The Los Angeles Lakers have gained themselves a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Semi-finals series against the Golden State Warriors. Thanks to a complete team effort by LeBron James and Co and some “Hero-ball” by the Dubs. ESPN analyst, Kendrick Perkins, called out Klay Thompson for his 3-point attempt from 35 feet out when the Lakers were 1-point behind.
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On the other end, James did something opposite of hero ball and made a play for Lonnie Walker IV who was in outstanding touch, coming off the bench, getting 15 points, and converting 6 out of 9 shots.
Meanwhile, Thompson missed another 3-point attempt when the Lakers had a 1-point lead with just under 2 minutes remaining in the game.
Kendrick Perkins and NBA Twitter call out Klay Thompson for Hero Ball
“No more hero ball, play together, play for each other,” Steve Kerr had instructed the Warriors in a time-out during the 3rd quarter when Dubs had regained a lead.
But neither Stephen Curry nor Klay Thompson listened to the coach and paid a hefty price for it. And it angered a lot of fans and experts including the 2008 NBA champ.
“Klay (Thompson) hast to Stop with that Hero ball. That was a HORRIBLE shot,” Tweeted Big Perk, with the Warriors leading the Lakers 99-98 and 02:18 remaining in the game clock.
Klay hast to Stop with that Hero ball. That was a HORRIBLE shot
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 9, 2023
NBA Twitter also echoed KP’s voice in calling out the Splash Brothers.
As a user praised Curry’s solo effort saying it went to waste, another wrote, “A wasted what?! Steph played hero ball, took HORRIFIC shots and turned it over instead of calling a timeout.”
A wasted what?! Steph played hero ball, took HORRIFIC shots and turned it over instead of calling a timeout.
— Camino Reid (@bangwithcamino) May 9, 2023
Although Curry had 30 points, 10 rebounds, 14 assists, and 3 steals, it was his 30 attempts from the field and 3/14 shooting from the 3-point line that made it tough for the Dubs.
Another user brought up both of Klay’s game-changing shots.
These back to back possessions were brutal
Klay had 5 seconds and the entire right side open. Takes contested deep 3
Klay takes contested leaning 3 with 14 on the clock pic.twitter.com/3DDTvhonkD
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) May 9, 2023
Some praised Kerr’s coaching. “This man called a timeout to tell these guys stop playing hero ball. I don’t wanna hear y’all slander Kerr again. He really tried but it’s up to the PLAYERS,” one user wrote.
This man called a timeout to tell these guys stop playing hero ball. I don’t wanna hear y’all slander Kerr again. He really tried but it’s up to the PLAYERS https://t.co/Nbikr2izqR
— kiskadee (@trinimini05) May 9, 2023
Hero ball don’t win you no games in the playoffs gotta trust your teammates https://t.co/6czrOwL0X0
— Mar 👹 (@Bounc5ack9800) May 9, 2023
They would have still run away with a massive lead in Crypto.com Arena if Klay wasn’t 3-of-11 in the game converting just 3 out of his 9 three-point attempts.
Is there still a comeback for the Warriors?
If a team that started their season with a 2-10 record, can be 3-1 up on the defending champions in the post-season, anything is possible. Especially for a team with Curry, Thompson, and Draymond Green.
They have been at the receiving end of a 3-1 comeback, which cost them a championship back in 2016. They are the only team that witnessed it happen in the biggest of stages.
And so, they have the roadmap for it, they just need to turn the tables on The King this time. And the only way to win 3 straight games against a James-AD team is by avoiding Hero-ball, no way the Davis we have seen in these Playoffs would ever let it happen.
