A Myth Debunked

Okay look, I've read probably about eighteen too many things that said the end of the West Virginia game was Green's fault.

IT WAS NOT.

While Green should have stayed in the way of the ball handler just a bit longer, he was responsible for defending the kick-out man on the wing. The defensive blame played on two things:

1. WVU player goes up to pick Brown and he bites it too hard in what looks like an assumption of a defensive switch with the picker's man (Eddie) but there is no switch. Ball handler reads that and goes the other way, attacking space and creating defensive havoc.

2. Green hedges out, in desperation to slow the ball handler down to give the defensive rotation (Raines protecting the rim, either Rankin or Eddie picking up Raines' man.

3. Raines was SUPPOSED to be there. If you watch the play, Raines was not aware that the ball was on the other side of the lane, as his back was to the ball handler. Green guarded the kick-out because Raines was supposed to rotate over and protect the basket, while Rankin or Eddie would rotate over to defend Raines' man.

Green did what the play called for. Even if he picked up the guy on the dribble, there would have been a wide open man on the wing for a near buzzer beater (even though it would be better than an open layup).

This is an example of complete defensive miscommunication but that miscommunication was primarily between Brown, Eddie and Raines. Not Green.

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