Official 2008-2009 NBA Thread

[MavsFanFinley]

Hornets came out with energy and the Spurs didn't match.

But the ref was right there and didn't call the foul on Parker when he tagged Paul in the backcourt. That was huge and then Ginobli couldn't back off Paul in time when he heaved a shot. That was the difference.

Bowen with his first DNP in what ... 8 years or something like that. He might have lost a step but a DNP? That's odd to me.

[Fidel]

Originally Posted by MavsFanFinley

Hornets came out with energy and the Spurs didn't match.

But the ref was right there and didn't call the foul on Parker when he tagged Paul in the backcourt. That was huge and then Ginobli couldn't back off Paul in time when he heaved a shot. That was the difference.

Bowen with his first DNP in what ... 8 years or something like that. He might have lost a step but a DNP? That's odd to me.

I allways hated that aspect about basketball anyways: fouling on purpose at the end to stop the clock and/or to send a weak FT shooter to the line. It just bogs down the game and most of the time doesn´t lead to much except alot more commercials. I can´t come up with an easy solution for this though. Everything I can think of is too exploiteable.

The difference in the game where all those energy plays in the 2nd half by the Hornets. Steals that lead to fastbreaks. Blocks, team rebounds, tipped balls. Marks was a great spark even though he can´t run.

Edit: Forgot to say. Suns lose. Mavs officially claim 8th spot I guess. Nowhere to climb. Nowhere to fall.

Edit2: LonghornDub beat me to it.

[monty55555]

Thank you Sacramento.

[MavsFanFinley]

Originally Posted by Fidel

I allways hated that aspect about basketball anyways: fouling on purpose at the end to stop the clock and/or to send a weak FT shooter to the line. It just bogs down the game and most of the time doesn´t lead to much except alot more commercials.

I agree if the team is down by 8 or more points and there is only 20 seconds on the clock or so. But the Spurs were only down 1 with 17.9 seconds left. They trapped West near the halfcourt line but he was able to call a timeout. I think it was 14.3 seconds at that point. They "fouled" Paul with around 11-12 seconds but the refs didn't call it. He makes both and the Spurs have plenty of time for a 3 pointer. Possbily a quick two and foul again situation.

Instead they get a Ginobli foul while Paul is shooting a 3 with 7.1 seconds left. It happens a lot but not cool for a ref to decide a game like that.

Again, give credit to the Hornets for coming out with energy the Spurs didn't match.

[Fidel]

Originally Posted by MavsFanFinley

I agree if the team is down by 8 or more points and there is only 20 seconds on the clock or so. But the Spurs were only down 1 with 17.9 seconds left. They trapped West near the halfcourt line but he was able to call a timeout. I think it was 14.3 seconds at that point. They "fouled" Paul with around 11-12 seconds but the refs didn't call it. He makes both and the Spurs have plenty of time for a 3 pointer. Possbily a quick two and foul again situation.

Instead they get a Ginobli foul while Paul is shooting a 3 with 7.1 seconds left. It happens a lot but not cool for a ref to decide a game like that.

Again, give credit to the Hornets for coming out with energy the Spurs didn't match.

Yeah I saw the game. Actually they fouled Paul twice before the one that was called. First Parker held Pauls jersey, then he bumped him a little with the elbow, and then came the shooting foul they called.

I was more generally speaking. I don´t like that you can do it as a tactic. Of course it was totally legitimate in this game, as it basicly is in every game as long as you can do it. I just don´t like that there even is the possibility.

[fluid.forty.one]

That was an uuuggly shot by Fin.

[Dtownsfinest]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

That was an uuuggly shot by Fin.

Fin was almost the hero of that game though. He came through with another clutch 3 to get the game down to 1. Then that 3 Paul hurled up pretty much ended the game.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by Dtownsfinest

Fin was almost the hero of that game though. He came through with another clutch 3 to get the game down to 1. Then that 3 Paul hurled up pretty much ended the game.

You mean the FAILED call when they fouled him in the backcourt was what ended the game. It was ridiculous, how can 3 officials miss that, a grab and a swap on that lil douche bag and no call.

