It might have been a second, or a millisecond, or a milli of a millisecond.
Even were it the absolute slightest measure of time, Bryce Dejean-Jones had an opportunity to turn around.
To take a deep breath.
To pace the hallway.
To gather himself.
Wasn’t that exactly what Alvin Gentry, his coach with the New Orleans Pelicans, had told the 6’6” rookie shooting guard just a few weeks earlier? Bryce, you need to be able to walk away. Wasn’t that what Dave Rice, his coach at UNLV, had said on multiple occasions? Bryce, you have to calm down. Wasn’t that what Brian Beard, his AAU coach with the Compton Magic, had made so clear? Control yourself, Bryce. Control your emotions.