Film Study: KD’s game-winner in Game 1

Have I told you lately how much I love the NBA’s phantom camera? I love the NBA’s phantom camera.

So combine that, with a gorgeous Kevin Durant game-winner and oh my goodness I need to sit down and fan myself.

Watching the phantom video though, a lot happened to get to KD’s go-ahead jumper. Scott Brooks made a great decision to play it out, and Durant made a great decision to go for a quick shot before the Grizzly defense could set. Here’s a breakdown of KD’s shot to seal Game 1:

“We got the ball! We got it! Scott’s not calling timeout? Oh no. Oh no oh no.”

This guy is from the Kendrick Perkins school of “I knew he was going to touch ’em up.” He knows what KD’s about to do. He’s just getting started early with his celebrating.

Clay and Aubrey. Aubrey and Clay.

And then this lady, who is doing something to cover her eyes.

Things probably going through Scott Brooks’ head right now: “Man, I wish Fish had the ball … Oh crap. Should I be calling timeout? I totally forgot. Uhhh go KD! … Maybe the Grizzlies will go Hack-a-Durant. I know I would.”

I enjoy Rex Kalamian’s clutch power stance. Legs wide, arms crossed. Also, that guy still has his hands on his head.

This is a ball that is about to go in. A ball that is about to make 18,000 people scream wildly. But at this moment, nobody knew where it was going to end up. Except Kendrick Perkins and that one guy.

Happy Clay Bennett is happy.

“I knew it.” — that guy

Scott Brooks goes for the fist bump with Fisher. Naturally. Jeremy Lamb is totes chill. Naturally. And there’s Mr. Bennett again, in pure, unfiltered ecstasy. Naturally.