Brian, thank you for your Bulls-related analysis, belated as it may be. It shows that care about us, the readers. Also, given that I mentioned Wallace's back in a previous comment thread, I'll take your discussion of it to be a personal shout out...sweet!
I've got to say the foul-no foul debate on the last play is exactly what I hate about the NBA and actually makes the beautiful game that is basketball difficult to enjoy at times. Did Rip get a piece of him...yes...on the other hand didn't Lebron get space in the first place by using his off hand on Rip. I'm not talking Jordan against Utah throwing a defender out of the way...but still if you want to call the foul on Rip by a more strict interpretation of the rules, you would have to make the calls all game. More offensive and defensive fouls should be called. That of course can't happen because you end up with both benches entirely fouling out.
Regarding the foul, yes it probably was a foul given that there's probably a foul to be called on every trip down the floor. But there wasn't a lot of contact and I remember thinking Rip played pretty good defense there. That Fanhouse video doesn't show much...but ok, so he didn't get the call. I don't care who you are, even if you are Larry Hughes, you absolutely need to make that follow-up shot. It's the playoffs and you're wide open. Guess he didn't learn anything from Donyell Marshall.
As an outcome of that whole sequence, the wide open shot that was missed from about 5 feet (was it hughes or gibson, i can't remember) out was worse than the no-call.
Any team on the road would take a wide-open 5 footer over sending an OK ft shooter to the line.
My point is, it should have been a foul but the lucky bounce leading to a gimmie shot that the cavs blew made up for it in some kind of karma-induced way, IMO.
BTW, I thought it was great when Doug Collins was calling Varajeo a flopper right after that dagger play.
Re: Bulls - I generally agree with most of your points, however on a few I don't. Wallace brought a lot to the team this year - didn't really pan out against Detroit, and I honestly feel he doesn't like playing Detroit. I can't tell if it was back problems or a mental block, but that was his worst stretch of games this season since before the headband thing in November. That doesn't make your prediction for the next three years false, but perhaps another year out, he'll play against Detroit like he plays against everyone else. Bulls led the NBA in defensive efficiency after being somewhere like 12th last season (FG% is only one stat). Plus, their fouls were way down.
Hinrich and Gordon can still improve. They have both gotten better every year. Are they nearing their ceilings? Perhaps, but Gordon is still prone to dumb turnovers and can continute to improve his defense a bit (he was horrendous last year). Hinrich has potential to be Steve Nash plus defense. Not saying he will be, but he "showed flashes" this year. Deng could be an MVP candidate before all is said and done. He's only had one offseason in his career (had a broken wrist the summer before last), and he's only 21. Thomas will be a force in a couple seasons. All that said, the Pistons' biggest issue is their own time. Those four dudes have logged heavy minutes and heavy games the last four seasons. How long can they keep it up? Especially when they don't ever seem to want to close teams out.
Re: Foul - There was contact, but he got a decent look. The whole thing is moot because Larry Hughes missed the easiest shot of his career.
Don't forget the missed tip after the missed Hughes shot after the missed LeBron shot. I think it was Sideshow Varejao who missed that one.
What I want to know is why the when this happens to LeBron, people on ESPN say he was robbed, but when Bruce Bowen is kneeing groins and kicking ankles it's good, physical playoff basketball. Also, James not getting the call is karma for he elbow on Webber in game one.
A good replay can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J...h?
v=Jb7rjP9ybwE
Lebron traveled.
Here's the thing that gets me about the LeBron foul/no foul debate:
If you are an offensive player, you drive, you initiate all of the contact, the defender holds his ground with his hands straight up, and in the process of shooting you bring your arms in contact with the arms of the defender, do you deserve a foul call? I'm not sure that even the NBA refs know the answer to this one, seeing as they don't call it either way consistently. But in my mind, if the offensive player initiates all of the contact, he shouldn't get the call. If he does, you get what we had last year, with Dwayne Wade getting 40 attempts from the stripe, and first Detroit and then Dallas finding that they were unable to play defense against him because doing anything other than allowing a free layup resulted in a foul call.
Now, did LeBron initiate all of the contact in the final shot last night? From the picture up on the Daily Dime today, it sure looks like he did. From what I remember from watching the game last night, Rip raked his arms across LeBron's after the ball was away, so the refs probably could have called it a foul. Still, even if they got the call wrong,
1. at least they called the game consistently - neither team was getting that call last night, and
2. it still isn't the reason the Cavs lost last night (see: 3rd quarter).
LeBron got fouled.
lol have you read the article in the Daily Dime link you posted? Objective journalism? You decide.
Here's some fuel for that Varejao fire.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=f19uNvReH5Y
That was the worst no call EVAR!!! As if Rip Hamilton plays good defense,LMAO!!! That was the main reason Jordan traded his sorry ass to Detroit because he couldn't stop anybody. I understand the dilemma of not interfering with the game but come on that would of got assault charges filed in Ohio....
