” No, Russ, no! It is an understatement to say that the local commentator was not thrilled by the choice of Russell Westbrook. His team was still leading by one point, against the Blazers, with thirty seconds to play when the point guard decided to fire a shot at mid-range, first intention, in semi-transition. A shoot, well left open by Jusuf Nurkic, missed! And the “body language” of LeBron James and Anthony Davis speaks volumes about their spite…
A defensive strategy, that of sending Nurkic on Westbrook, assumed by Chauncey Billups against the playmaker who still suffered in skill (10 points at 4/15 on shots, 6 rebounds and 6 assists). The person concerned also admits that he does not always know what to do with such an adjustment.
But on the action in question, his idea, as he puts it, was to play the “two-for-one”. Namely shoot quickly in order to have a last possession. This strategy is frequently used at the end of the quarter, but rarely in the last… Shooter quickly why not, his coach reacts in substance, but not to take this shot.
” I would have liked us to attack the circle directly. Our opponents want us to take that kind of shot, the long, contested 2-point shots. With his ability to explode and go to the circle always at a high level, I wish he had. Especially with Nurkic who was behind with five fouls (note: three actually). Shot selection is something we have to work on », claims Darvin Ham.
The latter had dismissed his playmaker just under five minutes from the end. At that time, the Lakers were still three possessions ahead (97-90). After being invited by the opposing defense to send to 3-pointers, also missed, the former MVP showed up by giving a good ball to Anthony Davis, gone dunker. But overall, the Lakers offense completely lacked pace in the final minutes and overall shot selection was questionable.
No time for feelings
12 seconds from the end, after Damian Lillard’s huge shot (102-104) to put Portland back in front, Darvin Ham preferred to keep Russell Westbrook on his bench to finish the game. ” We don’t have time for the feelings or the people who are in there. Anyone wondering when, where and how it should be in play, I ain’t got time for that », justifies the coach.
For his part, LeBron James prefers not to add to it. ” I feel like it’s an interview to try to get me to say something. You’re focused on the Russell Westbrook column right now. I do not like losing. I hate losing anything. I don’t care what happens in my season or in my career, I hate losing. And especially the way we played this match. But you gotta give Portland credit “, greets the” King “.
The latter adds: You can write about Russ and all you want to try to talk about Russ, but that’s not what I’m here for. I will not do it. I said it and repeated it. It’s not my way, I’m not like that. “Similar speech on the side of Anthony Davis who, without directly quoting his teammate, still points the finger at a poor selection of shots. ” We couldn’t lose this match, my frustration comes from there “, regrets the interior whose team (0-3) will try to unlock its counter of victories on Wednesday in Denver.
