Anonymous
Years ago
Christmas Miracle
It's a Miracle.
For the first and possibly last time in recorded history, Andrew Gaze has out-coached somebody. I know, Im still in shock also.
Try to follow this if you can because it involves some deep-thinking hoops strategy.
Your team is down by 2 points, and you have possession with 11 seconds on the clock - you also happen to have 3 of the best 3-point shooters in the league, all running hot - what are you going to do? So to be completely truthful my grandmother could have scripted the resulting play - hell 13500 people knew what play he would run. So even somebody as dense as Gaze has to assume your oppenents will try to foul - he also knows hed get murdered in overtime - so he draws up literally the only play he can: Inbound - kick it to an open shooter on the perimeter - pull the trigger.
But truthfully the opposing play was equally obvious: You zone off against the inbound pass - then foul before they can jack a shot up. Hopfully only a couple of seconds off the clock - maybe they miss a shot and the game is yours - and even if they make both youve still got time for one more play - hell worst case they get past you for an easy layup - you still cant lose.
The one thing you don't do is let them shoot a 3.
So what the hell does Big Trev do? Puts everyone in the paint to protect the 2.
But for Gaze the game is still not won. Cats are down by one with possession and 4 seconds. So in a coaching masterstroke he gives literally the only instructions he can - defend don't foul. Meanwhile for the Cats the option is simple - set a couple of screens, inbound, attack the bucket and shoot. Maybe it drops or maybe you get a foul. Instead Trev draws up some fancy play for mr butterfingers hisself.
