I did not have a chance to see the game, but was able to catch the final play this morning. A couple things caught my attention, though some of them are obscured by the broadcast production, which cut away from the halfcourt for a tight shot on Baron as the Clippers were getting set.
When Novak first checks in, he sets up on the weak side along the perimeter, guarded by Trenton Hassell, who’s a very tight defender. Between that moment and the instant they return to the wide shot of the floor, Novak moves to the near side corner, and is now covered by Robin Lopez.
My best guess — and that’s all it is — would be that Lawrence Frank makes the switch in anticipation that Chris Kaman would be the screen man for the shooter. By having Hassell on Kaman at the time of the inbounds, this enables the Nets’ best defender to switch that screen and pick up the guy who will most likely end up with the ball. As it turns out, Kaman is somewhat incidental to the play.
Eric Gordon comes to receive the inbound pass from Baron. Once Eric penetrates, the entire Nets defense collapses — including Vince Carter [Baron Davis' defender] and Robin Lopez [Steve Novak's defender in the left corner]. Eric’s backward pass won’t win any skills awards, but it’s effective, landing in Baron’s hands.
At this point, it’s child’s play. Baron has a clean look, but Lopez is closing on him and Novak is equally open. Credit Baron for giving up the shot to the more proficient long-distance shooter.
So far as Novak goes, America’s children need to be watching this man shoot the basketball.
UPDATE: Déjà vu?
11 Responses
Novak has done this before. I was hoping he was going to come out with the last shot, but I really didn’t think Baron would make that 1 more pass.
Search YouTube for “Novak Game Winning 3″ and look for a video of him hitting a game winning shot in Houston against the Kings.
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Posted on March 16th, 2009 at 9:39 am
peeeeeeerfect make
great win
and like ralph said
LONG OVERDUE!
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Posted on March 16th, 2009 at 9:59 am
I was at the game Kevin, (and for everyone else) sec 106, Novak just stayed in the corner, no screens, no running, no nothing. Just stayed in the corner. It was a simple play with a down screen set by Kaman to get EJ free at the top. The entry pass to Kaman was prevented thats why EJ was able to get to the top so easily. By then the Nets were scrambling and everything fell into place so easily.
Oh and I don’t think it was heard in the broadcast but there were lots of fans chanting “FIRE DUNLEAVY!”
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Posted on March 16th, 2009 at 10:05 am
Great shot. But don’t lose sight of the fact that it’s a miss away from ANOTHER Clipper collapse. I just can’t get excited over 16 wins no matter how they come. I hate this feeling. I might need an intervention.
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Posted on March 16th, 2009 at 10:09 am
@TNT57 you should have been there, Clipper Nation was beautiful last night. Best atmosphere of a game in a long time.
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Posted on March 16th, 2009 at 10:26 am
The NJ coach was afraid to take his team into OT vs the Clippers. If they were playing the Celtics I could maybe see fouling on purpose leading by 3, but that was a terrible call.
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Posted on March 16th, 2009 at 10:28 am
It was a good game. It look like the Clipps were going to lose another one but Novak came through. Another thing that help the Clippers win the game was Devin Harris not playing. I hope he gets better soon.
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clipseshow Reply:
March 16th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Very true, I hope he’s ok. Harris is an awesome PG.
The Staples Center was electric last night. It was probably the best feeling I’ve had all season long. For a split second, I thought about renewing my season tickets, but again, it is the Clippers and it was their 16th win. No thanks, Sterling!
I think this team could’ve been alot better, if we would’ve had a set starting line-up and set rotation from day one. Dunleavy likes to mix and match according to the teams he is coaching against, instead of focusing on the strengths of the Clippers, he likes to dwell on the strengths of the other team and then compensating for them.
Poor coaching, if you ask me, and a recipe for failure. But again, we are celebrating last night’s awesome win. Great job Clippers!
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Posted on March 16th, 2009 at 10:31 am
I CANNOT believe Baron Davis made that pass to Novak. The day Baron regularly makes that extra pass instead of throwing up one of his patented bricks we’ll be a MUCH better team.
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Posted on March 16th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I was at the game too (section 104) and the atmosphere was real great last night. Everyone was nervous near the end of course because of the blown lead, but for the last 2 minutes or so everyone was standing. As an added bonus I got to sit next to former Clipper girl Taylor, who I know as a huge fan favorite.
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