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I am watching NBA TV right now. The highlights of game 1 series...

At the very end of the Pelicans versus Trail Blazers; Damian Lillard drove the lane with about 9 seconds left. He was looking for contact but the referees did not reward the contact that he tried to initiate.

I felt like John Wall was getting hacked to death in game 1 in Toronto. I believe the referees had an agenda not to put him on the line. I understand or at least I think I do why John Wall appeared to be very frustrated.

I think the teachable moment is how he continues to make the same mistakes once he gets upset. I do not think he has a teacher in Scott Brooks...

Instead of continuing to launch and try to get the officials to make the call... Pass the ball

Most of you will not read this very well and you will attack me. Either that or you resent me. Or maybe I'm wrong...

My point is I'm not mad at Lillard or John Wall.

I think I see why official sometimes do not award drive to the hoop.

John Wall starts going so fast that he does not allow the contact to be seen at times. If he had a more herky-jerky hesitation move like James Harden he would get to the line a lot more. If Jon were better he would be a superstar just like James Harden is.

The good news is John Wall can be better than James Harden if....

They need to watch the end of the game to see which valves the refs call and don't. There needs to be accountability among coaches and players alike at the ends of games. People who think the stars have to make the plays are really not that smart in my opinion.

Sometime the play is an assist like Michael Jordan passes to Steve f****** Kerr. Sometimes the main thing is to not get upset when you know the refs are screwing you over.

Damian Lillard might have been tired I did not watch that game at all. I just saw where he fell down trying to force contact and made a turn over.

John Wall had a great game but to me it was silly to see him continue to miss layups and continue to try to prove the point by continuing to do the same thing...

But that is what I like about John Wall as well. No quit in him. He keeps coming forward at you...

I just want him to realize he has teammates

Even though the Wizards lost game one I think they can win in five

To your point. Wall and Sato were 6 of 23 or 26% shooting - that isn't going to get it done.

The rest of the team was 35 of 63 or 55%.

Wall took 23% of the shots while playing 16% of the minutes.

I just don't think he (or Brooks or both) learned to trust his teammates in the time he was off... quite the opposite.

dckingsfan wrote:To your point. Wall and Sato were 6 of 23 or 26% shooting - that isn't going to get it done.

The rest of the team was 35 of 63 or 55%.

Wall took 23% of the shots while playing 16% of the minutes.

I just don't think he (or Brooks or both) learned to trust his teammates in the time he was off... quite the opposite.

I hope that isn’t the takeaway from the game. I hope Wall plays exactly how he did in the first half. Be aggressive, force the issue, drive to the paint and create for others. Only jumpers should be threes.

dcstanley wrote:

dckingsfan wrote:To your point. Wall and Sato were 6 of 23 or 26% shooting - that isn't going to get it done.

The rest of the team was 35 of 63 or 55%.

Wall took 23% of the shots while playing 16% of the minutes.

I just don't think he (or Brooks or both) learned to trust his teammates in the time he was off... quite the opposite.

I hope that isn’t the takeaway from the game. I hope Wall plays exactly how he did in the first half. Be aggressive, force the issue, drive to the paint and create for others. Only jumpers should be threes.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".
-Einstein

dckingsfan wrote:

dcstanley wrote:

dckingsfan wrote:To your point. Wall and Sato were 6 of 23 or 26% shooting - that isn't going to get it done.

The rest of the team was 35 of 63 or 55%.

Wall took 23% of the shots while playing 16% of the minutes.

I just don't think he (or Brooks or both) learned to trust his teammates in the time he was off... quite the opposite.

I hope that isn’t the takeaway from the game. I hope Wall plays exactly how he did in the first half. Be aggressive, force the issue, drive to the paint and create for others. Only jumpers should be threes.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".
-Einstein

There's more than one definition of insanity. Another one is "Giving up on what you do best because you were unsuccessful the first time."

I didn't see any of the game but from what I've read on this board it sounds like Wall missed a ton of layups. If that's the case, then I agree with dcstanley that Wall needs to continue to drive into the paint looking for layups as well as his teammates.

