Celtics Survive a Scare, Take 3-2 Series Lead over Detroit
Ray Allen (photo. Jordan Brand)We’re not gonna go overboard like Stu Scott and say it was one of the greatest games you’ll ever see, but Celtics/Pistons Game 5 was definitely the best-played game of this series and the kind of game we expected from these two teams when it became clear months ago they were headed for an Eastern Conference Finals matchup … The Celtics were up double-digits in the fourth quarter and it seemed to be over, but the Pistons slapped that trap on ‘em, forced some turnovers, hit some shots, and next thing you knew it was a ballgame. Rodney Stuckey (13 pts) knocked down a corner three to make it a one-point game with 1:20 remaining, but after Ray Allen knocked down a shot-clock buzzer-beater to extend the lead to three, Chauncey Billups missed a couple layups where he was trying to draw a foul. After that it came down to free throws, and Boston made theirs … Granted, Billups (26 pts, 6 asts) was having his first good game in a while and played a big part in the fourth-quarter comeback, but Detroit didn’t need him to try and do everything by himself down the stretch. Ask any Pistons fan, though, and they’ll tell you Chauncey just gets like that sometimes … We’re not gonna get on Stuckey for missing that one free throw in the final seconds and making the other when he was trying to miss. Instead, why couldn’t the Pistons have run something that didn’t involve putting the game in the rookie’s hands? … How about Stuckey being the best rookie in these playoffs by far, and meanwhile Detroit’s supposed-to-be cornerstone of the future, Amir Johnson, is wearing a suit on the bench every night? And props to Juan Dixon for pulling an Eric Snow and looking like an assistant coach on the sideline … Kendrick Perkins played the game of his life, putting up 18 points and 16 boards. He was everywhere: picking off passes, leading the break, blocking shots, dunking on cats, and he was an absolute beast on the glass. At the end of the third quarter Perk had just two fewer rebounds than everyone on the Pistons combined. One time Perkins grabbed an offensive board, took Antonio McDyess to the block and gave him a little Kevin Garnett-esque shimmy shake before dropping a turnaround J in his face. We don’t know if Perk was motivated by McDyess giving him the business in Game 4 or what, but he was arguably Boston’s MVP last night. Did you hear Perk’s post-game interview? He sounded super country, or as Christian put it, “Like he had two molasses sandwiches for lunch.” … Serious question: Is Perkins a Top-15 center in the League? If not, how far off is he from reaching that status? … Speaking of KG (33 pts) and his jump shot, he’s been in love with it all series long. He’s like a taller, slightly more intense David West. If Boston gets to the Finals and faces L.A., though, Garnett has to take advantage of Pau Gasol’s porous post defense and get a little closer to the basket. Doc Rivers should watch how Tim Duncan has been eviscerating Gasol in the Spurs/Lakers series (assuming Doc watches film) and try to get Garnett some easy buckets that way. If Ticket can give Gasol some of what he gave Theo Ratliff when he punched it on him in the first half, the C’s will be in good shape … Is Ray Allen back? He was looking as good as he’s looked all season, dropping five threes and scoring 29 points along with some clutch free throws. Does anyone know what the arm sleeve is all about? Health reasons or not, guarantee Ray’s wearing that thing in Game 6 just for the good vibes … Rasheed Wallace hit six triples (18 pts) and blocked three shots, but there was also plenty of negative with him. Like how only three of his attempts were inside the three-point line. Or how he grabbed a grand total of four rebounds (fewer than Billups). Or how, when the Pistons were clawing back from that huge deficit, ‘Sheed picked up a silly technical for arguing a foul call that hadn’t even gone against him. Unless you’re the coach, that should never happen … Can we please figure out what is and what isn’t a flagrant foul? In the second half Paul Pierce channeled his inner Night Train Lane on Chauncey’s head and neck, and no flagrant was called, even though it was basically the same thing Marvin Williams did to Rajon Rondo a while back that drew a flagrant. Then in the first half P.J. Brown pushed an in-flight Jason Maxiell — basically the same thing Brendan Haywood did to LeBron — which earned him a flagrant, but later on Tayshaun Prince did the same thing to KG and no flagrant was called … That guy who was sitting behind the announce table in a Pistons jersey kind of looked like J.J. Redick. Not the guy in the Pistons jersey who looked like Ruben Studdard, but the other one … Did ESPN seriously run the same halftime feature on Rip Hamilton’s mask that they originally ran back when the last Star Wars movie came out three years ago? So they’ve done 318 feel-good Celtics features this season, and they couldn’t find the time to do one original piece on Detroit? What happens if this goes to Game 7; will we get to see Ben Wallace’s basement full of model cars again? … Not to mention the Hamilton feature was atrocious. The narrator actually called his mask “an enduring symbol of strength,” which would have been the worst line had Rip not broken out the “Darth Vader, holla at cha boy!” The fact that Stu Scott (him again) punctuated the piece by saying, “As entertaining as it gets” was just the icing … If you were starting a franchise from scratch and had your pick of any current NBA player to build around, who would you take? Whenever it’s come up in the Dime office we’ve pared it down to LeBron, Kobe, Dwight Howard or Chris Paul as the definite Top-4. Who do you think is the League’s ultimate franchise player? … If you’ve picked up your copy of Dime #41 (the “Best Season Ever” cover), you’ve read Andrew’s feature on Derek Fisher, which details Fish’s revolutionary “proprioception” workout. In short, Fisher’s workout is all about balance, including some complicated weightlifting stuff with his eyes closed. We went to L.A. and shot Fisher doing his workout, and today on DimeMag.com we’re dropping the behind-the-scenes video of that shoot … Apparently the Hawks enjoy being bad. They finally free themselves from Billy Knight’s reign as GM effective this summer, and now they’ve gone and replaced him with Rick Sund. Really? The same guy who helped run the Sonics into the ground? The same guy who has Robert Swift, Johan Petro and Saer Sene on his resume as back-to-back-to-back first round draft picks? Yeah, great hire there. On the bright side, the Hawks don’t have any picks in this year’s draft for Sund to mess up … Michael Beasley is going to the Bulls, at least according to Memphis big man and potential draftee Joey Dorsey. If that’s true, we feel bad for the guards who have to deal with a Miami backcourt of Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade for the foreseeable future. What exactly will the Suns do when Steve Nash has to guard one of them? Or how about the Sonics when Luke Ridnour steps into the batter’s box? It’s gonna be ugly … We’re out like the Hawks making a good decision …
May 29th, 2008 at 1:49 am
daquest?on a.k.a Heavy Artillery says:
ist??
