Former NBA player Stephen Jackson was somewhat of an enigmatic figure during his 14-year career. He played a vital role on the Golden State Warriors’ 2006-07 “We Believe” team, and knows full well the dynamics of playoff basketball.
Following the Oklahoma City Thunder’s meltdown at the end of Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against Jackson’s former Warriors team, the recently retired guard put Kevin Durant on blast.
As you can see in the video above, Jackson’s focus is on one specific play in the fourth quarter where Durant committed one of his three turnovers in the game, including two in the final stanza.
After turning the ball over and setting up defense in transition, Durant was tasked with guarding Stephen Curry. He really didn’t attempt to close out on Curry, instead allowing the most-lethal three-point shooter in Association history to nail a wide-open three.
Jackson’s claim that this type of lack of effort won’t win in the playoffs, especially against the Warriors is 100 percent correct.
Though, Durant’s effort wasn’t the only thing that should have been called into question here. Russell Westbrook’s attempt at defense on a play that resulted in a Curry layup to give Golden State a late-game two-possession lead was absolutely atrocious.
There’s a lot of blame to go around for the Thunder’s inability to close out Golden State on Saturday.
That will only be magnified should the Warriors win Game 7 on their home court where they have won 93 percent of their games under Steve Kerr.
In this, Jackson might be correct. Though, it is tunnel vision. Others contributed to Oklahoma City’s meltdown as well, Klay Thompson using his “Jedi” powers included.