Skip Bayless blows

From the NBA rulebook: “A flagrant foul-penalty (1) is unnecessary contact committed by a player against an opponent.”

Such a vague rule. What comprises “unnecessary contact”?

The real question is one of player intent. D-Ho whistling an elbow into Dalembert’s head was intentional = flagrant.

Rondo, on the other hand, panicked while caught out of position, ran over and swiped at the ball, accidentally whacking Miller’s mouth. It was unintentional. Watch the replay again (start at the :40 mark). Rondo moves his hand toward the ball...and then it takes an unfortunate turn downward. The difference between his hit and Dwight Howard’s hit — in term of intent — is day and night.



The rule’s wording is just plain bad. So let’s ask instead: Why was it created? To stop players from intentionally abusing each other without repercussions. Basketball is a physical game. People get hurt. This rule is all about controlling behavior that has root in malicious intent. To git legal with it, this rule has its precedent in “mens rea.” Check this out, from Nolo.com (a legal reference website):

“MENS REA — The mental component of criminal liability. To be guilty of most crimes, a defendant must have committed the criminal act (the actus reus) in a certain mental state (the mens rea). The mens rea of robbery, for example, is the intent to permanently deprive the owner of his property.”

Whether or not there was blood on the floor has jack shit to do with it. Blow me, Skip Bayless. (See? That there was a flagrant insult.)

Let’s all just relax now

A thought apiece on each of these would-be flagrant fouls:

HOWARD: He should have been ejected, no question. And now, even if he is suspended for Game 6, that’s a home game for the Erz. Would’ve been a lot better to have D-Ho tossed out last night when he was home. That said, the Erz earned that loss all by themselves. First of all, they got eaten alive on the boards. (At one point, I saw ‘Dre, Lou, Green, AI2 and Thaddeus on the floor. Small ball? Really? Orlando has a wealth of big guys — Hedo, Rashard, Howard, etc. — guys who control the glass and post our guys up. And you’re NOT gonna throw big bodies at them? You’re gonna try to outspeed them? Well, we see how well that worked.) Second of all, they didn’t make any attempt to draw D-Ho into foul trouble. On the offensive end, you need to move the ball around the perimeter and look for slashers, and/or work the pick and roll. A man should be charging into the paint on every possession. Dwight ain’t that savvy; he’ll pick up fouls quickly; you can limit his time on the floor, and get him and SVG stressing over him fouling out — which is good for us all around. (Not that it even matters. Even when D-Ho was on the bench, we weren’t taking the lane; we were settling for little jumpers. You don’t win games that way.) Bottom line: they better get their strategy straight for the next game, or it’s time to break out the flip flops.

RONDO: First of all, what kind of pu$$y move was that on Brad Miller’s part? Is this what they teach big men at Purdue, to traipse into the paint with weak-ass finger rolls? Try going strong to the hoop, Brad, particularly when the game depends on it. Now, that said, Rondo did NOT give him a flagrant. Watch the replay, people. He reached for the ball and missed. Period. In slow-mo, you can even see Rondo retract his hand the very moment he made contact; his mind triggered an “oops,” and he pulled back. The fact that two B-Mill teeth came out in the process doesn’t make it flagrant. Sorry. And as a ref, you don’t make a questionable call like that and hand the game over to a team. Now here’s a tip for Vinny D: When one of your players gets two of his teeth knocked out and requires stitches on the sideline, it’s probably a good time to sub him out. Yeah, the alternative is having Doc Rivers pick your shooter and sending in a cold bench player during the biggest moment of the game. But did Brad Miller look like he had any chance of making those shots? Sometimes you just have to take the expression on a guy’s face at, err, face value.

-G

P.S. Toggling back and forth between the two games last night, it struck me the enormous difference between the levels of talent at play. It wasn’t even close. Bet: Whoever comes out of the Sixers/Magic series will absolutely get crushed — CRUSHED — by whoever comes out of the Celtics/Bulls series.

