Basketball karma helps lift Orlando
After a night in which everything that could go wrong did, Orlando finally caught some breaks and defeated the Pistons 111-86. The officiating finally went towards Orlando, the Magic made threes, didn’t turn the ball over and they played intense basketball from the very beginning. That combination is what Orlando needs to do to get back in this series and now that the Magic have taken the series to 2-1 and seem to be in the good grace of basketball karma, they appear to be alive.
Orlando started off playing swarming defense, allowing just 2 points through the first six minutes of the game and that is when Chauncey Billups left the game in excruciating pain. Billups slipped on the court as did guard Jameer Nelson but as Billups tried to stay up, he slid awkwardly and apparently strained a hamstring. Billups could barely walk off the court and didn’t return to the game and his status is questionable for next game, which is on Saturday. Detroit struggled without Billups and while Rodney Stuckey filled in admirably, they missed his leadership. However, Orlando played so well tonight, it is debatable what his presence could have done, but he was undoubtedly missed.
After Billups left the game, Orlando kept playing tough defense but exploded on offense and finished with 30 points in the first quarter. Nelson was too quick for Detroit to stick with and scored 12 points in the opening quarter and Howard chipped in with 9. At one point Orlando had a 20-3 lead, but the Pistons fought back on the back of Rip Hamilton, who caught fire in the early second quarter, dropping 11 in the quarter. Rashard Lewis, who finished with an outstanding 33 points, hit two treys before half and had 18 as Orlando led 54-42.
You had to know Detroit wouldn’t die easily though, as their experience helped them cut the lead down to three at one point in the third, and at the end of the quarter, Orlando held a slim 73-69 lead. I was shaking my head in disbelief, wondering how the blew the lead, but in a game of runs, Orlando caught fire at the right time and scored the first 11 points of the final quarter, with Lewis leading the way, nailing a three right off the back. Nelson, who was quiet in the middle of the game, finished strong making several jumpers, and Lewis again made several big shots to bury the Pistons and finish off Detroit.
Orlando prevailed for several reasons. The most notable is that they played Magic basketball and they made their three’s. Orlando has been awful from behind the arc this post season and have only shot well in two quarters, but they were consistent from the game and that made all the difference. They went 11-24 from three-point land, which was 45%. Hedo Turkoglu, who had 18 on the night, got back on track and made 3-of-5 threes.
Another factor that obviously helped was that Orlando was much more careful with the ball, logging just 11 on the evening. I think you can accredit this to the Magic starting off with a chip on their shoulder, and they played intense basketball. The previous two games, Orlando stuttered early on and looked intimidated of the experience Pistons, but tonight they poured it to them slow and steadily.
I would regret not bringing up the officiating because I apparently am overly biased, don’t know what a foul is and wouldn’t complain if Orlando had won. Well, the officiating was more favorable towards Orlando tonight, no doubt and that also helped. There were still some questionable calls both ways, but there were no critical calls that changed the end result of the game.
Dwight Howard was kept in check for most of the night, but his presence on defense was phenomenal, with six blocks. He shut down the passing lanes and really clogged the middle of the paint for Detroit. In fact, Orlando’s defense was impressive through the night and the only shots Detroit was able to make was mostly mid-range jumpers, which they are good at but certainly can’t make the entire game.
I hate to see players get injured, even guys like Rasheed Wallace, so when Billups went down, I felt for him. I broke my leg playing football before my senior season and had to watch my team go through the playoffs without me. A part of me is relieved that Mr. Big Shot is out but I don’t want to win this way. As I said, Orlando shot so well tonight Billups’ presence may or may not have made a difference, but I’m sure he certainly would have helped. Now we have to see if Billups will be back this series. The initial report is that it is a strain, but he had a very tough time walking to the locker room and I don’t think he returned to the bench. If he does come back, there is a chance that his play will certainly be hindered, but Stuckey appears to be a capable point guard.
Maybe there is such a thing as basketball karma or maybe there isn’t, but tonight it appeared that there certainly was. After Orlando was robbed of a victory in Game 2, everything seemed to go Orlando’s way. A lot of it is due to the team playing with a lot of effort often and early, but I can’t help but to smile at all the three’s finally falling. If this continues, Orlando has a legit shot in the series, but they must win on Saturday to make a series out of it.
