Stan Van Gundy continues to take blame in the post-game conference, but”my bad” can’t cut it anymore. Van Gundy has to correct his in-game adjustments.
There he was again.
Detroit Pistons guard, Ish Smith, in the game at the end of the fourth quarter. Under 10 seconds left, Pistons are up by two, and Smith (6’0″, 175 lbs) was guarding the in-bounder.
Smith allows a pass to go right by him, underneath the basket, to a cutting Joe Ingles for a layup. The man guarding the in-bounder is suppose to take away that pass, and yet it was allowed.
Yet, there was probably nothing Smith could do about it.
Adjustments? What are those
— Duncan Smith (@DuncanSmithNBA) January 25, 2018
Why was Smith in the game?
Just a few days before, Stan Van Gundy admitted that he was wrong to have the miniature Smith in the game on the last possession against the Brooklyn Nets, where Spencer Dinwiddie hit the game-winner after getting by Smith.
But, there he was again. Apart of a critical defensive possession in a game the Pistons ended up losing.
Smith, by the way, wasn’t just there the for that possession. Smith was in the game the whole fourth quarter, where starting point guard Langston Galloway, watched from his seat on the bench.
Why was Smith out there this late in game, when Galloway was playing well and gives the Pistons needed spacing?
1. Why was Ish in the entire fourth quarter?
— Ku (@KuKhahil) January 25, 2018
2. Why was Ish in late/OT, instead of Langston for some spacing and offense?
3. Why wait till 6 seconds to call a timeout when you’re down 3, not 2, but 3?
4. Why was Ish in AGAIN, on Ingles game tying layup?
Fast forward to overtime.
The Pistons gained their last possession of overtime with 11 seconds, off a defensive rebound, down three. Van Gundy waited until six seconds were left to call the timeout.
Why? The Pistons were down three, not two, but three points. If the Pistons were down two, and Van Gundy was trying to catch the defense off balance, that’d be smart.
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In that situation, you can take ANY shot on the court and it helps you.
However, in THIS situation you must take a three. Van Gundy knows that and so does the opponent. Even if the Jazz were scrambling, they can allow the Pistons to drive to the rim and take a two, that doesn’t hurt them.
Van Gundy either realized this too late, or didn’t like the possession going on, and wasted 5 seconds off the clock before calling timeout.
By doing this, you all but eliminate an offensive rebound chance by Andre Drummond to create another three. You also eliminate being able to play the foul game if you miss the
From Elias Sports Bureau:
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) January 25, 2018
Since 1973-74, when the NBA first recorded blocks and steals, no player had 30+ PTS, 24+ REB, 6+ BLK, 4+ AST, and 3+ STL in the same game before #Pistons Andre Drummond tonight.
In a game where Drummond was dominating the glass and was pushing around anyone on him, why wouldn’t you call timeout earlier, so Drummond at least has a chance to get you an offensive rebound and kick out for a three?
If the Pistons were a great team, and didn’t need just some random game at the end of January, maybe Van Gundy could be defended for this.
But, the Pistons NEED these games very badly.
This is now at least two games, on this six game losing streak, that have been blundered at the end of games by Van Gundy.
Yes, we know Van Gundy, “My bad”.
My bad isn’t going to cut it soon.