May 29th, 2008 at 1:51 am
daquest?on a.k.a Heavy Artillery says:
damnnn i forgot juan dixon was on the pistons….stu scott is lame he should stop acting ghetto and cool..scott van pelt has more street cred than stu
May 29th, 2008 at 1:52 am
daquest?on a.k.a Heavy Artillery says:
out like stu scotts street cred
May 29th, 2008 at 1:58 am
Jeffrey says:
This is the highest comment i’ve posted on dime. I’m making progress
May 29th, 2008 at 2:05 am
daquest?on a.k.a Heavy Artillery says:
lol yea these were the highest comments ive posted too i just was greedy so i took the top 3
May 29th, 2008 at 2:08 am
marcus the great says:
stuart scott used to be so cool…. what the hell happened? smh
May 29th, 2008 at 2:11 am
bill says:
who think van gundy be somewhat entertaining as an broadcaster
May 29th, 2008 at 2:11 am
marcus the great says:
game was good tho, but it seemed like boston was jus tryin to give it away
anybody else notice how billups basically made the ref give perkins a tech. after the call was made he said somethin to the effect of “you gonna let him act like that?” while perkins was actin pisses. 2-3 seconds later WHISTLE!!
May 29th, 2008 at 2:13 am
marcus the great says:
@bill
van gundy is like my favorite broadcaster. i hate reggie miller (had to get that out)
May 29th, 2008 at 2:47 am
Gareth says:
Stu Scott is just turible.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:19 am
Big Sia says:
LOL @ Turrible
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1kxZpyREdE
May 29th, 2008 at 3:26 am
Camp Lo says:
What does everybody think about the PG situation with Team USA? Coach K says they’re taken 3 to China. Who stays CP3, Kidd, Deron, or Billups?
What about the SG spot? Kobe, Wade, Redd, J.Johnson, Roy, M. Miller?
If players don’t bail on the squad, these guys are gonna be fun to watch.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:44 am
mcmango says:
I hope that Miami gets the pick on Rose. I love Wade´s game and they´re in strong need of everything. They won´t be winning anything in the near future, but at least their games will be fun to watch.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:59 am
KBY says:
Hawks are cheap, they don’t give a proper salary which is why the spurs and cavs assistant both pulled out of the runnings for the job.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:00 am
Dominik says:
KG’s dunk was nice, but Maxiell’s alley-oop-slam over Allen was even better!
http://www.squidoo.com/KG
p.s. Didn’t know Maxiell is at 260 lbs!
May 29th, 2008 at 4:11 am
bill says:
do you think gm’s go into job interviews with a ‘look, I am sorry I drafted Kwame but he looked good and was used to get gasol (big salesman grin)’
ANy chance of a GM feature in dime such as how to be a gm or the life of a gm. We all criticise but surely there are a lot of external pressures???
May 29th, 2008 at 4:27 am
Big Sia says:
Ball Rules Everything Around Me
B.R.E.A.M.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1kxZpyREdE
May 29th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Big Daddy says:
There is no chance that either Boston or Detriot will get past the lakers. They just can’t finish like Kobe can.
#1 to build a team around? Lebron for sure. Give him 4 monkeys and you’ve got the Cavs - anything better than that and it’s a deep playoff contender.
@ mcmango: Miami is going to make a massive turnaround. They’ve got some good bits, a good pick and with a good offseason pickup they’ll be back on track. Patty work some more of that Shaq ditching magic!
May 29th, 2008 at 6:03 am
YOUNGFED says:
@Dime
Sorry guys but those flagrants were 2 totally different plays. PJ blatantly push Maxiel in the air while not going for the ball or block. While on the other hand Prince clearly was going for the block and was in front of his guy, so NOPE.
THE RETURN OF THE YOUNG FIZZLE
May 29th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Rafa23 says:
I’m not sure about the lakers easily beating detroit or boston. they have to win a game in their places, what is always hard to do. and at least detroit WILL win a game in LA.
I think detroit has a better chance of beating the lakers because of their composure and execution down the stretch(their defense isn’t bad either)
May 29th, 2008 at 6:13 am
YOUNGFED says:
WORST CALLS IN HISTORY:
1.)Paul Pierce’s blatant bump on Lindsey Hunter and Hunter being whistled for fighting for position in response,
2.)Paul Pierce’s football tackle on Chauncey Billups not being called a flagrant foul,
3.)and especially Billups’ brilliant diving steal and subsequent contact with Rajon Rondo. The latter was especially weak because you can’t take away a great play like that in the playoffs and you have to let the players decide the games.
Nuff Said We Get It Stern. Hats off to you for Debo’ing the Final matchup. But even thru all the BS we still almost took it. Now our backs are against the wall and you know what that means…..W’s
May 29th, 2008 at 7:22 am
djKianoosh says:
David Stern just wet himself. He’s about to get his dream, celtics vs lakers.
