Wait. So defense-oriented games that end 93-92 are "playground" games that Pat Riley hasn't evolved for, whereas high-pace run-and-gun games that regularly ended in the 120s are not? OK then. OK, but the counterargument is that Jones does literally nothing else. He knows how to shoot wide-open 3 pointers, and mean-mug like a tough guy. He can't pass, he can't play defense, he can't rebound, he can't get to the line, he can't drive. Jones' entire game is predicated on no one ever guarding him. The guy makes Eddie House look well-rounded. I'm not crazy about Battier or Miller, but at least they know how to play basketball
The problem is that those three (almost) max contracts make it hard to add pieces. They can get veterans to give them a discount for a shot at a championship, but any decent young guy is going to be overpaid out of Miami's price range. They pretty much need to bank on late draft picks like Cole to add youth. This year's free agent class doesn't look good for mid-level exception guys, but Miami can't really afford not to add someone. As far as substitutions go, the one that always confused me was Turiaf playing the first four minutes, then sitting the rest of the game.
The Big 3 are also slated to make progressively more money each year. Assuming all options are exercised, only 7 players are on the books for 2014-15 but they would make more than the current roster.
I just read the league reviewed the last game and because of some missed calls, KG, Rondo & Pierce will start the game with 1 foul each. Unprecedented.
Sounds like drunk angry hopeful, hopeful posting. Anyway, I thought this was hilarious. I like Kobe, but this is funny.
And in honor of White History Month, all baskets made by white players will count double for the rest of the month. Go Mike Miller and Greg Steimsma! * Battier's 2's will be 3's and his 3's will be 5's.
rep from da 'Sack Isn't all anal sex a little forced? I mean that's why there is lube. I bet if he used lube, there wouldn't have been a problem. The thing about that OKC game that I find interesting is in that last minute, right when Perk gets that drunk, Pop is screaming for a i-foul. If the Spurs executed what Pop was trying to say, they still could have won. Only problem is that the players couldn't hear Pop. The screaming was so loud its insane. I've never felt crowd noise like that through my television.
Seriously though, are you freaking out as a Miami fan? Do you now watch the Miami Welcoming Party Event with a little disdain?
I'm too old to freak out about things over which I have no control. It will be as nature intended. And by nature I mean Stern and the explicit instructions he gave the officials. It's mind boggling to think that somewhere out there, right this very second, theres 2 men that know exactly when KG is going to foul out tonight. I love how the same people that called into Sports Radio calling Bosh "soft" and demanding he be traded are the same ones begging for him to come back and blasting Spoelstra for not playing him in the 4th quarter. I dont think the team will be broken up if they lose tonight but I do expect changes to be made. Whether it's the coach or redoing the bench, something will be sacrificed.
Sometimes people just have the ability to tell when something has absolutely nothing to do with the current discussion.
I largely agree with MoreCowbell. With Boston being a fairly popular, "name" team, having them go to the Finals over Miami wouldn't be such a tragedy for the league. It's also riskier than ever nowadays to have refs blatantly favor one squad. Youtube was in its infancy during the last major, high-profile fix, (the 2006 Finals between Dallas and Miami) and there was no Twitter. Also, the idea that when there are tens of millions of dollars on the line, certain "unfair" basketball decisions might be made wasn't so firmly entrenched in the minds of basketball fans. There was also no Tim Donaughy scandal at the back of everyone's mind. So far, there have only been two games during the entire postseason that really set off my alarm bells; OKC-LAL Game 3, which even Simmons mentioned, and Boston versus Miami game 2. What I'm saying is that game 6 might be called with a very minimal amount of bias towards the visitors. After all, there is an economic price to pay for a lot of fans thinking your league is corrupt and regularly fixes championships, too...
The series has been so close, it wouldn't take much. Let's say they decide that Paul Pierce doesn't get to shoot free throws tonight. That would be enough.
I really want Paul Pierce to go for 30 in Game 7 to make up for that embarrassing performance. Celtics couldn't buy a made shot all game. Great heart from the remaining crowd at the end there.
*Parker A. Smith here* So I'm going to start this post saying Fuck You Gently to whoever gave me all that bullshit about media narrative about LeBron James and people wanting LBJ to do this, and LBJ to do that. Are you fucking kidding me? Did you see this game? THIS was King James. THESE were the talents he brought to South Beach. He stopped smiling, he stopped looking at his teammates. HE DEBUTED HIS HATE FACE IN THE THIRD QUARTER! What we saw tonight was what the fuck I've been waiting for, what the media was waiting for, what every single fan has or should have been waiting for. This is what you have been waiting for. He tapped into The Hate tonight. This was the best version of LeBron James that has ever played. This was fueled by all the shit you guys were complaining about. This was fueled by the media dumping on him, this was fueled by fans dumping on him, this was fueled by Kevin Garnett supposedly calling him a "pussy ass nigga" during the game on Tuesday. This is the LeBron James I want to see on the court. Not the guy who tried to pass to Haslem, not the guy who defers to Wade. If you had to pay to every LeBron James game you watched, you'd want this LBJ not the "Oh he made the smart basketball play LBJ." He dominated in every aspect of the game. Defensively, then dunking, in the paint, posting up, jump shots (fade aways too) and at the three point line. All those plays you sat there and fucking thought "holy shit he is dominating." This is the LeBron James you wanted. I cannot wait for Game 7. Paul Pierce needs to make an appearance. The guy couldn't buy a bucket. I still think he's a bitch though.