NBA Friday (Monday) Wrapup *Updated Monday November 27th*

[air gordon]

that's too bad. i haven't logged in for about a week so this is my first time reading this thread

hope you keep this going. some good stuf

[Indy]

that's too bad. i haven't logged in for about a week so this is my first time reading this thread

hope you keep this going. some good stuf

I don't know, I may, but it sort of pisses me off because I've actually put some effort in to this, but then threads asking retarted questions like whether or not Andrea Barngani is the worst 1st pick of all time, or a thread about a Nate Robinson block are the ones that have discussions going. It isn't like I take it personally or anything, there just used to be actual good basketball discussion here.

[---]

I read this every week. I was just too lazy to comment. I hope you keep it going because its cool looking into the mind of a die hard fan

[nzspurs]

I don't know, I may, but it sort of pisses me off because I've actually put some effort in to this, but then threads asking retarted questions like whether or not Andrea Barngani is the worst 1st pick of all time, or a thread about a Nate Robinson block are the ones that have discussions going. It isn't like I take it personally or anything, there just used to be actual good basketball discussion here.

Amen. Some of the retards on this forum do piss me off. Never underestimate the power of retards. Look what they did to Jae!! (god rest his soul).

I like these kinds of threads, interesting and informative opinion. Keeping it up would put some sense back into the forums.

[Carmo]

I just started reading it today, definitely one of the better threads in the history of mankind.

[MacGuyver]

you guys are the worst suck ups
joke

anyways i do read them indy and take them by heart. i tried not to post my part of the discussions here since the rockets are not yet heavily discussed

[Indy]

I appreciate that people read them, but I want these to spark discussion, I don't want it to feel like I'm writing a newspaper article. I try to cover a lot of different aspects of the league so that people have a lot of things to choose from as far as what we can debate or discuss.

[Indy]

In case any of you don't believe me about the serious blocking out issue, here's some photo evidence.



Props to heywoode at PD for the picture.

[Matt]

The other problem is rebounding, and I'm not going to say much about it because it really makes me angry. There is one simple adjustment that needs to be made and the Pacers will rebound better. Boxing out. Its that simple. Nobody on the team, and that includes Jeff Foster has boxed out one time all season. That is a slight exaggeration, but it's very slight. We simply don't box out.

i think that's the problem for a lot of players. Yao Ming does not box out, and he concedes a crap load of boards....same with Zo. The reason Dwight Howard is possibly the leagues best rebounder is simply because he uses his body to seal off his man.

People think just because Clifford Robinson never averaged above 5 boards a game he was a shitty rebounder. On the contrary. He was the guy that sealed off his man and allowed a teammate to get the board. Robinson was rarely outrebounded, despite what stats may imply.

Even Rasheed is rebounding this season, 9.8rpg. His career average is about 7 per game......what's different this season? he's boxing out and winning contested rebounds.

[Indy]

Good post Matt, you are correct that it isn't a new problem, but I don't think I've ever seen a team consistently not box out on an every play basis. That photo is a perfect example of what ever missed shot looks like. Its a toss up of whether or not Bogut or JO is going to get it, but JO clearly has position. All he has to do is put his body on Bogut at the exact moment that picture was taken, but he'll jump for the ball instead.

Good example on Cliffy, he was always an underrated dirty work guy.

[Riot]

The Timberwolves have the same problem, Indy. The team has never boxed out. They need to be taught the fundamentals of defense again. Not even the great Kevin Garnett boxes out. He uses his athleticism and great timing to get to the basketball. Unforunately, none of the other players have that kind of skill and ability to do that.

The worst part of our rebounding? Our guards and perimeter players. They don't box out and they don't attack the boards. They let their man run into the paint to get an offensive rebound untouched. The perimeter guys need to put their body on a man, too. That is what is really frustrating right now for the Timberwolves. Just not a very fundamentally sound team right now.

[Matt]

the funny things is, as players age and they cant rely on their physical abilities they have to box out to rebound. You see this with a lot of veteran players, especially role players.