May 29th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Celticsdada says:
Yo YoungFag u maaad????? Lmao. U make it like the pistons never committed a foul the whole game. That PJ play wasn’t a flaggrant, his hands were straight up. But the pierce play was though. I thought Detroit are bad boys. LOL
JVG and Mark Jsckson are great, funny announcers, did yall hear Jackson described rondo’s move as beyonce to the left to the left. Rofl
May 29th, 2008 at 7:43 am
rangerjohn says:
here you guys go,
“fines for floping”
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3416579
May 29th, 2008 at 7:45 am
YOUNGFED says:
@Celticsdada
Why would I be mad win or lose it don’t affect my paper. I almost wasn’t gonna comment on your bitchassness but since you wanna play internet thug. FUKIN’ BEAT IT COCK SUCKER!!!
My opinion is my opinion you bandwagon dik rider. GTFOH
May 29th, 2008 at 8:08 am
for real says:
the NBA came clean
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8187624/Our-bad:-NBA-says-Barry-was-fouled-to-end-Game-4
May 29th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Celts Fan says:
YOUNGFED, you want to talk about terrible calls, look at the 2nd quarter. PJ was NOT flagrant on Maxiell, his hands were straight up. It was a foul, but not a flagrant (though the Pierce one I could’ve seen as a flagrant and that one they didn’t call!? I give up trying to figure out when it is and isn’t a flagrant.) Also, sandwiched around the PJ flagrant were a BS defensive 3 seconds, and a few of the worst foul calls in history. It got so bad that the guys that sit next to me every game at the Garden (always very reserved) were screaming out a string of swears that kinda had me uncomfortable (for the kids around us, I obviously couldn’t care less.) This was when we had 25 points, so early 2nd quarter I think. Needless to say, I don’t think anyone was happy with the refs last night.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Chuck...Haters come in all fashions and forms so bear arms says:
@rangerjohn and YoungFed
The Pistons losing yesterday is rangerjohns fault Fed, he talked bad about Ray Allen yesterday. LOL!!!
I told rangerjohn not to talk about Ray Ray, and he went dissing dude, said he couldn’t shoot and all that, then awoke a sleeping giant. LOL!!!
I say we stone him!!!! LOL!!!
May 29th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Celts Fan says:
I saw that fines for flopping article last night Ranger. I guess your Spurs just became a 40 win team, huh?
Also, JA Adande had a great article on ESPN.com about Horry’s Hall of Fame chances and why he should be in. Did you know only 6 guys IN LEAGUE HISTORY have more rings than him (and all were on those great 60s Celtics teams.) I feel even more strongly that he deserves to be in after reading this. Check it out, great read whether you think he should be or not. Remember, in the end (channeling my inner Herm Edwards,) “You play to win the game!” http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=Horry-080527
May 29th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Chuck...Haters come in all fashions and forms so bear arms says:
@YoungFed
Post 25. LMAO!!! Goodness Gracious G-stringed Gooble Gobbers. LOL!! You ain’t even have to lay in dude like that. LOL!!!!!!
May 29th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Chuck...Haters come in all fashions and forms so bear arms says:
Ain’t flopping part of the game?
What’s the difference between flopping and taking a charge?
When you are taking a charge you are intentionally trying to draw a foul right? This just gives refs more oppurtunities to make crappy calls in my opinion.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Celts Fan says:
That’s simple Chuck, taking a charge is getting run over. Flopping is getting touched and purposely falling over. Big difference (and the article said they’d issue fines and such after the games and report on any suspected flopping in the report they send to the league AFTER every game that, right now, is just about officials’ performances.) I like the idea. The enforcement of it may be tricky and won’t catch everyone, but it should deter some guys from doing it without getting caught and punish the guys that do it all the time.)
YOUNGFED, any updates on Rip’s injury? I heard right elbow strain on the ride home, but he looked like he was in A LOT of pain, to the point I thought it may be worse…
May 29th, 2008 at 8:26 am
word says:
Perkins was an animal, and he sure as hell ain’t as country sounding as avery’s guest fill in spot ass who i’m sick of listening to already, but hell anything is better at espn than doris burke. espn has some seriously wack commentators aka “whats good i’m stu scott” what a fag. one thing i did notice is Perkins lack of upper lip, he looks somalian or east african.
I would say he is top 15 center not top 10 but top 15 yes.
and Ray Allen needs to find the Jesus in him and perform a miracle if they get to the finals, i mean like 29 points a night no more bullshit like he has been pulling prior.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:28 am
YOUNGFED says:
@Chuck
Wouldn’t let some one talk to me like that in real world ain’t gonna let it happen here either. but I mite of went a lil too hard…..Nah. lol
@Celts
Come on if someone pushes me in the back while I’m going up it’s going down, flat out. There’s noway that wasn’t a flagrant 2.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Chuck...Haters come in all fashions and forms so bear arms says:
@Celts
So how is someone like Lebron or Shag or Dwight Howard ever gonna get a call?
Because they are bigger and stronger than everyone else, they struggle to get calls as it is? I’ve seen lebron and Howard get brutalized and still no call, to the point Howard is ready to fight. Sometimes you gotta act a little, I mean there are some who take it overboard. But that’s going to be in anything. Some people like ice cream, which is okay, some people abuse ice cream and end up with diabetes.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:43 am
shake&bake says:
There’s no way that PJ’s was a flagrant. The NBA is way too soft now. It was nice to see Jesus back to normal. Celts-Lakers: The 80’s Special
May 29th, 2008 at 9:02 am
2.0 says:
Lay off the Little General. He is like a baby Jeff Van Gundy. Especially when he said, “KG should be fined a $1000″ for passing up an open 15 footer and turning the ball over.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Celts Fan says:
I only saw it twice (once in live action, once on the replay on the Jumbotron) but it looked like PJ just caught Maxiell on the arm and he fell down. Maybe there’s another angle I haven’t seen…
Chuck, I agree wholeheartedly that big guys get screwed (you can add Big Baby to that list too. He’ll be flat footed and a guy’ll drive, run into him, bounce off his gut, and Big Baby gets called for the foul even though he never moved. It’s not just stars, hell, the stars may actually get a call, big role players are SCREWED) It’s just tough on officials to call the game for guys that are that huge, but I agree, big guys get a raw deal from refs in terms of charges. Shaq’s been getting assaulted for 15 years.
