Forcing the shot: The Baron Davis story

To be a good team, your point guard needs to be in control. Unfortunately for the Golden State Warriors tonight, Baron Davis was out of control.

Look at some of the great NBA teams of past and present: the Utah Jazz of the 90s were led by John Stockton, the Detroit Pistons of the 80s were led by Isaiah Thomas. The Lakers in the 80s were led by Magic Johnson. Even today, the San Antonio Spurs (Tony Parker), Phoenix Suns (Steve Nash) and Detroit Pistons (Chauncey Billups) all are led by the top floor generals in the game today.

But Davis did three things tonight that none of those players would have done. Hog the ball. Force shots when it’s very apparent it’s not your shooting night. Throw a cheap shot elbow late in the game (okay, maybe Thomas would do that one).

Davis’ 6-of-16 shooting performance tonight was dismal to be easy on him. Late in the first half, protecting a three-point lead, Davis forced two shots that led to transition buckets for the Jazz, giving the Jazz a 50-49 lead.

What did Davis then do on the final possession of the half to top that performance? Dribble-drive, back out and force a jumper.

Clang.

Jazz go into the half leading by one.

Those last few minutes of the first half exemplified the whole game for the Warriors. In front of their loud and rowdy crowd, Golden State never looked even remotely comfortable in their offense, forcing bad shot after bad shot.

That’s the point guard’s fault.

He’s supposed to be running the show, instead Davis felt as if he was the show.

Once Davis didn’t “feel it” from the floor, his next job as point guard it to penetrate and create open looks for his teammates, something that must have slipped his mind. This created tough looks for this predominately three-point shooting team and it showed.

They shot 12-39 from behind the arc and didn’t fare much better at the charity stripe, only converting on 21 of their 34 attempts for a lackluster 61 percent. Keep in mind, Davis went two of eight from behind the arc and only one of four from the line.

Meanwhile, the Jazz hit 37 of their 43 free throws (86 percent). If that statistic doesn’t sum it up, I don’t know what does.

For the Warriors and their never say die attitude to come back and win games five, six and seven, Davis needs to be more of a floor leader and realize that when he’s not shooting so well, his job is to create open shots for his teammates. Not force them himself.