Comments on: Still Buzzing

By: FelixP

FelixP — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 03:12:32 +0000

some of you may find this a good reason to hate on the Magic:

http://www.edgeofsports.com/2009-06-08-429/index.html

By: yoo yoo

yoo yoo — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 23:26:05 +0000

Okay so it wasnt jus tme calling out a conspiracy Charley Rosen wrote this of the officiating, its nice to win a fixed game though…

Referees
Bennett Salvatore, Mike Callahan and Scott Foster — Collectively, these guys destroyed the possibility of either team’s establishing any kind of offensive rhythm with too many absurd calls and non-calls. If Howard could blatantly shove Gasol to the floor with impunity, and if Kobe could elbow Nelson in the face without a whistle, why were so many tickle fouls called?

Blame the alarming lack of consistency on the fact that Callahan was the only exceptional ref on the floor.

It also seemed that the refs’ incompetence drastically favored the home team. How else to explain the fact that during the last 17 minutes of the game, the Magic shot 19 free throws while the Lakers’ only two shots from the stripe resulted from Pietrus’ flagrant foul on Gasol?

By: Kurt

Kurt — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:23:06 +0000

New Post Up — Mark Jackson Bingo!

By: Craig W.

Craig W. — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:28:40 +0000

People who only quote statistics – often John Hollinger – and say they don’t have to see the games to understand players strengths and weaknesses really don’t have a basic understanding of sports.

It’s not only what people do, but when they do them.

Fish: doesn’t need any explaination (2 for 7)

Kobe: “shoots too much” doesn’t take into account when he shoots – when teammates are not hitting the broad side of the barn from the inside.

By: LakerPauer

LakerPauer — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:58:51 +0000

It’s interesting that Fisher’s fingerprints are all over our playoff run. We’ll come back to his two clutch baskets for years to come, but we’re less likely to remember his tenacious D on Deron Williams, his series changing flagrant on Scola, or his integral speech about embracing destiny. When Fisher slumps, it’s hard for fans to understand that his presence accounts for more than just scoring. Unfortunately no statistic exists for heart.

By: T Bone

T Bone — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:54:37 +0000

I’m suggesting to State Farm that they can the LeBron Kid n Play commercial (“I’m There” theme), and replace him with Fish.

2001 regular season, 12 games to go, Lakers struggling and bickering. Fish returns from stress fracture and Lakers win last 12, sweep WC playoffs, and beat Sixers in 5. And I think he shoots something like 50% from 3 land in the playoffs. Fish, “I’m there”.

2004 WC Finals, .04, “I’m there.”

2009 Finals, 4 seconds, “I’m there.” O.T., “I’m there.”

Celtics: I think Danny Ainge is acutely aware of the precipitious decline the Celtics endured in the 90s after holding on to an aging lineup too long. (Compounded by tragic deaths of Len Bias and Reggie Lewis).
It’s better to pull that trigger a season or two too early, rather than a season too late.

By: Brian Tung

Brian Tung — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:30:16 +0000

Put up a new post on Legler’s comment (I think it was Legler) that Phil’s decision to bring the ball up the length of the court with 11 seconds left did the Magic a favor:

http://thenullhypodermic.blogspot.com/2009/06/power-of-flexibility.html

Not trying to poach readers (not that I could, anyway), but thought some of you might be interested.

By: Julia889

Julia889 — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 16:16:02 +0000

I know this is a old and tired subject, but as a basketball fan in general

“So basically, I don’t know what to make of the 2009 Finals. It has nothing in common with anything that has ever happened before. My theory: because of the economy, nobody improved their team at the trading deadline and strengthened whatever holes they had, so we just ended up with a bunch of flawed contenders. Just one of those years.”

from Simmons’ article makes me extremely angry. It’s one thing to put down one particular player that you clearly hate. But to build in some kind of insurance/excuse so that even if team LA wins they are automatically lesser champions? That’s a new low.

I’m not someone who glorifies the past at the expense of not appreciating the work of modern players nor am I someone who detracts from the past while marveling at modern athleticism. The game continues to change but at the end of the day it’s the same story – the best players in basketball come together and compete. Any team that makes it through the grueling battles and prevails in the end as champions are deserving champions. To say anything less would be belittling all the other teams that they have competed against.

Were last year champs deserving champions? Yes!!! Even if it came at the expense of one of my favorite teams I can admit that last year’s Boston was an excellent team of hungry vets. Surely deserving champs.

But according to his logic, they were dogged down in two early round battles
and then didn’t go 4-0 on a “weak” LA squad so I guess they’re lesser champions too?

Also how can a league go from an awesome, competitive league that played the background role to making Boston an awe-inspiring champion to a watered down flawed lesser league in the course of a single year? Because of the economy? Give me a break. Because of the economy did 50 of the NBA’s best players go to play for the Chinese league? Did North Korea attack the US and wipe out half of the NBA?? It’s the same league with some solid rookie
additions. Simmons is just reaching for a last straw

By: Craig W.

Craig W. — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:23:29 +0000

Mimsy’s comment at #131 of the last thread should:
1) Be read by all bloggers here
2) Be sent to David Stern’s office – as homage to the general perception of his greatest problem with this game.

Also, Kurt’s comment about Bennett S. is another gem.

By: LJAY

LJAY — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:22:53 +0000

Wow, as always it’s a real pleasure reading this blog.

This is for Lala, at the end of the game, Kobe was talking to Boozer not Wade.

I concur with Kurt, and think that Mimsy made a great point in the previous thread, the ref. is awful because they are awful not because any conspiracy. But it amazes me that they’re the best thing around in the best league in the world…