We knew the “Hack-a-Shaq”, the “Hack-a-Dwight” or the “Hack-a-Drummond”, and here is the “Hack-a-Lively”. Saturday evening, the Thunder decided to voluntarily send Derek Lively II on the free throw line to try to achieve the hold-up in the 4th quarter of Game 3. A somewhat logical strategy since the Mavericks rookie had missed three out of four shots.
Except that Derek Lively II will demonstrate that he is not that clumsy at free throws, and that he even has composure with a 4 out of 4 in a row before attacking “money time” . “In my head, I was like, 'OK, are you trying to disrespect me? I'm going to go ahead and put them on.” he reports after the meeting.
Kyrie Irving gives him confidence
At the start, however, Lively's first reaction was to run to avoid intentional fouls. But Kyrie Irving approached him, and told him to stop running and enjoy the moment.
“There’s probably already a clip of me running around.” he laughs. “I was trying to create space for my teammates, but they were there asking me why I was running everywhere… The fact that my teammates were supporting me made me want to make my shots even more.”
Author of 12 points and 8 rebounds with 8 of 12 free throws, Derek Lively II received congratulations from Luka Doncic. “I think people forget he's a rookie, and to see him make those free throws was incredible. If they try to foul him, it's important for his confidence. I have a lot of respect for him. »
The game of cat and mouse
A situation which also amused Daniel Gafford, the other pivot of the Mavericks. “I thought he handled the situation well. It was funny, because he was playing cat and mouse, with Chet (Holmgren) chasing him. Kyrie told him to accept the situation and make his free throws. You have to be comfortable and confident, and if they foul, you have to be confident and make the free throws. »
Finally, Derek Lively II couldn't help but think of his mother as he took his shots. She died on April 12, at the age of 53.
“I know my mom is there, she's looking at me and I know she told me to put those damn throws in. I had to put them on! » he concludes.
