Smack / May 29, 2007 / 2:31 am

The Blame Game

By Dime Magazine

You know what sucks? If (when) the Spurs go on to close out the Western Conference Finals, all we’re gonna hear about all summer is how the refs screwed the Jazz in Game 4. We’ll hear about San Antonio shooting something like 25 free throws in the fourth quarter while the Jazz made only two trips to the line. We’ll hear about Manu Ginobili (22 pts, 6 rebs, 3 stls) flopping and eventually baiting the refs into sending Derek Fisher to the locker room because of it. Meanwhile, no one is going to bring up the fact that the Spurs simply outplayed Utah the entire game and took control when it was winning time. Here’s how we see it: the Spurs got themselves to the line by attacking the basket and capitalizing on Utah’s eagerness to block shots and go for steals … The worst ref-related thing we did see was the unnatural amount of late calls made when Tim Duncan (19 pts, 9 rebs, 5 blks) went to the cup. It’s not like they were the wrong calls, they just came late, as if the ref was waiting to see if Duncan was gonna make the shot before blowing the whistle … Who complains more about calls and non-calls: the Warriors players or the Jazz crowd? … Deron Williams was an animal. He really was. He put up 27 and 10 while playing with the flu, and he’s been ballin’ like that this entire postseason. But the announcers need to chill out, especially Jeff Van Gundy. At one point JVG said they should considering re-naming Stockton Way (the street outside of the Jazz arena) “Stockton-Williams Way,” and before that said Deron might be as good as Steve Nash and J-Kidd right now. Fall back, playboy. Give the kid a few years before hanging all that on him … And amidst all the Deron-jocking that’s been going on, no one has really brought up that he’s doing this against Tony Parker, arguably one of the five best point guards in the League … PR was wrong for this one, though: “Parker and Williams are going at it like two of Michael Vick’s pit bulls.” … Did you see Paul Millsap catch Mike Finley in the mouth with a more subtle version of the Kobe Chop? … Jacque Vaughn isn’t very good, but he plays hard. He even runs hard when he’s going to the bench … Carlos Boozer had one monster sequence when he rejected Duncan (think Ben Wallace on Shaq last year) on one end and bowled over Manu on his way to hitting a bucket on the other end. Other than that, Booze had a pretty quiet 18 points and 9 boards … Nice camera shot of Gordan Giricek on the bench late in the fourth holding his warmup pants like a kid holding a blanky … Speaking of flopping, here’s Anderson Varaejo in the Detroit Free Press: “Maybe sometimes I exaggerate on the charge.” Really? … Cavs/Pistons Game 4 is tonight, but Cleveland will be without Larry Hughes, who tore his plantar fascia in Game 3 … Over the weekend the L.A. Times reported a rumor that has Portland offering Zach Randolph and Jarrett Jack to the Hawks for the No. 3 pick so the Blazers can get Mike Conley. But the Oregonian says the Hawks would want Brandon Roy or LaMarcus Aldridge in a deal. LaMarcus and Jack? We’d do that if we’re Portland. B-Roy is off-limits, though … But what’s with this desire to unload a 23-10 power forward in the Western Conference to bring in a freshman PG. Is it just because he’s best friends with Greg Oden? Greg’s a grown man now. We think he’ll survive being separated from his buddy at this age … The Orlando pre-draft camp starts today. Some of the players who will be there include Ohio State’s Daequan Cook (It’d be hilarious if the Blazers draft him in the second round or something), Jared Dudley and Sean Williams (Boston College), Aaron Gray (Pitt), Demetris Nichols (Syracuse), Sean Singletary and J.R. Reynolds (Virginia), Taurean Green (Florida), Reyshawn Terry (North Carolina) and Curtis Sumpter (Villanova) … It turns out Kansas’ Brandon Rush pulled out of the draft because of a torn ACL suffered in a pickup game last week. Rush might not be able to play for the Jayhawks until December at the earliest … We’re out like Hughes …

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23 Responses to “The Blame Game”

  1. May 29th, 2007 at 5:37 am

    Fish says:

    It’s become very easy to hate on the Spurs this postseason. In the past they were just dull, but now they are consistently dirty to boot.

