If the last play of the Laker game (when Yao intentionally missed the free throw and touch-passed it to Rafer) was a called play, Why didn't they have have Luther or someone else that can shoot positioned on the wing instead of Alston? It was a great play, executed perfectly by Yao, but hadn't Rafer already missed about 50 threes in a row. Just a thought
Because it's unwise to put in a guy that isn't warmed up (other than Novak or Brooks). Personally, I would have called for the same play with the personel that was out there. Then again, I would have gotten more guards in the rotation after Mac got injured.
Yeah I was thinking that too. As much as Head has been stinkin up the joint. I thought he wouldve been a better choice. He hit a lot of clutch buckets like that last year.
What I want to know is how the hell that play lasted so long... Wasn't there like 1.3 seconds left? I know the clock doesn't start until someone touches the ball, but still. Yao caught the ball, thought for a split second, passed to Rafer, and Rafer still set his feet and got the shot off in time. And Rafer isn't exactly the quickest draw in the West.
The longest 1.3 seconds ever... I didn't think it was possible but he actually got a shot off... Who wuuuda thout?
i suspect the reason is due to the comfort level shared between yao and alston. theyve been playing together forever and in order for that play to work, everything had to go right. also, alston was warm as mentioned, probably due to hit something, and may have also stepped up to the plate in the huddle.
I thought the same thing. I was glad they started the clock late. I was also calling for Head w/ a minute left, because no one was hitting 3's all game.
or at least battier, but he was lined up on the baseline. Im okay with Rafer playing only if he doesn't shoot the ball, but he always ends up wide open.
I'm pretty sure the defense purposely leaves Rafer open and doubles someone else cause he is not a consistent shooter.
well yeah they're gonna leave him open for that. instead he should drive to the basket to attract the defense and get Yao a shot or throw out to someone else to shot the 3. But im afraid the defense will leave him wide open, causing him to throw up a teardrop that hits nothing.
Laker can't imagine Yao could do that kind of pass by directly bouced the ball back from the rim. Personally, this is the first time I see this kind of pass. It was pretty amazing if Alston did hit the 3.
If Rafer were able to make that shot, you know the whole Lakers staff would argue about the shot clock. Then again I remember when Fisher made the last second shot in the playoff many years ago, the clock started late and resulted in a win for the Lakers. I guess it is about homecourt advantage when it comes to last second shot for the home team.
Does anybody know if Rafer has any interest in stamps, or maybe comic books? I really think he needs to find something else to do. I've supported him until now, but his shooting is just HORRIBLE!, and his turnovers have gone up. I would like to see Brooks starting, with Mike James coming off the bench. As bad as Alston is, at least he takes shots. Francis turns the ball over before he ever gets the shot off.
Everyone including the clock operators were shocked by that play. Pretty much everyone thought that free throw was a formality. Clock operators had to recover from their shock and get back to their work. Lucky for them, it went in the hands of Rafer and he saved them from having to deal with controversy.
He was inside the 3 point line and I believe we were down 3. He would not have enough time to take it outside and shoot with 1.3 sec on the clock.
Alston should not have been out there. It was a coaching mistake if even a formality. Also no time gets knocked off the clock if he makes it so I don;t think the clock starts till it hits the rim. Since it went right back to him and threw it so fast 1.3 seconds is entirely possible. I think you need .5 to get a shot off so .5 for yao to catch and pass then .8 for rafer.
