Gonzaga’s Nigel William-Goss Determination to Be the Hero was the Deciding Factor in North Carolina’s Title Win

So it gives me no joy to directly or indirectly to blame a loss on one person. I find no pleasure to point a finger towards any individual who just have gave his heart and soul to a singular game and an entire season. But after watching the championship game last night between Gonzaga and North Carolina; I felt like Gonzaga’s Nigel William Goss was the reason they loss. Some would argue it was the loose ball with 50 seconds left that resulted in arrow possession that went to North Carolina. However I think the game took a turn when Goss twisted his ankle and continue to play. He was visibly hurt and yet he stayed in the game. His effort  was valiant and should be applauded. I’m not against his willingness to stay in the game. What I didn’t like is the fact that he took the last two shots. I thought he and his coach should have use his presence as a decoy. He didn’t have any lift on the open jump shot that he missed and got his second shot blocked when he attempted it. It seem like both was a result of his injury.

I do understand his desire to close the season the way he finished it. All season Goss was the best player on the team. He lead his squad in points and assists. He scored 23 points in the Final Four game against South Carolina. By most accounts, Goss was the primary reason Gonzaga made it to the championship game. But sometimes the best player on the team feels like it is on him or her to save the day. The desire to be a hero can sometimes be the reason a team loses. Legendary players like Jordan and Kobe had to learn to trust their teammates in the clutch. That ability and instinct to put trust in their teammates produce them a couple more championships. I’m sure this is something that Goss will learn as he matures as a player. But as of now he has to learn the hard way. Great game, great players; just bad decisions at the end.    

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