Wallace and Little Annie have a history. They've got into a couple of scraps. Someone needs to tell Sheed that even though he's foregin, dude grew up in the Flavelas of Brazil and he will kick his ass gangsta style.
I think what helps not paying Ben Wallace ransom is not playing one legitimate Big Man in the east coast conference. Trust me your gonna miss him when Timmy D comes to town because Wallace, Webber, Myknee's, and Maxiell are gonna get owned off glass....
Refs 2 Cavs 0
Give me a break. First of all, by virtue of his reputation, Lebron gets even the most marginal calls throughout the game. Remember Wade in the '06 conference finals? Second, right or not, the refs never call a fould in that situation unless it's blatant. Clearly, this was not a blatant foul, especially given how the game was called all night.
And Jorel shows that he doesn't know diddly about basketball, either. Excellent contribution as always. It almost makes me pine for your ridiculous opinions regarding college football. I now dismissively wave you away with the back of my hand.
For the record, the main reason Jordan traded away Rip was becuase as an exec., Jordan is/was basically Isaiah redux. But thanks for taking a shot at that one. Got any other topics you'd like to whiff on before the holiday weekend?
It might have been a foul, but I think the goaltending call on McDyess earlier was just as debatable.
Besides, I'm pretty sure the Cavs would rather have had a wide open shot and a point blank tip in than Lebron trying to make free throws in a clutch situation.
In regards to the Bulls, you can not be afraid, but I've heard just as many 'ston's fans that are confident that the two teams will be switching places in the near future. If the Cavs can build a team around Lebron, well, then any sort of dominance the Bulls might have goes out the window as that team "could" be scary good. Emphasis of course on could.
I'm just not entirely sure why you're ruling them out, especially when the rise and fall of players in the NBA involves more than just skill. Young versus old. Eventually I'll take the young.
Hope the Tigers can beat the Indians like a drum and make this a Michigan kicks Ohio's ass weekend.
jorel:
are you under the impression that "would of" is english? i think what you're getting at is a shortening of "would have", which can be colloquialized thusly, "would've". That's just as many key strokes as "would of" but it actually makes sense.
like all things, this is just another "piece" of the mounting evidence that you're dumb.
I agree that it should have been a foul on Rip, but there were *many* no-calls in the paint all game long. (Watch the highlight clips of Maxiell's dunks - there could have been a few and-ones) It's not like the officials called a tight game and then swallowed their whistles right at then. They were consistent, which IMO is the most important thing. If refs are consistantly calling, or not calling, fouls the same way all game, you can adjust to it.
Here's the deal...if you want a call at the end of the game you sure as hell better earn that shit. LeBron earned nothing, he didn't go up hard he didn't REALLY try to make a basket...he just hoped and prayed for a whistle to be blown for a rake on his non-shooting arm while causing just as much contact as his defender (Rip). MDP, I agree with you on the goaltending call, the ball was not even descending yet therefore should've been a no call...aka no two free points aka the game would've been out of reach anyways. And SoJ, I'll have to say you've truly out-done yourself on this one.
Matt-- Lmao, man stick to hockeye brah. Jordan was his teammate for two frickin seasons. Couldn't stand the fact that all dude wanted to do was shoot, total defensive liability and zero intensity.
Rick-- I'm gonna go on a limb here and say that your a single, white male, around 5-7 maybe 220lbs and definitely single.
My chica's here, I'm out.... have a safe weekend you cheating bastards.
I'm not your brah... brah.
jorel...drunk & typing again....sad sad sad. and i'd lay off the jim rome imitations, 'brah'......even the smack-off went down hill this year.
SOJ cracked LOL.
yawn ... Is it football season yet?
Doug Collins once again proves that he's still the only analyst that knows anything about the sport of basketball
Are you really eager for football to start Brutus? What's your honest assessment of the QB play in your spring game?
Oh, you did the Bulls. Hmmm. I agree on most everything, except Hinrich's potential. Analysis I've seen says PG's are slow to develop and many take The Leap in their 5th years. This upcoming one is Hinrich's. So we'll see. Other than that, I have no real opinions, since I didn't think it was likely the Wallace signing was worth it, nor did I think he'd put the Bulls over the top. But if you're Pax and you think This Could Be It, then you take a gamble. I'm not mad, but it's going to take some Capgeneering to make this work over the next few years as contracts of actually talented players starts to occur. I'm somewhat upset Hibbert isn't going to be in the draft, since I think he would have been as good as one could expect from the 9th spot. Anyone else will either not feature the offense the Bulls need or will not be featuring much of anything in the near future. If they pick Noah, shoot me now. Paxson is a good drafter, though, so I've got confidence. Plus there's always the possibility Isiah thinks he needs a smallish former athlete to play center.
