New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season

[MylesBAstor]

Imo Kidd lacks (understandably) the experience to set up good plays in the closing minutes. I believe the last 2 games were winnable but they lost due to lack of clutch plays just when you needed them. Why go to Pierce and Jo when you know that Lebron et all will be hounding them like glue? Set up some open shots for other shooters like Telenovic who shot so well in the playoffs. Miami's big advantage is they have many go to guys when they needed the points down the stretch. I hate to say this, but Chris Bosh's shooting has been incredibly accurate these days, sometimes with hands on his face, he still sinks them. And that Birdman should be on another team, to pester James, problem is, he's with James, kinda like Rodman with Jordan

For me, the problem isn't Kidd, it's Williams who's hurt half the time and over rated the other half. You can't win a championship with him at point IMHO.

 

[jadis]

Here we go...Doc gets the fine. Any coach would have blown up too. The refs need a 100" jumbotron in their faces to see that Barnes fouled Jackson's wrist and never even touched the ball as ball went out of the hands of Jackson. A 'series-defining' call, acc to Doc.


Posted May 15, 2014
Clippers’ Doc Rivers fined $25,000 for criticizing officials after Game 5 loss to Thunder
Ben Golliver, Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City

The NBA fined Clippers coach Doc Rivers $25,000 for his extended criticism of the officials after Los Angeles’ 105-104 loss to Oklahoma City in Game 5 on Tuesday.

Rivers was incensed by the referees’ decision to grant Oklahoma City possession after an out-of-bounds call with 11.3 seconds to play and the Clippers leading 104-102. Thunder guard Reggie Jackson was driving to the basket when Clippers forward Matt Barnes swiped at the ball.

Replays appeared to indicate that Barnes fouled Jackson and that Jackson was the last player to touch the ball. The referees, who were unable to review whether there was a foul due to league rules, took a look at the play and determined that Barnes had touched the ball last. In Rivers’ opinion, the officials came to that decision as a make-up call because they could not retroactively assess a foul on Barnes.

However, the NBA league office reviewed the sequence and determined there wasn’t sufficient evidence to overrule the original call, which had been that the ball was off of Barnes.

“Everybody knows it was our ball,” Rivers said. “The bottom line is that they thought it was a foul and they made up for it. In my opinion, let’s take away replay. Let’s take away the replay system. That was our ball, we win the game. We got robbed because of that call. It’s clear, everybody in the arena saw it. That’s why everybody was shocked when they said Oklahoma City. That was our ball. Whether it was a foul or not — it was — but they didn’t call it.”

In a statement released Wednesday, the NBA backed the referees’ decision on the court, contrary to Rivers’ wishes.

“With 11.3 seconds left in the game, the basketball went out of bounds on the baseline and the referees ruled the ball belonged to the Thunder,” NBA president of basketball Rod Thorn said in a statement. “The referees then used instant replay to review the play. In order to reverse the call made on the court, there has to be ‘clear and conclusive’ evidence. Since no replay provided such evidence, the play correctly stood as called with the Thunder retaining possession.”

The league’s final ruling matched a post-game statement issued by referee Tony Brothers.

“When the ball goes out of bounds, the ball was awarded to Oklahoma City,” Brothers’ statement read. “We go review the play. We saw two replays. The two replays we saw were from the overhead camera showing down, and the one from under the basket showing the same angle but from a different view. And from those two replays, it was inconclusive as to who the ball went out of bounds off of. When it’s inconclusive we have to go with the call that was on the floor.”

Rivers and his players memorably disagreed with that interpretation.

Speaking for more than nine minutes — significantly longer than the average post-game press conference — Rivers returned time and time again to the disputed call.

 

[Ron Party]

Right after it happened, I told my wife and daughter to watch Doc rip into the refs in his post game press conference, then watch the NBA fine him 50K. 25K is cheap. Money well spent (in the world of the NBA, that is). Doc was spot on: do away with replay if a ref can't see that ball went off Jackson. And shame on the NBA for saying there was no conclusive evidence ... many a call has been made on replay with seriously less "conclusive" evidence. The only more conclusive evidence one could obtain would be Jackson swearing on a stack of bibles he touched it last.

 

[jadis]

Pacers and Heat rematch for the Eastern Finals. West got a big game. That's been missing a bit. And now they have the home court. I knew Larry Bird was not going to let this team be substituted by the Hawks of the Wizards for the conference finals. Time for Turner, Scola and Watson to step up too.

 

[WLVCA]

I hope the Pacers step up and give the Heat a competitive series.

Hibbert will be key - wonder if he will show up. Hope so.

