Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Flagrant Foul Pls

Go read this article over on Deadspin and then come back. Done? Hookay. There seems to be strategic trend in the direction of full-tackle basketball. The hack-a-center/forward is a statistical safe bet. Foul the big guy on the easy layup or dunk and watch em brick the FTs. Defenders famously make an artform of fouling Shaq, exploiting his ~50% from the line (and of course, hack-a-Haywood is about as sure a bet as any). However, maybe my memory lasts only a season but the fouls seem to be getting harder and harder. A hard foul is one thing, but seriously, its getting ridiculous. Last night, at the -avs game, Julie and I watched Ryan Hollins take Tyson Chandler to the ground in full on headlock. Not an "oops I was going for the arm but got wrapped up" headlock, but more of a "you're going down/prison yard brawl" kind of headlock.

I don't want to sound like I don't think that basketball is a physical game. And I certainly don't want to advocate for NFLesque penalties to safeguard players. But the Flagrant Foul 1 and 2 already exist in the rules. Unnecessary (flagarant 1) and unnecessary and excessive (2) certainly cover many of the Griffin fouls on the Deadspin video, as well as the Chandler/Hollins headlock. I am all for trying to play the odds on a poor free throw shooter, or trying to prevent the momentum gain from a monster dunk or fast break layup, but if you can't stop it with a "reasonable" foul, then you might need to hit the weight room to beef up. Either that or don't get burned on the fast break. Resorting to flagrant fouls is like throwing a temper tantrum under the basket. The last thing we need is for players to get seriously hurt because some flat footed defender couldn't pick up the screen and resorted to a flying tackle to prevent two points. What do ya'll think, let 'em play or start giving out the fouls?

Here he is!!!!


TYSON.




Monday, February 7, 2011

My play by play - mavs won. Youre welcome.

NBA.com Power Rankings



I have long theorized that there is some kind of skewed perspective going into the decision making of what NBA.com's weekly Power Rankings should be. This week proved that I was giving them a bit too much credit.

After this week's choices of:

1. Spurs (42-8)
2. Celtics (38-12)
3. Heat (37-14)
4. Bulls (34-15)
5. Lakers (35-16)

... it is now painfully obvious that the staff of NBA.com literally have no clue what is going on at any given moment in professional basketball.

I have now come to the conclusion that every Monday morning, NBA.com's Online Media Coordinator (AKA Suzie the Secretary), takes out her handy dandy NBA.com Power Rankings Decision Wheel and goes to town.





What do YOU think, Alaska?

UPDATE - ACTUAL NEWS



JUST ANNOUNCED - Peja Stojakovic will make his debut as a Dallas Maverick TONIGHT!



Could Roddy B. be next?


With that pesky superbowl out of the way, we can focus on what really matters.





The battle of the -avs. That's right. Tonight, in a much anticipated showdown, the Dallas Mavericks (35-15) host the Cleveland Cavaliers (8-43).

Dallas is currently working through the toughest schedule in the NBA (#1 SOS), and there is no break in sight. Little could distract from the epic battle that will take place tonight, but Mark Cuban has something up his poorly fitted, sweat stained, heathered Cuban gear Maverick's tee sleeve.

TYSON CHANDLER BOBBLEHEAD NIGHT!




Check it out here.

I will of course be giving a play by play update on this blog, on the subject line only. Like a G6.



For the gentlemen

It is Monday and as none of you know today is...

~ ~ ~ HOT ASS GIRLS MONDAY ~ ~ ~
(insert fireworks and explosions)


The above is my personal favorite.





Here at Below the rim, yo we like to keep it classy so no boobies for you.