DCZards wrote:

dckingsfan wrote:

dcstanley wrote:I hope that isn’t the takeaway from the game. I hope Wall plays exactly how he did in the first half. Be aggressive, force the issue, drive to the paint and create for others. Only jumpers should be threes.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".
-Einstein

There's more than one definition of insanity. Another one is "Giving up on what you do best because you were unsuccessful the first time."

I didn't see any of the game but from what I've read on this board it sounds like Wall missed a ton of layups. If that's the case, then I agree with dcstanley that Wall needs to continue to drive into the paint looking for layups as well as his teammates.

Just my opinion, but I think we are over analyzing Wall in this game. He stimulated everything offensively and was pretty dominant on the defensive end. Clearly the best player on the floor. He didn’t shoot it that well, but he made his 3s and put up a ton of production.

They had to make up a huge margin because of the line ups Brooks used all night long. Couldn’t overcome it.

Game 1 on the road against the top seed in the east, you are never going to win with a coach sabotaging your efforts.

Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:I think I see why official sometimes do not award drive to the hoop.
John Wall starts going so fast that he does not allow the contact to be seen at times. If he had a more herky-jerky hesitation move like James Harden he would get to the line a lot more. If Jon were better he would be a superstar just like James Harden is.

I just want him to realize he has teammates

I actually think its a tallness/size thing. If Wall played 2-3 inches taller, or was 2-3 inches taller, then the refs would call fouls more often. Refs just dont "see" fouls on little people. Wall is 6'3" (he's listed at 6'4"), but he plays like he is 6"...low to the ground. I dont have scientific proof that shorter players get less calls when they drive to the hole, but my "eye test" seems to confirm it. Some math wiz can help confirm/refute it.

Your other point...he's got teammates. Yes, he does. But when you're in beast mode, driving to the basket, you're not usually thinking to dish the ball. Keep in mind that we've criticised Wall for not driving to the hole enough. When you drive to the hole, you're expecting to either make a basket, get a call, and lastly to dish the ball. Also, even if he were thinking to dish it, who is open, and with a good passing angle? If Porter were on the court, he does get open on some of Wall's drives, but he seems to be the only one.

Refs call less fouls in the playoffs everyone knows this. John needs to start attacking the hoop with the mindset of finishing instead of drawing fouls

DCZards wrote:

dckingsfan wrote:

dcstanley wrote:I hope that isn’t the takeaway from the game. I hope Wall plays exactly how he did in the first half. Be aggressive, force the issue, drive to the paint and create for others. Only jumpers should be threes.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".
-Einstein

There's more than one definition of insanity. Another one is "Giving up on what you do best because you were unsuccessful the first time."

I didn't see any of the game but from what I've read on this board it sounds like Wall missed a ton of layups. If that's the case, then I agree with dcstanley that Wall needs to continue to drive into the paint looking for layups as well as his teammates.

Agreed that you should watch a replay of the game - Wall was driving (good) but to often waited to pass (bad) and too often tried to pick up the call vs. finish (bad).

He needs to change something to be come (a) more efficient and (b) not to have the offense be so predictable.

FAH1223 wrote:

Read on Twitter

This is key. We've been clamoring for him to take these shots for years. My fear now is his inability to finish in game 1 will lead to him settling for those garbage long 2s again.

prime1time wrote:Refs call less fouls in the playoffs everyone knows this. John needs to start attacking the hoop with the mindset of finishing instead of drawing fouls

Sorry kind of new to basketball still.
But I thought you always looked to finish when driving, yeah drawing contact and all that but I thought looking for the hoop and going for the strong finish was the most important part of driving?
I dont see the benefit of trying to draw the foul and missing the shot whilst doing so?

DCZards wrote:

dckingsfan wrote:

dcstanley wrote:I hope that isn’t the takeaway from the game. I hope Wall plays exactly how he did in the first half. Be aggressive, force the issue, drive to the paint and create for others. Only jumpers should be threes.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".
-Einstein

There's more than one definition of insanity. Another one is "Giving up on what you do best because you were unsuccessful the first time."

I didn't see any of the game but from what I've read on this board it sounds like Wall missed a ton of layups. If that's the case, then I agree with dcstanley that Wall needs to continue to drive into the paint looking for layups as well as his teammates.