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41 Responses to “Basketball karma helps lift Orlando”
May 8th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Cry some more. Orlando wasn’t ROBBED in game 2. I’ll type really slow for you so maybe you’ll finally understand but if the shot clock would have worked we’re just as likely to make the basket. It didn’t, not our fault. You guys had to defend us for a whole ONE SECOND longer and you weren’t capable of doing so. Not our fault.
You guys won this game because #1 our bigs still can’t get any respect from the refs and Dwight gets to push off, go over the back and generally foul all over the court and #2 our MVP wasn’t playing.
If anyone should be complaining about the refs it’s Detroit and with or without Billups Detroit will still take two more from lowly Orlando. Bank it.
May 8th, 2008 at 3:45 am
I hate to tell you, but Detroit will not beat Orlando without Billups. BANK IT.
I love hearing Pistons fans talking about fouls relating to Howard. You know, I’ve always been the first person to step up and admit Sheed was seriously picked on by the officials, but it did slow down a lot this last season. They let that dude bitch and cry just as much as anyone in the league. The sad thing is, Sheed has the ability to be one of the best in the league as his position, but he is a total hoe when it comes to bitching and how he carries himself in regards to his team. No offense of course.
If Billups is playing in game 4, Detroit is still good. If not, you fans better slow some of your “talk” because you will not beat this Magic team without Mr. Big Shot.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:10 am
Nik, are you the same one that said Pistons would sweep Orlando, “bank it”? And yes, they did get robbed from Game 2, Orlando would be up 2-1 right now had the refs not changed the game. SVG even said if those three points werent a big deal, why dont they add on three to end of the third quarter in Game 3.
Are you even complaining about fouls? seriously? Dwight did get away with some stuff, but how does Sheed get no tech that entire game, when Dwight gets one the game before for barely opening his mouth? And IIRC, Sheed did get some love, he get’s calls on fade away jump shots, and last night late in the game, he did a nice move to get under Dwight, flipped the ball up and the missed the shot, but he was bailed out by a foul, even though he wasnt even touched…no your bigs get some love too.
And as Damien said (and perfectly again I might add, you are on a roll my friend) Detroit will have a very, very difficult time without Billups. Even if he plays Game 4, he wont likely be in great shape, but we will see there
May 8th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Can you believe those refs? They won’t ever give up, will they? Talk about bullcrap! If it wasn’t for the poor officiating, the Pistons surely would have won by no less than 35 points.
And Billups wouldn’t have gotten hurt, either.
Screwed AGAIN!!!
May 8th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Sour grapes much? I guess the entire city of Orlando was wrong too, no one else here thought we caught a raw deal in Game 2.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:23 am
As for the Billups injury, he is listed as day to day and might be ready for Saturday, but here what Flip Saunders said.
“He’s sore right now. We won’t know for the next 24 hours where he’s really at but all indications are that we’re shooting for him to play Saturday.”
Doesnt sound promising if you read between the lines. I’d be surprised if he plays saturday, but if he does, I think he will be a little nimble and that will be a huge blow for the Pistons
May 8th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Nice article again Brendan, I was at the game and the atmosphere was amazing. Even sat next to a Pistons fan who seemed very fair and balanced. By the way, where is MICK MILLER? Still crying I suppose and probably blaming the officials. Sorry about the bitching but after reading the posts after your last article I had to mention something.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:09 am
A fair and balanced Pistons fan Terry? Thanks for the comments terry, it is always appreciated, especially after I am told by several strangers that I shouldnt be a journalist (class, right?) How was the game, I couldnt go but it looked like there was a lot of energy there. I also heard there were some pretty good signs. I dont know where he is, but there isnt much to complain about. Refs were down the middle if not more towards us this time, and that obviously made a difference. You were probably wise to stay out of that battle field and looks like things are a little calmer now after we ended the streak.
Thanks again for stopping by and always feel free to do so.
May 8th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Brendan…Orlando obviously got screwed on that Chauncey 3, but to automatically say you’d be up 2-1 is rediculous. None of us know how the game would have played out if the 3 didn’t count. Orlando actually played pretty well for the 1st half of that 4th quarter so that 3 didn’t hurt their momentum. Fact is Orlando was up 4 with 6:35 left in the fourth and they made many mistakes down the stretch…bad shots, turnovers, dumb fouls. Orlando played great in game 3, shot great, and played with a lot of energy and I think they win that game even if Chauncey was healthy. Hopefully Chauncey comes back fully healthy (although I don’t see that happening…at least not for the next game or two) so that we can see both teams going at each other at full strength.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:00 am
I understand your point Jim and too a certain degree, I agree that it might be wrong to say Orlando would be up 2-. However, the game could have easily gone a completely different way had that three not been counted and had some other questionable calls go their way.