 

[WLVCA]

Clippers lost to OKC tonight at home. Durant had a monster game. OKC take the series.

Great year for the Clippers, no complaints from me.

Now if Sterling can be removed before next season starts all will be well. If not.....

 

[jadis]

KD with an incredible performance worthy of his MVP status. 39 points and 16 boards.

 

[jadis]

First time for me to see Jack Nicholson in a Clippers game. He can't seem to wait for the Lakers comeback.

 

[jadis]

And how bout this big guy Adams of OKC. Frankly, till the last series, I've never been aware of him. What agility for a 7 footer. Flies around and very active at the boards. Only 20 years old.

 

[Steve williams]

For me, the problem isn't Kidd, it's Williams who's hurt half the time and over rated the other half. You can't win a championship with him at point IMHO.

Be careful what you wish for........

No. 1: D-Will could be dealt this summer — It was just two offseasons ago that Nets guard Deron Williams had re-signed with the team as a free agent in a move seen by many as the one that would give Brooklyn its cornerstone player for years to come. But as the Nets try to make sense of their season and their East semifinals ousting at the hands of the Miami Heat, could Williams be on the trading block this summer? That question — and others — are addressed by Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck here:
Paul Pierce could leave as a free agent, perhaps to join old friend Doc Rivers in Los Angeles. Kevin Garnett could retire, and just might if Pierce were to leave. If the two proud former Celtics walk away, then the Nets will have broken the payroll record—and given up three first-round draft picks—for nothing.
But the fixation on the price tag, and even on the trade itself, obscures the Nets’ greatest problem—*a previous, equally costly investment that has gone bust:
You remember Deron Williams?
You could be forgiven if you didn’t. Williams was a dud in the playoffs, particularly against the Heat. He scored zero points in Game 2, nine points in Game 3 and 13 points (on 5-of-14 shooting) in a Game 4 loss that pushed the Nets to the brink of elimination. Williams’ postseason field-goal percentage: 39.5.
The Nets imported Pierce and Garnett for their wisdom and their fire, but no one expected the two aging vets to carry the offense. It is Williams who was acquired to be the face of the franchise, the engine of the Nets offense, and he has utterly failed in that role.
No matter how many tens of millions they spend, no matter how many flashy trades they make, the Nets will never be a serious contender unless Williams regains his All-Star form.
“Deron’s the X-factor,” said one Nets official. “More than anybody.”
Since Williams’ celebrated arrival in 2011, the Nets have made two trips to the playoffs, one ending in the first round and one in the second, for a postseason record of 8-11.
…
No one player can be blamed for the lousy late-game execution, but it is the job of the point guard (and franchise player) to maintain order and to put his teammates in the best position to succeed. Time and again, Williams has shown he is incapable of leading when the pressure is at its highest. When the Nets needed salvation this season, they turned to Joe Johnson and Pierce.

 

[Steve williams]

Not surprisingly the battle has begun....

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-...ppers-ownership-reportedly-refuses-2-5m-fine/

 

[jadis]

Ibaka out for the entire playoffs. Tough loss.

 

[rblnr]

I was watching the game onboard our flight home from Florida. Clipps were winning by 15 and the plane landed. I got home to watch the final few minutes and could not believe how it ended. Shame on Chris Paul but nonetheless the refs robbed them on that call on the out of bounds ball

IMO Scottie Brooks has a big task this year because anything short of a title might invite his dismissal

Chris Paul is going to be severely depressed all summer. I think Brooks is a mediocre coach -- it would be a plus for KD and co to have someone better who can actually institute an offense.

 

[Steve williams]

Just found this.....very interesting read

The Man Who Helped Bring Down Donald Sterling Is An *******, Too

Dave McKenna, Dead Spin

http://deadspin.com/the-man-who-helped-bring-down-donald-sterling-is-an-ass-1576960521

 

[MylesBAstor]

Be careful what you wish for........

