Gran Canaria’s Albert Oliver gave Efes the win!
With 50 seconds left from the Euroleague’s game, Gran Canaria was leading the visitors from Istanbul with 1 point (90-89) and they had also the possession of the ball. And their stupid solution was to give that ball to the 40 years old Albert Oliver, who tried to penetrate the defense to score a basket that could be decisive (and it was!) for the final result.
The veteran Oliver had no chance to score: he desperately attacked the rim without any concrete idea of how can he score and he made one of the most ridiculous airballs ever! He could pass to his teammates for an open shot, but he didn’t!
In the next moment, Anadolu Efes scored a vital 3 points shot that changed completely the game. They even win the game with 94-90, leaving Gran Canaria scoreless in the last minute!
Efes won the game after being down by 10 points with 4 and a half minutes remaining! It was an extraordinary comeback, but Gran Canaria’s attitude gave the Turkish side the necessary wings to secure the victory.
Many coaches and players underestimate the importance of the last minute of the game and they leave the final decision to a lucky shot, instead of managing an intelligent one!
Graţian Cormoş, info@brainbasketball.net