The Lie We Live

Think Orlando would have won last night without D-Ho's 24 and 24 (including 10 offensive boards)?

Think if we beat them last night there's better than a 30% chance of them making it out of this series?

Think any of this matters anymore?

Even if they suspend Howard for the next game, they get him back for Game 7 at home. That's a lot better look than if he got tossed last night and they happened to lose. And that's not just because of our increased chances of winning last night. It's the psychological weight he would have to carry that he effed up, cost his team a game in the playoffs and put their backs against the wall in this series. That's what he should have been scared of as he watched from the locker room last night. Instead, he got to play it out. If he gets suspended next game, his organization can make him believe that it's unfair. He will feel persecuted instead of regretful and embarassed. Either way, they won last night (in large part because of his dominance on the boards) and now have to be favored to win the series. Even though, look out tomorrow night. The Sixers should be on effin' fire!

I like DiLeo's speaking up not only about the elbow, but the 3 second violations. I'm sure it wasn't totally calculated, and that he was speaking from frustration, but it breathes oxygen into this story. Van Gundy's testy response is actually what ensures that DiLeo's post game comments won't go ignored. Not only does Da' Ho not get tossed after giving someone a nice, connecting elbow, but he also gets to play by a different set of rules on each and every play. He gets to sit in the lane. Then, he gets to bully people cus he's Superman. Same way Shaq could bust Dikembe's lip in the Finals with a swinging elbow, and not get called for it. DiLeo the little guy, standing up for the little guys (his team), and all the other little guys out there. I like it.

I mean, David, if the NBA is just a star machine at the end of the day, and has ceased to be a fairly, judged competitve sport when marketing dollars are on the line, then why not just hand LeBron the title right now so we can all stop pretending? Asshole.

Broadway

“Mark Sanchez is a kwaa-li-tee, claaa-sy quarterback...he has a touch on the football...he’s not a thrower, he’s a passer...his mind iss a-head of what the defense is and...I want to kiss you.”

"We suck"

I was listening to C-Webb commentate on a Sixers game during the studio wrap up on T&T a couple months ago and he said it seems like Thaddeus Young is the leader of this team; that he's really the guy who wants it. I was thinking about that as Thaddeus talked in this post game interview. "Everybody knows what happens when I go left". There's a palpable confidence there. He doesn't woof or yap at dudes, but I think he thinks he can have his way when he wants it.

As Iggy was talking he mentioned that "he's not there yet" and "still figuring things out".

One could interpret that combination of comments in a couple of different ways. 1) Iggy's not a leader. He'll never be the Man, but Thaddeus could or 2) Iggy's a talented yet humble dude who's still on the rise, and so is Thaddeus.

Care to offer any other interpretations?

Here's what I'll say: the most you can ask of any player, or any professional for that matter, is to continuously try to get better at what they do. We may disagree about Iggy's ceiling, but there should be little to no dispute that this is the type of player you want on your team. I think he is displaying winning qualities: passion, effort, pushing his perceived limits. Maybe he's overpaid by $20M, but that is more the norm than an anamoly in today's NBA. If you consider how many guys take their foot off the gas once they get their payday, you gotta admit it's nice to see a guy trying to play up to his contract and fill the shoes of being the Man. I also really like what I see in terms of confidence, and game, from Thaddeus Young. This kid can ball! With these two as the base of your future squad, we're not as bad off as you keep telling me we are. I'm pretty sure "we suck" were your words. Here's my argument as to why we don't suck. If you replaced Willie Green with Joe Johnson in our starting lineup, this team is a contender for the Eastern Conference Finals. We still wouldn't be as good as the Cavs or Lakers or a healthy Celtics squad (maybe), but we'd certainly be closer than further away. If it would only take one move to get us to that level, how can we suck?

