ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith shared his assessment on First Take, placing LeBron at No. 5. “Eight game-winning buzzer-beaters in his career. Five in the postseason, which is a record, a four-time champion, a four-time league MVP. Can’t take it away from him,” Smith stated. He added, “He’s on a Mount Rushmore basketball, no matter what anybody tries to say. LeBron James absolutely, positively has to be on this list. I gotta give him that respect. There’s no way around it. He ain’t top four though.”
Smith has long argued that while James ranks among the greatest all-around players in NBA history, he didn’t always display the killer instinct associated with top clutch performers like Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant. Instead, Smith often criticized the four-time MVP for prioritizing the “right basketball play” over taking game-winning shots himself.
The list continues with other legendary figures. Derek Jeter, the New York Yankees icon, was ranked No. 4 for his five World Series championships and leadership of the Yankees. The only female athlete on the list is Serena Williams, recognized for her remarkable 23 Grand Slam titles and 33 finals appearances, underscoring her place among the all-time greats. Smith highlighted Williams as “phenomenal,” noting that she belongs on the Mount Rushmore of sports excellence.
Two athletes sit above Williams on Smith’s ranking. Tom Brady is acknowledged for his unprecedented postseason success, including 10 Super Bowl starts, seven titles, and 35 playoff wins. However, Michael Jordan occupies the top spot, celebrated for nine game-winning buzzer-beaters and the highest postseason scoring average in closeout games, around 34.2 points per game. Smith affirmed Jordan as “the GOAT” and the No. 1 choice, citing his six NBA championships, six Finals MVP awards, five regular-season MVPs, and nine All-Defensive Team selections.
This discourse reflects a broader conversation about clutch performance and the varied metrics that people use to evaluate who is the greatest under pressure. While LeBron James has built a career of electrifying late-game contributions and record-setting playoff performances, the ranking shows how different eras and different sports shape perceptions of clutch excellence.
In sum, LeBron James is recognized by some prominent voices as among the five most clutch athletes in American sports history, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s most reliable performers in decisive moments. At the same time, the debate continues, with Michael Jordan and Serena Williams often cited as enduring benchmarks for clutch dominance across their respective sports.
