Mr Charisma

The thread title would be much more accurate if you substituted the name Odom. He's the guy that scares both teams. If we see the Odom that played in last year's Finals, we will be serious challengers. If we see the Odom that played in the last 2 games of the Nuggets series, we will be seriously challenged.

quote: Originally posted by KillingInTheNameOf: quote: Originally posted by truth393: quote: Originally posted by Kberto:The NBA finals isn't the time or place to work off four months of rust or for getting back into basketball shape. Being healed doesn't mean he's ready to step on a court and play in a FINALS series. I love Jameer, but how effective could he really be at this point? I know it would just be back up minutes, but it just sounds like a bad idea to to me. I guess we'll all have to wait and see. +1 Why risk ruining their current chemistry? 75% of the time AJ enters the game he already ruins the chemistry. I honestly fail to see the down side here. Hilarious. I'm not quite as down on AJ as you are, but there is no question this could be a great move. As long as the doctors say that it doesn't increase his risk of injury, I see no reason why you wouldn't activate him. But I also think that Rafer is going to be a very difficult assignment for D-Fish. If Jameer gave him all kinds of trouble during the regular season meetings (which he did), Rafer's speed poses the same types of problems. So the question then becomes, which PG (AJ or Jameer) would you prefer having on the floor when Farmar or Brown are running point? The only scenario where I would see that you would choose AJ over Jameer is if you wanted a PG in the game to get physical with the opposing PG. Other than that, Jameer is an all-star PG and a leader on this team. He has to be the choice. In fact, by game 3, you might see Jameer back in the starting lineup just to get the emotional boost of the crowd when Paul Porter calls his name during the introductions.

quote: Originally posted by Drunk on Mystery: quote: Originally posted by ma:Dwight: I don't see you focused on defense in the past couple of games. Your rebound and block numbers are a good hint at that. Please look at the mirror first and show that you are the DPOY in tough times. I was just thinking about how Z/Varejao/Wallace/Smith had been catalysts for Cleveland's offense, and about how those guys offensive games were the reason Cleveland won last night. A huge portion of the reason Dwight's picking up so many fouls is because the perimeter defenders on this team are hanging him out to dry. His rotations have been a step slow, but given that half the Magic players guarding Lebron can't even stay with him long enough to make him hesitate, the only way Dwight could get good position is to either leave his man immediately(which gives up layups to Varejao because no one ever rotates over) or to layoff and just not help at all(which gives up Lebron dunks). The fact that Magic players are trying to play up on him and take away his jumper instead of his drive is asinine. The lack of help from other perimeter players is worse. It's really much better to let Delonte West try to beat you guys. Yeah, I didn't understand Reggie Miller's comments all during the 4th quarter saying that Pietrus needed to get more into Lebron. I'd rather see it the other way. If he beats us hitting outside jumpers so be it. Part of what I don't understand is that during the Celtics' series, when Pierce would start getting on a roll, SVG would run doubles at him, even beyond the 3-point line. But when Lebron gets going, SVG still refuses to double him. I get that Lebron is a better passer than Pierce, but I'd still rather get the ball out of his hands on the perimeter, and live with whatever the other guys do. I would like to see them do more doubling, and particularly put more effort into denying him the ball. Sure, he is eventually going to be able to get it, but make him spend his energy all during the game just getting the ball. We have enough wing players on the bench that we can throw out there to keep our guys fresh. Let's wear Lebron out earlier in the game because, when he's tired, he starts turning the ball over. Thoughts?

quote: Originally posted by no_ma'am: quote: Originally posted by ma:Dwight: I don't see you focused on defense in the past couple of games. Your rebound and block numbers are a good hint at that. Please look at the mirror first and show that you are the DPOY in tough times. ma: you're a buffoon. You put every loss squarely on dwight's shoulders. You have little grasp of how the game of basketball is played and your posts are largely useless. Dwight can't block shots because lebron is the only one that even gets close to him and he will be called for a foul if he even thinks about blocking it. Please, think before you post. Yeah, how dare he come in and express an opinion !! What does he think this is? A message board? Why don't you go into the thread where KITNO explained where Dwight has made his mistakes, which is that he is burying himself too far under the basket, which puts him in a poor shot-blocking position, and a position certain to pick up touch fouls because he is in the restricted area. Go into that thread and take on KITNO. Quite frankly, I don't think you're man enough. Oh, and make sure you call him a buffoon, too. That'll intimidate him.

quote: Originally posted by MagicDynasty:the pressure is on us, that is for sure. I like our chances, but Lebron scares me. It's not like Game 4 was very decisive, or any of the games for that matter except last night and game 3. If the Cavs get some bounces, it very well could go their way, that is how close the series is. So anyone that thinks it's a lock is nuts. I disagree with that logic. The pressure is on the Cavs. They are the only team whose season ends if they lose the next game. We already beat them once in the 'Q' this series, and only a miracle shot kept it from being twice. So a game 7 in Cleveland is not a death warrant.