  2. May 29th, 2007 at 7:19 am

    Steve Wells says:

    Sorry, but Tony Parker is definetely not one of the best five point guards in the league. Just thinking of Nash, Kidd, Billups, C.Paul, D.Williams, B.Davis, Marbury oder Cassell…

    www.squidoo.com/jumplikevince/

  3. May 29th, 2007 at 9:07 am

    Andrew says:

    the spurs have played well when it counts and you gotta give them props for that. but at the same time, a lot of their wins arent of the variety where you can just say ‘hey they beat us fair and square’..phoenix and the suspensions were exhibit A..and this is just another example. yes duncan had a LOT of late calls go his way. and the refs definitely did not swallow their whistles like the ones in det/cle game 1..in fact i believe they attempted 15 FTs in the fourth quarter to start before the jazz even attempted one. and it’s not like san antonio was attacking the cup at will..a lot were ticky tack bail out calls for tony parker, manu..etc

  4. May 29th, 2007 at 9:25 am

    Buck says:

    Steve Wells — so you would take Marbury and Cassell over T. Parker? Maybe 3 or 5 years ago, but not today. Quit playing NBA Live and NBA 2K7 and wake up.

  5. May 29th, 2007 at 9:50 am

    Johnny P says:

    bottom line: refs or no refs, Spurs are just a better team right now. The Jazz unfortunately play the same style as the Spurs, just not as well.

  6. May 29th, 2007 at 10:18 am

    Bron says:

    what happen to all the jazz fans who were ripping the warriors for being “thugs and unsportsman-like” funny how quick its ok for jazz fans to do the same thing now.

  7. May 29th, 2007 at 10:19 am

    Gen'l Knight says:

    Top whiners in the league isn’t anyone in the West.

    The boys at Detroit earn this monkier hands down. Even vgood boy Tayshuan gets sucked up in this.

    As far as refereeing goes, one word - consistancy. It’s not in the NBA. As elementary as it seems, what is a foul needs to be defined and the refs need to be schooled.

    Our Dime dudes got it right - a great effort by the Spurs will become marginalized. I like the way Boozer addressed this in the media though. Great class.

  8. May 29th, 2007 at 10:20 am

    Bron says:

    also, if your SERIOUSLY gonna say marbury is a better pg than tony parker, your basketball knowledge card should be revoked… I agree with the other people you named wells but marbury? please

  9. May 29th, 2007 at 11:08 am

    Amar says:

    I haven’t read the smack yet, or the comments but I first and foremost wanted to come out and admonish the behavior of a small selection of fans who attended the game, and the countless, faceless “jazz” fans on the internet who have been acting like kids because of this loss. The fact of the matter is that the jazz played like they were happy to get the game within one, they didn’t play to win this game. The spurs kept their composure and did what they had to do when they had to do it to win this game. The first 3.5 quarters was a good game. The last 6 mins were not good for Jazz fans because Utah took quick jumpers and looked for bail out (Chris Paul style) fouls to be called. The spurs on the other hand played good defense, and got it inside to Timmy on offense, or let Manu drive.

    Fact: The spurs won this game, and were the better team — all series.

    This is a good learning expereince for the young jazz, and it will probably take them a few seasons to get this far in the playoffs again, but they are a better team for losing to the Spurs than to any other team in the playoffs.

    Sure, the refs made a sequence of calls that as a homer you don’t want to see, but the Jazz had the game in their sights with 6 mins remaining. They did not do what they needed to do. They could have won, regardless of the refs. Instead they played to tie the game, instead of played to win it.

    All props to the spurs. But Manu, man, he’s a crafty one for sure.

