What Are The Top Coaching Blunders In NBA Finals History

[Foster5k]

One, that recently comes to mind, is when Gregg Popovich took Tim Duncan out late in game 6. It resulted in Chris Bosh getting a game changing rebound and passing it to Ray Allen. Ray Allen then made one of the biggest shots in NBA history, to tie the game for Miami. Ultimately, Miami went on to win the NBA Finals in game 7.

What other coaching blunders can you guys think of? Does any top this one?

[Black and White]

Vogel sitting Hibbert in game 1

[K Xerxes]

Hindsight is golden, right?

The idea behind it wasn't actually so bad. Miami obviously needed a 3 to get back in the game and Duncan isn't the greatest perimeter defender at this age, especially when Bosh has shown the ability to knock down clutch threes before.

Even without Duncan, you still expect 2 defensive rebounds. Hell, in the first one, two of the Spurs player fought for the rebound and fumbled it. They were long bounces after both Lebron misses, would Duncan have got them if he was in anyway?

Pop's biggest 'blunder' was sticking with Manu that long, but who can blame him when Manu is the prototypical 'brick everything then nail clutch shots' guy.

[Foster5k]

Vogel sitting Hibbert in game 1
Good one, but that was in the Eastern Conference Finals, not the NBA Finals.

[Black and White]

Hindsight is golden, right?

The idea behind it wasn't actually so bad. Miami obviously needed a 3 to get back in the game and Duncan isn't the greatest perimeter defender at this age, especially when Bosh has shown the ability to knock down clutch threes before.

Even without Duncan, you still expect 2 defensive rebounds. Hell, in the first one, two of the Spurs player fought for the rebound and fumbled it. They were long bounces after both Lebron misses, would Duncan have got them if he was in anyway?

Pop's biggest 'blunder' was sticking with Manu that long, but who can blame him when Manu is the prototypical 'brick everything then nail clutch shots' guy.

This, hell, T-Mac would have played better lol

[no pun intended]

Spoelstra playing LeBron in the 4th in 2011 NBA Finals

[Black and White]

Good one, but that was in the Eastern Conference Finals, not the NBA Finals.

Sorry man, my bad

[Eric Cartman]

Scott Brooks refusing to sit Kendrick Perkins in '12.

[red1]

One, that recently comes to mind, is when Gregg Popovich took Tim Duncan out late in game 6. It resulted in Chris Bosh getting a game changing rebound and passing it to Ray Allen. Ray Allen then made one of the biggest shots in NBA history, to tie the game for Miami. Ultimately, Miami went on to win the NBA Finals in game 7.

What other coaching blunders can you guys think of? Does any top this one?
That really wasnt a blunder. His logic was sound and if the spurs won it would have been looked at as a good decision. Pop just got unlucky, it's not his fault jesus played for the other team.

[ZenMaster]

Calling Popovic matching up with the oposition a blunder, because you somehow take it as fact they would have gotten the reobund if Duncan was on the floor and not given up an open make, is BS.

Brooks not starting Ibaka at center instead of Perkins over the course of a series is a legit coaching blunder.

[west_tip]

Hindsight is golden, right?

The idea behind it wasn't actually so bad. Miami obviously needed a 3 to get back in the game and Duncan isn't the greatest perimeter defender at this age, especially when Bosh has shown the ability to knock down clutch threes before.

Even without Duncan, you still expect 2 defensive rebounds. Hell, in the first one, two of the Spurs player fought for the rebound and fumbled it. They were long bounces after both Lebron misses, would Duncan have got them if he was in anyway?

Pop's biggest 'blunder' was sticking with Manu that long, but who can blame him when Manu is the prototypical 'brick everything then nail clutch shots' guy.

Yeah but after the substitution hadn't worked the first time why do it again?

Also, most coaches would settle for Bosh shooting a three and live with the consequences, he didn't attempt any 3s in that game and its not his shot.

[red1]

Scott Brooks refusing to sit Kendrick Perkins in '12.
I truly believe that OKC would have won if they didn't play him at all. Every time the thunder were losing momentum it could all be traced back to perk and the fact that the thunder were literally playing 4 on 5 for stretches. Why would you play the slowest player in the league against the fastest team? Especially when collison and ibaka were doing a good job of matching up with bosh at the 5. Brooks really loses points for that

[ZenMaster]

Yeah but after the substitution hadn't worked the first time why do it again?

Also, most coaches would settle for Bosh shooting a three and live with the consequences, he didn't attempt any 3s in that game and its not his shot.

