Sports Thread #1 for 5/22/09- The Weird Obsession Of The "Who Should Take The Last Shot" Debate

Photo from the AP's Chris Carlson

An intriguing debate has emerged over the course of the incipient days of the NBA Playoffs' Conference Finals stage. But the intrigue has mainly come from irrationality and quick thinking.

The topic: Whether star players should always take the last shot in the game?

This has generated from both Nike's obsessions, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, not taking the final attempts the previous two nights in their teams' defeats. There have been a number of individuals, including Rob Parker on ESPN's First Take this morning, that have questioned at least the decision of this year's MVP to pass to Delonte West in their Game 1 loss to the Magic (even though that didn't turn out to be the final shot, as Mo Williams got off an attempt before time expired). Though Parker didn't mind Derek Fisher hoisting a three from the corner as the Lakers only chance to send the game into overtime yesterday fell by the wayside, Parker condemned James' decision to pass it to the former St.Joseph's standout, despite the fact that West hit a big three in the same spot just a few positions ago to give the Cavs the lead 103-102.

"Delonte West has done nothing,so why pass the ball to him," to paraphrase what he said. This was after First Take's resident ironman Skip Bayliss (when does he ever take a day off) criticized Phil Jackson and Kobe for having Fisher take the last shot, insisting that it would be better for last year's MVP to "take the shot with Carmelo" right in his face instead of kicking it to Fisher. And ever the LeBron critic, Bayliss didn't miss out on pointing how LeBron should have taken the last shot, but didn't show that killer instinct like Michael Jordan.

Those points are just a ring below the overall feeling of not only Parker and Bayliss, but a myriad of others: That both men should take the final shot all the time, no matter the circumstances. And if they don't, then they and their coaches made a grave mistake.

Now if that logic was made into actual basketball law, where the best player must take the final shot no matter what, then I guess we should criticize Jordan for doing just the same at least two memorable times in the past. Yes, it was the wrong decision by Jordan to pass the ball to a wide open John Paxson in Game 6 against the Suns in the 1993 Finals, and a wide open Steve Kerr in Game 6 against the Seattle Sonics in 1996 Finals. Even if they hit the shots, what was Jordan thinking? I mean, he's Michael Jordan, how on Earth could he be so unselfish and pass the ball to a wide open teammate (no matter what his past is) and not take the final shot himself?

Oh, HOW COULD HE CRUMBLE UNDER PRESSURE OF NOT PUTTING THE GAME ON HIS SHOULDERS?

Shameful decision from him, wasn't it?

It's the hypocrisy that really bothers me here, because nothing but accolades would have been bestowed to both James and Bryant if West and Fisher (though the accolades would be given to Jackson because Bryant didn't pass the ball to Fisher, Luke Walton did) knock down those shots. And while we're at it, let's slam every great player in the history of the sport for doing that. Let's please do.

Because it will be the only way to justify the stupidity of this supposed inherent audit.