Will Someone Tell Me Why...........

[thesandman]

NBA coaches give up a chance to score so they can run the clock down an extra five seconds.

Why do NBA teams after playing great and running up a big double digit lead in the fourth quarter, do what Detroit did tonight. They stop being agressive, which got them their big league in the first place. All they care about is using time and they run the 24 second clock down under 5 seconds leaving them without a good shot. I don't understand why they can't run the clock down to around 10 seconds, leaving them with a chance for a decent shot. Detroit looked lost once they started playing slow down and never had a good shot because they kept running the clock down way to far before looking to shoot.

[Larry29]

Couldn't agree more! Detroit probably has the best starting 5 in the NBA, but because of their age and coaching, they've become a slow down, run out the clock type team. They should have blown out Cleveland and almost lost playing that way. Any eastern conference team won't do well against either Dallas or Phoenix. Let's face it, would you sooner watch a Dallas game or one of these ugly Eastern conference Games? I for one can't stand watching Detroit play.

[Kaptain]

it's the same way in the NFL.....how many times have I seen a team hold the other team to 2 field goals playing a regular defense, get a 10-6 lead, and in the last 2 minutes go to the famous "Prevent" defense, and give up a TD to lose........

It's called playing to "not lose', vs playing "to win"....not uncommon at all, actually the norm IMO.............

Why do they do it, I have no idea. I'm a firm believer in if its working, don't change it........

Stay with what got you there......but I'm not the coach.....

I know what you mean, seen it a thousand times..........One of Pro sports mysteries....kapt

[thesandman]

It Happens In Baseball Too

You're right Kapt. I didn't even think of the prevent defense. That one is so obiviously bad, I can't believe NFL coaches keep using it. I guess we could add to the list baseball managers who pull the starter after eight good innings, so the closer can come in and blow the save.

I've been hurt by all three although, I can't figure why any basketball coach would trade a chance to score two points, just to run the clock down an extra 5 seconds. Or why they pull a pitcher who they know is pitching lights out, just so the closer, can do what he is supposed to do, even though the manager has no idea how the closer will pitch that day. I remember a couple of years ago when Tim Hudson was with the A's, they would pull him with the lead, which the bullpen then blew. It seemed to happen over and over again and again to Hudson and yet Macha kept doing it.

[CheechB03]

NBA coaches give up a chance to score so they can run the clock down an extra five seconds.

Why do NBA teams after playing great and running up a big double digit lead in the fourth quarter, do what Detroit did tonight. They stop being agressive, which got them their big league in the first place. All they care about is using time and they run the 24 second clock down under 5 seconds leaving them without a good shot. I don't understand why they can't run the clock down to around 10 seconds, leaving them with a chance for a decent shot. Detroit looked lost once they started playing slow down and never had a good shot because they kept running the clock down way to far before looking to shoot.

It comes down to coaching and the media. Coaches are in a huge spot light. If a coach milks the clock they get accused by the media of "playing not to lose". If they keep their foot on the throat of their opponent they get accused of running up the score.

They can't win.

[thesandman]

Cheese said

It comes down to coaching and the media. Coaches are in a huge spot light. If a coach milks the clock they get accused by the media of "playing not to lose". If they keep their foot on the throat of their opponent they get accused of running up the score.

They can't win.

And it seems neither can we as long as they keep doing this.