The Bulls have had their fair share of close games lately, and with close games comes the opportunity for someone to make the sort of clutch play that defined Chicago basketball in the Michael Jordan era. (Ten years later, watching Jordan's game-winners is still skull-blowing stuff.) Naturally, the conversation then shifts to who should be taking the final Bulls shot. Who should be the Baby Bulls' Michael Jordan?
For most of 2008-09, that was Derrick Rose. In the Bulls comeback win over Detroit Tuesday, it was Ben Gordon. Dilemma time:
Rose and Gordon combined for 17 fourth-quarter points, so it's not like either option is a bad one. But coach Vinny Del Negro maintained that Rose will continue to get the call on last-second shots, even while trying to assert that the two guards' talents don't have to be mutually exclusive. [...] Gordon says the right things publicly. But as a competitor who is supremely confident in his offensive abilities, it's clear he would prefer to be the first option.
First, we're confused. If Ben Gordon hasn't actually said he wants to be the first option, can we be so sure that's the case? Or is K.C. Johnson reading minds again? If so, can he teach us? So much easier to deal with women, eh Mel Gibson?
Second, we're not sure why this has to be a thing. This isn't a thing, is it? It's obvious what should happen in these situations: Derrick Rose should use his immense talent to get by whatever older, slower defender is inevitably guarding him. Then, if he can, he should shoot the ball. If not, he should pass it. If Ben Gordon is open -- if loses his defender on one of those curl screens he's so deadly running -- he should pass it to Ben Gordon. If anyone else is open, that's OK too.
See what we're getting at here? Running a good play and getting a good bucket is far more important than some sort of status-based, alpha-dog nonsense about who gets squatter's rights on the last shot of the game. Just get good a good shot and win the game, please. That way, everyone will be happy.
Eamonn Brennan is a writer, editor and blogger hunkered down in Lincoln Park. You can also read him at Yahoo! Sports, FanHouse, MOUTHPIECE Sports Blog, and Inside The Hall, or at his personal site, eamonnbrennan.com.
