The Freebies That WERE Shot

Yeah, everyone out there is going to complain, criticize, lament, bitch and moan, and theorize about all the freethrows that weren’t shot last night.

The most notable (and rightfully so) by Spurs fans and Lakers haters alike, are the two, or three, freethrows that Brent Barry didn’t get.

Of course, on the flipside, Lakers fans will note the 0 freethrows that Kobe Bryant shot despite his 29 field goal attempts.

Either way, you can look at it as a conspiracy. I mean, from a Spurs standpoint, despite winning 4 of the past 9 championships, despite making it to at least the Western Conference Finals 6 of those 9 years, Spurs fans will tell you that the NBA has it in for “small market teams” and wants to premiere its big market teams. That’s why Fisher’s 0.4-second shot counted four years ago. That’s why Kobe shot 96 freebies against the Jazz. Etc. Etc.

And, Lakers fans will say there’s a conspiracy theory against Kobe. That he doesn’t get enough calls (he does, despite only shooting, gasp, a total of 6 freethrows in four games against the Spurs), that the L doesn’t want him to be Jordanesque. In this game, there was also Fisher’s shot that grazed the rim that should have reset the shot clock, the early three fouls tagged on Odom and Fish, Etc. Etc.

But, conspiracies are conjecture, theory and mostly BS.

I want to focus on the facts. On those things tangible and solid. How about the freethrows that were taken? More importantly, the freethrows that were made.

How about that sparkling 8-9?

Two nights ago, after shooting a putrid 2-11 from the field, hitting only 3-8 freethrows, and turning over the ball 5 times, Lamar Odom beat the media to the punch.

"I put this one on myself," Odom said. "I take the blame, totally, for this game."

When asked what he intended to do about his performance, Odom firmly replied.

I don't sleep tonight. I keep the TV off. I don't read the newspaper. I get out to practice tomorrow and get my butt to the free-throw line."

And that’s what he did. He practiced shooting freethrows.

And you know what? In the next game, when Mr. Clutch himself, couldn’t find the basket in the end, Odom took it to the hole, scored himself 8 points (2 more than Kobe) in the final period, sank 8 of his 9 freebies and had only a single turnover for the game.

He took full responsibility for his poor game 3. He came back, and despite struggling early, getting into foul trouble, he kept working hard, and eventually came through. That's the real story. That's what parents should be teaching their kids. That failure can be used to fuel victory.

The botched shot clock and the non-foul call and the Duncan five-step non-travel and all the rest of the complaints should be tossed out the window. Last night, we were all witness to a maturation process that has taken, seemingly too long. 

For a dude who’s been suspended twice for pot, a dude who said he wanted to retire soon despite being 28 years old, a dude who has been the epitome of potential unfulfilled, Odom finally came through in the clutch, and THAT’S what we all should take from this game.

Whether you’re a Spurs fan or a Lakers fan or you hate both teams, a guy like Odom, who went through so much tragedy over the past few years with the death of his infant son, to getting robbed, to all the injuries and trades and criticism…

The dude came through. 

And that's what I'll remember most about this game.