Do you agree that we're in the top third team (with a healthy Brand) in the League right now? If so, and we're only a legit SG away from jumping a level, then how can we suck. Winning last night doesn't mean the Sixers are great, but it does show that we have a chance of beating one the so-called elite Eastern teams; a team that won 59 games. And we're doing it without the guy who's supposed to be our main weapon in the playoffs. And we're doing it with Tony DiLeo as our coach. And we're doing it with Willie Green absolutely stinkin' up the joint. Imagine a real coach, a healthy Brand for the playoff run and the sweet shooting guard we're going to get in the offseason. Shit ain't all bad, G. Stop bein' a typical Philly sports fan who expects their team to be perfect and win it all, yet is unwilling to offer the least bit of faith or encouragement even when the team clearly deserves it. If you were your own fan, you would quit or commit suicide.

The Other 80 Million Dollar Man

A couple of things here.

1) One of the premier perimeter players in the game (think Kobe, Flash) would have taken the shot when they got the separation after the cross over. Igoudala, instead, hesitates for another second a half before his release and shoots a super-fadeaway with Turkolu's hand all in his face. Why does he do this, you ask? He still has not learned how to play under control. He's bursting at the seams with jumping ability and all around athleticism, but he needed that extra step and second to gather himself, collect his handle and get off a shot he felt comfortable with. He hit it. But he made a 9.5 degree of difficulty shot instead of the 7 that Kobe or Flash would have taken. His mechanics and balance were all off. His lack of control and discipline in these areas will not allow him to be consistent. While I say that...

2) Iggy has hit quite a few game-winners, and buzzer beaters for the Sixers. While looking for the clip above I saw a whole page worth of Igoudala game winners. He really has been their guy (for better or worse) for two solid seasons now. And he hasn't been doing a terrible job given his limited offensive skill set. He has no post up game, no reliable mid range jumper and no reliable long ball. Yet, he put up 20-8-8 last night. And he's prone to do that. That line's not the least bit unusual for him. So, he's a triple double threat any night. He's relatively clutch. He's a good team guy and willing leader. Yet, we keep killing this guy. Yes, he's got untapped potential (the worst of all NBA sins). Yes, we're disappointed he hasn't turned into Scottie Pippen yet. Yes, he stank it up last year in his first trip to the playoffs as the featured guy. But he also ran up against the 2nd or 3rd best defense in the league at the time. He also ran into Tayshaun Prince, one of the three best lock down perimeter guys in the League. And since then, he's gotten better. Maybe, we should lay off just a little bit. When he missed the two free throws near the end of the fourth last night I said to my brother, "he choked, he'll get a chance to redeem himself". Then, he actually redeemed himself.

3) Did you see the pistol shooting after the shot when they showed the replay? I know you saw the mean mug? It's not Kobe's cocky "I got this..settle down" look, or Josh Smith's "did you see what I just did?" look, or even Flash's "that's right, y'all musta forgot I'm still the Man" look. I would say it's a "y'all still don't believe in me. Why r u surprised?" look. It's this mix of pride and anger. I like it. He's like 'I'm sticking my chest out, but I ain't gettin' hyped. Y'all get excited'. He doesn't have supreme confidence it's going in every time, but he's not shocked when it does either. Meanwhile, everybody else always is.

Collapse

If you wrote it as fiction, no one would believe it.

News leaks that KG, in all likelihood, will miss the playoffs (all of it?!) with his as-yet-unvetted knee injury...



...and within 24 hours, GM Danny Ainge is rushed to the hospital with a heart attack.



The Big Collapse. The NBA: Where Soap Opera Happens.

Shit, this is going to make the playoffs boring. Best-case scenario, San Antonio or Portland give L.A. a real run out West; 'cause the East is locked up now.

Still. LeBron v. Kobe in June? I'll be there.

-G

King James

This just killed me.



Are the stars alligning, Cleveland? Gotta be. This is the Year of LBJ.