No coach, being up 3 points, would never settle for anyone to get an open 3 pointer at the end of the game. Especially not when it's know the guy is capable of making it, just because he hadn't hit one that day you don't want to give him an open one.

[fsvr54]

Not having Payton on MJ from the start.

[Droid101]

I truly believe that OKC would have won if they didn't play him at all. Every time the thunder were losing momentum it could all be traced back to perk and the fact that the thunder were literally playing 4 on 5 for stretches. Why would you play the slowest player in the league against the fastest team? Especially when collison and ibaka were doing a good job of matching up with bosh at the 5. Brooks really loses points for that
Collison has been a better center/player than Perkins since they day they acquired him. Perkins is only good at defending one player in the league, and he's starting to falter at that.

[west_tip]

No coach, being up 3 points, would never settle for anyone to get an open 3 pointer at the end of the game. Especially not when it's know the guy is capable of making it, just because he hadn't hit one that day you don't want to give him an open one.

Of course Bosh could make a three but its about picking your poison and Bosh shooting a three is the lesser of all evils.

Also, I disagree with the poster who said that Duncan would have had no chance with the second rebound, it wasn't long and he would have had a shot at securing that one.

[Budadiiii]

Scott Brooks refusing to sit Kendrick Perkins in '12.
Sit boy!! Perkins.... SIT!!!! SIT BOY!!!!!


....thats a good boy.... who's a good boy?

*Gives Perkins 4 oscar meyer wieners*


:facepalm

Dude, he's not a dog. You can't just tell him to sit down. He's a pro baller and the starting C for ****s sake. Not like had any depth at the position.

We lost that finals because
A) Obvious ref bias
B) James Harden pulling an 11' Bron

I still to this day consider Perkins a valuable asset.

[Brook(lyn)Lopez]

Sorry, but you can't defend Pop's decision to sit Duncan.
You put the player in who literally defined the success of the franchise, and was the only reason said franchise won any rings in the first place, in any and all situations where if the team executes, they win.
The Spurs got the miss on the 3 point attempt, Lebron isn't especially clutch, and Tim Duncan being in the game would have not made Lebron suddenly be clutch and make the field goal attempt.
Duncan being in would have made that offensive rebound almost impossible.
Sorry, but Pop dun goofed in that situation, and he'll never be a better coach than Phil Jackson, because PJ wouldn't have outsmarted himself or whatever delusional reason Pop was thinking of to sub Duncan out in that situation.
Sometimes it is about the move you don't make, rather than making a move for the sake of making a move, which is what Pop did.

[red1]

Collison has been a better center/player than Perkins since they day they acquired him. Perkins is only good at defending one player in the league, and he's starting to falter at that.
Collison outplayed perk every second he was on the floor and the thunder were rolling with that line-up yet brooks couldnt see that he would be better served giving him perk's minutes. Shit was mind-boggling.

[red1]

Sit boy!! Perkins.... SIT!!!! SIT BOY!!!!!


....thats a good boy.... who's a good boy?

*Gives Perkins 4 oscar meyer wieners*


:facepalm

Dude, he's not a dog. You can't just tell him to sit down. He's a pro baller and the starting C for ****s sake. Not like had any depth at the position.

We lost that finals because
A) Obvious ref bias
B) James Harden pulling an 11' Bron

I still to this day consider Perkins a valuable asset.
You are deceiving yourself. Perk was a massive liability in that series and I'm amazed that you don't see it

[west_tip]

Sorry, but you can't defend Pop's decision to sit Duncan.
You put the player in who literally defined the success of the franchise, and was the only reason said franchise won any rings in the first place, in any and all situations where if the team executes, they win.


So much this. Duncan was playing like a man possessed that night, especially in the first half. He was so close to that fifth ring he could almost smell it and to take him out at that critical stage is indefensible and I say that as a big Pop fan. Just leave your alpha dog in there, defend the three as best you can and trust your team to come up with a stop/board with your most influential player on the court.

[Budadiiii]

You are deceiving yourself. Perk was a massive liability in that series and I'm amazed that you don't see it
I missed three games. was in California on vacation. was out/about and couldnt catch the games.

Watched the first two missed the last three. I'm talking out of my ass on this one. I was too salty to watch the full games because I already knew the result. I did watch the game where WB went for 43 but not the other two...

I simply don't know if he was a liability or not. Don't know how Scotty handled the rotations.