Perk MAY be a top 15 center, but it’s barely if he is (I didn’t think out a top 15 at all, just kind of guessing.) He gobbles up boards, plays D, and is started to get a bit of an inside game. Whether he’s top 15 or not, he’s a good starter if you put him next to an established post presence so Perk can just do the dirty work.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:08 am
GEE...Only talk to one cat and he won't squeal says:
marcus @ number 8 I saw that too. Billups was all in the refs ear and then the ref goes and gives Perkins a tech. I think that is the first time I ever seen a player get a tech from another players advice.
Have to agree with DIME that Sheed’s tech was just dumb. 1. It didn’t even have to do with him.
2. If he gets one more tech, I think, he has to sit out a game.
3. If he put that effort in to ballin he could be such a monster.
There was once a post where someone listed a bunch of players in who you would take. I chose to take Sheed over LeBron. After watching last nights game and just more thinking in general, I have changed my mind.
Sheed has pissed me off and he is just getting stupider lol by the moment. So yea I’ll eat crow on this one, but give me LeBron over Sheed now.
Right now I am real happy for KG, I just hope they can continue. Ray Ray is back! Ut…oh!
May 29th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Kobeef says:
Celtics were saved by the hand of Jesus (Shuttlesworth).
Seriously, where has this version of Ray Allen been for the past 19 games? If this Ray shows up again the series is done.
I was really hoping for a better hire as Hawks GM. THey are poised to turn things around and it would be a shame to lose that. The first round playoff crowd in Atlanta was one of the best in the league.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:14 am
DO says:
i thought the same thing when i saw that recycled halftime feature. seriously, espn needs to up the quality on its nba games
May 29th, 2008 at 9:18 am
YOUNGFED says:
Sheed was not the reason we lost. Gee
May 29th, 2008 at 9:25 am
GEE...Only talk to one cat and he won't squeal says:
No I ain’t saying Sheed was the “reason”. It was a whole bunch of stuff that was the reason. I am just saying his inconsistency and dumb theatrics are pissing me off cause he is and should be better than that. Seriously how many years does it take for you to grow and mature and think about how you are hurting the team more than just your personal gripes.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:30 am
zach says:
DISCLAIMER: I AM A HUGE PISTONS FAN
With that being said tho, was the first 3 quarters of that game not some of the worst officiating of the playoffs? Granted the Pistons didn’t play D for the first 3 quarters either, but I never knew that you could blatantly tackle a guy around the neck (and keep a hold of his neck all the way to the ground)and not get a flagrant 2 let alone no flagrant at all. This is like late 80’s, early 90’s playoff ball. (The stuff the NBA is supposedly trying to get out of the game)
May 29th, 2008 at 9:37 am
YOUNGFED says:
Yeah I totally agree with that Gee.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:51 am
Chuck...Haters come in all fashions and forms so bear arms says:
@zach
trust me man, 80’s and 90’s ball was a lot more physical than it is now.
I actually think the league is a little soft now, they makin all these gay rules in the league. I honestly didn’t think there was anything wrong with hand checking on defense especially when you have the offensive player putting his off hand all over you, (chris Paul, Paul pierce), pushing yo uand moving you wherever they want you. You can’t even touch a player, and I haven’t seen a good ole NBA fight in I don’t know how long.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:57 am
rangerjohn says:
gee
i dont think sheed is even close to sitting, the tech count starts over at the begining of the playoffs and i KNOW he has not gotten 15 in the playoffs. is so that has to be a new record.
the way it works, if he got his 16th in the last game of the reg season, then he would sit the 1st game of the playoffs but the count is cleared after the reg season ends.
funny thing is KOBE was the tech leader this season, he was 1 away with 2 games left i nthe reg season.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:21 am
yallallreadyknow says:
the calls are getting shitty. how come billups got tackled like a punt returner and there was no tech? that dont make sense. consistency is whats needed.
and yall bums need to get off this ’stern wants the lakers/celtics finals’. he cares….but i doubt there is a conspiracy to create that matchup. shit…..small market teams ALMOST always make it to the chip round.
robert horry should NOT be in the hall of fame. if you take away his 7 rings….can his full body of work stand on its own? ….didnt think so and there is your answer. NO thanks.
stuart scott is the worst orero on sports tv. ugh. he has been become a ‘house clown’. the street talk aint working no more. get your eyes fixed dude. no really….get that lazy eye fixed!
..and mike tirico needs to just shave his entire head. go shaved homie instead of that bullshit on the top of your head.
mike breen is the new marv albert huh?…insert your own joke here.
mark jackson and jeffrey van gundy…hmmm…is this like the new snapper and walton? lord help us. which one of these two will get a head coaching gig first?
is it me…or does van gundy look a lot like beetlejuice?
rasheed wallace’s game reminds me a lot of derrick coleman.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:23 am
word says:
yes bulls better pick beasley and trade for a point guard.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Celts Fan says:
Exactly Chuck. Bird and Dr. J once got into a choking match at center court and neither was tossed. Parrish CLUBBED Bill Laimbeer in the head with an elbow and only got a personal foul. There was a brawl on the court between the Pistons and Celtics in the 80s and I don’t think anyone got ejected (they show all these clips except Dr. J before every Pistons/Celtics game in Boston and they’re great. Has there ever been a less likeable person than Bill Laimbeer. 2 decades later and the crowd still goes nuts every time they show the clip of the Chief ruining his day and you always here a bunch of people saying something along hte lines of “screw that dude. I wish he’d snapped his neck,” and actually sound like they mean it! Compare that to people actually feeling kind of sorry for Rip being hurt last night, even though we were all happy it helped the Celtics, no one really hates him enough to want him to get hurt, just to lose. People HATED Bill Laimbeer. Many still do. What a d-bag…)
Like an old timer said earlier this year (forget who it was,) “People got in a lot more fights back then because it was only a $50 fine for punching someone.” That’s a great quote and I wish I could give credit to the guy who said it.