[Indy]

Ok, it is Monday Morning, so I guess it is wrapup time.

This Week's Player of the Week is
Tayshaun Prince. The Pistons have won 6 straight, and won all 4 games this week. They didn't face any top tier competition, their wins came against Philly, Atlanta, Charlotte and Washington, but both sets of games were back to back and they beat Atlanta and Charlotte on the road. When it comes to the Pistons usually it is hard to point to one guy and name him the one that made it all happen, and that is the case this week too, but Tayshaun was consistent scoring the ball and he was a difference maker. I beleive that the Pistons will go as far as Tayshaun. Team's can key in on that backcourt and Rasheed and still win, but Tayshaun is the x-factor. When he plays like he did this week, the Pistons won't lose often.

Week 3 Indiana Pacers Report

Fan Code- Trucking Along
We are still at trucking along this week, because there is more 500 ball being played. However, with 13 of the first 19 games on the road, and a team that is very different then it was last year, an adjustment time was expected and most fans were hoping to be around 500 come the 20 game mark. I have seen some great things, and some really not so great. The Pacers are having a tough time in the beginning of games, and when I say a tough time I mean a really tough time. Of the first 14 games, we have trailed at the end of the first quarter 12 times. This isn't trailing by 3 or 4 after one either, we are consistently down 10-15 at the end of the first every game. Now it really says something about this team that we were still able to come back and win those games quite a bit. However, the reason I don't have a serious problem with it is because I believe that is the early season growing pain we're going through. If the Pacers continue to start slow every game in to late December, then I'll have a different take, but as of right now we are struggling and still continuing to win basketball games.

We played awful yesterday against Toronto all across the board. We fell behind huge early and somehow fought back and made it a close game twice, but we didn't put together one stretch where we actually played well. We were extremely sloppy all game, and Tinsley did not play well at all. The only guys who did their parts yesterday were Danny and Jermaine.

For as bad as we looked in Toronto we looked that much better against Cleveland. It was the same old story in the first half, trailed by 15 at the end of one and by 12 at halftime, but we looked so much worse then a 12 point deficit. That 3rd quarter we played, outscoring Cleveland 25-9 was possibly the best quarter I've ever seen a Pacer team play. Reggie put together some incredible quarters in playoff games, especially the 25 points he scored in the 4th in a playoff game against the Knicks one year, but this was a total team effort. Jamaal Tinsley is improving each game this season and looks like the Jamaal I've been trying to tell people he can be for years. God he looks good when he's healthy and motivated. Its amazing what he can do.

We have a tough 6 game road trip ahead of us, and my goal is to go 4-2. If we can do that I'll be very happy. I won't blow a gasket with 3-3, but anything less is unacceptable. As tough as the early schedule is, we can't fall below 500 at this point.

Speaking of the Toronto game, I really like Garbajosa a lot, but after the Raptors games I've watched it seems like someone needs to adjust the scouting reports. This guy can hit open jumpers from all over the floor, but everyone still sags off of him.

San Antonio Spurs Report

The Spurs went 3-1 this week with all 3 wins coming in dominating fashion. The one loss they suffered came to the Mavs at home, but Dallas is really rolling right now and it was a good fight from the two powers of the Westeren Conference. Right now, untill someone really steps up and proves their point, Dallas and San Antonio are still the class of the West, and despite the loss, I still think San Antonio is the best team in the NBA right now. The Spurs have a flawless offensive system, and I had a ton of fun watching them this week. They move the ball so well, and they do it all game long, all the time. They never hit rough patches in games, they always keep their spacing, and they always keep a level head. You can't rattle these guys. They have one play that is really their bread and butter that teams can't figure out how to stop, and I haven't seen them run it that much untill this year. They have a triangle set up with Parker up top, Manu in the corner and TD on the low block. The ball starts with Manu and he feeds TD. Duncan begins to go to work while Manu cuts straight through and Tony Parker fills Manu's spot. Duncan either goes to work or kicks it back out to Tony if the double team comes. What this shows is that the Spurs have a lot of confidence in Tony Parker's ability to hit the open jumper from the corner. I've always said that Tony would be a top tier point guard if his jumper turns the corner and it has. He can shoot the ball, and that makes the Spurs just that much more dangerous.

