Some superstars played some of their best moments in key moments in some of the 2021-22 season, notably DeRozan, but there were also players who lost key shots and dragged their teams into the quagmire with heartbreaking losses, such as the Lakers. As a result, Adam Goldman, author of the American media "Fadeawayworld", also ranks the best stars in key moments of the season, based on their shooting percentage in the last five minutes of the game, which the team selected without leading by five points or more in the final moments.
17. Jimmy Butler - 29.5%
41 points overall (13 of 44 shots)
Throughout the crucial moments of the 2021-22 season, Jimmy Butler's shots were very bad. He's seen his shooting percentage in key moments slip from 46.8 percent this season to 29.5 percent, and he's also giving more of the ball to his teammates. His key three-point shooting percentage has also dropped from 19.1 percent this season to a gruesome 9.1 percent.
This season, when the Miami Heat are tied or trailing, Jimmy Butler's shooting percentage has gotten worse, with 0.0 percent from the outside and 25.9 percent from the field. Jimmy Butler is a superstar, although there are 7 turnovers in key moments, but Jimmy Butler also delivered 10 assists in key moments. The team also achieved a record of 20 wins and 13 losses in the key moments of the game, ranking fourth in the league.
16. Stephen Curry - 36.0%
70 points overall, (27 of 75 shots)
Stephen Curry, the team's best offensive scorer, had to stand up for the Warriors in key game moments, and he had 75 key shots. Still, this is nothing new to Stephen. This season, Stephen Curry has been absent in a very unusual way at key moments, shooting 17.9 percent from the outside and 36.0 percent from the field.
Stephen Curry struggled with shooting late in the game, but it didn't really hurt the Warriors' record. His role towards the end of the game is also important, as his teammates get more empty shots when the opponent packs him. The Golden State Warriors were one of the most capable teams in key capacity for the 2021-22 season, with a record of 21-14, and with the return of Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry's performance in the fourth quarter will certainly become easier, but unfortunately he was injured recently against the Celtics, and Stephen Curry is now injured and looks like he is missing the playoffs.
15. Tatum - 36.0%
92 points overall, (27-of-75)
Tatum's key-time shooting percentage isn't the worst on our list, but his overall performance in key moments may be one of the worst of these stars this season. Tatum was a nightmare for the opposing team towards the end of a crucial match as he was always unable to break through the inside line in hopes of getting free throws, and he hit 36 of 37 free throws. He led Boston to a record of 12 wins and 19 losses in the 2021-22 season at key moments.
14. Donovan Mitchell - 37.5%
68 points overall (27 of 72 shots)
Donovan Mitchell became the worst key player in the 2021-22 season. His three-point shooting percentage was 22.2 percent and his shooting percentage was 37.5 percent, both of which also crushed his team toward the end of the game.
Mitchell's struggles in key moments transcended the effects of his mistakes caused by stress in key moments. He led the Utah Jazz to a record of just 15 wins and 19 losses in crucial games, and if Donovan Mitchell wants to help his team go further in the playoffs, he must play better at the most important time.
13. LeBron James - 38.2%
90 points overall (29-of-76 shots)
LeBron James and the Lakers did very badly in the 2021-22 season, and were also very bad in a pinch. LeBron's career has been outstanding in key moments, but he has struggled this season, shooting 38.2 percent from key moments and 25.7 percent from three-point range in 2021-22, with the team only 12-14.
LeBron James is one of the greatest players of all time. He's also one of the greatest key stars in history, hitting winning balls, giving his teammates a winning assist, and getting key rebounds, that's what we've come to expect from LeBron James, and obviously he and his teammates have been disappointing this season.
12. Traejan - 38.5%,
96 points overall (25-65 shots from 65)
Trae Young will have the best season of his career so far in 2021-22. He averaged 28.3 points and 9.4 assists per game, while shooting a career-high 38.4 percent from three-point range, a great performance with his mastery of blocking.