I too would like to see both teams at full strength and playing well with no BS calls. Part of me is relieved that Billups is out for now, but that’s not how I or I’m sure the Magic want to win
May 8th, 2008 at 9:38 am
yeah Terry … I can can see what kind of big man you are saying something NOW.
If you read, or can read, it wasn’t me complaining about the referees. You read Brendan’s column?
THAT is complaining about referees.
Funny how you HAD to mention something after a Magic win.
Grow a pair, educate yourself.
If you were wondering so bad where I was, you could have done a search for me.
Thought so. And Brendan, I know you’re relieved Chauncey is out because you don’t care how Orlando advances just as long as they do. You said yourself you would have rather played the Sixers, the seventh seed.
Sheed complains, always has and I spend much of my game nights screaming at the tv telling the Pistons to shut their mouths, it makes everything worse.
I have been watching NBA for 30 years and Orlando cries as much as any team. Howard was called for an obvious traveling call and pissed and moaned for at least 4 possessions up and down the floor.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Just reflecting back briefly on Game 2 and then I think I certainly have to bury it. The wrong call on the three in my mindwas a major factor, also, and no one seems to have mentioned this, the crucial Hamilton three was a two, his foot was clearly on the line if you replay it back. This all seems sour grapes and of course it is, but those four points would have put us up possibly by 8 going down the stretch and the game would have been different. We protect leads very well in the 4th usually and I would have bet that we would have seen this one out had those calls gone our way.
Nevertheless, yesterday was a different day and it appeared, two different teams, certainly, three different referees. I do think that the officials called the game reasonably well but I think Howard does get a raw deal with some officials. He has to be hacked hard a couple of times often to get the call and yet they call these silly reach in fouls, there is no consistency!
The game was brilliant, winning and winning big is always great but I don’t think it will happen again this series. The games to come will be tough and close I think and if that is the case I think the Pistons will come through taking the home court advantage - but - if Chancey is out for more than Saturday’s game, it will be the Magic in six.
May 8th, 2008 at 9:58 am
With 19 turnovers in a game and the poor shooting in the fourth, you can speculate all day long what might have happened. Hedu jacked up an ill-advised three with 48 ticks. Lewis threw the ball away. After the 7-7 third, they hit what, 1-6 in the fourth from the arc?
Hard to get leads, hard to protect leads. Believe it or not, the officials don’t want to be the deciding factors in playoff games which is why sometimes the play looks rougher than the regular season.
The barely held the 18 point lead in game three, who can say if they would have held and eight point lead.
All speculation … no guarantees.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:00 am
All good and valid points Terry. Howard gets away with some stuff but also gets the raw end a hell of a lot.
I dont know if Orlando wins in 6 if Chauncey doesnt return on Saturday, but if he doesnt return by Game 5, then it is Orladno in 6….BANK IT!!! lol
May 8th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Are you gonna keep writing articles even when the Magic are eliminated?
May 8th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Yup. I’m sure I can expect some appropriate and mature comments from you.
May 8th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Typical game 3 from both sides…
I expect a battle in game 4. I think it’ll be a tough game for both teams. Whoever wants it more should get the win.
However, if Billups isn’t playing, I think we might have a game 3 repeat.
Either way, the Pistons are arrogant enough of a team to let another game get away. They are famous for getting down in a series, and letting teams back into a series.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this series was all tied up 2-2 heading back to Detroit.
On the flipside, SVG mentioned how this series has gone a lot like our 1st round match up against the Raptors, except we’re the team in the Raptors position. While I agree with the comment, the difference is, Orlando isn’t Toronto, and Orlando has a lot weapons to help win another game.
It might be a fans hope, but I’m going to say the Magic will take game 4, and tie this series up.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I can’t believe piston fans are complaining about the refs. The pistons get away with more holding, pushing and hacking than their opponents. Mr. Big Shot makes a living from the free throw line. As far as the pistons post season win streak, this is the 2007-08 season. The series is Detroit 4, Magic 3. 4 homes games at Detroit and 3 home games at Orlando. The magic’s 2nd best player, Hedo, hasn’t had a decent game yet in against the pistons.
