The Lakers won game four in Orlando, and will now probably win their 15th championship. Trevor Ariza was fantastic, and I couldn't be happier for Derek Fisher, who was the hero.
But Orlando had this game, and they did several things late that proved they deserved to lose.
With :11 seconds to go, the Magic mishandled the game in almost every possible way. Let's review:
--They were up by three, with the ball. They decided to pass it to Dwight Howard, who at the time, was the worst free throw shooter they had on the court. Kobe Bryant tackled Howard, who was awarded two free throws. Howard only needed to make one and the Lakers were dead, but he missed both shots.
--The Lakers called time out and elected to inbound the ball in front of their own bench, at three-quarter court, because they were convinced Orlando was going to foul--and they thought they could maybe "run away' from the foul.
--Orlando then made their biggest mistake: they tried to press the Lakers full court, and they double teamed Kobe Bryant when he caught the ball. Kobe immediately passed it to Trevor Ariza at half court, who then passed it to Derek Fisher. The reason the double-team was deadly is that now the Lakers had a three-on-three on the other end.
--Fisher then simply pulled up and buried a three to tie the game. At the time he shot the ball, two of the Magic players (Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis) were standing inside the three-point line, guarding the other two Lakers who had gone inside.
If you've followed me over the years, you know this is my absolute pet peeve in basketball. I will now be obnoxious and type in all caps what is so obvious, I can't believe I have to write this every year:
WHEN ONE TEAM IS AHEAD BY THREE POINTS AT THE END OF A GAME, THE ONLY THING THAT CAN HURT THEM IS A THREE-POINTER. THERE IS NO NEED TO PLAY DEFENSE ON ANYBODY WHO ISN'T A THREE-POINT THREAT. A TWO-POINT SHOT CAN'T TIE OR BEAT YOU, AND IT ACTUALLY GIVES YOU THE BALL BACK WITH A ONE POINT LEAD.
If I'm Orlando, I foul right away and make the Lakers shoot two free throws. But after the game, Stan Van Gundy said he was worried that his team was so bad from the free throw line, that it might come back to bite him. If the Lakers make their two, they could foul and Orlando could miss, allowing the Lakers a chance to win. So, for the sake of argument, let's side with Stan.
But even if you decide not to foul, how in the world can you defend that play the way Orlando did?
By double-teaming Kobe on the inbounds play, you now have two of your defenders 70 feet away from the basket, guarding someone who isn't going to shoot from there.
Even worse, how could Howard and Lewis go inside the three-point line? If any Lakers player crossed that line, you should leave him alone...the two-pointer can't hurt you.
So that leaves Jameer Nelson guarding Fisher. Again, the only thing that can hurt you is a three. Nelson backed up and gave him space! For what? He has to take a three...why are you backing up?
It was as if the Magic were making a video on how not to defend the end of a game--a stunning brain cramp that ended their title hopes.
My guess is that both teams will be polite and say all of the right things that Fisher simply made a great shot. But he never should have had the chance.
Thats when the(FINAL)experience count and Stan Van Gumby still denied that the experience is overated. I hope the guys could use this playoff experience for next year. If they can make it back to the final.
Posted by: Steven | 06/12/2009 at 08:35 AM
Exactly. Infuriating to watch. How is it possible that coaches and players at this level either don't know this or can't execute or both?
Posted by: Randy | 06/12/2009 at 11:22 AM
Great post Mr. Ireland. This has to be the biggest choke job in NBA history and I believe history will show that. Down by three, Magic with two free throws to be taken by a self proclaimed "SUPERMAN" and...
Clang
Clang
D Fish brought experience and the three and the Magic folded like the inexperienced, chokers, they have proven to be.
Lakers in 5. It's over!!!
Posted by: Brian | 06/12/2009 at 04:59 PM