This isn’t funny anymore for Toronto Raptors fans, Casey. It has failed too many times.
When there’s chance to tie or win the game on the final possession, every Raptors fan knows what is coming. At this point, it’s pointless for Casey to even call that final timeout. We know what he’s drawing on that dry-erase board.
Kyle Lowry in isolation, gets the ball, drives to the net, and fans hope for the best. It’s become the new “NO! NOT THIS GUY!” moment for Raptors supporters. But instead, it’s “NO! NOT THIS PLAY!”
It happened again last night when Pelicans big man Omer Asik blocked Kyle Lowry with six seconds remaining in the game. This isn’t the first time a final “Lowry ISO drive-and-pray” play has failed in the dying seconds of a game. They don’t make gifs or YouTube videos of failed final plays in a regular season games, but here are some screen caps to drive home my point.
Late in the fourth against the Detroit Pistons. Lowry would turn the ball over on the final possession. Jan 12 2015
Trying to force OT in Portland against the Trail Blazers. Dec 30 2014
Going for the win against the New York Knicks. Dec 14 2014
I’m all for giving the final shot to your best player in basketball. It’s one of the best parts of the game of basketball. Unlike other major sports, you can get the ball to your best player when you need it the most.
Just don’t call the same play every damn time. Should Raptors fans be scared that their coach only has one play in the playbook and it’s called, “Lowry ISO drive-and-pray”? Yes, because it’s failed them so many times.
Every team needs a closer. But when that play you drew up for that closer doesn’t work, it’s time to make that closer role open for debate, or try a new play. If the only final play the Raptors have is a “Lowry ISO drive-and-pray”, the grumblings for Casey’s exit will start to get louder- and less ridiculous.
Probably, most import, it gives Toronto Raptors fans flashbacks to last year’s heartbreaking final play of game 7 against the Brooklyn Nets.
So for the sake of the painful flashbacks to last May, Casey and Co’ please stop.
Now excuse me while I go kick-dance my anger out.
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