FT disparity is Jazz's fault, not refs'
If I can read lips, the Jazz's Deron Williams approached referee Joe Crawford near the end of Game 1 on Sunday and told him, "Good job."
Crawford's response: "Thank you."
I thought it was an interesting exchange, considering the Lakers shot 46 free throws during their 109-98 win and Utah cannot possibly win this series if that happens many more times.
I also thought Williams was right.
Yes, starters Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko fouled out. Yes, Kobe Bryant got treatment that Tracy McGrady can only dream about and attempted a staggering 23 free throws -- only one more than bruising Karl Malone ever shot in one of his 172 playoff games.
But who's to blame?
The Jazz were not aggressive in the first half, despite the fact they did good things when they got the ball inside. As a result, they shot six free throws in the first 23 minutes and 24 free throws in the final 25 minutes.
If the Jazz had been as aggressive throughout the game as they were in the second half, when they outplayed the Lakers, they might have taken 46 free throws, too.
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Jerry Sloan probably won't say anything about it, but I'd wager that there will be at least some discussion among the coaching staff over the next few days whether the Jazz need to reconsider who plays behind Deron Williams.
Young Ronnie Price, who played well during the regular season, struggled in the first round against Houston and his problems continued in Game 1.
At the start of the second quarter, Price quarterbacked the Jazz during a four-possession stretch that ended in three turnovers and a missed jump shot. The Lakers seized the momentum, mostly because backup point guard Sasha Vujacic shook loose and scored nine quick points.
Price improved noticeably this season and showed he belongs in the NBA.
At the same time, I'm wondering if Sloan won't consider using veteran Jason Hart for the three or four minutes a game that Williams is resting.
The other possibility, of course, is to let Ronnie Brewer or Andrei Kirilenko handle the ball while Williams is on the bench.
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Talk about star treatment.
Well-known Utah fan Dr. Richard Anderson was kicked out of Game 3 in the first-round series against Houston, apparently for something he said to veteran referee Bob Delaney from his seat under the basket near the Jazz bench.
But what about Jack Nicholson?
At the end of the third quarter of Game 1 at Staples Center, Lamar Odom thought he was fouled on a layup attempt, but there was no call.
Nicholson obviously agreed, because TV cameras caught him on the court, screaming and gesturing at the referees as ABC went to a commercial break.
I guess if you are Dr. Richard Anderson in Utah, Delaney ejects you because of something you said from your front-row seat.
I'm also guessing that any NBA referee with the gall to eject Nicholson for strolling onto the court and screaming at them during a Laker game would get a call from the league office and told they are not to be so sensitive when it comes to criticism from VIP customers.
-- Steve Luhm
Crawford's response: "Thank you."
I thought it was an interesting exchange, considering the Lakers shot 46 free throws during their 109-98 win and Utah cannot possibly win this series if that happens many more times.
I also thought Williams was right.
Yes, starters Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko fouled out. Yes, Kobe Bryant got treatment that Tracy McGrady can only dream about and attempted a staggering 23 free throws -- only one more than bruising Karl Malone ever shot in one of his 172 playoff games.
But who's to blame?
The Jazz were not aggressive in the first half, despite the fact they did good things when they got the ball inside. As a result, they shot six free throws in the first 23 minutes and 24 free throws in the final 25 minutes.
If the Jazz had been as aggressive throughout the game as they were in the second half, when they outplayed the Lakers, they might have taken 46 free throws, too.
---
Jerry Sloan probably won't say anything about it, but I'd wager that there will be at least some discussion among the coaching staff over the next few days whether the Jazz need to reconsider who plays behind Deron Williams.
Young Ronnie Price, who played well during the regular season, struggled in the first round against Houston and his problems continued in Game 1.
At the start of the second quarter, Price quarterbacked the Jazz during a four-possession stretch that ended in three turnovers and a missed jump shot. The Lakers seized the momentum, mostly because backup point guard Sasha Vujacic shook loose and scored nine quick points.
Price improved noticeably this season and showed he belongs in the NBA.
At the same time, I'm wondering if Sloan won't consider using veteran Jason Hart for the three or four minutes a game that Williams is resting.
The other possibility, of course, is to let Ronnie Brewer or Andrei Kirilenko handle the ball while Williams is on the bench.
---
Talk about star treatment.
Well-known Utah fan Dr. Richard Anderson was kicked out of Game 3 in the first-round series against Houston, apparently for something he said to veteran referee Bob Delaney from his seat under the basket near the Jazz bench.
But what about Jack Nicholson?
At the end of the third quarter of Game 1 at Staples Center, Lamar Odom thought he was fouled on a layup attempt, but there was no call.
Nicholson obviously agreed, because TV cameras caught him on the court, screaming and gesturing at the referees as ABC went to a commercial break.
I guess if you are Dr. Richard Anderson in Utah, Delaney ejects you because of something you said from your front-row seat.
I'm also guessing that any NBA referee with the gall to eject Nicholson for strolling onto the court and screaming at them during a Laker game would get a call from the league office and told they are not to be so sensitive when it comes to criticism from VIP customers.
-- Steve Luhm
5:49 PM
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6 Comments:
The doctor was removed from his seat (though permitted to return for the second half) because he used profanity at the referee. Jack apparently kept his language clean, and hence was allowed to stay.
Pudge
el_aguacil I would look at Jack's lips again.
Apparently both Steve and Ross are Lakers homers. Or they both want to go on vacation early. Kobe does not "deserve" calls any more than any other player. It disgusts me to see the refs so influence a game. Every time Kobe blinked they called a foul on the Jazz.
Yes, we know refs can and do influence games intentionally. Just look at what Tim Donaghy was able to get away with for so long.
The NBA wants LA in the finals, so they will do everything they can to get them there. DWill was simply playing politics with his comment to the ref.
You can't seriously be thinking that Hart should be playing over Price. Is that really what you're saying?
Jason Hart isn't an NBA player. 5, 10, 100 years experience isn't going to change that.
Price struggled against Houston? In the four close games, he had 18 pts in 19 minutes on 5-11 shooting, with 2 assists, 2 rebounds, one steal, one block and only 2 turnovers. You think Hart would do better? You would prefer 18 airballs in 19 minutes?
Luhm,
Hart over Price. Are you taking your medication? If Sloan pulled a move like that at this point of the season after 1 poor performance, LHM would need to fire him on the spot. I mean using that logic I guess Hart should start over Dwill and Collins should start over Boozer since both played so poorly.
Or maybe we should just have Siler write every article and blog post from here on out? Now there's an idea.
Price wasn't the problem when the Lakers went on those runs yesterday--Harp was. He was awful yesterday, yet Sloan yanked Price.
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