What is a “clutch” player? The concept is complicated and everyone has a different opinion. However, the fact that “clutch” is hard to nail down is exactly what makes it a fun concept, and fun to make top-ten lists of the players currently in the NBA who fit the title of “clutch player” the most.

Being clutch doesn’t always boil down to hitting a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot as there are plenty of big shots to be had leading up to the final shot. Clutch players can be loosely defined as the player you want to take the shot in the last few minutes of a close game. They not only make big shots, but hit their free throws each time, successfully guard the other team’s best player, make a game-winning play, and more-often-than-not, come up big when it matters most.

While there are many discussion as to whether Michael Jordan or Larry Bird or Kobe Bryant or Jerry “Mr. Clutch” West were the most clutch players in NBA history, but not all of them are always the superstars and legends of the league. There are lesser known players that have made a name for themselves for coming up big when it mattered most; players like Robert Horry and Chauncey Billups.

As far as who the NBA’s top clutch players that are currently playing in the league, these handful of players are in the conversation.

• Damian Lillard
• Chris Paul
• Stephen Curry
• Luka Doncic
• Kevin Durant
• Joel Embiid
• Kawhi Leonard
• LeBron James
• Nikola Jokic
• Kyrie Irving

Chances are, you recognize every single name on this list, as clutch players are also often the most famous given the nature of their success. In a pre-season survey, NBA GMs were asked “Which player would you want taking a shot with the game on the line?”

In other words who has the best odds of hitting a big shot when their team needed it the most. Coming off last season’s amazing playoff performance, Kevin Durant was #1 with 41% of the vote. Steph Curry was second (24%) followed by Damian Lillard (17%), Luka Doncic (7%), Nikola Jokic (7%) and Kyrie Irving with 3%. Surprinsingly, LeBron didn’t even track on this survey.

But what makes a player a “clutch” player? More times than not, these players’ mentality is what separates them from the rest, as they consistently deliver no matter how much pressure they’re under to perform at their best.

The Mentality That’s Required To Perform Under Pressure

The players listed above always come through–and there’s actually a mentality that’s behind their ability to deliver time after time, game after game. They’re able to control what’s known as their “stress mindset”–an important factor that relates to pressure. Stressful challenges can actually sharpen your focus, provide opportunities for achievement, and strengthen motivation. Clutch players recognize this and focus on having a positive stress mindset, which is part of the reason why they always come through and can be depended upon; they don’t bow to the pressure or let themselves fall apart on the court.

Another key aspect to a clutch mentality is optimism, a tendency to look on the bright side and focus on the most favorable outcome of any situation. Clutch players are often very optimistic, not only in their own performance, but in their teammates’ as well. These players enter the game genuinely believing that they’ll come out winners and pump up everyone around them to believe the same. This optimism is also evident in their actions; before the ball leaves their hands, they’re confident that they’ll make the shot.

On top of having a positive stress mindset and being optimistic, clutch players also have positive self-esteem and genuinely believe in themselves and their skills or abilities. You can count on clutch players–but they are able to count on themselves, too. They know what they’re capable of and enter each game striving to achieve their best.

Clutch players are able to consistently perform well under pressure. That’s why players like Kevin Durant and LeBron James are considered “clutch,” and why you are likely already familiar with who they are. If there’s anyone you want to feel like you can depend on, know that you can depend on clutch players to perform well during a basketball game.