DURING A BREAK in the first quarter of Game 6 between the LA Lakers and the OKC Thunder, Coach Scott Brooks empathically told the young gunners "to attack the basket. Do not settle for jumpers." For reasons not entirely clear, the Okies did exactly the opposite: they launched jumpers from all points of the court foregoing the proven formula that served them well in Games 3 and 4.
So the result? They will go on summer vacation early.
There's plenty of blame to go around for the debacle. Let's begin with the man considered to be the latest incarnation of Michael Jordan: Kevin Durant. He shot an abysmal 5-for-23 from the field. On a night when his team was on the ropes, he came up miserably short. There were moments when he could have forced the issue and imposed his will on the Laker defenders but he didn't. What exactly was he thinking? He did't drive to the basket like he used to. He instead opted to go with awkward jumpers when he could have banged bodies with Pau Gasol on the low post.
Let's point our finger next to Russell Westbrook, the feisty point guard. He shot a nauseating 7-for-20 from the field and was 1-for-6 from the 3-point line. Did he, or didn't he listen to his coach at the break? He torched the Lakers in their blow-out wins in Games 3 & 4. Where was he on this critical night?
And let's not forget the much-heralded power forward Serge Ibaka. Sure, he shot 68% from the field but he only attempted 8 shots! Eight shots on a do-or-die situation is not gonna do it. Come on! He could have laid everything on the line and assaulted the boards. Sadly he didn't.
WHAT EXACTLY DID these players not get? Didn't they know that professional basketball is all about real estate? It's all about controlling tight spaces within the rectangular court. And which space is prime spot? You guessed it right, the area within 3 feet of the basket. If you shoot within that 3-feet arc, your chances are in the 80% percentile. If you roam the painted area and make all your attempts from it, your chances are still in the high 60%. Conversely, the farther you are from that area, the lousier your chances are.
What about the 3-point shot? What about it? In the hands of an artist, it's a beautiful thing to watch. But in the hands of an inept forward, it is pure torture. Many strive to be Reggie Miller and most of them fail. Why? Because it's an art, bobo. Not everyone can be an artist. Three-point shooting should be used sparingly at best. Teams should never used it as a primary offensive weapon.
So what should this team do in the off-season? I will address my answer to the brain-trust at Oklahoma:
1. Do not trade anyone away. This is a young team, yes, but it doesn't need tinkering with "veterans". By this time around next year they will have become young veterans themselves. Do not ruin their cohesion by bringing in a deadbeat like Rasheed Wallace with a massive contract to boot. Preserve the team.
2. Teach Footwork 101. Get every small and power forward to learn how to pivot on their heels. Footwork is an incalculable skill that should be chiseled into their young brain this summer. A beautiful footwork among your bigs not only increases their point-average but it also lessens their chances of injuries. Just look at the klutz Greg Oden who has no footwork whatsoever. Preserve your assets.
3. Run and run. Then run some more. By leaving everyone in the dust at every possession, your chances of making an uncontested lay-up or dunk improves immeasurably. Preserve your gains.
4. Lastly, send me a $50,000 checque for the advice. Preserve my wisdom.
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