A simple solution to our late game execution problem:

[deevo]

I think sometimes you must abuse the math of the game to take advantage of every edge, and OKC can abuse the math of free throws with Durant/Westbrook. Our offense often break down late game but many teams have had this problem in the past, especially Phil Jackson's half-court heavy Championship teams. But what he did was he had Kobe/Jordan who could manufacture points at the line late game like DWade during the 2006 finals.

We have TWO such players with superstar pedigree (who will get the calls), and if the last 5 minutes of the game, we consciously try to get to the line like Jordan/Kobe did in many of their games, our offensive efficiency would be enough to win the game.

I know Curry happened, Durant brain fart happened, our weird substitution patterns happened, but if Durant attempted more than 4 FT's, and especially late game, we would have walked with the win.

It sounds so obvious in hindsight, but sometimes humans have a tendency to do EVERYTHING EXCEPT ABUSING THE MATH. It's the way our brain is wired.

[spearsy23]

How exactly do you propose we do that? You don't get to call your own fouls. Getting fouled starts with getting the ball in good positions, I.e. Not 30 feet from the basket with your back turned.

[deevo]

On a single possession basis, you could say it is very difficult to guarantee an outcome, but you can do this throughout the game with the intent of getting into the bonus early. The opportunity to create a foul does not manifest every time, just like even Curry doesn't shoot a 3 every single possession. But you practice to try to get one whenever there is a chance to get it so you can get into the bonus.

So would you say this statement is possible:
Throughout an entire quarter, Durant/Westbrook can together create 1 foul more PER QUARTER if they looked for these opportunities with more awareness? If this is possible, that's 8 free throws at 86% combined clip, replacing their normal combined 50% efficiency shots if they didn't shoot a free throw. That's 2.4 points more per game, just by getting 1 more foul than they otherwise would on the other team. So 2 fouls for each of them per game.

How to go about doing this? It would take practice, just like shooting a 3 would. And you have to be aware of the reward it brings. For example, Curry is aware that the 30 foot shot can make mathematical sense, so he practices it A TON. Like any type of edge, you find ways to get the math in your favor and practice doing it.

While it seems out of your control, the ref is actually a constant factor every game. If you studied the angles and watched tape etc and made up your mind to do it, you can figure out how to do this better such as improving your free throw rate from 0.3 to 0.4 per possession, VASTLY increasing your offensive efficiency and putting defenders in foul trouble.

Rodman said he spent a ton of time just watching tape of all the Bulls players so he would know whose shot will likely end up where. He knows Jordan's shot bounced a particular way, Pippen's shots bounced a particular way, and Kukoc shots bounced another way. The thing is, people would say, "how the heck does a 6-8 230 lbs player even get into position to fight for a rebound against 7-footers?" He can't guarantee a rebound each possession, but he puts himself in the best possible situation each time so the probabilities adds up.