[LonghornDub]

Suns are about to lose to the Queens. That will just about wrap up the 8th spot for the Mavs. Suns aren't coming back from 4 games down with only 8-9 games left.

[fluid.forty.one]

How do you lose to the Kings when it could mean your season? Wow.

[monty55555]

Originally Posted by fluid.forty.one

How do you lose to the Kings when it could mean your season? Wow.

I was pretty shocked myself. I didn't even bother to watch the game. I assumed that the Suns would win handily. Then I checked the box scores. Wow. I had to make sure I read the scores correctly.

[MavsFanFinley]

Fidel, I understand what you're saying now. I agree but they'll let them use any tactic until they change the rules.

The Mavs gave Phoenix plenty of chances to climb back into the race but the Suns blew some easy chances. Missing the playoffs will bring some changes this summer.

[MavsFanFinley]

Which Fin shot are you talking about?

[Flacolaco]

Your dumb Spurs aren't doing us any favors...86 points? Come on.

[MavsFanFinley]

The two missed fouls are not the only thing the Spurs were complaining about.

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/s...d_mistake.html

NEW ORLEANS — Referee Eddie F. Rush left the court at New Orleans Arena on Sunday night with Michael Finley still in his ear.

There was no disputing the outcome, a 90-86 victory the Hornets seized while shorthanded. Finley and the rest of the Spurs simply believed it ended earlier than it should have.

A clock malfunction appears to have cost the Spurs precious seconds at the end of the game.

The Spurs had just made back-to-back 3-pointers to close a seven-point gap to one with 17.8 seconds to go. On the ensuing inbounds, New Orleans' Chris Paul split a double-team from Finley and Tony Parker in the backcourt, then drew a foul on Manu Ginobili while hoisting a half-court 3-pointer.

The clock stopped at 7.1 seconds. The Spurs argued as many as two seconds ran off the clock after the whistle.

Finley said the scoreboard operator told the officials of the breakdown, but the officials said they could not review the play because they didn't see the extra time trickle off.

“We thought the clock ran,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. They didn't stop the clock. It's not something they can correct, according to the officials.”

After some argument, Paul rendered the discussion moot. He made all three foul shots to put the Hornets back up by four, the final margin.

[ghazi]

Mavs really could've used a Spurs win last night.

It may seem like irrational hope at this point but if you look at the closing schedules of Utah/New Orleans it's NOT irrational to think the Mavs could leap one or the other or both of those teams.

Very very small margin for error though.

[SMC0007]

Originally Posted by ghazi

Mavs really could've used a Spurs win last night.

It may seem like irrational hope at this point but if you look at the closing schedules of Utah/New Orleans it's NOT irrational to think the Mavs could leap one or the other or both of those teams.

Very very small margin for error though.

IF you are totally throwing how we have been playing lately out the window.

[nikeball]

from Bill Simmon's mail bag part 1.

Pretty good analysis on whether to take 2s or 3s ...for all those newbies out there.

--------
Q: Why won't you understand shooting percentages? 33 percent from beyond the arc is the equivalent of 50 percent from within. If a guy shot 50 percent from the field, would you be killing him for shooting? Of course not. You obviously realize how stupid that would be. Yet that's what you've been doing -- FOR YEARS -- with your mind-boggling argument against 3-point shooting unless the guy can hit 75 percent of his 3s. Just think about it for a couple of seconds. Please ... we are begging you.
-- Nick, New York

SG: Dozens of readers e-mailed me Nick's same stupid argument in a similarly condescending way, which is what makes the following so much fun: I'm not stupid, YOU'RE STUPID. That 33/50 logic only makes sense in a professional basketball league in which they aren't calling fouls and you aren't allowed to pass to a teammate ... which, as far as I can tell, doesn't currently exist.