Fights were officially killed with the Malice at the Palace and then the 15 game suspension Melo got for his bitch-slap, back pedalling routine.
Ranger, you’re off on the technicals rule. It’s 15 in the regular season, but the suspension would carry over to the next year (not the Playoffs) if a guy picked up #15 in the last game of the season. In the Playoffs, you’re limited to 7 before you’re suspended and Sheed has 6.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Celts Fan says:
YAll, Stu Scott can’t get his eye fixed. It’s a glass eye he got when he got nailed in the eye by a football at Jets training camp a while ago… booya
May 29th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Dennis Castro says:
Sheed needs to get his @$$ on the block and start abusing KG and try to get some fouls on him. There was one play where they ran a pick and roll and Ray Allen ended up guarding Sheed.
What does he do, still sticks around the 3 point line. TAKE RAY ALLEN TO THE POST MAAAANNNN!
Stuckey really impressed me yesterday, he’s a definite starter in this league.
This Pistons team just looks extremely disinterested, like they could care less what happens in this series. The only Pistons that looked like they cared last night was Rip, Stuckey, McDyess, Hunter, and Maxiell. Those were the guys that were playing with a sense of urgency.
By the way, Hunter should get at least 25 mins tomorrow night, he was great with his timing on the doubles and creeping up and creating disruptions on Celts players.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Myrie says:
I’d hate to promote/condone or endorse fighting..
…but some of the best post season fights involved my New York Knicks of the mid 90s.
The late 80s Pistons were FAR more physical….but the Knicks had great fights.
Bulls, Heat and Pacers were all victims.
“Welcome to NY…where we dont play and out-of-towners get got like everyday”…
“I got hundred guns, hundred clips….I’m from NY..New Yooork”
May 29th, 2008 at 10:39 am
alex says:
Fining for flopping is the league’s way to make up for the ref’s shortcomings. They want to discourage “selling calls” so the refs would have an easier time determining what’s a flop / not.
KENDRICK PERKINS is not a top 15 center. That’s just an incidental benefit of playing alongside kg / pp / allen
The ARM SLEEVES that 2-Guards wear? - that’s to magnify the hands of the defenders to get more fouls called.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Austin Burton says:
Just thinking, how much better would the Hornets be had they taken Rodney Stuckey instead of Julian Wright? Wright is talented and will be a good pro, but Stuckey would have helped them immediately.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Big Freeze says:
@ ranger john
If Sheed gets another tech, that’s 6 and he is suspended for a game. Or at least that’s what the announcer said.
@Youngfed post 21
you really think those were the worst calls in history? how about the play where the pistons trapped Ray, raked the shit out of his arm to the point where he tried to jump but the armbar stopped his momentum, and then they called Ray for a travel? Or how about when Perk yelled something after getting fouled, and Billups told the ref that he shouldn’t be able to do that, so the ref dropped a T on Perk 10 seconds later? I guess the ref justed needed a nudge to get his whistle workin again.
Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson have got to be the most hilarious announcing crew for the NBA. They both just bullied the play-by-play guy for him believing that the PJ Brown foul was a flagrant. They would not let up on the guy until he floundered and changed his mind. I laughed my ass of when Big Perk tried to lead a fast break and ended up getting hacked, and VanGundy responded by saying, “They should just hit the delete button on that part of his game.” I hope they do the NBA Finals. Oh yeah, Stuart Scott has become a caricature of himself. It’s sad actually.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Big Freeze says:
“YAll, Stu Scott can’t get his eye fixed. It’s a glass eye he got when he got nailed in the eye by a football at Jets training camp a while ago… booya”
lol at the “booya!” that’s fucked up but hilarious
May 29th, 2008 at 10:45 am
yallallreadyknow says:
glass eye? then the bum just needs to wear shades on his broadcasts. i dont care. that eye is turble turble turble…
May 29th, 2008 at 10:46 am
Big Freeze says:
KG is the only player I can think of who can put up 33 and 7, but it is still not good enough. There were multiple instances when he was wide open just inside the freethrow line, and he kicked it out to scared-to-shoot Rondo. I guess he only feels comfortable 18 feet from the basket. All he has to do is a quick pump fake and drive to the rack. Van Gundy said sometimes the most unselfish play a guy can make is shooting the open shot. Tru
May 29th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Austin Burton says:
Remember those SportsCenter segments when Stu Scott would do a “Poetry Slam”? Those were the worst.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:51 am
GEE...Only talk to one cat and he won't squeal says:
Naw ranger I was correct on the techs with Sheed but I see others have already said. Anyway I been enjoying the combo of Mark and JVG. ESPN’s post show is horrid compared to TNT’s though.
Kendrick Perkins is not a top 15 center but he does look like young Jeezy if you squint ya eyes lol.
Dude does not need to be interviewed ever again. Someone in the Celtics camp should be assigned to keep dude off the mic or speak for him.
I hope Boston just ends this debacle in Detroit, of course we all know how Boston loves game 7’s lol so I doubt it.
LA most def. should end theirs to rest up.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:53 am
rangerjohn says:
celts
according to league rule if a player goes over the limit on the last game of the regualr season he is suspended for his next game, this would either be the 1st playoff game or the 1st game of the regular season depending on if he made the playoffs.
you might be right on the # though, i understood it as you get 15 and on 16 you get the suspension. sorta like you get 5 fouls and on 6 your tossed.
as for the count in the playoffs, i knew they restarted the count but i was not sure of the total allowed.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Big Freeze says:
@ post 60
lmfao. i remember those too. i don’t know how Stu convinced the producers to let him do those def poetry jams setting up highlights. i just wanna watch some sports and hear some clever commentary from the anchors, i don’t wanna hear you’re street knowledge leading into the a highlight segment featuring MLS bloopers.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Kauhl says:
Proprioception’s been around for a loooong time… Just because NBA players don’t do it, doesn’t mean it’s new.
