Golden State Intentional Foul Rockets (Prevent Scoring Record)
For anyone who saw the highlights last night, the Houston Rockets were smoking the Golden State Warriors. Late in the 4th quarter, the Rockets tied the NBA record for 3 pointers made in a game; Mark Jackson then (reportedly) instructed team to intentionally foul the Rockets at the start of every Houston offensive possession: this began with a flagrant clothes-line slap on the neck during a 3 point attempt.
I see the message he's trying to send his team...and I like that the move goes against the modern "lovey-dovey" direction the league is going in: but you have to suck it up, and let the game run it's course: Houston deserved the record, they took advantage of the bad defense and hit there 3s.
If we're talking about "playing to the end" and simulating the must foul situation late...I understand: but this was in the context of preventing a record. It was classless on a different level than the hard and sometimes flagrant fouling than the 80s Pistons and 90s Pacers/Knicks.
I'm actually hearing support for Jackson in his decision which is mind-boggling..
Thoughts?
Golden State Intentional Foul Rockets (Prevent Scoring Record)
I think it's dumb. For one, you're already in the record books. If you're tied for the record, you're still listed. Two, if he wanted to avoid the record, maybe devise some kind of strategy during the game to prevent it from happening?
What message are you really sending if you already got the record tied? "Oh, I'm instilling toughness, we only allowed 23 three pointers."
Also - damn 23 threes? That'd take us about 7 games to get that.