Friday, June 24, 2005
Congratulations, Spurs
I've been staying up late lately to watch the NBA finals, and the main thing I've been hoping for is a Game 7. I got my wish, so I guess I should be happy. I've long thought of the Spurs as probably my second-favorite team, so I guess that should make me more happy. What makes me most happy is that the Lakers didn't make the playoffs at all.
On the subject of the Finals, I have one big concern about basketball in general.
You know how when your team is down by like 5 with a minute and a half or less to go, you adopt the Foul-Em strategy? You immediately foul the other team, hope they miss their foul shots, and then go down and shoot a quick basket. The hope is that they will miss enough of their free throws and you will make enough of your rushed shots and you'll stop the clock quickly enough that you'll pull ahead and win.
My question is: Has anyone in the history of the universe ever seen the Foul-Em strategy WORK? At any time at any level of basketball competition? Ever? I haven't, and I have never talked with anyone who has. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen it significantly reduce the margin of loss. If you have seen Foul-Em work--even if it was church ball, or a high school game, or a driveway game (well, I guess driveway games don't have clocks running down)--please tell me. I don't think it's ever happened.
On the subject of the Finals, I have one big concern about basketball in general.
You know how when your team is down by like 5 with a minute and a half or less to go, you adopt the Foul-Em strategy? You immediately foul the other team, hope they miss their foul shots, and then go down and shoot a quick basket. The hope is that they will miss enough of their free throws and you will make enough of your rushed shots and you'll stop the clock quickly enough that you'll pull ahead and win.
My question is: Has anyone in the history of the universe ever seen the Foul-Em strategy WORK? At any time at any level of basketball competition? Ever? I haven't, and I have never talked with anyone who has. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen it significantly reduce the margin of loss. If you have seen Foul-Em work--even if it was church ball, or a high school game, or a driveway game (well, I guess driveway games don't have clocks running down)--please tell me. I don't think it's ever happened.
Comments:
I've actually seen it happen three times in the last year, Matt. One fairly recently in fact. In MWC basketball play the past season, it was UNLV vs. SDSU:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=250430021
I also saw one play that was the play of the week--a high school game where one team missed a free throw, an opposing player grabbed the rebound with one hand, and in one motion threw the ball at the basket at the other end of the floor. It went in, and his team won by 2 points.
The third time I don't remember at all who was playing, but I remember telling my wife to come watch because you don't see it happen very often, and it worked out to the team that was behind winning.
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http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=250430021
I also saw one play that was the play of the week--a high school game where one team missed a free throw, an opposing player grabbed the rebound with one hand, and in one motion threw the ball at the basket at the other end of the floor. It went in, and his team won by 2 points.
The third time I don't remember at all who was playing, but I remember telling my wife to come watch because you don't see it happen very often, and it worked out to the team that was behind winning.
