Puffer wrote:
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I talking the guy who, the last 10 or so possessions in the game (every game), when everyone starts to tense up, carries the team. Might be through hitting big shots, might be through beating his man off the dribble, as others have mentioned might be through defensive stops.
There are certain players who fit this bill. Who you just know that the ball is going through them. If you ask 100 people - 100 out of 100 would tell you the clutch play will run through them. Derrick Rose. Kobe. MJ. Undisputed alpha dogs.
Even LBJ and KD have had difficulty establishing themselves as alpha dogs on their own teams (in part due to other great players - westbrook and wade .. in part due to LBJ's past shyness at the end of games).
I put a lot of weight in this term. I think your definitions above support my claim. If I was to guess, there will be a bit of an identity crisis on this team down the stretch. Should the ball go to AB in the post? Lowry off the dribble? Maybe (gulp) DD? If Lowry is an alpha dog, as some think .. then I see him taking control of the situation and taking the bull by the horns to make sure the right thing happens. There shouldnt be any doubt whos hands the ball will go through with 8 on the shot clock and the team needing a key bucket. We will see .. but Im not convinced.
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