[red1]

Sorry, but you can't defend Pop's decision to sit Duncan.
You put the player in who literally defined the success of the franchise, and was the only reason said franchise won any rings in the first place, in any and all situations where if the team executes, they win.
The Spurs got the miss on the 3 point attempt, Lebron isn't especially clutch, and Tim Duncan being in the game would have not made Lebron suddenly be clutch and make the field goal attempt.
Duncan being in would have made that offensive rebound almost impossible.
Sorry, but Pop dun goofed in that situation, and he'll never be a better coach than Phil Jackson, because PJ wouldn't have outsmarted himself or whatever delusional reason Pop was thinking of to sub Duncan out in that situation.
Sometimes it is about the move you don't make, rather than making a move for the sake of making a move, which is what Pop did.
This is all 20/20 hindsight. Do you not understand the reason WHY he pulled him? Does it not make sense?

[red1]

I missed three games. was in California on vacation. was out/about and couldnt catch the games.

Watched the first two missed the last three. I'm talking out of my ass on this one. I was too salty to watch the full games because I already knew the result. I did watch the game where WB went for 43 but not the other two...

I simply don't know if he was a liability or not. Don't know how Scotty handled the rotations.
Fair enough. The reason I am confident in okc's chances of contending this year is because of how close they came in 2012. The 4-1 final result is not indicative of how competitive the series was. All okc needed was a few minor tweaks like not playing perk period against a small-ball team like miami and giving collison more minutes. It doesnt hurt that harden contributed nothing and that the pieces they got back are fitting in very well.

[west_tip]

Does it not make sense?

It doesn't because:
a) Bosh was 0/6 from three thus far in the Finals (he ended up 0/7) and
b) Taking Duncan out did not work after Lebron missed then made the first three, why do it again?
c) You have to secure the defensive rebound in order to finish the play and Duncan led all players that night with 17 boards.

[ZenMaster]

Of course Bosh could make a three but its about picking your poison and Bosh shooting a three is the lesser of all evils.

Also, I disagree with the poster who said that Duncan would have had no chance with the second rebound, it wasn't long and he would have had a shot at securing that one.

No giving an open three when it's the only shot you can't have the other team make is the evil. The lesser evil is getting nobody an open shot because it's ALL the heat could use.

So many things went wrong for the Spurs on that last play, Bosh was allowed to set a very illegal screen to get Lebron open for his inital three, then Ginobili has to fall to the ground on the rebound or Allen would never haven been open for a second three point attempt.

[Solefade]

Mike Brown when he got severely out coached by SVG in 2009 in every facet of the series.

[red1]

It doesn't because:
a) Bosh was 0/6 from three thus far in the Finals (he ended up 0/7) and
b) Taking Duncan out did not work after Lebron missed then made the first three, why do it again?
c) You have to secure the defensive rebound in order to finish the play and Duncan led all players that night with 17 boards.
This is still hindsight man. What the spurs wanted to avoid was the heat getting a clean look at a three. Pop's decision was in line with that. Duncan has terrible mobility at his age so it was a sound decision. Just bad luck

[west_tip]

The lesser evil is getting nobody an open shot because it's ALL the heat could use.

Its all the Heat could use yet they found themselves with 4 chances at it because Spurs couldn't get the rebound.

Bosh is not a lights out 3 point shooter so there was no reason for Pop to substitute Tim for that reason.

[Overdrive]

This is all 20/20 hindsight. Do you not understand the reason WHY he pulled him? Does it not make sense?

He reacted to Spoelstra; Pop's been the guy who had other coaches react to him his whole career. Spo wanted him to match his line up and won.

[west_tip]

This is still hindsight man. What the spurs wanted to avoid was the heat getting a clean look at a three. Pop's decision was in line with that. Duncan has terrible mobility at his age so it was a sound decision. Just bad luck

We'll have to agree to disagree. I see what you are saying, luck certainly played a part and I understand the rationale behind Pop's decision I just don't agree with it. I feel like Pop's decision was too conservative and showed too much respect to Bosh.

Also, by way of furthering this discussion has there been any similar occasions when a multiple Finals MVP has sat out a key stretch of a playoff game that his team wound up losing? I'm thinking it might be unprecedented but maybe someone can recall a similar situation?