The layup he missed in crunch time appeared to me to be hero or ego shots because he was arguing with the refs and not even looking to pass.

I love the way he played before then.

It's that last three to five minutes seem to always go this way when he's under duress. Nobody eats. ISO hero time

NatP4 wrote:

DCZards wrote:

dckingsfan wrote: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".
-Einstein

There's more than one definition of insanity. Another one is "Giving up on what you do best because you were unsuccessful the first time."

I didn't see any of the game but from what I've read on this board it sounds like Wall missed a ton of layups. If that's the case, then I agree with dcstanley that Wall needs to continue to drive into the paint looking for layups as well as his teammates.

Just my opinion, but I think we are over analyzing Wall in this game. He stimulated everything offensively and was pretty dominant on the defensive end. Clearly the best player on the floor. He didn’t shoot it that well, but he made his 3s and put up a ton of production.

They had to make up a huge margin because of the line ups Brooks used all night long. Couldn’t overcome it.

Game 1 on the road against the top seed in the east, you are never going to win with a coach sabotaging your efforts.

At some point the player has to mature even if the coach is just not a good one

WallToWall wrote:

Chocolate City Jordanaire wrote:I think I see why official sometimes do not award drive to the hoop.
John Wall starts going so fast that he does not allow the contact to be seen at times. If he had a more herky-jerky hesitation move like James Harden he would get to the line a lot more. If Jon were better he would be a superstar just like James Harden is.

I just want him to realize he has teammates

I actually think its a tallness/size thing. If Wall played 2-3 inches taller, or was 2-3 inches taller, then the refs would call fouls more often. Refs just dont "see" fouls on little people. Wall is 6'3" (he's listed at 6'4"), but he plays like he is 6"...low to the ground. I dont have scientific proof that shorter players get less calls when they drive to the hole, but my "eye test" seems to confirm it. Some math wiz can help confirm/refute it.

Your other point...he's got teammates. Yes, he does. But when you're in beast mode, driving to the basket, you're not usually thinking to dish the ball. Keep in mind that we've criticised Wall for not driving to the hole enough. When you drive to the hole, you're expecting to either make a basket, get a call, and lastly to dish the ball. Also, even if he were thinking to dish it, who is open, and with a good passing angle? If Porter were on the court, he does get open on some of Wall's drives, but he seems to be the only one.

He does play low.. he's going fast but he's not elevating like he used to.

I wish he would use more power like Harden does. John might need to slow to sell the contact... Or better still just let the best shot happen organically and not try to force it

dckingsfan wrote:

DCZards wrote:

dckingsfan wrote: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".
-Einstein

There's more than one definition of insanity. Another one is "Giving up on what you do best because you were unsuccessful the first time."

I didn't see any of the game but from what I've read on this board it sounds like Wall missed a ton of layups. If that's the case, then I agree with dcstanley that Wall needs to continue to drive into the paint looking for layups as well as his teammates.

Agreed that you should watch a replay of the game - Wall was driving (good) but to often waited to pass (bad) and too often tried to pick up the call vs. finish (bad).

He needs to change something to be come (a) more efficient and (b) not to have the offense be so predictable.

100% agree

--BECOME MORE EFFICIENT
--DO NOT HAVE THE OFFENSE BE SO PREDICTABLE

(Between leonsis and grunfeld and Brooks... It is what it is. Sergeant guys go to the All-Star Game and they get that publicity and the ego to go with it... Wall/Beal are HUMAN, YOUNG, NOT PARTICULARLY WELL LED/COACHED/MANAGED per se... Not as good as they think they are IMO. Worse, they starve Otto Porter and shun guys like Satoransky and Gortat. They like Kelly Oubre even when he's jacking shots, not closing out, making distracted passes.etc. Likewise, Markieff can do no wrong...he is much loved be coach and big 2. I have been watching these guys. They make all the money and want nobody to criticize them. I say f*** that. Y'all lose because y'all are divided on many fronts and you got bad ju just on some levels,).

Kelly Oubre--I am not mad at him. He's only about 22. He's in a slump. He's being aggressive but sometimes needs to just slow down and breathe and relax... Hard to do!