Could you please attend wearing your Joey Crawford look-alike outfit? He's going to need someone to stand in for him after SVG gets done with him.

quote: Originally posted by KillingInTheNameOf: quote: Originally posted by Mr Charisma: quote: Originally posted by SmackDaddy: quote: Originally posted by Mr Charisma:7) Because JJ isn't playing. I actually wonder if JJ could be more of a factor in this series than CLee has been. Lee looks timid now that he is paying with a broken nose. Even getting popped in the mask must hurt. I believe JJ would have no problem gurading Delonte, and he would definitely help our offensive continuity more than CLee has. Honestly, I was wondering the same thing. JJ did a good job of staying with Ray Allen. West is certainly no more agile than Ray. Then you could save Lee's legs, then use him more minutes on Lebron. We need to have Lee or Pietrus on Lebron at all times. Hedo should only be guarding James every once in a while, just to give him a different look. And they could not cheat off of JJ the same way they cheat off of Lee to double down on Dwight either. If West can back Lee & Hedo into the post, he would kill JJ. Maybe. But JJ's style of defense on someone like that is to funnel them to the inside defenders. And I haven't really seen where West is that great of a passer in that situation. If he is, then you're right, he could possibly burn JJ. But if he is hell-bent on taking a shot in that situation, he might find himself eating a Spalding sandwich (or is it Wilson; I can never remember) hand delivered by Chef 12.

quote: Originally posted by KillingInTheNameOf:Dwight is enviting a lot of these fouls by remaining in the restricted area and leaving his feet while remaining vertical. SVG is inviting a lot of these fouls on Dwight by funneling players to Dwight rather that containing them on the perimeter. Dwight has to adjust defensively in this series. He has to meet LeBron outside the restricted area and being willing to take a charge. Oh, geez, now you've done it. Apparently you have not been reading all the posts that explain how that Dwight is playing wonderful defense, but the refs are calling fouls on him anyway. You are 100% correct on this. Dwight is burying himself too low in the post defensively, and any contact while standing in the restricted area is going to result on a foul call against you. I think Lebron is more scared of Gortat now than he is Dwight.

Any time you are playing a one-man team, you have a good shot at beating them, whether at home or on the road. Here or there, it doesn't matter. Lebron is simply not going to get that kind of help 2 more games in a row (referring to his teammates, not the officials).

quote: Originally posted by SmackDaddy: quote: Originally posted by Mr Charisma:7) Because JJ isn't playing. I actually wonder if JJ could be more of a factor in this series than CLee has been. Lee looks timid now that he is paying with a broken nose. Even getting popped in the mask must hurt. I believe JJ would have no problem gurading Delonte, and he would definitely help our offensive continuity more than CLee has. Honestly, I was wondering the same thing. JJ did a good job of staying with Ray Allen. West is certainly no more agile than Ray. Then you could save Lee's legs, then use him more minutes on Lebron. We need to have Lee or Pietrus on Lebron at all times. Hedo should only be guarding James every once in a while, just to give him a different look. And they could not cheat off of JJ the same way they cheat off of Lee to double down on Dwight either.

I've been one to always downplay what the media says, but even I am having trouble stomaching the Marv Albert lovefest with Lebron. I'm quite sure I heard him use the word "we" multiple times last night when celebrating a Cavs basket. Lebron, you should be warned that Marv has already been in trouble with the law once for biting. Keep your distance.

"They wanted it more". That phrase is so overused. Maybe the problem was that the Magic wanted it more and, in so doing, put so much pressure on themselves that they played tight instead of loose. It's a phrase to use when people have no other explanation for a loss. To blame the loss on any one thing is ridiculous. There were a lot of factors: 1) Rafer was simply awful running the team 2) Missed FTs 3) Dwight was not as aggressive because he had to protect his emotions from causing another technical; he has to figure out how to be aggressive without losing his control over his emotions 4) Lebron gets calls that Hedo and others do not 5) The Cavs role players were hitting shots; that's common place for teams playing at home 6) SVG did nothing to change up the defense on Lebron the entire 4th quarter. Why did they keep running the same play? Because we did nothing different to try to stop it. It's like Rashard in the Celtics series. The Magic would isolate him on the left wing possession after possession after possession because the Celtics had no defense for it. You keep doing what works until the other team stops you. 7) Because JJ isn't playing Well, 6 out of 7 isn't bad......