  10. May 29th, 2007 at 11:14 am

    Amar says:

    I’m upset that the jazz lost at home, obviously. I’m more upset that the Jazz made a loss into a blowout, and a mockery by losing their cool and not losing with a quiet strength. Jerry getting tossed is okay, it’s good for his system. DFish didn’t do anything dirty, but he was clearly upset and frustrated, but you hold him to a higher standard than Sloan, so his move is more uncharacteristic.

    If you were going to make a loss into an ugly loss then at least do it right with cheap shot elbows to the head (right Baron) or put Araujo in to deck manu on a drive. Don’t get ticky-tack technical fouls . . .

    “Go Luck Refs!” - ESA crowd, according to ESPN

  11. May 29th, 2007 at 11:14 am

    Buck says:

    maybe there wldn’t be so much whining (East & West conf) if the officiating wasn’t so inconsistant. David “The Dictator” Stern refuses to acknowledge the situation however, which is exactly why I can’t wait for football season to begin. The NBA just isn’t enjoyable to watch anymore.

  12. May 29th, 2007 at 11:22 am

    John Basedow FC says:

    Boozer has great class? That’s new to me. Isn’t he the same guy who ripped off a blind man during contract negotiations with the Cavaliers?

  13. May 29th, 2007 at 11:27 am

    John says:

    The flopping of Ginobili is an embarrassment to the game, I can’t believe that seasoned officials still fall for that crap after all this time…

    And NO, I’m not a disgruntled Jazz fan, I don’t really care who wins that series. I DO care about good hard basketball, and what Ginobili does is shameful.

  14. May 29th, 2007 at 11:34 am

    Jax says:

    Marbury may be the best “street baller” point guard in the L, an that’s a maybe with Baron and Skip there. He has been washed up for quite sometime, he may not even make top 10 in all honesty. As far as the Spurs go, why is it they can never win a game and you don’t sit around with your crew going over the shady things that happen in the game? Every other team wins an looses, they win and it’s a discussion of how an why. Somethin’ ain’t right with them!

  15. May 29th, 2007 at 12:38 pm

    Kianoosh says:

    I must be in the minority cause I’m loving the killer instinct and the great execution the Spurs are putting on display in these playoffs. I can’t wait for another Spurs-Pistons. ooooh, that’s gonna be killer.

    As for Manu, please, he’s not even a real flopper. He’s actually getting hit when he accentuates those fouls. Most guys who flop aren’t even touched!! Plain and simple, Boozer himself said it, in the 4th Manu was attacking and the Jazz were settling for jump shots. Look at all the players that consistently get 10+ FT attempts per game. AI, Wade, etc etc. They attack. Been telling ya’ll Ginobili is da man. yes yes, everything starts with Duncan, ok got it, Manu is still great.

    Add to that the intelligent play from Oberto and Duncan’s usual greatness (game 3 type performances are soooo few and far between), Bowen’s tough pestering D (Deron’s killin him but he’s working hard), Parker’s speed (think full speed crossover and layups in transition) and Finley’s clutch shooting, that 1-7 is just great. If Barry and the other role players want to show up that’s nice. Those other guys are pretty damn consistent though, and that’s why they’ll be champs. unless detroit is tough enough to stop them…

    “Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained!?!?”

  16. May 29th, 2007 at 12:57 pm

    dank says:

    as an argentinean myself, i am embarrassed for what manu ginobili did last night. if anything, he bumped d-fish, not the other way around. im tired of manu, bell, nash, varejao, and all these other guys who flop and dont get suspended. i thought the league said they were gunna crack down on this crap for the year.

    as far as the playoffs go, i admit, the boring teams left, and the cavs inability to make it interesting, have caused me to not watch the semis. unless i see a spurs-cavs finals, i gotta say the league is gunna have real issues getting good ratings for this years finals.

    im out like the 04-05 finals.

