Comments on: The Thunder Fail Late Yet Again

By: Big Sneezy

Big Sneezy — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:29:04 +0000

I just noticed in the video that Andre Miller seems to have read the play from the start, apparently motioning that Durant will get the screen and go up top before the play even starts. Either a good job from the coaching staff or a savvy veteran doing his thing, maybe both. After watching the breakdowns of some of the Rockets plays, I’m wondering if the Thunder need to do a little more decoy action with Durant. And moving early on the screen is pretty unforgivable-but it could be a nice move if you are using him as a decoy.

By: Brandon Neal

Brandon Neal — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 05:50:01 +0000

The part about not having enough time…I disagree with it. Durant had 10.5 seconds once he got the ball in his hands, and the mismatch was available with all of that time left. The ball was inbounded at 12.8 seconds, so not much time ran off the clock.

Also, the screen was weak because it was set by a point guard. If you want full effectiveness with a screen, you set it with a big, especially if it’s a screen to redirect a forward.

Brooks went for the three, not the two, and that’s all it comes down to. It has nothing to do with late screens or ball denial.

Why Kevin took the three early is beyond me.

By: mookie

mookie — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 21:51:36 +0000

Great analysis, as always Sebastian.

One thing worth considering for the Thunder in this situation, is why they didn’t use Durant as a decoy on the inbounds, whilst instead getting someone else like Green or Westbrook open in the frenzy. That player might then be open for a shot and if not, they get the ball to Durant to set up for one final shot.

With 12 seconds on the clock, they certainly rushed a play that they didn’t need to. They played it as if they only had 3 seconds on the clock. Had Durant made the shot, the Blazers would have had time to come back and retaliate.

By: maniclawstudent

maniclawstudent — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 13:17:14 +0000

This is why Steven isn’t a professional basketball player, because he doesn’t demand better than “good enough.” Leaving too early for a screen may fly in a city basketball league, but this is the NBA, where winning against good teams requires something closer to excellence.

Also, I would be interested in Sebastian’s thoughts on the decision to shoot with 9 seconds left on the clock, as opposed to taking a few more ticks off the clock and maybe getting a better shot.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 02:20:17 +0000

I agree with your assessment, but I think it’s a little nit picky. Very few NBA plays are ever executed to perfection, and while this shot is “contested,” you’ve got your best shooter being contested by a guy 8″ shorter than him. I mean, isn’t that essentially the shot you want? Even if KD leaves at precisely the right moment, there’s no way he runs off those two screens, gets a clean catch at the top of the key in a position to get a better shot than the one he ultimately got, I don’t think .