I do not like the 2-3-2 format simply because it deviates from what has already been established. The original reason for this format was the cost of traveling across country. But that excuse is ridiculously outdated, as virtually every team has their own plane anyway. They might as well insist on the team publicists always using rotary dial phones, while they are at it. I don't really buy into the concept of the team with the 3 games having an advantage. If you lose one of your first 2 at home, then can't win a single game on the road in 3 attempts, then you don't deserve to be NBA champions.

quote: Originally posted by PEC: quote: Originally posted by Jordan-esque:Found this from another board... quote: The Ref assignments are out for Game 5 in Cleveland - Danny Crawford, Marc Davis, and Bill Spooner. Below are there ranking based on favoring home teams: Crawford - 5th Spooner - 10th Davis - 16th There are 61 Refs in the NBA. So the league office just happens to send 3 refs in the top 25% of refs that favor home teams in a must win game for Lebron and the Cavs. In Game 3 in Orlando, the league office sent 3 of the top road team favoring refs. Isn't this as close to proof that the league is trying to manipulate the results. You send refs with tendencies that favor the outcome the league wants. You don't have to tell them to do anything other than to call it like you've always done, and you've probably given the chosen team 10 points or so in calls. Expect Howard to pick up some ticky tack fouls early, and most close calls to go to the home team. I just hope Orlando makes so many 3's that we get to see a fourth quarter that will surpass the Lakers-Kings 2002 game 6 debacle. After all, it's just entertainment. http://www.covers.com/pageLoad...009/referee_ats.html Heh? I gather you didn't read this about Crawford: Joey Crawford: Passionate and competent, Crawford runs a game like no other. Some might not like the way Crawford goes about his business. That's fine. It doesn't change the fact he still might be the best ref out there and will be remembered as one of the greats. To see Joey Crawford tossing up the opening tip is to know that the game's outcome will be decided by your team's players. BTW he is ranked #1 of all the NBA refs. http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/0...g-the-nbas-top-refs/ Plus there is this: Here are the six officials I'd like to see if I were coaching in a Game 7 situation PEC, Danny Crawford is officiating this game, not Joey Crawford.

quote: Originally posted by IronMaiden: quote: Originally posted by Natmayo:Whitlock has always brought race into any issue. I used to watch him on Sports Reporters on Sunday mornings and it was a constant theme for him on numerous topics. I dont put a lot of creedence in his opinions. He can make good points, and make a buffoon out of himself. He has been fair on several occasions about race as well. He's called out guys like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton for being morons who hurt the black community more than help them, only to line their own pockets. He was fair about the Auburn head coaching job not given to the more qualified African American. You never know what you'll get with Whitlock. It's been his trend for god knows how long. He also mentioned how LeBron got that BOGUS call in game 4 with .5 seconds that allowed them to tie and send it to OT. That's as good of an assessment as one can make of Whitlock. I don't think he's racist, but he is very open about discussing race in relationship to sports. The most I've heard him is when he has guest-hosted for Jim Rome's radio show. He is very intelligent, but goes out of his way to be controversial in whatever position he takes. As IronMaiden stated, he called out Barkley big-time over Barkley's comments relevant to the hiring of a new coach at Auburn. It seems to me that he prides himself more on being unique than anything related to race.

I'll stick to what I said at the beginning of this round in the playoffs. I want no part of the Nuggets. None whatsoever.

I've always had a problem with the fact that, positionally, the refs are not in the same spot on both ends of the court. This, to me, is a big part of the inconsistent calls. It's the equivalent of MLB having 1 umpire behind the plate in the top of the inning, then switching to a different ump in the bottom of the inning.

quote: Originally posted by magicfreak#1: quote: Originally posted by Mr Charisma:Wow !!! Just got a chance to get back to the thread. Very entertaining !!! Sorry to have stepped on your hypersensitivities. You asked why no one had responded to your post, and I gave you the reason why I thought that was the case. Don't ask the question if you can't handle the answer. . You call it a conspiracy, same thing the guy threw the games, which is rock solid proof that it is possible, and not a far-fetched, ailens are taking over the world conspiracy. First off If you think I owe you an appology for flaming, then I am sorry. The nature of this article is offensive to someone who dosen't just except every statement given to them as truth. You know the truth? and tell me why is a guy who fixes basketball games not relevant in a thread about fixing Bball games. Tell me why Donaghy fixed the games. Tell me how you know he worked alone. Tell me how you know no one else is. You don't know the truth, only quick wit cliche' and stupid catch phrases. Of course you don't owe me an apology !!! This is just a forum where we can banter back and forth like this. There's nothing wrong with that, and I don't see where either of us owe either one any apologies. If you'll note, I even put '(s)' after the word 'referee'. That was to indicate that I do, in fact, believe it is possible for multiple refs to be involved in a game-fixing scheme. In fact, I happen to believe that Scott Foster was very much aware of what Donaghy was doing. Was he a co-hort? I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised. My statement was "that has nothing to do with a league-sanctioned conspiracy." A rogue official, or set of officials, choosing to fix a game is probably not doing it for the benefit of the league and its ratings. He/she/they would likley do it for their own personal benefit. Here is the question in the original post: "Do you believe there is a systematic effort by the league/officials to produce a Kobe-Lebron final?" And my point was to say that Donaghy (and any of his possible co-horts) couldn't care less about what was best for the league, and for producing a Kobe-Lebron final. They do what they do for their own personal benefit.

