Shorter and Smith’s Solo Play Costs ‘Žuti’ a Shot at Major Victory…….
Split, Croatia — In what could have been a landmark victory for KK Split, the opportunity to take a significant scalp slipped away in the closing minutes, as the dynamic duo of Shorter and Smith seemingly took the reins into their own hands and derailed the team’s collective effort.
The tightly contested match drew a full house, with a packed crowd at Gripe creating a thrilling atmosphere as the ‘Žuti’ (Yellows) went head-to-head against a favored opponent in the ABA league. Split looked poised for a major upset deep into the fourth quarter, but a shift in strategy—or lack thereof—ultimately cost them the game.
In the final minutes, Shorter and Smith appeared to take full control of the offense, opting for individual plays rather than team-oriented sets. Their decision-making, which saw a string of forced shots and isolations, allowed the opponents to regroup defensively and capitalize on turnovers and missed opportunities.
The game’s turning point came with just under two minutes to go, when Split held a narrow lead. Instead of maintaining their disciplined ball movement that had worked effectively throughout the game, Shorter and Smith began monopolizing possessions. Their isolation plays stalled the rhythm, leaving teammates like Sullivan, Perković, and Vuko as mere spectators in crucial possessions.
This strategic deviation played right into the hands of the opposition, who tightened their defense and launched a late-game counterattack, closing the gap and eventually seizing the lead. The crowd, which had been electric for most of the night, fell into a stunned silence as the final buzzer sounded.
“This was a game we had in our hands,” one visibly frustrated fan said after the loss. “We fought hard, and the team was united until the end. But then the game turned into a two-man show, and we lost our edge.”
Head coach Srđan Subotić, known for his composed demeanor, refrained from placing direct blame but acknowledged the shift in play style during the final stretch. “We had a plan, and it worked for three quarters. In the last few minutes, we deviated from that. It’s something we’ll discuss as a team.”
The headline on Dalmatinski Portal summed up the sentiment: “KO(Š)MENTAR: Shorter i Smith privatizirali završnicu i ‘žutima’ uporopastili priliku za veliki ‘skalp'”—translating loosely to “COMMENTARY: Shorter and Smith privatized the final minutes and ruined the ‘Yellows’ chance at a big scalp.”
This loss comes at a critical time in the ABA season, where each game holds weight in the playoff race. KK Split had shown flashes of brilliance, with fluid offense and intense defense throughout much of the game. However, the final minutes showcased a breakdown in cohesion, which may have deeper implications for team chemistry moving forward.
With upcoming matches against key rivals, the coaching staff will need to address the issue swiftly. Unity and shared responsibility on the court must be reinforced if Split is to maximize its potential and avoid further heartbreaks in close games.
The road ahead won’t get easier, but the talent is there. The question remains: will the ‘Žuti’ play as a team—or will individual ambitions once again cost them