May 9th, 2008 at 4:39 am
How can you say the Magic were robbed out of a game 2 victory because of a shot that happened in the 3rd quarter? If I was a Magic fan I would’ve been po’d too, but what about the 4th quarter. I mean even if they took it back Orlando would have only had a 1 point lead, which wouldn’t have determined the outcome of the game at all.
May 9th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Read the article Jay.
Read the responses.
Who is complaining about the officiating?
Read other stories from the Magic blog.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:18 am
You are correct Jay, for any Piston fan to complain about officiating is disgusting. orlaando finally got the benefit of the whistle in Game 3 and look what happend…they won.
Tim, I understand your point but it wasnt just that one call…it was a lot of judgement calls late in the game and all of them seemed to go Detroit’s way. In regards to ‘the play” I think SVG said it best duirng a clip from Game 3 (I’m paraphrasing)…”In a game where it was a one possesion game through the 4th, I think those three points make a huge difference. If they dont, why dont they give us three after the third in this game?” I think that really epitomizes my feelings of the situation and a lot of others.
May 9th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
Ok first of all, orlando wasn’t robbed of a game. If you think that way then you don’t know the playoffs at all. This article is very opinionated you need to get your facts straight and not just write about what’s on your mind. Orlando only wins games when detroit doesn’t play. If both teams were playing their best there’s no doubt detroit will prevail. and i know orlando fans are getting their hopes up with a game 3 victory but seriously even if somehow orlando wins this series, how much further do you think they’ll get? I mean come on get real. Just like how the cavs got to the finals last year, that was a fluke. The only teams in the east that have a real chance at winning if they get to the finals are boston and detroit. Lewis is overpaid, so inconsistent. Howard is good but not great. He doesn’t have the right to nickname himself superman. Nicknames have to be given to you and they have to be earned. What a joke.
And if you think orlando won because of karma then wow…this sounds like an article from my elementary newspaper.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Manny,
… if somehow orlando wins this series, how much further do you think they’ll get? I mean come on get real. Just like how the cavs got to the finals last year, that was a fluke. The only teams in the east that have a real chance at winning if they get to the finals are boston and detroit. …
What kind of reasoning is that? If Orlando beat Detroit then Orlando is better than Detroit. So magic fans should be in despair that they won’t go any farther past this round? I remember that what was said in the 1995 playoffs when they went to the finals.
and Mick,
I wasn’t going to honor your comment with a response but I couldn’t resist.
Mick Miller says:
… Read the responses.
Who is complaining about the officiating?…
Terry says:
May 8th, 2008 at 8:01 am
… By the way, where is MICK MILLER? Still crying I suppose and probably blaming the officials.
Ben says:
May 8th, 2008 at 7:18 am
Can you believe those refs? They won’t ever give up, will they? Talk about bullcrap! If it wasn’t for the poor officiating, the Pistons surely would have won by no less than 35 points.
And Billups wouldn’t have gotten hurt, either.
Screwed AGAIN!!!
Mick. Try to focus.
May 9th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
wow jay….u seem to be riding brendan’s jockstrap like its your job man. hes a full grown man, im sure he can speak for himself.
brendan, you seem to be getting very upset about people doubting your integrity. you even made it an effort to reference your doubters in your latest article. you need to get over the fact that some people will doubt you, including myself, and just write a neutral article. all of these last posts have been whining about officiating. i have never read once in a respected newspaper journalists whining repetitively about how lame the officiating is. i think these articles go way past this series, and in all honesty, i think you have a unannounced passion of hate towards the pistons. maybe you’re still grieving after the magic gave up a 3-1 lead to the pistons back in 2003, or the fact that the pistons swept the magic last year. you can’t blame everything on calls going the wrong way.
i find it funny that there are so many negative posts on this article, brendan. i know people aren’t always going to agree with you, but damn man, i think a majority of these people feel the same way as me. maybe you need to reconsider your profession
May 9th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Jay,
Because SOMEONE ELSE said I was complaining about the refs doesn’t mean I was.
Show me where I complain about the calls in this series.
I haven’t.
Focus? Try some comprehension and proof to make your point valid.