Wow !!! Just got a chance to get back to the thread. Very entertaining !!! Sorry to have stepped on your hypersensitivities. You asked why no one had responded to your post, and I gave you the reason why I thought that was the case. Don't ask the question if you can't handle the answer.

quote: Originally posted by magicfreak#1:What? No one wants to talk about Tim Donaghy? Sweep it under the rug. Believe only what you are told. That was only one rouge ref, and an isolated instance. BS. That is iron clad proof NBA Games are or at least have been rigged. Still scared to talk about it? Still scared to use your brain for something other than following the herd? Still scared some YES MAN who will do anything to keep his salary is going to call you an unimaginative nutbag. No, this is propaganda at it's best, Who wants to willingly lable themself a "Podunk." This guy is a wittless jerk. Who has his job because he says and does exactly what he is told all day every day. As for the LA, Cleveland Finals, rigging, I actually don't believe that it is AS rigged as WWF, but I will say that I have watched the Playoffs and the officiating has been very very very poor. And there is no way for me to rule out underhanded actions, especially since the Cavs have gained from so many grossly misblown whistles, especially not with any of this so called evidence provided in this article. No one is talking about it because it doesn't relate to the current discussion. The discussion is relevant to a league conspiracy. Donaghy, as you state, was a witless jerk; not part of some great conspiracy. No one is questioning the possibility that a referee(s) can have his own agenda and can fix games. That has nothing to do with a league-sanctioned conspiracy.

I totally agree that Lebron gets more than his share of calls. Way too much. But I don't think it is a conspiracy. I just think that the NBA in general has become a Lebron lovefest that the officials are caught up in. It certainly isn't any worse than the Jordan Rules. It's just as bad, but not any worse. But it IS very irritating and unfair. I will disagree about Dwight not getting any benefit from the officials. While I agree that they seem to call him for a lot of seeming "touch" fouls, I have never seen anyone in the history of the game get away with as many "moving screens" as Dwight. Not sure why they give him that benefit, but he gets no other superstar treatment. Strange.

quote: Originally posted by UBBALLER8:They think Dwight complains a bunch? Look at their own "superstar." LeBrick complains more than any superstar I've seen over the past 20 years of watching basketball. Geez, are we totally blinded by our Magic colored glasses? Dwight does complain more than Lebron. Kobe does too. And none of them compare to Tim Duncan. I hope and expect we will trounce the Cavs too and move on to The Finals, but living in a fantasy world isn't good for you.

quote: Originally posted by EnFuego: quote: Originally posted by Mr. Burgundy:I dont think i have ever seen a player that is crowned the best player in the league and MVP act like that after a game winner.. Have you ever seen jordan, kobe, magic, bird.. etc run down the court, go absolutely nuts after hitting a game winner in a game, cause i havent. You mean a game winning shot with one second left in an absolutely must win situation with their backs against the wall in the Eastern Conference Finals? I would have been more upset if he had growled a la Rasheed and acted like nothing extraordinary had happened. As a fan of the losing team, I can't think of any behavior that would have been easier to stomach than what he actually did. I don't like Andre Miller, I really disliked Pierce and Garnett, I hate Mo Williams. Lebron, I just watch in admiration. The dude is off the chart and behaves like a warrior. I want to beat him as much as you do. +1

quote: Originally posted by the anchovie:Finally Why guard the guy throwing the ball in on the final shot with 1 second? Double team Lebron!! Make Big Baby Davis Beat YOU! Make the kid in the stands beat you. But Lebron. Why?? Agree completely. I believe this is what SVG was referring to in his post-game conference (along with the fact that he should have had Pietrus on Lebron). With 1 second left, you put your best defenders in the game, period. And you put them on their best players accordingly. Honestly, in that situation, I think you bring in Gortat or Battie to guard Z, then put Dwight behind Lebron, and Pietrus fronting him. Put Lee on West. Mo doesn't have to be guarded because he is inbounding the ball. But the bottom line is that Lebron just made a great play. That was devastating to Kobe fans. The "closer" argument was the last one they had left.

Bhnole is a great addition. Congratulations.