Certainly an entertaining game, and one of the Jazz' best performances of the season, regardless of blowing a lead late in the game.
The Jazz are down 1 with 13 seconds left, and quickly go to a play that has been a favorite as of late, going to the low post in an iso play for Al Jefferson. Nothing was there, and he dished it back to Devin Harris at the top of the key. Devin, with "The King" guarding him, pump faked, got LeBron in the air and took it to the hole. He floats up a prayer with his right hand, draws contact from D-Wade and makes the shot. Harris goes to the line, makes the free throw, Jazz up one with 4.5 seconds left.
On the ensuing play, LeBron lined up underneath the hoop guarded by Josh Howard. To this point in the 4th quarter, the Headband Hoodlum had been playing like a mad man. 8-9 from the field in the 4th quarter including a three-pointer with 1:07 left, and a crazy 23 footer with a guy in his face, to take the lead with 26 seconds left. The game was his. He curled up outside the three point line on the wing, catches a screen from Udonis Haslem and is double teamed by Paul Millsap and Josh Howard, and passed to the open man (Haslem), who missed an open 18 footer, Jazz rebound, Jazz win.
I really don't think that LeBron dishing the ball was that big of a deal. Haslem is having an off-season, and isn't shooting well, but historically is a decent mid-range shooter. He was the open man, and had a good look. LeBron had two guys right up in his face and passed it to the open man, and LeBron gets the blame for this loss. Not to mention if Haslem sinks the open "J", LBJ would have looked like a genius. Does the double teamed superstar keep the ball and take an off-balance shot, or pass to the open role-player who is traditionally a good mid-range shooter?
What if D-Wade hadn't disappeared in the 4th quarter. He was 2-6 shooting, and missed a free-throw that would have given the Heat a three point lead with 13 seconds left. What if Wade made the free-throw? LeBron was the only reason the Heat were even in the game in the 4th quarter. Dwyane Wade should be the one taking the Heat for this loss, if anybody.
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This game wasn't a division, or conference game. Miami still has a 5 1/2 game lead over division rival Orlando, and the Jazz are still looking like a long-shot for a playoff spot out West. This game has little significance to either team, right now. If this game were later in the season, and the playoff races were a lot closer than they actually are, this game, and LeBron's pass would have mattered a lot more. LeBron disappeared in the final minutes of playoff games last year. He's done much better in the clutch this year, and he certainly stepped it up in the 4th quarter tonight. He shouldn't be criticized for passing to an open player, especially after all he had done. If/when he does that in a game that matters this year, than we can get on his back. As for now, he's still one of the most dominant players in the game.
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Nice post. I was shocked that he passed, though.
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