2015 Playoffs: (2) Cleveland vs. (3) Chicago

[Andrew]

Couldn't catch the game as I was out of town for a friend's stag party, but saw the Rose gamewinner when I jumped online quickly to check on the results. Love it.

[iamSamke]

Hey LeBron, fuck you

[Mandich]

Did I miss somethign or did the Cavs somehow get an extra timeout?

LeBron again with his uncalled traveling.

Butler fell asleep.

Looking to be a good series.

[zzcoolj21]

Noah with the textbook boxout of Thompson. Only way he could have stopped Tristan I guess.

[allnickstaken]

Bulls gave away the 4th quarter.

[allnickstaken]

[ Image ]
Noah with the textbook boxout of Thompson. Only way he could have stopped Tristan I guess.

This could have stopped Tristan too

[zzcoolj21]

[ Image ]
Noah with the textbook boxout of Thompson. Only way he could have stopped Tristan I guess.

This could have stopped Tristan too

[Andrew]

Ouch. Really had to take that one to stand a chance - I don't like their chances of winning two out of three in Cleveland, especially with Gasol out - but nice to see this being a competitive series nevertheless.

Ignoring Blatt's calling of a non-existent timeout does sting. That actually happened to the Bulls over 20 years ago, when the Lakers preserved their Game 1 victory in the 1991 Finals. It happens though, and you can't rely on the referees getting everything right to win games. Hate to see it, but all you're going to get out of the NBA at this point is an acknowledgement and apology.

[allnickstaken]

[ Image ]
Noah with the textbook boxout of Thompson. Only way he could have stopped Tristan I guess.

This could have stopped Tristan too

[ Image ]

Am I mad? I am conscious that Bulls lost by their own.
You just remarked your point and I mine. No hard feelings

[Kevin]

You know this is gonna be a fun series when the last 2 games were won in the buzzer.

[NovU]

What is going on?

I thought Rose led Bulls would dominate this series. Remember Rose's MVP year Bulls? They were 60+ wins team iirc.

[NovU]

Cavs coach David Blatt under fire after Gm 4
Cavaliers coach David Blatt admitted that he "almost blew it" by trying to call a timeout the Cavs didn't have during Sunday's Game 4 road win, and his final play call was overruled by LeBron James.
Blatt drew up a play with LeBron inbounding the ball, which J.R. Smith said led to some "doubt" from the Cavs' players. LeBron was just as blunt with the media after hitting his game-winner at the buzzer, saying, "The play that was drawn up, I scratched it. I just told coach, 'Give me the ball.'" Blatt has faced criticism all year long and this is a major crisis of confidence with the Cavs fighting for a Conference Finals appearance, so it will be interesting to see how his team reacts at home on Tuesday.

Source: Mark Jones on Twitter May 10 - 8:33 PM

Coach LBJ to the rescue.

Damn, coach Blatt almost lost the game by himself. Could have been a technical foul for calling non existent timeout. Lucky break for the Queer James.

[iamSamke]

[Andrew]

As big a blunder as it could've been, surely reports that his job is on the line are hyperbolic jumping of the gun. I'm sure LeBron and others weren't thrilled that he could've cost them the game, but if they're ready to turn on him that quickly, then that says as much about them as players as it does about him as a coach.

[[Q]]

Rose critics are reborn as fans.

I still can't get myself to like him.

Oh and LeBron didn't need to bank his game winner

[Andrew]

That's arbitrarily significant, I suppose.

[benji]

The referees are focused on on-court activities during late game situations, they have their backs to baselines.

LeBron was smart to overrule the original play even if the shot was dumb hero ball.

Lue's been in charge of calling timeouts all season, if you guys remember earlier stories.

The best part is LeBron's explanation:

"It's huge," James said when asked about the impact of Blatt's timeout request being missed by the officials. "Obviously, we all know we didn't have any timeouts at that time and we call one, we get a T. So, that's why we're a unit. That's why we're a team. And players make mistakes, coaches make mistakes and we have to be able to cover for one another. And T-Lue did that by covering for Blatt and I just try to cover for my guys on the floor. That's why we're a unit."

[mp3]

The Cavs dodged a huge bullet with that non timeout call and I think Blatt owes Lue a free meal or two for saving him from facing a Chris Webber type backlash if the ref's had of given him that timeout they didn't have

[Moz]

They should've just gave it to Rose in the start of the 4th to sustain that momentum in the 3rd... JR Smith is such a party pooper... Gasol is a must have in the next one perhaps at least bring him in the 2nd unit... I was hoping that Brooks will somewhat be relevant since Kyrie is banged-up but I've gave up on him already since even Dellavedova is dominating him...

[air gordon]

The whistle gets blown when Cleveland drives to the basket. Almost seems automatic. Guess they shouldn't get reviewed, otherwise Blatt would have more non timeouts to call

Bulls didn't score for a quarter combined yet still they were in this game. Supposedly these are tough players but they are awfully soft on offense

Niko and MJD have to better. Hinrich to his credit has held his own

[Jeffx]

LOL @ David Blatt almost pulling a Pete Carroll in the Super Bowl.

[bowdown]

BTW isn't it crazy how Lebron makes Jimmy Butler look like a teenager physique wise?

[Mandich]

BTW isn't it crazy how Lebron makes Jimmy Butler look like a teenager physique wise?

Not just that. butler completely fell asleep on the last play.

I mean, you're supposed to be one of the best perimeter defenders and you fall asleep on the last play and potential game winner.

I think Butler is going to really bring it to LeBron after that play. He has to.

[shadowgrin]

LeBron being clutch again and showing why he's the best player after Kobe.

Too bad we won't see LeBron guard Rose for the rest of the series, just to see Rose have Vietman-style flashbacks of the 2011 ECF.

history has shown that Lebron can't do it alone.

Win a playoff series carrying deadweight as teammates?
Cavs 2007?
Heat 2014?

[air gordon]

Not just that. butler completely fell asleep on the last play.

I mean, you're supposed to be one of the best perimeter defenders and you fall asleep on the last play and potential game winner.

I think Butler is going to really bring it to LeBron after that play. He has to.

Hardly fell asleep. Not like rose on bayless

Butler looked like he was waiting for the screen to come. L james put the veteran push off move and make a remarkable step back. Game over. Over analysis begins

Imagine if james misss the shot. Do we still get to hear the story on how he changed the play?