The Soul Crusher

You know that one play? That play that sucks all the excitement out of the building? Or that one play that just puts the crowd into a frenzy? That play that absolutely stabs the other team in the heart?

This is kind of what I am referring to as a soul crusher. BUT, today, its less of a spectacular play and more of WHO actually does the spectacular play.

The kind of play by a certain player that makes you as a fan feel as there is no more hope in the world.

My first example: Your team, down 15 to the Cavs starts a little run to bring it within 5. Then after the ball is inbound, Lebron takes it and goes coast-to-coast for the and-1 tomahawk. now your team is down 8 again, and you are about to cry.

Another example. Your team is down 6 to the Hornets. Your guys are executing the offense flawlessly for easy layup after easy layup. Then the ball comes down the floor to Peja, who just pulls up for three regardless of the defense. Swish. Fine, your team comes down and runs another beautiful play. This time, the Hornets find West posting up. The double comes, he kicks out to Peja. Three. Your team is down 8 now. After another beautiful play opn offense leading to another two, CP3 is dribbling around like a maniac. Your guys are playing pretty good defense. Shot clock, 4, 3, 2, kick out to Peja and from 28 feet. Bottoms. A little piece of your heart dies with that last three. Your team is playing beautifully butnow they are down 9.

See what I mean? It could be anybody, but when its that one guy it makes it even more painful. Like you knew it was going to happen. Inevitable. But when it does, you would rather watch somebody run over fresh roadkill.

A few more examples.
Dwight Howard block, leading to a fast break, with Dwight as trailer. Then he raises up and dunks on everyone who ever lived in that city.

Paul Pierce. defended well. Iso dribble. pulls up. money. next possesion. same thing. next posession, he takes your dude to the rim. money. time out, game over.

Kevin Martin. Iso on the wing. Waits for his defender to blink, then all of the sudden he takes a foul, rises up from nowhere, and with one hand, puts it in the basket. From 19 feet. Like its nothing. Like you are nothing.

Jason kidd. Strips your point guard. throws an impossible pass to anybody, nobody, dunk. Then, he steals the inbound pass. Again, no look pass. Coach just stares. You turn off your TV.

Kobe.

Gilbert Arenas. Dribbles down. Pulls up from 26. Net. Jaws al the way back down the court. Steals a pass. Instead of going in for the easy layup, he pulls up from 30. zeroed in. you just got shot in the heart.

ANy other ideas?