May 9th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Andrew…this is a blog. It is ment for opinions about the team you cover, if anyone thinks that it’s more than that, you need to get a clue. By the way, what kind of ass hole tells a complete stranger that they need to think about a different profession? I was accepted into one of the best Journalism shcool’s in the nation as a freshman, I have written for prominent newspapers, write for sites that are nationally known and I’m only 19. i am opinionated on this site because that is what my bosses here want, personality. The majority of the people disagreeing with me are Pistons fans, so no they arent going to agree with me. Notice how the Magic fans do? And that’s who I am writing for, I can give a crap of what some people up in Mowtown care about this site, I’m just defending my credibility, which regardless of what some rude and obnoxious individuals such ass yourself think, I have plenty of.
This is a blog, it is ment for opinions and fans talking constructivley for their respective sites, or is that too much for you to understand?
I tried not retorting back, but you have been nothing but arrogant and disrespectful. I’m sure you have been successful in life and are very happy, because you wouldnt be such an unbelievable jerk if you werent, right?
There have been plenty who have disagreed with me and when they were not questioning my credibility or telling me how to live my life, I was very respectufl and curtious back. But you Andrew are obviously a little person who has nothing better to do with his own life other than put complete strangers down.
Like I said, people may not agree with me fine. For the other places I write at, I dont even respond to comments constructive or not about my articles. But like I said, this is a blog and it is little more than an informed message board, and at Believing in Magic, we like to keep the conversation constructive, not personal like you obviously want to do. And Mick did the same thing that I did in his article but you are too unbiased to mention that…duh.
So like I said, I tried to not get personal with these comments but you have called me out once too often, and while people like yourself enoy me, I will certainly not change my asperations because Andrew the All Knowing said so. Hope you get the point, but something tells me that you’ll keep going at it so I certainly look forward to your next appropriate, constructive and friendly comments.
May 9th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
What did I do in article that you did in yours Brendan?
Please clarify that for me, I would appreciate it.
I find it very interesting that in one breath you say how columnists aren’t objective yet you have written for a newspaper and you are.
I would like to read some of your past works also so if you could provide some links or something.
I get “annoyed” when people claim I say or write things that I don’t.
May 10th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
you are getting awfully offensive brendan. i sit here reading your ‘comeback’ amazed that a “amazing and wonderful” author as yourself would get so offended by someone doubting your credibility. i feel as if what i said really is taking a toll on your mind and body. also, i feel as if you used my comments as a way to help stroke your ego. i’m only 18 and still in high school. congratulations man. a lot of people have told you you’re a good writer. you’re getting awfully verbal against me, and i feel as if i can’t have a solid argument on this “blog”.
no, i dont diss other people to make myself feel better. i have my flaws, just as everyone else. but if i read an article that i just don’t agree with, i’m going to say something. i probably would have never spoke up after reading your article, but i found it humorous that you were attacking individuals after the disagreed with you. any good journalist would sit back and let things unfold, and then write back what they thought was appropriate. with you, you feel as if every single person is out for blood. i hope you weren’t raised with the mentality that everyone is out to get you, and to trust no one.
by the way, you don’t put a space between the word asshole, douche bag
May 10th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
You also capitalize “I” but who’s counting? Yes, I am getting pissed, but not because I care what you think… it’s because I find it completely unfathomable that you can be so personal to a complete stranger. However, that is clearly what you want to do, so I guess I’ll cave in to your ways. You clearly have a lot of growing up to do, and hopefully you do, because at 18, it will be a long, long life ahead of you if treat complete strangers like you have as of late.
I have NEVER criticized anyone for disagreeing with me and never will. Now, if someone personally attacks me or calls my credibility into question, all bets are off. Like I said, I support constructive criticism, but you certainly aren’t interested in that.
Yes, I can’t stop thinking about your comments, my friendships are falling apart, my body isn’t working right…WOW, big f’n WOW to you my friend. Are truly that narcissistic? And please, never stroke anything of mine Andrew.
