Pacers Pointing Fingers
Added on May 23, 2013 by Scott in
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A LeBron James buzzer-beater has a way of unsettling teams, especially when a trip to the NBA Finals is on the line. The Indiana Pacers are scratching their collective heads today and wondering “what if?” after falling victim to James’ Game 1 heroics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Worse than the overtime defeat, a questionable coaching move by Frank Vogel that attributed to James’ layup has left some players looking sideways at their head coach.
The Thursday morning quarterbacks are up in arms as to why Vogel removed seven-foot center Roy Hibbert during the final ten seconds of overtime. Without Hibbert on the floor, James attacked the rim unobstructed and converted a pair of baskets, including the game-winner.
Allowing the world’s best player to use his unparalleled one-on-one skills without one of the league’s best shot blockers to potentially impede him is puzzling. Vogel’s decision to go “small” was in response to Chris Bosh repeatedly knocking down jumpers versus the slower Hibbert. Makes sense on paper, because when Miami slides Bosh to center they are incredibly difficult to defend.
That said, the odds of Bosh, not James or Dwyane Wade, having his number called with the game on the line are slim at best, no matter what defensive alignment Indiana deploys. And a jumper is a lower percentage shot than a layup, so why not stick with Hibbert?
Vogel accepted responsibility for the loss. However, his players seem a bit confused. Hibbert took the high road, as he should, but was clearly disappointed about sitting on the bench. To be fair, even if the big man was present at the end of overtime, there’s no guarantee the Heat would’ve lost. James still could’ve hit a layup or jumper, or sunk two free throws after being fouled, or dished to an open shooter.
Therein lies the dilemma for Vogel and every other coach in the NBA. How do you defend LeBron? Vogel rolled the dice and came up snake eyes. It’s easy to blame him for being wrong, but the task ahead of him is a tall one. The Heat aren’t the Hawks or Knicks. It will take near perfection to dethrone them.
