![Quote](images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
NOEngineer
Sorry, this one's on our 3 "All Stars" who disappeared in the final 4 minutes, as well as missing at least 7 free throws between them over the game. Ingram had multiple passive possessions with long-range misses, while Zion and CK turned it over without getting up a shot. Weak.
Refs abused Jonas, but he wasn't doing anything anyway. Otherwise they were reasonably evenhanded. Coach had the right players in at the end, but they could not execute. Not Willie's fault, other than the lack of respect given to him and the team by the refs. Since that seems more team based than coach based over the years, I don't see any changes in ref bias helping us out in the future. Therefore, I don't see any upside to swapping coaches and a big potential downside to doing so.
We need to start figuring out how to get away with fouling like other teams do to us. I think it starts by taking advantage of our deep roster and allowing guys to foul out by preventing the opponent from moving so easily through and around our defense. If we are going to give up 30 free throws a night anyway, let's make the count like Memphis, Utah, Boston and now Houston are doing. Grab, shove, grind, body, etc. for 48 minutes and make them give the other team 40 free throws. Just stop the easy cuts and catches.