May 29th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Big Freeze says:
that lil bush of hair on Kendrick Perkins chin disturbs me. it looks like the hair from one of those troll toys that were the shit in the 90’s: http://www.imbusion.com/day/troll.jpg
May 29th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Celts Fan says:
Ranger, I’m POSITIVE it’s the first game of the next regular season if you go over the tech limit in the last game of the regular season. Dime was clowning the Lakers announcer for not knowing that and thinking it was a “free game” because it couldn’t carry over to the Playoffs and didn’t think it’d go to the next season. I remember that clearly cuz it was hilarious and Dime killed the dude (who sounded like an idiot.) I’m positive the # in the Playoffs is 7, it may’ve been 16, not 15 in the regular season though.
I like Marc and JVG. They’re a good team and Van Gundy’s funny and doesn’t mind laughing at himself. “They should just delete this part of the game.” That’s great…
May 29th, 2008 at 11:25 am
Dave says:
Youngfed, keep bringing it….they’ll all learn their lessons eventually (been there, done that), Celtsboy (or whatever) I hate to break it to you but your team is handicapped, nobody on that team is a winner and while you may get out of the East you’re in trouble.
Sheed said it best (backing up what we discussed here yesterday) That shit ain’t basketball, it’s all about entertainment!
Never thought I’d be pulling for a Spurs-Pistons final but the thought of seeing Gasol’s ugly mug, Vukcacik’s hair-net (what? he get fired from the cafeteria gig he had in Bosnia/Yugoslavia/Croatia?) and the look of confusion and fear on Doc’s face will be too much to handle.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:35 am
Dave says:
ESPN must realize they have no chance to match TNT’s studio show but they should at least…..hey Stuie, over here man, over here…. at least find somebody with a real personality who doesn’t have to try so hard….STU MAN, OVER HERE…Who you lookin at!!!!
May 29th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Austin Burton says:
I will give Stu Scott credit; he’s more tolerable than Mark Jones.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:43 am
DaPro says:
Granted Sheed goes off 2 too much but that tech was weak
and the ref caved in to Billups and gave Perk a tech
Good game, Ray came to play yesterday when his J is on it’s a thing of beauty
Stu has officially lost me, he was cool for a minute be it seems like he tries 2 hard
JVG, Breen, and Mark Jax are hilarious together
May 29th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Three Stacks says:
Sasha is from Slovenia. What do you have against Euros anyway?
That was a stupid tech by Sheed, no doubt, and I didn’t catch a good glimpse on the replay, but it didn’t seem like he did anything to show up the ref. He didn’t look like he was shouting either. Still, if he doesn’t pick up that T, that game is tied at 99 after Stuckey hits that corner 3.
How about Doc actually making the correct coaching decision down the stretch and fouling the Pistons with a 3 point lead? Gotta give him credit for that.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:47 am
Dave says:
I’ve got nothing against Euro’s….hell I’m a Jazz fan and we’ve got some great Euro’s, but just like looking at Sam Cassell takes a strong stomach, looking at Gasol and Sasha is more than I can take now that they’re Lakers. I meant no disrespect to Slovenia, just the hairnet thing kills me……all I can think about is the fat lady at the cafeteria trying to keep her hair lice out of my potato salad.
Good point on Doc’s strategy at the end, someone must have passed him a note from press row.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Dave says:
Austin, true call, Mark Jones isn’t easy on the ears either…..
May 29th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Dave says:
in fact I bought some Euro’s awhile back with my dollars, wish I’d have bought more of them.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:52 am
DaPro says:
Mark Jones is a clown no doubt, tries way 2 hard
Stu was nice, what happended
May 29th, 2008 at 11:54 am
Austin Burton says:
Worst Mark Jones moment: When Hawaii QB Colt Brennan was a junior, Jones did play-by-play for his bowl game. All the talk was about whether or not Brennan was gonna go pro, and at the end Jones said, “He’s got his mind on his money and his money on his mind.”
May 29th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Big Freeze says:
@ Dave
What’s your obsession with how dudes look? We all know Sam Cassel looks like the Toxic Avenger, and Gasol looks wolfman on meth, but just cuz a guy is ugly doesn’t mean he can’t ball. But rooting for the more attractive team? You got some serious homo tendencies that you need to confront man.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
rell says:
@Gee
I wish Boston would end it in game 6, but they are not. They will probably go back to their old ways and play bad in game 6 and try to win it at home. The next two games will be tough because the Piston will come in motivated.
@Big Freeze
I agree that KG try to be too unselfish and hurt the team. Those two plays where he was open but passed the ball could have hurt the Celtics. Also, when Detroit put Prince on KG in the 4th, Garnett should have punish him in the post. Prince was holding him for 2 series and KG did not go in the post one time. I blame that on Doc and KG. KG should have atleast tried to post up Prince or Doc should have called a play to post KG up. But that would require Doc to actual know how to coach for that too work. Like Van Gundy said, Doc should have left Perks in and let Garnett punish Prince.
The Celts need a new coach and a GM. We are stuck with DA and Doc for atleast 3 more year. I hope the Celts get atleast 1 title out of this current team because I can’t see DA having the ability or knowledge to improve Boston. DA have made some horrible decision since he have been the GM. He gave Portland Brandon Roy for Sebastian Telfair, traded Walker for Ray Lafrentz, and gave Mark Blount all that money for a 1/2 season of quality basketball in a contract year. Man, this dude is a idiot.
Boston have had 2 of the worst GM in the NBA in the past 10 year, DA and Chris Wallace/Pitino. He got rid of Joe Johnson after a 1/2 season and Chauncey after 1 season. Chauncey was averaging 11pt and 4 assist as a rookie. CW better pay the Celtics back like he gave away Gasol. I looking at trading Rudy Gay for Scalbroine.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Celts Fan says:
Rell, the only thing I will say about Danny Ainge is that he has found some good players in the 2nd round of the draft (Ryan Gomes, he traded for Leon Powe, Big Baby.)