Let's say that one player attempts 12 3-pointers and makes four (for 12 points). His teammate attempts 12 2-pointers and makes six, but during that time -- because he's not standing 25 feet away jacking up 3s like an idiot -- he also draws three fouls on his defender, creates two assists for teammates, makes three of four free throws, turns the ball over once, and misses one layup that gets tapped in by a teammate (we'll call it 19 points). You're telling me those two scenarios are equal? If I'm playing LeBron (a 31 percent 3-point shooter), ideally, I want him jacking up contested 3s because that means (A) he's not getting to the line, (B) he's not getting my guys in foul trouble, and (C) he's not potentially creating shots for someone else. I can't defend LeBron when he's going to the basket, especially if he's getting calls. But you know what? If he's happy shooting 3s from 25 feet with a hand in his face, then I'm delighted. This is great. I want him to do that. And if he's doing something that the other team WANTS him to do, then he's doing the wrong thing. I'm fine with shooting 24-footers over 20-footers, but getting into the paint will always be more valuable than jacking up 3s. It's just a fact.

(Note to Nick and everyone else who mailed me the 33/50 argument: I'm doing the Dikembe finger wave at you. Don't come into my house.)

[Underdog]

+rep to Bill Simmons...

[alby]

Last Thursday, I went to the Houston Rockets' play day held at the Toyota Center. I shook Mutombo's hand, then wagged my finger in his face.

[GermanDunk]

Man, i ve been watching the Cavs while Mavericks connection was down. LeBron pulled out the play of the day in the 4th

[GermanDunk]

Anyone seen the last OKC attempt ? Wasn´t it balltending ?

[CadBane]

The Lakers are officially the Bobcats biotch, jeesh. 3-0.

[monty55555]

Spurs lose to Thunder. Awful last possession by the Spurs there.

[MavsFanFinley]

Originally Posted by monty55555

Spurs lose to Thunder. Awful last possession by the Spurs there.

Why didn't they call a timeout? That's not like Pop.

He's really messing with the rotations again. Players look confused out there. Bowen with another DNP. He's keeping Hill glued to the bench and has brought Vaughn back into the rotation. He started Ginobli tonight. He's killed Mason's confidence by using him as a backup pg which has been the biggest failure I've seen.

I guess he doesn't want his team to have HCA.

[BGMaverick9]

Dallas - W
Utah - L

that's a good night...it should've been better tho, NO getting a buzzer beating shot.

[CadBane]

Sigh, N.O. wins on a buzzer three.

[Dirkadirkastan]

Guard the line, idiots.

[BGMaverick9]

Butler was SOOOOO f'n open for that last shot, what a breakdown on defense.

[ghazi]

Hornets are gettin so many fluky wins. Ugh they should have 30 losses !

[alby]

Looked like T-Mac letting Brandon Roy have that wide open three for the win a few months ago.

[CadBane]

The Bobcats are now beating Boston at Boston...on the tail end of a back to back where they just won...at LA. This would make them 4-0 against Boston and L.A.

[TheMaverick]

Game winner by Ray Allen vs. Bobcats

[CadBane]

Go Clippers.

[MaVs 41 BaLler]

Ray Allen is amazing.

[MavsFanFinley]

Houston laid an egg in Phoenix. That game meant more to them than the Suns.

[nikeball]

I have the next great stat for Daryl Morey to measure. Anyone who watches the Discovery Channel knows that a predator's eyes are in the front so they can gauge the distant to their prey, while a herbivore's eyes are on the sides of their head so they can watch for predators. Look at a picture of Tracy McGrady and tell me that his eyes aren't on the sides of his head. The guy is clearly built to graze, not to hunt. Eye separation is going to be the new wingspan. Mark my words, 15 years from now Jay Bilas will be raving about Lil' Lebron's "eye spacing."

laff

[jthig32]

Gooooooo Denver!

[CadBane]

Anyone watch the Denver-Utah game? Birdman had 8 blocks, Smith had 8 threes. That Denver team is good.

[spreedom]

Originally Posted by CadBane

Anyone watch the Denver-Utah game? Birdman had 8 blocks, Smith had 8 threes. That Denver team is good.

6 blocks on Boozer!