[red1]

He reacted to Spoelstra; Pop's been the guy who had other coaches react to him his whole career. Spo wanted him to match his line up and won.
You are overanalyzing my friend. He made a good decision but the cards just didnt fall his way

[Fresh Kid]

One, that recently comes to mind, is when Gregg Popovich took Tim Duncan out late in game 6. It resulted in Chris Bosh getting a game changing rebound and passing it to Ray Allen. Ray Allen then made one of the biggest shots in NBA history, to tie the game for Miami. Ultimately, Miami went on to win the NBA Finals in game 7.

What other coaching blunders can you guys think of? Does any top this one?
nope, truthfully absolutely nuttin tops this.

[ZenMaster]

Its all the Heat could use yet they found themselves with 4 chances at it because Spurs couldn't get the rebound.

Bosh is not a lights out 3 point shooter so there was no reason for Pop to substitute Tim for that reason.

Bosh can hit open threes so there was a reason for Pop to substitute with someone who wouldn't leave him open at the 3pt line when that's all the other team would be gunning for.

[LAZERUSS]

Butch Van Breda Kolff in the 68-69 Finals. A case could be made that he did absolutely nothing right in the series (and to no one's surprise, quit immediately afterwards just before getting canned.) He never amounted to anything again.

[millwad]

Butch Van Breda Kolff in the 68-69 Finals. A case could be made that he did absolutely nothing right in the series (and to no one's surprise, quit immediately afterwards just before getting canned.) He never amounted to anything again.

Oh, shut it, funny how you blame Van Breda for Wilt's big time choking performance.

LA lost game 4 with 1 point, Wilt in that game made 2 out of 11 FT's which means he made pathetic 18% of his FT-attempts in that game.

LA also lost game 7 with 2 points and Wilt only made 4 out of 13 FT's in that game.

It's hilarious how you try to blame the biggest FT-choking performance of all-time by Wilt... on the poor coach.

[LAZERUSS]

Oh, shut it, funny how you blame Van Breda for Wilt's big time choking performance.

LA lost game 4 with 1 point, Wilt in that game made 2 out of 11 FT's which means he made pathetic 18% of his FT-attempts in that game.

LA also lost game 7 with 2 points and Wilt only made 4 out of 13 FT's in that game.

It's hilarious how you try to blame the biggest FT-choking performance of all-time by Wilt... on the poor coach.

Hmmm...

In game four, how about Baylor? He shot 2-14 from the field AND 1-6 from the line. Oh, and while Wilt shot poorly, how about Russell's 2-12 from the field, in a game in which Chamberlain grabbed 31 rebounds?

But let's get back to Van Breda Kolff in that game. The Lakers led, 88-87 late (and were leading in the series, 2-1), AND, they had the ball with only a few seconds remaining. So, of course VBK put the ball in Jerry West's hands, right? Nope, he let JOHNNY EGAN handle it. And, of course, Egan was stripped, and Sam Jones, while falling down, hit a miraculous shot at the buzzer, to win 89-88. Think about this...had Egan not lost the ball (or more appropriately, had WEST handled the ball), the Lakers would have won that game, and went up 3-1. And given that LA pounded Boston in game five (behind Chamberlain's demolition of Russell BTW), that ONE PLAY cost the Lakers a title.

BTW, Baylor also shot 2-12 in another loss, and 8-22 in game seven.


Oh, and in your game seven, in which you blamed Wilt for the loss. First of all, Chamberlain shot 7-8 from the field in that game (to Russell's 2-7 BTW)...while his teammates collectively were outshot by a .470 to .360 margin by Russell's teammates. Secondly, when Russell picked up his fifth PF early in the 4th quarter, the Lakers immediately went into Wilt, who went right around Russell for an easy basket. It would be the last time he would touch the ball on the offensive end. Oh, and Wilt, whose rebounding and defense had led a huge comeback from a 17 point deficit, down to seven, was left on the bench in the last five minutes by the genius coach, BVK...in a two point loss. Overall in that game seven, Chamberlain outscored Russell, 18-6, outshot Russell from the field, 7-8 to 2-7, outscored Russell from the line (4-2), and outrebounded Russell, 27-21, which included a 4th quarter margin of 7-2 (and again, in which Wilt only played seven minutes to Russell's 12.)

Another typical embarrassing post from Millwad...

[millwad]

Hmmm...

In game four, how about Baylor? He shot 2-14 from the field AND 1-6 from the line. Oh, and while Wilt shot poorly, how about Russell's 2-12 from the field, in a game in which Chamberlain grabbed 31 rebounds?

