NBA Finals: Know Your Place, Sasha Vujacic!

The Lakers were down by four points with 22 seconds to go in Game Two. Kobe Bryant has soared above everyone in this game and has facilitated what perhaps could be the greatest comeback in NBA Playoff history.

In the fourth quarter, when Kobe wasn't scoring, he was making great passes and was being the amazing leader he always is.

We all know Kobe would take the pivotal shot here, right? WRONG. For some strange reason, Sasha Vujacic decided that he was the man, and decided that he would be the one to cut the lead late in the game. I don't know if he forgot that the best player in the world is on his team, or if he is just plain sick in the head.

Vujacic took a three pointer to try and cut the lead to one point with under 20 seconds remaining in the game, only to be badly rejected by the basketball gods—not even coming close to the hoop, as his shot was partially blocked.

You HAVE to give the ball to Kobe in this situation. It made me so mad that Sasha shot that ball, when he had absolutely no right taking over at the pivotal moment of the game.

It reminded me of my high school basketball team, where our center would shoot three pointers on occasion (when his range was really two feet from the basket), and the 12th man came off the bench and chucked up ill-advised, selfish, "get mine" shots that only led to him coming back to the bench.

The Lakers' role players need to figure out their actual roles. When I see Turiaf shooting 15-foot jumpers I shake my head violently. When I see Radmanovic chucking up three pointers with the defender RIGHT in his face in the beginning of the possession, I also shake my head until I get dizzy. When I see Luke Walton dribble the ball and even look at the basket, I shake my head even further.

However, when I see SASHA VUJACIC trying to be the hero in the most crucial time of the game, when his team needs a basket desperately to stay in the game—and not giving the ball to No. 24, I turn off the television.

I turned it back on though five seconds later, just in case Kobe Bryant made a three-pointer at the end of the game to win me my $30 bet. That didn't happen.

So I had to live with the disgusting sight of Sasha taking that three-pointer, AND lose $30.

What I'm trying to say here is: Sasha Vujacic, you need to know your place.

You are not Kobe, and you are not even a starter. You are a spec of dust when it comes to 22 seconds left in the game, down by four, and Kobe Bryant on your team. KNOW YOUR PLACE!