NBA Myths

[EGarrett]

This is a great article. Apologize if it's a repost.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hruby/051104

Among the myths he discusses:

"NBA Players Can't Shoot" (Free Throw Percentage is above average for league history)

"The Lottery is Rigged" (several guaranteed stars have ended up in tiny markets)

And the idea that "the Referees favor star players" (Corey Maggette is among the league leaders in field goals attempted). I agree with this one a lot. Veterans and stars know how to get calls (like the way Charles Oakley would put his hands up in the air even while bumping the dribbler so the ref thought he wasn't fouling), and referees have to concentrate on so much already that there just isn't additional time to focus on who is driving on who and who's the star and who isn't.

[YoG!]

NBA players can shoot.

The lottery is'nt rigged.

And Yes I think referees favor star players alot.

[Fresh8]

Already read that article. I found the shooting and the ref issues interesting to read.

- The Free throw line test is very good actually... proved me wrong lol

[EGarrett]

Does anyone know where to find Euroleague free throw percentages? That would be interesting to compare...

[cyanide]

I'd agree with favoring superstars to a certain extent. I remember this one game, I think it was NBA Finals against the Jazz, Michael Jordan was screaming at the ref like non-stop in his face, and he already had one technical before that, and just kept going at him. I was shocked that he didn't get ejected out of the game. For any other player, that was a for sure ejection.

[air gordon]

good article. i still believe superstars get the benefit of calls

[Bruce]

I'd agree with favoring superstars to a certain extent. I remember this one game, I think it was NBA Finals against the Jazz, Michael Jordan was screaming at the ref like non-stop in his face, and he already had one technical before that, and just kept going at him. I was shocked that he didn't get ejected out of the game. For any other player, that was a for sure ejection.

It was so damned funny when MJ, Magic and Bird were getting their pictures taken for the '92 olympics...

Magic to MJ says something like, "oh, i'm not standing close to you. I might get called for a foul"

and MJ responds with a smile and something like "what!?! I don't get no calls".

[Null17]

No. 9 is good

[Its_asdf]

9. Shaquille O'Neal is an Extraterrestrial
Oops. This one actually may be true.

I completely agree.

[benji]

Hi Guys.

I'd like to note that just because the Spurs and Bucks have won the lottery a few times doesn't necessarily prove the lottery isn't rigged. After all certain Boston fans might claim it's rigged in favor of say the Spurs...that out of the way...

Does anyone know where to find Euroleague free throw percentages? That would be interesting to compare...

2004-05:
Winterthur FCB .795
Maccabi .778
TAU .773
Unicaja .770
Pau-Orthez .767
Panathinaikos .753
Benetton .752
CSKA Moscow .744
AEK .743
Zalgiris .738
Climamio .732
Real Madrid .725
Montepaschi .723
Olimpija .716
Efes Pilsen .713
Partizan .711
Olympiacos .698
Cibona .680
Ulker .648
Prokom Trefl .643

Average: .730

Sorry about format, I don't know about tables on this forum?

[The Other Kevin]

Edit: Take that back, I guess you or David had a mod added on.

[Buckley]

hmm....nba players shoot better FT than euroleague...i thot they had all of those shooters....

i believe stars always get the calls

[maes]

The FT thing is hard to compare with the old NBA or Euro because the current US NBA _heavily_ favors giving most of the offense to only 1 or 2 star players. I see a lot more passing and hitting open men in European ball and less 1 on 1 stuff.

Basically, i think the Euro league FT are slightly lower because not just the superstars get to shoot all the time.

[MaD_hAND1e]

I'd agree with favoring superstars to a certain extent. I remember this one game, I think it was NBA Finals against the Jazz, Michael Jordan was screaming at the ref like non-stop in his face, and he already had one technical before that, and just kept going at him. I was shocked that he didn't get ejected out of the game. For any other player, that was a for sure ejection.

It was so damned funny when MJ, Magic and Bird were getting their pictures taken for the '92 olympics...

Magic to MJ says something like, "oh, i'm not standing close to you. I might get called for a foul"

and MJ responds with a smile and something like "what!?! I don't get no calls".

LOL Yea, Magic is like "you can't stand too close to Michael, It's a foul"

That Shaq myth may be true, but I'm surprised they didn't mention Cassell.

[Null17]

Yeah Cassell is a more likely candidate to be an alien

[EGarrett]

I've never really thought that Refs favored superstars that much. They have too much to concentrate on already...the game moves too fast to notice that McGrady is guarding a scrub and to prepare to whistle accordingly.

Plus, those guys do have the ball most of the time and know how to draw fouls (Reggie Miller's kick etc.)

[Andrew]

I'd agree with favoring superstars to a certain extent. I remember this one game, I think it was NBA Finals against the Jazz, Michael Jordan was screaming at the ref like non-stop in his face, and he already had one technical before that, and just kept going at him. I was shocked that he didn't get ejected out of the game. For any other player, that was a for sure ejection.

They certainly do let players like Michael Jordan have their piece more so than the average NBA player. I recall a moment with Charles Barkley in Game 6 of the 1993 Finals where he was called a foul, screamed "Fuck, fuck, fuck!" then looked straight into a camera on the baseline and screamed "This is bullshit!" Such an outburst would generally garner a technical, but nothing happened. It would seem the greats earn the freedom to mouth off a bit more than most players.

Good read, but I don't think the conspiracy theories will be going anytime soon. For one thing, a lot of people find them very interesting and are able to weave tales that seem to prove the point. But most importantly, it can take the sting out of your favourite team losing when you can say they were screwed over.

[Balla69]

I'd agree with favoring superstars to a certain extent. I remember this one game, I think it was NBA Finals against the Jazz, Michael Jordan was screaming at the ref like non-stop in his face, and he already had one technical before that, and just kept going at him. I was shocked that he didn't get ejected out of the game. For any other player, that was a for sure ejection.

It was so damned funny when MJ, Magic and Bird were getting their pictures taken for the '92 olympics...

Magic to MJ says something like, "oh, i'm not standing close to you. I might get called for a foul"

and MJ responds with a smile and something like "what!?! I don't get no calls".

yeah that was real funny!
Magic to MJ says something like, "oh, i'm not standing close to you. I might get called for a foul"

actually MJ responded: 'giving him a dirty look' you have been fouling me all year
(coz they spent time together)

[Alcoholic]

I'd agree with favoring superstars to a certain extent. I remember this one game, I think it was NBA Finals against the Jazz, Michael Jordan was screaming at the ref like non-stop in his face, and he already had one technical before that, and just kept going at him. I was shocked that he didn't get ejected out of the game. For any other player, that was a for sure ejection.

I remember that. MJ just wouldn't shut up, that's when I really began to believe that the better players get more leeway.