This season, Trae Young's out-of-arc shooting percentage is only 27.3%, 38.5% in key moments in the 92nd minute, and this year's performance of 12 shots in key moments, he also led the Eagles to a record of only 4 wins and 11 losses, shooting 22.9% in key moments on the road. Trae Young will have to step up his shots in key moments and lead his team to playoff qualification and into the playoffs.
11. Kevin Durant - 40.5%
86 points overall (30 of 74 shots)
Kevin Durant is building one of the greatest shooting seasons of all time. He shot 78.0 percent from the inside, 59.4 percent from 16 feet to arc, 37.2 percent from outside three-point range and 89.6 percent from free throws. In key moments when Irving was often absent and goalscorer Joe Harris was sidelined, Durant had to harvest the game on his own.
Durant's shooting percentage at key moments is still as high as 40.5%, and even if they send three or even four players to pinch, it is still difficult to limit Durant's shooting. Obviously, Durant needs some help in key moments, or the Nets will be like last season's playoffs.
10. James Harden - 41.7%
66 points overall (15 of 36 shots)
James Harden is no longer the James Harden of the past. His scoring stats have dropped across the board in 2021-22 and he has lost the ability to carry his teammates on his shoulders and lead them to victory in key moments. James Harden has been very poor in terms of consistency in key moments this season, with only 20 percent three-point shooting and 41.7 percent shooting in the final moments of the game.
Still, he made an 18-8 record with the Nets and 76ers, and he hit a total of 42 free throws. He is also the best at using his fouls to destroy opposing defenders, which is also the performance that allowed James Harden to score 66 points in key moments.
9. Jamorant - 42.0%
119 points overall (34 of 81 shots)
This season, Jamorant has risen to prominence, and in less than 12 months, he has gone from a non-All-Star in the 2020-21 season to one of the popular candidates for the regular season MVP. He averaged 27.5 points, 6.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds per game, and he always broke through the opponent's interior line, which also made him the third highest shooting percentage in the NBA with an average of 20.9 shots per game.
Jamorant combined his fastest offensive first step in the league with his fearless attitude, always giving it his all in the game. When he led the Grizzlies to an outstanding record of 17 wins and 9 losses in a tough game at a critical time, he scored a total of 119 points, ranking third in the NBA. Jamorant is unlikely to be stopped on a one-on-one defensive, although he only has a 42.0 percent shooting percentage at key moments.
8. Jokic - 48.1%
118 points overall (37 of 77 shots)
Jokic is one of the MVP favourites this season. He currently averages 26.0 points, 13.8 points, 8.1 assists per game while scoring 32.4 points, one of the best player efficiencies of all time. Still, Jokic shot 48.1 percent from the field and 20.03 percent from three-point range. The Nuggets' recent win over the 76ers is a perfect example, with Jokic scoring just three points in the fourth quarter, but the Nuggets won the game by four points, and even the head coach said teammates stepped up in the fourth quarter to harvest the game.
The Nuggets have been without the help of second-scorer Jamal Murray and third-scorer Michael Potter Jr. throughout the season, almost all season. Opponents have seen a lack of firepower in Denver, and they have been trying to limit Jokic's scoring ability in key moments. They always gave him double or even triple team clips, refusing to let Jokic beat them at key moments near the end of the game. But late in the tight game, he still led the Nuggets to an 18-11 record, and he also scored the fourth-highest key points of the season, with a total of 118 points.
7. Doncic - 49.2%
75 points overall (27 of 56 shots)
Doncic played his typically brilliant all-around basketball at key moments, and he, like LeBron James of the year, provides us with a perfect example of how a superstar can be called a superstar when he doesn't stand up and lead the team to solve problems late in a matchless game?
In a total of 86 minutes of critical moments, Doncic shot 49.2 percent. If the team allows him to selfishly point out one-on-one duels at key moments, he will hit opponents with his excellent possession and retreat focus, or try to break through to the layup. If his teammates are in good shape and he can provide more help, he will happily pass the ball to Brunson or the recently introduced Dinwiddie to get the offensive ball in the final moments, and Doncic's excellent shooting percentage and selfless play make him one of the best key players in the NBA.