Next Week's Team: Detroit Pistons

Matchup of the Week

Party in the streets, I got my last game correct. I figured the Nuggets would be able to take advantage of the variables they had in their favor and beat the Clippers which they were able to do, though by a bigger margin then I expected.

This week's best matchup takes place tonight, with the Magic headed to the city that never sleeps of Salt Lake City, Utah. The Magic will most certainly be distracted by the numerous distractions that are naturally caused in this crazy, poppin city, but that won't stop them from taking down the red-hot Jazz. Utah has played very well, but this happens every season. Team's that are well prepared at the beginning of the season are able to rattle off a bunch of wins in a row like this. Utah is a good team, but they are not going to win 60+ games. Probably more in the neighborhood of 47-50, and a playoff birth, but nothing more then that.

Orlando is playing well, and they matchup well with Utah.

Magic- 90 Utah- 85

Top 5 Power Rankings
1.) San Antonio Spurs(2)- They were my team of the week this week, so not much more to say about them then I did already. They are a damn good team.
2.) Utah Jazz(1)- They take a small hit in the rankings due to their loss to Golden State, but still off to a good start. Need to hit the accelerator now and try and break away from the pack in the Northwest division, because let me tell you, Denver will be hot on their heels down the stretch if they don't. The only way Utah can be successful in the playoffs is if they manage to land a high seed.
3.) Orlando Magic(UR)- Grant Hill is being much more of a vocal leader then he's ever been in his career with this team, and he's playing well too. It puzzles me why Orlando turns the ball over so much, because overall, they are a pretty smart team. When they don't turn the ball over, they are tough to beat because they work for good shots. Brian Hill is an excellent coach.
4.) Detroit Pistons(UR)- Well, while everyone was busy writing off Detroit this offseason, I picked them to finish with the best record in the East, and I definitley still think that's going to happen. Detroit is not missing Ben Wallace, and they aren't going to miss him either. With Nazr Mohammad they are a tougher defensive team then they were before because they have two guys who can bang with the best of them in the post. Let me tell you something for sure, there is no way Miami beats them in a 7 game series, and there is no way Cleveland stands a chance. The only way Detroit isn't going to win the East this year is if Indiana, Orlando or New Jersey picks it up. I may be a homer, but I think the Pacers have a better shot then anyone at beating Detroit because Jermaine has gotten smarter at exploiting the weakness of whoever is guarding him. Even though I'm optimistic about our chances to top Detroit, I'm still heavily leaning towards an 05 finals rematch right now.
5.) Denver Nuggets(UR)- Denver is an interesting team. After a slow start they are playing very, very well, but with Denver you never know. Do they have enough outside shooting to put it all together? An injury to Camby right now would be a disaster. K-Mart is out for the season, but I actually like Nene more then Martin for them anyways, he does more dirty work, and with Camby/Anthony/Dre Miller, they don't need a guy like K-Mart who's not going to bring much more then dunking ability to the table. If Denver stays healthy, and JR Smith continues to play well, they will be fine.

On the Bubble- L.A. Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, L.A. Clippers.

NLSC NBA Quote of the Week

I wonder if the NBA will actually make the error public regarding the score miscount.

This came in the Raptors thread regarding a basket TJ Ford made that wasn't counted. Obviously this situation should never arise, and it is pathetic that it happened, but I'm actually going to talk about something slightly different from this. This quote and situation got me thinking about errors as far as scoring goes, and I began thinking about instant replay and toe on the line threes, stuff like that. Should refs always make the call on whether or not a shot is a three or not? Should we have someone watching the game 'upstairs' like in football who judges whether or not it was a three based on video evidence? Should this person also moniter refs and correct bad calls? Should we make more of an effort overall to improve refferee mistakes, or are they just part of the game?