Comments on: NBA Playoffs: Dirk dominates, but this series is just getting started

By: philiplewis1

philiplewis1 — Wed, 18 May 2011 15:04:04 +0000

I’m all for the game being called per the rules. A foul is a foul no matter what part of the season you are in. The NBA champ should be the one with the best basketball skills, not the one with the best muggers, hackers, slappers, shovers, etc. Until the rules are changed, call the game per the rule. And don’t give preferential treatment to superstars. Of all people, they don’t need the help. Refereeing 101 says “Be objective and call the game according to the rule book”. When you do that, players adjust. If game 2 is called the same way, players will stop doing the acts that are getting them in foul trouble. Then you’ve got a game of skill instead of the pushing, mugging variety that tends to exist in the Eastern Conference. If the game is 150-145, so what. 40 years ago, we used to see games like that all the time and they were great to watch.

By: delius1967

delius1967 — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:16:24 +0000

This game was called way too tightly — ticky-tack fouls on both sides. When 79 free throws are taken, something has to be wrong. It almost makes you think the refs had bet the over.

I actually thought Dallas played great defense in the first half. Chandler mostly disappeared in the third quarter after being a force early on. He needs to sustain his energy for the entire game.

What was lost in the shadow of Dirk’s amazing performance was how BAD the rest of the Dallas starters were. 8-19 from the field, only 2-3 from the line — how do four starters only take three free throws ?!? — and they were careless with the ball. Jason Kidd ended up with just three points. I hope they got that rust shaken off and are back in form on Thursday.

By: florida727

florida727 — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:14:03 +0000

Does anyone in the west play defense? Winner of the east = NBA Champion, at least this year.

By: rickmirer

rickmirer — Wed, 18 May 2011 07:12:08 +0000

Barea is oddly amazing. Great option coming off the bench. I hope the next game has way less free throws.

By: dwighthowardisamazing

dwighthowardisamazing — Wed, 18 May 2011 05:59:50 +0000

also: BARREA WAS A BEAST

By: rickmirer

rickmirer — Wed, 18 May 2011 05:59:04 +0000

Redonkulous? Really? That’s the word you choose? Actually, that was redonkulous! Great choice of words! Dirk is a beast, sweep the Chunder!

Sincerely,

Bitter Sonics Fan

By: dwighthowardisamazing

dwighthowardisamazing — Wed, 18 May 2011 05:58:05 +0000

from the moment dirk stepped on the court, it was obvious how much he wanted the win. this will be a fantastic series, with both teams being amazing, but it may come down to who wants it more, and at this point, it’s looking like dallas.

By: passerby23

passerby23 — Wed, 18 May 2011 05:46:15 +0000

This is the big mistake writers make in microanalyzing stats. Is Dirk going to go 24-24 from the line and drop 48 pts again? I doubt it. But, who cares? The dynamic of each game is different. Dirk may not have to score 48 again, but will Peja go 1-8 again? Will Serge Ibaka go for 17 pts again? Strategies change. Different players will step up. You can say Russell Westbrook won’t go 3-15 again, but maybe Durant won’t go for 40 again.

The same arguments were made about the last series with the Lakers, i.e. the Lakers won’t execute that poorly down the stretch again, they’ll make Dirk defend more in the post, Dallas can’t keep shooting that well, etc. And they were swept.

Look, it’s going to be a competitive series, but all the individual stats don’t mean all that much in the end.