That is literally what I screamed at the top of my lungs with nine seconds left in game two of the NBA Finals featuring the New York Nicks vs San Antonio Spurs... and I was in a bar when I did it.
I honestly can not believe what I saw last night. For the first six quarters of the NBA Finals, the best basketball player in the world, Victor Wembanyama looked lost. Actually, he looked like a 22 year old playing against guys who had been in the NBA for a decade. In game one he went 6 for 21 from the field and a dismal 2 for 9 from three point land. The best line I saw on the internet was "Wemby looked like he was going second in a game of horse behind a very creative player". Wemby seemed to be throwing up wild shot after wild shot. The same held true for the first half of game two. Wemby had just seven points at halftime. Charles Barkley, who always tells the truth, said it best. He said that Wemby was getting his as kicked. he also pointed out a big part of it was youth and inexperience.
Well apparently Wemby heard Chuck and took it to heart. he was absolutely fantastic in the second half of game two... until there was thirty seconds left.
Actual footage of Victor Wembanyama wondering why his coach did not call a timeout.
But to be fair, the Spurs head coach, Mitch Johnson, should be taking a huge portion of the blame. Just like Wemby looked like an inexperienced player, Johnson looked like a very inexperienced second year coach.
With thirty seconds left with the score tied, the Spurs had the ball. Johnson called a timeout and decided to go for a two for one so the Spurs would have two cracks at scoring during the final 30 seconds of the game. Apparently the plan was for Wemby to take a jump shot. Of course he missed.
On the next trip, the Knicks ended with an empty possession. The game was still tied. Wemby had the ball with nine seconds left and that is when the Spurs coach lost the game. Many will argue that Wemby passing the ball to Stephon Castle when he wasn't looking was the reason they lost. But that should have never happened. As soon as the Spurs grabbed the rebound, Johnson should have immediately called timeout... but he didn't. And the Spurs lost. As soon as they did, I said "you sir are fucked" (referring to Mitch Johnson). Sadly a guy at the bar thought I was talking to him. We straightened it out quickly. But Mitch Johnson caused that problem too.
Actual footage of Johnson hugging the guy every Spurs fan wishes could still be coaching the team.
I know there are two schools of thought here. Some coaches want their team to play fast and not allow the defense to set up. But the Spurs best three players, who were all on the floor, have a combined 6 years of NBA experience. Wemby is in his 3rd year, Castle is in his second, and Harper is a rookie. All of their ages combined are only slightly older than me (yes I'm old). Thsoe kids needed a time out to calm their nerves and set up a play. But instead the kids did what kids do. The Kicks stole the ball, Brunson got fouled and hit one of two free throws.
Mitch Johnson had one chance to redeem himself. With 7 seconds left, he could draw up a winning play. Perhaps he would send Wemby to the basket. Maybe he would have Castle drive. Nope. Another jumper by Wemby. And they lost. You can hang this loss on the coach.
Call A Freaking Timeout You Idiot!
