You’ve heard the trope a million times while watching a basketball game. A slumping shooter gets a layup, or earns a trip to the free throw line for an uncontested shot, and the broadcaster remarks about how “seeing one go down” will help them break out of their slump. Golden State Warriors broadcasters Bob Fitzgerald and Kelenna Azubuike, like probably all NBA broadcasters, are fond of mentioning this.
It’s an accepted truism in basketball circles, even if I’m unaware of anyone actually doing studies to see if there’s any validity in it. Whether or not there is might be beyond the point; it’s a sensible narrative, and an accurate reflection as to the mindset that the players on the court have.