Of course the Blazers know how to shoot baskets, but they were on the road at the opening game of the second round of the playoffs, and the level of stress and distraction were certainly higher than during most of the season. It seems likely that the environment affected their ability to perform a basic skill - putting the ball through the hoop.
In a similar way, you and your dog need to be "prepared for the playoffs" if you are going to expect your dog to perform in a novel, distracting environment at whatever sport you engage in. Set yourself up for success - train your cues to a high level of performance in a low distraction environment and gradually add distractions, building a big history of positive reinforcement for correct responses to cues. Eventually, simulate the test, trial, or field situation as much as possible. Be over-prepared before you think about entering an event. Learn how to read your dog's body language, so you can tell if he is distracted or stressed. Learn how to help your dog relax and focus - these are skills that you can train. And don't forget about yourself - there are many ways to work on your mental game so that you can do your best in a stressful situation.
The Trail Blazers can work on mentally and physically reducing their level of stress, and practice shooting the ball in stressful environments. And know that their fans believe that they can succeed. GO BLAZERS!!!