No. 1: D-Will could be dealt this summer — It was just two offseasons ago that Nets guard Deron Williams had re-signed with the team as a free agent in a move seen by many as the one that would give Brooklyn its cornerstone player for years to come. But as the Nets try to make sense of their season and their East semifinals ousting at the hands of the Miami Heat, could Williams be on the trading block this summer? That question — and others — are addressed by Bleacher Report’s Howard Beck here:
Paul Pierce could leave as a free agent, perhaps to join old friend Doc Rivers in Los Angeles. Kevin Garnett could retire, and just might if Pierce were to leave. If the two proud former Celtics walk away, then the Nets will have broken the payroll record—and given up three first-round draft picks—for nothing.
But the fixation on the price tag, and even on the trade itself, obscures the Nets’ greatest problem—*a previous, equally costly investment that has gone bust:
You remember Deron Williams?
You could be forgiven if you didn’t. Williams was a dud in the playoffs, particularly against the Heat. He scored zero points in Game 2, nine points in Game 3 and 13 points (on 5-of-14 shooting) in a Game 4 loss that pushed the Nets to the brink of elimination. Williams’ postseason field-goal percentage: 39.5.
The Nets imported Pierce and Garnett for their wisdom and their fire, but no one expected the two aging vets to carry the offense. It is Williams who was acquired to be the face of the franchise, the engine of the Nets offense, and he has utterly failed in that role.
No matter how many tens of millions they spend, no matter how many flashy trades they make, the Nets will never be a serious contender unless Williams regains his All-Star form.
“Deron’s the X-factor,” said one Nets official. “More than anybody.”
Since Williams’ celebrated arrival in 2011, the Nets have made two trips to the playoffs, one ending in the first round and one in the second, for a postseason record of 8-11.
…
No one player can be blamed for the lousy late-game execution, but it is the job of the point guard (and franchise player) to maintain order and to put his teammates in the best position to succeed. Time and again, Williams has shown he is incapable of leading when the pressure is at its highest. When the Nets needed salvation this season, they turned to Joe Johnson and Pierce.

Exactly

They'll still get something back though for Williams. Livingston may be the unknown factor.

 

[Steve williams]

Report: Kevin Love will test free agency next season

The Bulls are sure to go hard after New York Knicks impending free agent Carmelo Anthony this summer, but if they strike out on the Knicks' sharpshooter there could be a Plan B to pursue in 2015.

According to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News, Love, who will be a free agent after next season, has told the Timberwolves that if he is not traded this coming year he will leave Minnesota, effectively departing without the Timberwolves receiving anything in return.

"Kevin Love’s people reiterated to the Timberwolves this past week that they had better trade him or else he’ll leave via free agency when his contract is up after next season," Lawrence reports. "With Love looking to exit, there’s your No. 1 reason the T-wolves have not been able to find a head coach to take over for Rick Adelman. Love wants to play for the Lakers but he’s also open to coming to the Knicks."

The Lakers and Knicks both have been thought of as the main potential landing spots for Love, but if the Bulls use the Amnesty provision on Carlos Boozer this offseason and hold tight on signing a max player this summer, it could open up even more options in 2015. Along with Love, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo is set to become a free agent this summer.

The Timberwolves and Bulls were once though to be potential trade partners with each other in a deal involving Love (and Luol Deng), but nothing ever came of such rumors. If Love decides to leave via free agency and the Bulls decide they could make a run at him in a year, they may not have to break the bank or put all their baskets in one egg with Anthony (or any other potential free agent) they may want to pursue.

This past season Love was exceptional, averaging 26.1 points, 12.5 rebounds and shooting 46 percent from the field on better than 18 attempts per game. He's bordering on elite, and at only 25 years old his best basketball is in front of him. And though the Bulls will soon have to pay Joakim Noah and are locked into a long-term deal with Taj Gibson, the prospect of acquiring a talent as good as Love would almost certainly attract the Chicago front office.

 

[WLVCA]

David Kahn was a disaster as the Timberwolves GM. Kevin Love's contract is a perfect example. The TWolves gave him a four year deal instead of 5 years.

The Lakers would be the perfect landing spot for Love. Problem for the Lakers is the don't seem to have much in the way of trade bait. Knicks either.

 

[Steve williams]

David Kahn was a disaster as the Timberwolves GM. Kevin Love's contract is a perfect example. The TWolves gave him a four year deal instead of 5 years.

The Lakers would be the perfect landing spot for Love. Problem for the Lakers is the don't seem to have much in the way of trade bait. Knicks either.

Lakers are hoping to move up in the lottery so that they can trade a first round pick for Love

 

[Steve williams]

Yikes

I just read that not only is Phil Jackson considering Kurt Rambis and Tyrone Lue as HC candidates but so also Luke Walton. What is he thinking with Luke as HC.

Some are also suggesting Derek Fisher

 

[WLVCA]

Lakers are hoping to move up in the lottery so that they can trade a first round pick for Love

It will take more than 1 first round pick to get Love. He's a 25 year old All-Star who averaged 26 ppg and over 12 rebounds per game.

Love does have leverage in his favor with only one year to go on his contract.

I'd look for the Celtics to make a play. They have a multitude of 1st round draft picks over the next few years plus a number of players of interest - like Rondo and Sullinger.