Open Thread: Who do you want taking the final shot in a tie game?

My choice is Elias Harris. I love the maturity that this kid has, and it seems that there is no situation that rattles him. When you have the last shot, you want to give the ball to a guy that will not be overwhelmed by the moment, and Elias has shown that ability. What I also like is the fact that he has the ability to both take his man off the dribble and shoot from the outside. With that variety of options in his offensive repertoire, I think that not only would Elias get a good look, but he also has the ability to draw a foul on the drive and finish with contact at the rim.

We’ve seen Meech do it before, he obviously has stones (as a freshman in march madness? ridiculous) and has the speed to get open. If we’re down by 1 or 2 and have to drive the length of the court, I couldn’t draw up a better player to take the shot than meech. Now, if we’re down by 3, it has to be Gray… he wants to make the big three and has the perfect stroke to do it.

Very little pressure in that situation.

The real question is who do you want shooting the last shot when you’re behind by 1. My answer is Bouldin. Better than Gray witht he ball in his hands, and has a much easier time creating his own shot.

I think Steven already had his chance (twice) against Michigan St., and missed slightly both times. In that time of a game, he will never get a better shot than the two he had. Sacre had one of those shots against Cincinatti and drained it to tie the game with about 20 seconds remaining. However, given the “tie game circumstance,” I would prefer Elias take the final shot. He’s such a determined and strong player that won’t let a block or slap on the wrist discourage him. He’s not the type of player that drives the lane simply to draw a foul—he drives the lane to score, and often gets fouled in the process. Additionally, he has such great athleticism and versatility that I am convinced he could shake his defender and make a shot from anywhere on the floor.

It’s not “Who would you want to have the ball in their hands at the end of the game with the possibility to drive?” it’s “Who do you want taking the final shot in a tie game?” The emphasis is on the shot.

Now I could weasel my way out of this with different types of shots; like I’d rather have Steven for 3 and Matt for a 2 point banker, but when it comes down to it the answer is Matt because he can shoot any shot on the floor. Close, midrange, 3-pointer, bank, whatever Matt gives you overall the best chance that the shot goes in.

:-)

Fortunately for the Cougars, they’ll be so far behind the Zags that they won’t have to worry about who will take that shot. I’m picturing Klay Thompson crying on the floor of the Kennel after leading his team to a commanding loss (Adam Morrisonesque)

which is why I don’t like Steven, even though I think he’s the best player on the team. Give me Matt on a set play where he can get to the hoop or Rob for a post up.

When you’ve got a 7 footer with the size Rob has, you just have to use him. Now that he appears to have a nice array of post moves including a turn around mid-range jumper, I’ve got confidence that he can drain the big shot ala Cincinnati.

gotta go with our leader. Plus I like the extra maturity of Matt in this case.

Can he get a good shot off against a solid defender? Im not sure about that. I know Elias will get a good luck no matter who is guarding him. Not sure about Matt

Let the best defender take Bouldin, I’ll take good spacing and a pick and roll with Gray either finding Harris or keeping it himself. Both can hit jumpers, both can draw fouls, and both can finish. Defend that.