It sounds like something fans would say right? They want to see superstars taking the final shot. It’s why Kobe is beloved for taking so many shots, even though he misses so much. No one remembers the misses though. They want to see superstars taking that last second desperation shot to add to their resume of “moments”. Why else was Lebron critiqued by people for passing up on so many final shots to instead look for the open man that can take a higher percentage shot? Steve Kerr has a word for these people: Idiots.
Via ESPN,
“It’s because people are idiots, that’s why. The point of the game is to get an open shot and if a guy’s double-teamed he should pass it. That’s the game.”
That makes a lot more sense doesn’t it? Kerr should know, he’s made a career out of being the benefactor of that extra pass. He’s hit big shots and he wasn’t the superstar. A team should not succumb to the will of a fan on the couch who is rooting for a moment instead of a good play. Would you rather see Kobe Bryant shoot a contested three pointer as he fades away from the basket or would you rather see him pass to a wide open teammate to take a higher percentage shot? It’s just not as fun and people wouldn’t remember that teammate hitting the game winning shot or Kobe missing that contested shot. If Kobe were to make that contested shot though, then they would have something to remember. Kerr was praising star point guard, Stephen Curry for being willing to pass to find the best possible shot.