Seriously, good luck in life. In my brief experience with you, I’ve seen you be rude to those who weren’t doing so towards you, misinterpret nearly everything I’ve written and give totally unsolicited advice. I’m not sure what you’ve achieved in your life, but let me give you a little advice now seeing as you like to just toss yours around…change. Maybe you act bigger when you hide behind your computer, but if this is how you handle yourself on a day to day basis, then you need to take a long look in the mirror because like I said, it will be a long life. Good luck with that, but seeing as this is a sports website, this is no place for name calling and suggesting career plans. I regret caving in and acting the way you do, but I thought it would get a point through, but apparently not. So now, I will ask you to no longer comment here on Believing in Magic and I think everyone will be better off.
May 11th, 2008 at 1:49 am
Stop deleting my comments……you’re not getting the final word
May 11th, 2008 at 1:49 am
stop deleting my comments
May 11th, 2008 at 1:51 am
so you had to block me so i wouldn’t be able to open my ‘big’ mouth anymore. seems like you want the last word
May 11th, 2008 at 8:25 am
Andrew, it’s not about the last word. I;m trying to get this about basketball again, but you obviously haave 0 interest in that. YOU want this to be a battle. YOU want this to be an arguement. YOU are completely oblivious about how you come off. I asked you once…please stop commenting here. I apologized for getting off topic, now I will ask you one more time….Please stop commenting on this site.If you’d like to talk basketball, fine, but that’s what I am trying to get back to. Please be mature and just squash it. Thank you
May 11th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I can comment however many times I want. Theres no rules on what i can and cannot talk about. stop thinking you’re the peacemaker, when a few posts ago, you were the one that was making it personal. you’re the one that blocked me after you wrote your whole retaliation speech.
there isnt a whole lot to talk about with basketball anyways. fact is pistons are more experienced and thats why they’ll win in 5. and don’t even begin to think pistons can’t beat the celtics.
May 11th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
I did make it personal a few posts ago and I apologized for getting away from basketball, but that is what I would like to talk about now. You’ve made your point, I shouldnt be a journalist, you can out argue me and you will not let me have the alst word…ok, congrats, you win.
As I said, you are welcome to comment here all you want, as long as you are approptriate, constructive and talk about basketball or what Damien or myself writes…nothing else. If you do other than that, then yes, you will be blocked.
May 11th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
fine. who wins the cavs boston series?
May 11th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I dont know. I go with Boston because of home court, but I think Cleveland matches up real well against them. Both Atlanta and Cleveland have players they rely on heavily that are athletic and big (Josh Smith, LeBron James) and I think Boston has had a harder time stopping that. That being said, I still think Boston wins because they have more home games, which is really making all the difference for most teams this post season (as it usually does)
Detroit, who will likely win the series, doesnt necessarily match up as well against Boston as lesser teams like Cleveland and Atlanta have, and again I think home court plays a big factor in that series too.
If Orladno can somehow pull off a miracle, then I think they too would have a hard time against Boston and would easily give it to the Celtics.
Either of our teams could beat the Cavs in a best of seven series, but that’s not who I see making it to the next round, and regardless of who plays Boston, the whistle will certainly go towards the boys in green more than anyone else
May 12th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Yea I think Boston too. Although don’t know how much further they’ll get if they cant win on the road (even if they have home court) because someone is bound to beat them at home. Experience is definitely a big factor. I also think the lakers will win in the west. I don’t know if its just me but is anyone else sick of the spurs?
May 12th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
You have to love the Spurs and hate them. They dont play an exciting brand of basketball, but they have good people on their team and play the game right. Not the most dazzling team but I would love to see my team have players like that.
May 12th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Maybe, they are skilled but they are not all like they seem. True if you have a group of skilled players and give them years to mesh together you’ll have a contender. But I dislike them because they are a dirty team. By that I mean they play dirty. Everyone knows about Bruce Bowen’s tactics, but the NBA refuses to acknowledge it. He definitely does not deserve the name “defensive specialist.” And god, I cannot stand the look on Duncan’s face when he gets called for a foul or gets fouled. I mean come on, he acts like its impossible for him to commit a foul.And Parker just annoys me personally. All he does is drive and does that ugly tear drop. Frankly I don’t wanna see them win any more championships.
May 13th, 2008 at 8:14 am
Lol, I feel ya. Parker does bother me a little, and Bowen does get away with a lot and you are right…refs do refuse to look at it a lot of the time. In my opinion though, I’d rather face a dirty guy than one who is always flopping, at least a dirty character makes you play more intense and harder, not softer.
Duncan does wine a lot, as do most All-Stars, but there is certainly something odd about it when he complains….looks like a kid.
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