Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry was awarded the NBA’s second annual Clutch Player of the Year award on Thursday, beating out DeMar DeRozan (Chicago Bulls) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder).
It is a relatively new addition alongside Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year in the list of regular-season awards. However, one could argue that it makes more sense to deem the league’s most clutch player after the playoffs, rewarding those who step up on the biggest stage.
The 2023-24 Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year is... Stephen Curry!#NBAAwards | #KiaClutch | @Kia pic.twitter.com/h2rjg6TNZa
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2024
Shifting the award to a postseason exclusive would not only add to the short number of playoff awards that currently exists but also add to its meaning. The list currently consists of Finals MVP, Eastern Conference Finals MVP, and Western Conference Finals MVP. It's quite a bland collection that would gain some flair, as performing in the clutch is never more important than in the postseason.
The NBA defines "clutch time" as the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the game is within five points.
Last season, Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox won the inaugural award. While Curry led the NBA in clutch points this season, scoring 189, the Warriors did not even reach the playoffs. DeRozan was second with 182 clutch points, with the Bulls also missing the postseason.
If this was a postseason award, Gilgeous-Alexander would be a frontrunner along with Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who nailed a buzzer-beater to win Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers while averaging 21 points and 7.5 assists in the series thus far.
Turning this into a postseason award seems like a no-brainer that could greatly benefit all parties.