As for the long term arc, if the Bulls decide to sign their current core to long term deals, they'll have to win with them and nothing else. But it does look like they'll be able to keep those players together. There isn't a combination of talent and competent management outside of Detroit, Toronto and Chicago in the entire East and as long as that remains true, those are the teams I expect to compete. Of those three, Toronto has the best long term situation but is also in need of the most maturation and additional pieces. Their window probably won't open for another 2 years. Detroit is aging rapidly upfront, but also has Amir Johnson, who is evidently good. I have no idea what additional years will do to Rip, Chauncey and Teyshaun, though Prince is much younger than the other two. Best guess is that Sheed and Webber will soon enough go quietly into the night, making both the Pistons and the Bulls weak up front.
In any case, what the Bulls do with this pick plus Nocioni and parts is going to dictate whether or not they leap ahead of Detroit and Toronto.
Thabo Sefolosha. Which is, like, the best name ever.
Well Korea ... part of the anticipation (a.k.a. anxiety attacks) for any Buckeye fan is in who/what develops into the best game plan. I suspect Boeckman will start since he's been around the longest and knows the system best ... but he (like Schoenhoft and Henton) has yet to be battle tested. Both Craig Krenzel and Troy Smith started in the shadows of others before they became 'da man'. What I personally look forward to is seeing how the sweatervest God applies them and what game plan he goes with. The first half of the '07 - '08 season is the easier half and I wouldn't be surprised if Boeckman didn't start them all.
PS: Please take EVERY opportunity to DESTROY Notre Dame. Thank you.
Smith won games. Krenzel didn't lose them. Boeckman doesn't look like he's ready to do either at this point. Yeah, he's been in the system for a while but his decision making is still highly questionable. I don't think Tressel will start Henton, aka The Human Interception Machine, but I would. Why not give him the experience now and finish 4th instead of sitting him and finishing 3rd with Boeckman? Schoenhoft is a born backup. Hopefully you get ND in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.
Smith won games. Krenzel didn't lose them. Boeckman doesn't look like he's ready to do either at this point. Yeah, he's been in the system for a while but his decision making is still highly questionable. I don't think Tressel will start Henton, aka The Human Interception Machine, but I would. Why not give him the experience now and finish 4th instead of sitting him and finishing 3rd with Boeckman?
***************************************
Lmao, how do you question the decision making of a guy who hasn't even played??
Who exactly is finishing 1st and 2nd???
ryan:
ohio state knocked michigan into the losers bracket, where they went 0-2 to get immediately eliminated from the big 10 baseball tourney. huge ohio victory over michigan. ouch.
john g...there's still a damn good chance we make the NCAAs, not a huge ohio victory after all, unless of course we don't make the tourney.
Smith won games. KRENZEL WON GAMES TOO ... just not as pretty. Krenzel was more resourceful, dug deeper to lead his team ... and he did; to the national championship I remind you. I like Krenzel more.
I think you made a snide remark regarding ND in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. Am I to interpret you belive UM will be doing better than OSU this year? Hot damn son! Who the hell can possibly foresee what will happen in the Big 10 this year? I laugh because you're diving head first into a wading pool. :)
"Lmao, how do you question the decision making of a guy who hasn't even played??"
------------
Boeckman's been in Columbus for three years. That's the knock on him and the reason he was behind not only Smith but also Zwick. In other words, he's sub-Zwick. Here's a re-cap of the spring game in case you missed it (they don't mention Boeckman's bonehead intentional grounding play):
http://blog.cleveland.com/
sports..._in_scarle.html
"Who exactly is finishing 1st and 2nd???"
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According to Athlon, ESPN and SI, Michigan and Wisconsin. I'm not saying they're infallible but I'm pretty sure they had OSU first going into last year.
BTW is China Red the color of your new end zones?:
http://www.bucknuts.com/news/sto...hp?
article=1044
Before and after:
http://www.sectalk.com/boards/bi...-
horseshoe.html
It's bad enough to keep losing to Wisconsin but now you have to go and steal their end zone design?
KRENZEL WON GAMES TOO ... just not as pretty.
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That was my point when I said he didn't lose games. He didn't fumble or force interceptions. He handed it off to Clarett and kept the defense off the field. Boeckman doesn't look like that kind of QB. Schoenhoft is probably a better fit if you want to play Tresselball.
Oh and no blood, no foul. It's the playoffs.
Athlon, ESPN and SI. They make money by filling space otherwise empty on your TV screen, webpage or magazine. NO ACCURACY OR ACCOUNTABILITY NEEDED. Paid them no heed when OSU was ranked no.1 and still don't.
And for the record ... Krenzel did more than not fumble or force interceptions, hand it off to Clarett and kept the defense off the field. He ran with the ball when best to do so. He threw the ball when best to do so. He made the offense work did what it took to win. Didn't rack up the numbers needed for the Heisman trophy but he took OSU farther than Troy Smith did. Unheralded he shall remain, but I appreciate what he did and consider him the epitome of quarterbacks.
I consider him the epitome of 14-9 but whatever. He's not on your team and you have no QB. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
SoJ,
I'd expect you to say that. Happily, I'm not single, I'm not 5-7, and I'm not 220... But good try.
And you're still an idiot...
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