-G

P.S. The Erz suck, Yo. Iggy played out of his mind last night. Thaddeus looked good coming back (if a little tentative). Lou and Speights both did some things. But most importantly, the C's looked terrible. Couldn't get sh!t going. Clearly frustrated as a group (four Ts?). No KG, no Jesus. And they faced an 11-point deficit going into the 4th. Dude, you gotta win a game like that -- especially knowing you are, in all likelihood, about to face this team in the 1st Round a few days from now. You gotta take that game. You gotta step on their throat and TAKE THAT GAME. But we just don't have that ability.

C's in 5. See you at the draft (where I'll laughably get myself way too excited about our #18 pick, Eric Maynor).

Michael Jeffrey Jordan

Elected into the 2009 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

This is the biggest no-brainer in NBA history. Still, as Bill Simmons might say, it got a little dusty when I heard the news.



Other notes:

> I love that Stockton and Sloan are entering the Hall in the same class. Just a sweet move.

> When MJ was asked, "Who's the one person that got you here?", his answer was, "Dean Smith." Wow. Not his dad. Not Phil Jackson. Dean Smith. Them Tar Heel roots run deep. (BTW, how pumped are you today if you're a UNC student, teacher, alumus, etc.?)

> Umi, Manu is now out for the season. Better rethink that Finals prediction.

> Speaking of, are you off your Prozac or something? Cleveland is going to crush the Lakers now. THAT is how the LeBron era will be ushered in -- just like MJ vanquished L.A. in '91. (That's serendipity trying his hand at poetry, Yo.) And yes, he's gonna make the fans of Cleveland happy and relieved...and then he's gonna roll. And he should. Not because the Cleveland fans aren't great ('cause they are; few cities in America have such die-hard fans), but because, as you alluded to, that organization is a joke. Mike Brown? Z? Anderson Varejao? These aren't people who belong in a future HOF player's bio. (Not long-term, anyway.) LeBron must seek greener pastures. And in doing so, he'll adds a wrinkle to his story that MJ never did: by rolling the dice with a new organization. What's more intriguing than that? Analysts are making it sound like LBJ is gonna sign with the Knicks and go on to win 5 more titles -- like it's a lock. What's the rationale? LeBron may, indeed, sign with NY and then go on a six-year title drought under Dolan's watch. But what if instead he goes to Brooklyn with Jay-Z's team? Or, or -- !!! -- what if he somehow gets to Chicago and plays the rest of his career in MJ's shadow? (Unlikely, of course, but how might that raise his level of competitiveness, as he guns for title of "GOAT"?)

Dude, whatever happens, I can hardly wait. I love this game!

The Next Great Thing

My Finals' pick is Cleveland over San Antonio in 6 games. With it, we will usher in the LeBron James era. Finally, at long last, the torch will be passed - passed to a player who draws comparisons to Oscar Robertson. The King shall soon take his thrown. So why am I not excited?

LeBron James is a once-a-generation athlete. He's a mature 24 year old who has learned how to give his best effort night in and night out. Unfortunately, everything else about this story is just plain dull. Other than Anderson Varejao there's not one other player on this team who's remotely interesting. Mike Brown is a non-story. Could 2 out of 10 people even point Cleveland out on a map?

Did you happen to see the game on ABC this past Sunday? It featured the Finals match up I predict. This is worse than Detroit - San Antonio was in 2005. Why am I ranting about this? The pending change highlights the fact that LeBron James is destined to change teams. He prefers to give Cleveland a trophy as a consolation prize, but there is no doubt he will leave when his contract is up. The star machine that is the NBA will not allow the greatest player of his generation to toil away his career in insignificant Cleveland (sorry Cleveland). This thing is bigger than LBJ. It's bigger than Cleveland. This is about carrying the baton. This is about becoming a global icon. LeBron has to be leveraged in a place that draws attention for other reasons so that his market expands exponentially. Will James Dolan still be the worst owner in the League when he's got it's future on his payroll?