Also, the Telfair deal doesn’t look as bad when you consider that we also swapped Raef for Theo Ratliff. We then used Theo’s expiring deal to get KG. Raef’s doesn’t expire til next year, so no Telfair, no KG. So basically, he made a HORRIBLE trade, then got VERY, VERY LUCKY that he was able to leverage Theo to get KG back and at least make it look a little better.
To be fair too, 5 teams gave up on Chauncey before Larry Brown showed him “the right way” to play. I’m not a big Larry Brown guy, but one thing you can’t deny is that Chauncey Billups became infinitely better thanks to LB.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Big Freeze says:
“I looking at trading Rudy Gay for Scalbroine.”
lol
May 29th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Dave says:
BigFreeze….. no tendencies here man, but since I can’t rip on their games so much I have to go with the next most obvious thing. Toxic Avenger, Wolfman on meth, lmao.
Come on, I’m a Jazz fan….Boozer, Okur, and AK-47 all struggle to look in the mirror without wincing.
Rell…nice point, Van Gundy said exactly what they needed to do with Garnett, maybe he should be a coach?
Team USA point guards….Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd. I know nobody thinks J-Kidd should be there but he’s the guy that will lead and everyone on the team respects. I love Billups game too, but the young legs get the nod.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
YOUNNGFED says:
@Post#67
Gasol is on ugly mutha’ “shutyomouth” lol
But ray allen takes the cake dude looks like a straight up TURTLE. Can you say “Donatello”…Everytime he hits a 3 they should sing “Teenage Mutant Ninga Turles”. lol
May 29th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
YOUNNGFED says:
Top 5 Ugliest players in the Playoffs
1.)Cassell
2.)Ray Allen
3.)Gausol
4.)Perkins
5.)Garnett
Say I’m lying I dare ya. LMAO
May 29th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Austin Burton says:
A Pistons fan has 4 Celtics in his top-5 ugliest players? Hmmm….
May 29th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Three Stacks says:
Ugly ain’t nearly as ugly when you’re making millions. Gasol is probably a god back in Spain, and Spain got some hot chicks, man. All the foreign players are pretty much national heros.
Lol @ Donatello. Turtles in a half shell, turtle power. They wear green, too LOL
I’m hoping Chauncey will pull out of the Olympics due to that hamstring injury. I know Billups and Kidd are the vets, but CP and Deron are better, a lot better, than both at this point. They both need to be on that squad.
But if one makes it and the other doesn’t, that would add some intrigue to their budding rivalry.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Dave says:
Gasol - the lurpiest, goofiest, make-his-mother dry-heave ugliest dog in the L.
Cassell - he’s my Ninja Turtle pick, or Toxic Avenger (BigFreeze)
Garnett - I have to turn my head when his commercials come on, they shouldn’t put him next to someone with a normal look.
Boozer - eyebrows from hell and acne to boot.
Manu - how does he not break his nose every game? It must be like driving a forklift around.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Dave says:
ThreeStacks, Mehmet Okur married Miss Turkey who I’d take over Eva Longoria any day and AK is married to the biggest pop singer in Russia so yes Gasol’s money should make him tolerable (unless there’s a pre-nup in place).
May 29th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Three Stacks says:
Sam Cassell is ugly, no doubt. But no one in the history of the L was as ugly as Tyrone Hill.
May 29th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Big Freeze says:
“Manu - how does he not break his nose every game? It must be like driving a forklift around.”
oh shit that had me rollin
May 29th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
YOUNFED says:
Sorry Dave but those were Top 5 in the playoffs now. The Manu comment was funny but I don’t know if he in the top 5.
@Austin
What, are you trying to say…I’m biased? lol
But seriously if I’m wrong come up with a better top 5 list. I garauntee your list will have those 4 on it.
May 29th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Austin Burton says:
Um…Tayshaun Prince?
May 29th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Tayshaun is Ugly but he ain’t uglier than those 5 on my list but good come back
May 29th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Austin Burton says:
As long as the Soul Glo Jheri Curl (Michael Cage, A.C. Green, etc.) is dead and gone from the NBA, I don’t care what the players look like.
May 29th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
YOUNGFED says:
lol
May 29th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Three Stacks says:
Hey, A.C. was a virgin till marriage. He only sported that look to repel women and temptation, you know, in the name of Christ and all.
May 29th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
DaPro says:
LMAO @ 3000
May 29th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
FUGLY
definition: Popeye Jones
May 29th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Big Freeze says:
From the Eastern Conference Finals to the Ugliest Player in the NBA. You gotta love Dime Mag Smack.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Dave says:
I’m learning some of you guys are funnier than hell….this is great entertainment…..props to Austin and the crew.
By the way, did any of you ever see Player Magazine when it was alive? We used to have great Player parties with some of these NBA guys, DIME should do a Smack party somewhere, sometime, maybe the Sports Spectacular in LA in the summer.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Celts Fan says:
This is quite possibly sacreligious, but Larry Legend’s gotta be in the discussion. I mean, that ’stache, mullet, and Casper-like tan. It’s a good thing dude had $$$.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
doc says:
Detroit dudes at least some of them should get cut for lack of desire.They destroy Boston whenever they play hard but they wait until they down 20 or Boston came back from a deficit to turn it on.That shit got to be frustrating.I hate the Celtics and Pistons but at least the D got some Philly flavor so Im rooting for them but they make it hard.Would Miami take Iggy and Dre Miller for the 2nd pick.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Dave says:
wow Celts….Larry Legend?
