Slingers Beat The Dragons In The Final Stretch of The Game

On Wednesday, 5 January, 2011, the Singapore Slingers bested the Westsports KL Dragons 93 - 90. The Dragons lead the Slingers 82 - 69 at the 7:25 mark in the 4th period. But from that point, the Slingers outscored the Dragons 24 - 8. What was a 13-point Dragons' advantage evaporated into a 3-point deficit. The Dragons had an opportunity to tie the game with 18 ticks left on the clock, but Patrick Jan Manlawe Cabahug's off-balance 3-point attempt hit the front of the iron. The ball was then rebounded by the Slingers to preserve their victory.

'Melt-down' best describes the Dragons' performance in the final 7 minutes of the game. They failed to execute a list's worth of basic fundamental basketball skills:

NOT

1. Boxing out rebounders,



2. Challenging guards at the point of attack,



3. Getting back to set up fast-break defense,



4. Rebounding after missed shots,



5. Spacing the floor to set up passing lanes and scoring opportunities,



6. Maintaining defensive assignments.
   

These errors were effectively like bullets that the Slingers used to slay the Dragons. But that is not to say that the Slingers were given the victory; they earned it by capitalizing on the Dragons' mistakes. I'm a Dragons fan, but the team didn't afford itself any plausible excuses for committing grade-school mishaps that each member of the squad should be well beyond doing at this stage of their career. Okay, I'm willing to forgive scoring dry-spells. If the team is getting good looks at the basket, but the ball is just not falling; then it's fine. Not hustling on defense, not boxing out, and not crashing the boards for second offensive chances is the same as not giving a damn. In which case, the Dragons deserved to lose.

On a bright note Justin Leith, the replacement for Alex Hartman, recorded a double-double; 11 rebounds and 31 points. A very good debut. He should have no problems making friends in KL, if he plays as well for the remainder of the season.

Cabahug rained in 25 points from downtown, and Nakeia Miller had 21 rebounds to pair with his 17 points. However Miller could have finished with 30 points, had he cashed in on more of his scoring opportunities. Then I probably wouldn't be on this verbal tirade.

Next Sunday, 9 January, 2011, the Dragons play the AirAsia Philippine Patriots at Ynares Sports Arena. The Dragons need to regroup and decide on what note they would like their season to end.