  17. May 29th, 2007 at 1:09 pm

    Monkey Nutz says:

    Spurs won. That’s it.

    Utah’s crowd is classless. But they were also on the same page when the Utah owner had that suspect PA announcement when Karl Malone came back to town.

    Deron Williams has that sickness, this team can only learn and get better.

    Derek Fisher is dirty, and he’s mad that one of his students (Manu Ginobli) can flop better than him, and is an extremely BETTER player than he ever was or will ever be. (Good way to squander the goodwill that his current situation afforded him) DFish once a scumbag, always a scumbag.

  18. May 29th, 2007 at 1:19 pm

    Celts34 says:

    The league has to address the flopping problem this offseason. It’s out of control! It’s like watching soccer. Try that flopping b.s. in a pick-up game and see what happens.

  19. May 29th, 2007 at 2:27 pm

    Showgun says:

    If anyone thinks that taking a flop is easy, well a guy like Carlo’s Boozer is coming at you, then go ahead and stand in front of him. Mind you, the dude is over 200 pounds of muscle, not fat, muscle. D-Fish ain’t small either. I’m not saying I’m all for flopping, but come on now. In the the early days, guys weren’t getting hit by Shaq, or Carlo’s. Manu is one of the best International playas of our time. Europeans like Memo no show, and AK47 who is shooting blanks right now, ain’t doing shit, but getting schooled by the best teacher of game which is TD. I’m not a fan of both teams, but even before the series started, it was clear that the Spurs were out to show them what it takes to get the finals. Spurs teams don’t make good entertaining basketball, but I would teach my kids this is how you play. Attack like Manu, control the game like Duncan, run the point the Parker. By the way, when Spurs played the Nets in Finals, when their was possibliy going to be a traded between Parker and Kidd. Parker step up and showed he can be that point guard that helps a team win a championship. TP is top 5 material, much love to D-Williams, but he has a ways to go yet, one play run ain’t going to prove nothing unless he does that year in year out. I remember Stocken made the Western Conferences one year, but it took him another 5 years or so to get back there.

  20. May 29th, 2007 at 2:58 pm

    Ian says:

    steve wells

    sorry did u mention marbury and cassell as better than paker
    and BD who shoot like 15% from the field

    pleaseeeee go watch a game or two

    buck i think hes playing live 03

  21. May 29th, 2007 at 5:01 pm

    Jim says:

    Celts34 has a good point, it is like watching soccer. And I hope his celts are in Scotland and he is watching soccer so he can watch a storied franchise try to win games while struggling instead of tanking, now that would be out of control.

  22. May 29th, 2007 at 8:18 pm

    Amar says:

    Hey Showgun,

    Stockton getting to West Finals:

    91-92 season — lost to Portland
    93-94 season — lost to houston
    95-96 season — lost to seattle (game 7)
    96-97 season — beat houston
    97-98 season — beat LA Lakers

    that’s 5 times in 7 seasons. get your facts straight, and stop BS-ing about stuff you don’t know. your arguments have more value if you actually say factual information in them.

    Deron has very very far to go in his career, and he has some time to maybe achieve it. (west finals in first trip to the playoffs) But don’t spread your lies about Stockton’s inability to be a playoff performer. You obviously have the internet to be able to post here, so there should be no excuse for getting your facts wrong … spend 5 minutes on research before posting.

  23. May 30th, 2007 at 7:00 am

    Steve Wells says:

    To Buck and Ian:

    I thought about what you said. And you know what: you’ re right. Marbury’s best days are over but he has the eye of a great point guard. But I still think that Sam Cassel in principle is a better point guard than Tony – so we are not talking about age and trading know. He just has the better court vision, is a better team, a better clutch player.

    Being an outstanding point guard is not about being the quickest or the best shooting guy in the league. Its about setting your teammates up, controlling the game, taking over in at the end of the game, making important shots.

    And cmon, you know that ;-)

    http://www.squidoo.com/jumplikevince/

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