But let's get back to Van Breda Kolff in that game. The Lakers led, 88-87 late (and were leading in the series, 2-1), AND, they had the ball with only a few seconds remaining. So, of course VBK put the ball in Jerry West's hands, right? Nope, he let JOHNNY EGAN handle it. And, of course, Egan was stripped, and Sam Jones, while falling down, hit a miraculous shot at the buzzer, to win 89-88. Think about this...had Egan not lost the ball (or more appropriately, had WEST handled the ball), the Lakers would have won that game, and went up 3-1. And given that LA pounded Boston in game five (behind Chamberlain's demolition of Russell BTW), that ONE PLAY cost the Lakers a title.

BTW, Baylor also shot 2-12 in another loss, and 8-22 in game seven.


Oh, and in your game seven, in which you blamed Wilt for the loss. First of all, Chamberlain shot 7-8 from the field in that game (to Russell's 2-7 BTW)...while his teammates collectively were outshot by a .470 to .360 margin by Russell's teammates. Secondly, when Russell picked up his fifth PF early in the 4th quarter, the Lakers immediately went into Wilt, who went right around Russell for an easy basket. It would be the last time he would touch the ball on the offensive end. Oh, and Wilt, whose rebounding and defense had led a huge comeback from a 17 point deficit, down to seven, was left on the bench in the last five minutes by the genius coach, BVK...in a two point loss. Overall in that game seven, Chamberlain outscored Russell, 18-6, outshot Russell from the field, 7-8 to 2-7, outscored Russell from the line (4-2), and outrebounded Russell, 27-21, which included a 4th quarter margin of 7-2 (and again, in which Wilt only played seven minutes to Russell's 12.)

Another typical embarrassing post from Millwad...

This is the typical embarrasing post by you, instead of actually confronting me regarding Wilt's play you go on the normal rant where you pick scapegoats for Wilt's failures.

If your team gets beaten by one point, like LA did in the finals, in a game where Wilt made 2 out of 11 FT's you can't go on rants about other players and their failures.

Wilt had the worst FT-choking job in NBA history in that series, he blew two games in the finals due to being a horrible FT-shooter.

And look at you, you come here blaming his coach and Baylor. Why are you such a clown?

[SilkkTheShocker]

Are people really defending Pop's decision to sit Duncan that play? It was a stupid idea before the play even happened. You ride the players that took you there. Duncan was a defensive beast that whole series. He outsmarted himself and it cost him another championship. I mean he didn't learn his lesson from Vogel sitting Hibbert? You keep your defensive anchor in on these kinds of moments.

[LAZERUSS]

This is the typical embarrasing post by you, instead of actually confronting me regarding Wilt's play you go on the normal rant where you pick scapegoats for Wilt's failures.

If your team gets beaten by one point, like LA did in the finals, in a game where Wilt made 2 out of 11 FT's you can't go on rants about other players and their failures.

Wilt had the worst FT-choking job in NBA history in that series, he blew two games in the finals due to being a horrible FT-shooter.

And look at you, you come here blaming his coach and Baylor. Why are you such a clown?


Only a complete idiot Custerite like yourself would blame Wilt for losing that series. I just gave you the EXACT reasons why they lost, yet being the blind "Wilt-basher" that you are, you can't accept reality.

Chamberlain, despite being shackled by his incompetent coach, easily outplayed Russell;was the Lakers most efficient shooter in the entire post-season, while Baylor was their WORST (and yet was allowed to take far more shots than Wilt); and was the leading rebounder of the Finals, and by a wide
margin.

Of course, it is interesting that even a one-legged Wilt would go on to average 23 ppg, 24 rpg, and shoot .625 in the Finals in the very next season. Or a Chamberlain, at age 34, and only a year removed from major knee surgery, would outplay a PEAK Kareem in the 70-71 playoffs just two years later with a 22 ppg -19 rpg series. Or a 35 year old Wilt would win the FMVP just three years later with a 19 ppg, 23 rpg, .600 Finals.

But, no, let's not blame Van Breda Kolff...even though it was painfully obvious why Chamberlain was hardly scoring (and shooting) in the '69 Finals.

[Sarcastic]

Pat Riley not stopping John Starks from taking 18 shots in Game 7 in 1994.

[D.J.]

Pat Riley not stopping John Starks from taking 18 shots in Game 7 in 1994.


Surprised it took this long for someone to mention Riley/Starks. 2/18 in a 6 point loss. He goes even 6/18, Knicks win their first title in 21 years and Starks is most likely Finals MVP.