6. Zaklavan - 50.0%
89 points overall (27 of 54 shots)
Zaklavin has gone from being a ruthless basket killer to one of the league's best shooters this season. He averaged 24.6 points per game and shot 48.1 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point range. LaVine brought a brilliant jump shot to the team in key moments, shooting half of his 54 shots and shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range.
Lavin and his teammate DeRozan's cooperation at key moments was incredibly good, and when one of them was limited, the other always stepped forward in time. In the 2021-22 season, Zaklavin was fearless at key moments, refusing to let the tension of the moment affect his performance.
5. Embiid - 50.0%
141 points overall (43 of 86 shots)
Embiid is going through an MVP-type season when he averaged 29.9 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists this season with the Philadelphia 76ers. Throughout the 2021-22 season, he has also been very good at key moments.
Embiid, who ranked first in the league in fourth-quarter scoring in a total of 127 key moments, scored an impressive 50.0 percent from the field and delivered a total of 16 key assists in key moments.
4. Alphabet Brother - 51.2%
65 points overall (21-of-41 shooting)
Throughout the critical period of the 2021-22 season, Alphabet Brother has maintained a very good competitive state. Last year's Finals MVP Alphabet Brother shot 51.2 percent from the field towards the end of a close-matched match, with most of his offense done on the inside.
Last season, Alphabet Brother only had a 68.8 percent free throw shooting percentage, and this year Alphabet Brother strengthened his free throw shooting percentage with 81.5 percent from the field, making him a more annoying key player.
3. DeRozan - 51.4%
129 points overall, (38 of 74 shots)
DeRozan has been one of the league's regular season MVP favourites this season, averaging 28.0 points, 5.4 points and 5.1 assists per game, and DeRozan has shot in 35 key games this season, second only to Russell Westbrook in 39 critical games.
When DeRozan had the chance, he shot 51.4 percent from the field, dribbling mid-range jump shots at 51.4 percent in a pinch, while he shot 66.7 percent from three-point range and 58 percent from the free throw line. DeRozan has hit several shots this season that determine the winner or loser.
2. Chris Paul - 56.4%
71 points overall (22 of 39 shots)
Chris Paul missed with a thumb injury. Before Chris Paul was sidelined, he averaged 14.9 points per game and a league-high 10.7 assists, while shooting 72.7 percent from the basket and 57.7 percent from 10-16 feet. Chris Paul also shook the league with his powerful key shots, shooting 40.0 percent from three-point range and 56.4 percent from the field. Chris led the Suns to a record of 22 wins and 3 losses, the highest winning percentage in the league.
Chris Paul has had the Suns on a smooth ride this season, and throughout the game he has calmly analyzed how to crack the opponent's defense, helping his teammates get better in the final quarter, and he has also improved his overall shooting percentage. If Chris Paul can make a healthy comeback before the playoffs start, his ability to take control of the situation in the fourth quarter has a chance to turn the Suns into a true championship favourite.
1. Devon Booker - 57.5%
74 points overall (23 of 40 shots)
Dwon Booker's 2021-22 season was like the league's number one point guard, knowing when he should choose offense. This season he has rarely used his athletic talent to attack the basket. Instead, he prefers to use his long-range shots to destroy the opposing defense. This season, he averaged 25.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. Booker helped the Suns achieve a 20-5 record in the tight second half of the game. In the final five minutes he shot 40 percent from three-point range and 57.5 percent from the field, and he scored 74 points in total.
Devon Booker also stepped up his defensive intensity towards the end of the game, shooting 39.5 percent from the field in the fourth quarter, one of the highest-scoring players in the league. Dwon Booker is the league's top key shooter this year, and he's partnered with Chris Paul, who has the second-highest shooting percentage at key moments in the league. Together, they made up the best key partners of the past decade, creating a critical tornado of death for 29 other NBA teams.