Markieff Morris--love his effort. Not mad at him at all. Sometimes I think Porter would be a better option...

Jason Smith--if he played for Dwayne Casey he would be contributing. That guy knows how to get the most out of 10 or 11 players.

Ty Lawson and Devin Robinson could have helped the Wizards yesterday.

Those two points about Wall I just had to add some extra things because I went on a rant..

DCRYsing89 wrote:

prime1time wrote:Refs call less fouls in the playoffs everyone knows this. John needs to start attacking the hoop with the mindset of finishing instead of drawing fouls

Sorry kind of new to basketball still.
But I thought you always looked to finish when driving, yeah drawing contact and all that but I thought looking for the hoop and going for the strong finish was the most important part of driving?
I dont see the benefit of trying to draw the foul and missing the shot whilst doing so?

I am old to watching basketball even though I never played at a high level.

The NBA at playoff time often comes down to who is the Superstar. Superstars tend to be able to force the officials to reward them with free throws. They get quote-unquote respect... Which means that when a player like John Wall drive to the basket he has in the eyes of the officials earned the right to be rewarded with free throws if anybody breathes on him.... As long as he is in DC.

Selling the call often wins the game.

Kyle Lowry did what Toronto needed their star to do. He got the officials' attentions. They were sympathetic and reactive. Serge Ibaka also screamed then got a call. Two free throws... However, Markieff Morris was fouled so hard and so loud that the officials could hear it and we the viewers could see it especially if you have a high definition TV.

Yet, Morris ended up on the ground complaining while the Raptors drove it up court --no foul called by the referees.

Sometimes the intention to drive is just to try to get to the free-throw line. Gamesmanship. Guys like Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James,... James Harden are all masters of manipulation at times. . They have out of this world talent and also a knack for getting to the free-throw line.

John Wall does not have what they have or he would get more free throws in crunch time. He gets just as many free throws most of the time... Except in the crunch. During the last five minutes he often gets out of control... I think mentally more than physically... And his approach is generally to rush, put his head down low, and drive 3 million miles an hour towards the basket.... He often launches into a guy hoping to get a call. Particularly when he knows the Wizards have been screwed by the officials on a previous play...

I'm not mad at John Wall. He is trying to do the right thing! Dude does not have an ounce of quit in him....

What I am suggesting is that he slows his role a bit to try to make sure that he is in control even when they are not on his side... I am suggesting that he work on forcing the contact even better at the ends of games. Better still that he learns to think like a chess player and to make a pass at the last second and that his players know that he is going to find them if they get open even in crunch time.

The reason the Wizards are losing so often is Scott Brooks and those guys seem to be totally inept when it comes to crunch time. The either watch Bradley Beal try to take it, what John Wall tries to take it, but they never seem like a unit or team. They go from Everybody Eats to hoping that one guy might get a bite.

So to answer your original question sometimes they're just trying to get a call and not really expecting to score when they drive to the basket. I really think the road to winning in the NBA often involves beating the officials (and whatever Tendencies they are showing that particular game) just as much as beating the other team.

(It is possible to scout every single official and there are statistics that are kept but they are never really held accountable for the mistakes they make in my opinion. Rather the opposite. Often the league talks to the officials on points of emphasis-- these discussions IMO make officials use discretion. Refs are preconditioned on what calls to make and not make in a given situation rather than just be impartial).

I have officiated Pop Warner football in life officiated little youth basketball... My buddy who died 10 years ago was a white hat. A head referee... Even up to college and high school games. We used to have officials clinics and we would discuss things... I can only imagine what they do at the Collegiate level and in the NBA...

When I see officials like Tony brothers and others make calls or not make calls there's a lot of play in my opinion.

They definitely had an agenda against the Wizards in game 1. I would not be at all surprised if it was Criminal. I doubt that... But nothing shocks me this point my life. Could just be the league office wanted to Rosen Inn Lowry and the Raptors to be rewarded for their brilliant regular season... The media had painted Gortat the villain in the arguing with John Wall... So Yesterday Marcin Gortat has three fouls and he ain't done s*** on any of them...

Flatout cheating

It is what it is... The NBA has somewhat like WWE drama.

The flagrant foul decided the game