What Doc Rivers should've learned from Rodney Rogers...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jun 11, 2008 9:03 AM MDT

It's tough for me to watch the NBA Finals because I have so many friends that are either annoying bandwagon Lakers "fans" or annoying bandwagon Celtics "fans", and therefore I want both teams to lose every game. (I've already chronicled why I hate Lakers "fans" and maybe I should do a Boston version soon, too). But I have tickets for Game 4 - albeit nosebleed seats - and as an NBA fan I want a seven-game series, so I had to root for the Lakers to win last night.

Even though I was rooting for the Lakers, I jumped off my couch when Celtics' coach Doc Rivers didn't call for his team to foul the Lakers with his Celts down just six points with 38 seconds left, yelling: "FOUL THEM, DOC!! FOUL THEM!!!!" (nevermind that Doc has FOUR terrific three-point shooters on his team). I find myself doing this a lot when I watch NBA games and coaches don't foul because they think their cause is lost down the stretch. You see, as a Nuggets fan, I KNOW that you can score nine points in nine seconds. Just watch this:

That's right, it was none other than Denver Nuggets rookie Rodney Rogers who - in 1993-94 (inarguably the most exciting season in Nuggets history since 1987-88) - wiped out an eight-point Utah Jazz lead at McNichols Arena in just nine seconds by sinking three three-pointers off three Robert Pack assists and two tremendous Pack steals. Of course, being the Nuggets, our players spent too much time celebrating to notice John Stockton calmly dribble down the court and pass the ball to Jeff Malone for the game-winning jump shot with 12 seconds remaining.

But ever since witnessing Rogers' amazing moment in NBA history and others like it (such as Reggie Miller's eight points in 8.9 seconds against the Knicks in the 1995 playoffs), I've never, ever understood why coaches give up like Doc did last night. Unless the opposing team is ahead by a minimum of 10 points with 10-20 seconds left in a game, you foul, foul, foul! As Jeff Van Gundy said during last night's ABC broadcast in response to Doc's curious decision not to foul: "It's the NBA Finals! Anything can happen!!"

It will be interesting to see how the Boston media and Celtics bloggers react to Doc's George Karl imitation from last night.

On a quick side note, while we're reflecting on Rodney Rogers and Robert Pack, be sure to check out this video on the top-10 dunks from 1994-95.

Tweet Comment 5 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Thanks for rooting for the Lakers last night. Some friend. You could've watched the Celtics win no. 17 tomorrow night.

by ATL JAMES on Jun 11, 2008 9:59 AM MDT reply actions

Wow three Nuggets jams in the top 10. Rodney Rogers was one of the few Nuggets that did worse after he left, imo anyways. His Belly blew up a hell of a lot more than his game did.

Mordecai

by Anonymous on Jun 11, 2008 10:29 AM MDT reply actions

I was at that Nuggets game, I was young and had given up on the Nuggets winning. In fact, the only reason I hadn't left early was because my friend's Dad arranged for us to meet Bryant Stith after the game. Then just like that the Nuggets were winning. AS you said, in true Nuggets fashion the Nuggets gave up the lead to the Jazz, but they had a last second chance to win the game. I still remember walking out of McNichols and over-hearing a Nuggets fan complaining that we didn't have anyone to take clutch, last second, shots. Being 9 or 10 at the time, I took exception to this "grown-ups" point and agrued that Rodney Rodgers was that player. I still can't believe that our final shot was taken by someone other than Rodgers (Pack if my memory is correct) took the last shot of that game. It is still one of my favorite Nugget memories (kinda sad that one of my favorite memories is a loss).

by Joshua on Jun 11, 2008 12:26 PM MDT reply actions

I too was at that game; I remember it being COLD that night. After that last three, the bench was grabbing and celebrating with RR, who was actually trying to run downcourt. Blame it on Mark Randall.

by Commish CH on Jun 11, 2008 4:06 PM MDT reply actions

Yeah, I hate it when coaches give up like that.

On a side note, I think you should look at this article Andrew, if you haven't already.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880610005

by nataly on Jun 11, 2008 10:55 PM MDT reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.