We used to call John Amechi “Shrek” and Jeff Hornacek “Snaggletooth” and at least Larry was proportioned correctly and his eyes and mouth were the right size.
what’s the name of the hunchback traitor in 300? That’s who Amechi really looks like.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Capt.Stabbin says:
Five ugliest players of all time:
1. Sam Cassell- aka “Toxic Avenger”
2. Tyrone Hill- aka Skelator
3. Larry Bird- aka Gargamel
4. Pau Gasol- aka “Wolfman on meth” lmao
5. Sheldon Williams- aka E.T.
whatta ya got??
May 29th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Celts Fan says:
Gheorge Mureson. Game over.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
YOUNGFED says:
You See what I do for Dime, Austin and I don’t get a column……WWWOOOOOWWW!!!! Big Ups again on your article Gee.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Big Freeze says:
“This is quite possibly sacreligious, but Larry Legend’s gotta be in the discussion. I mean, that ’stache, mullet, and Casper-like tan. It’s a good thing dude had $$$.”
Naw, that’s not sacreligious to say that Larry Bird was ugly. If Bird didn’t play ball I’m sure he would of done what every other ugly redneck farmer in Indiana does, bang his cousin and and use his two remaining teeth to open beer bottles.
May 29th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Big Freeze says:
oh shit CeltsFan. i forgot about gheorghe muresan. http://www.interbasket.net/players/muresan.jpg
i don’t wanna be mean, but that was one ugly bastard.
The sexiest man in the NBA award went to Greg Ostertag. Don’t believe me? Check this out: http://thesportshernia.typepad.com/blog/images/2007/05/09/ostertag_playgirl_coverboy.jpg
May 29th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Capt.Stabbin says:
this site actually took an all-star vote for fugliest dudes in the league
http://www.alluglyteam.com
May 29th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
K Dizzle - Pasadena - Laker fan since 1982 says:
@ #106 - That is cold lol
LMAO @ post 97 and 104
Today’s the day Dime smack gets me fired cuz people startin to look at me funny wonderin why I’m dyin laughin
oh well, get fired, go home early and get ready for LA-SA
May 29th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Three Stacks says:
Oh man, I forgot about Gheorge Muresan. Remember My Giant? And his Snickers commercial making fun of Michael Jordan cologne?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZSofwbDEGY
“Is that cabbage, Gheorge?”
“Yeah…chicks dig it!”
May 29th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Styles says:
Yall forgot abuot AC GREEN The ugliest mofo of all time!!! BOOK IT
May 29th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Styles says:
Green is featured in Dr. Dre’s hit from the Chronic 2001 “Big Ego’s.” The line reads “you look like A.C. Green, bitch don’t call here anymore.”
May 29th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
doc says:
And Ray Allen gonna sue yall if yall dont stop putting up that sweet ass pic.
May 29th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
apollo 33 says:
highly doubt that phoenix and seattle are worrying about playing miami with potentially rose-wade. they place twice a year, who gives a fuck.
May 29th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Austin Burton says:
Ask the Warriors how meaningless two games are in the regular season.
May 29th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
GEE, looky here @ #55:
http://www.nba.com/encyclopedia/moments/60moments_51-60.html
May 29th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
That vid got me thinkin’, if Robert Horry is a HOFer than so is Mario Elie probably, both super clutch players with average #’s that hit several memorable shots in the playoffs. Which means they don’t get in. And I love both those guys.
Is Rip Hamilton a HOFer? He has all those Deeetroit records and very good numbers…he makes it over Horry, right?
On other Pistons thoughts, Rodney Stuckey is really proving to be a D-Wade LITE like those draft experts were saying. Nice game that playa got. YF must be lovin’ that. They developed him the right way this season, unlike Pop or Nellie would have f’sho.
Oh and what was up with the Brent Barry hate yesterday, how the f*ck can you hate a guy like that? JON Barry I can understand, Brent is just an affable stand-up guy, all-interview team material. What’s to hate?
May 29th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
for real says:
now that Doug Collins is a coach again, hopefully there is some league rule against coaches dying their hair blonde…….cause it looked like junk on him.
…we can only hope
May 29th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
for real says:
now that Doug Collins is a coach again, hopefully there is some league rule against coaches dying their hair blonde…….cause it looked like junk on him.
…we can only hope
May 29th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
GEE...Only talk to one cat and he won't squeal says:
rell I hope so.
YOUNG thanks.
Sizzle how they gone have 3 60’s lol. 55 is a killa though, preshate the link fo real!
fiiiiiiisherrrrrrrrrrrrr!
May 29th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Ian says:
kdizzle “Dudes wanna talk numbers and Fish is averagin 7 pts on 5 shots a game while Tony’s gettin 18 on 16 shots a game? Not efficient and obviously not makin a difference in this series.”
i was just reading last nights comments
lord man that is the dumbest shit i have read in a while
so if im a bench player avg 4 points in 2 shots im better than parker?
comon u r comparing a role player to a star
its like i said everyone can have opinions but sayin crap like that is just stupid
i can say i like smith more than lebron but i cant say hes better its talkin shit
paul parker willimas are the three best pgs in the league in any order u want
and fisher isnt even top 10 lets keep things real here
May 29th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Ian says:
sas
rip hamilton
no way
May 29th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
GEE...Only talk to one cat and he won't squeal says:
Not making a difference in the series when the game comes down to between like 1 - 4 points. I am pretty sure between his D, key shots, not just shots but key shot, and smart plays he is making a difference.
Now don’t get me wrong I am not saying Fisher is who I want for a whole season. For the playoffs though, that is who I would prefer. Again you have to understand that it’s not like Fisher is a key scorer or just looking to score. If he was I promise against Tony’s D lol he could easily get 20.
Season wise I will take Parker, playoff wise give me Fisher first.
May 29th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
GEE...Only talk to one cat and he won't squeal says:
Guess it don’t matter now huh Parker is out. LOL
May 30th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Ian says:
gee u r wrong u swith parker for fisher and the lakers sweep everyone
but doesnt matter now lol
anyways good win and c ya next season