing the already low scoring Boston Celtics.
As a result, Rondo will be feeling the pressure form the line.
No. 4: LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers
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LaMarcus Aldridge is a 6’11” center that was the second overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft.
Blazers' Greg Oden’s perpetually fragile state delivered another “no show” season that shook the city of Portland at the knees, but this time, it was almost expected.
In addition, the news that Brandon Roy needed to again go under the knife was devastating news, and all of a sudden, the outlook of the Trail Blazers looked dismal.
Enter LaMarcus Aldridge, who has taken over the number one option in Roy’s absence and almost singlehandedly has reinvigorated the Trail Blazers and the city of Portland.
Aldridge has stepped up as the leader of the club and has unified a team that was on the verge of collapse.
By renewing the Blazers’ season expectations, Aldridge now faces continuous pressure to be the beacon of his team.
No. 3: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
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Derrick Rose is a 6’3” PG who is enjoying a breakout season and is in the thick of the MVP race.
He has been the glue that has kept the Chicago Bulls together following injuries to both Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah that have kept both players out of the lineup for extended periods of time.
Rose has not only kept the good ship Chicago afloat, but has forged them into legitimate contenders.
With his stellar play, rose has raised the level of expectations for both his team and himself and one thing is for sure—Chicago is an elite team.
When Noah returns, the Bulls will be charging to the finish line, especially with their matador at the helm.
And Derrick Rose is feeding off the pressure.
No. 2: Yao Ming, Houston Rockets
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Yao Ming is a 7’6” center that was the first pick out of China during the 2002 NBA draft.
The expectations for this giant have been enormous, not only from the NBA, but also from his native land.
Ming hasn’t exactly fallen flat on his face, but he’s extremely injury prone and his career has been dramatically affected by his inability to stay healthy.
He is again out indefinitely this season due to injury.
For a man who is so tall and versatile, how could championships for the Houston Rockets not be in the cards?
One can only wonder how dominant Ming could have been and still might be if he is only able to stay injury free.
It’s also a shame that when he was paired with a healthy and capable Tracy McGrady, Ming was constantly injured hurting the Rockets chances for a championship.
Yao Ming faces giant pressure to return to the game.
No. 1: LeBron James, Miami Heat
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LeBron James is a 6’8” SF that has become the wide world of sports most polarizing figure, as much for his on court accomplishments as for his off court fiascos.
In Miami, James has shown just how incredibly athletic and versatile he is by playing positions one to five. His biggest accomplishment this season, however, has been his ability to share the ball with Dwyane Wade while remaining a dangerous scoring threat.
The spotlight on James has never been brighter or more intense as if The Decision was the proverbial switch, and make no mistake, he is expected to bring multiple championships to the city of Miami.
James has answered the bell by doing everything his teammates expect of him. He does it by taking on double and triple teams to open up the floor, shooting, driving, rebounding and dishing out assists, in the process of making a third straight MVP run.
In fact, according to NBA.com, James is the second most efficient player in the NBA.
Pressure? What pressure?
