NBA Pet Peeves

[Cyclical]

It's a lazy Saturday at home and I'm feeling happy with the Celtics after last night's lock-down D performance. So without further ado let me waste some time listing my current NBA Pet Peeves. Please excuse the curmudgeon tone - I'm really not as serious as I sound...


* Ray-jon. It's his 4th year in the league for god's sake. Really, how hard is it to say Rajon? As in Rah-jon. If you can say Raja Bell you should be able to say Rajon Rondo, yet for some reason 90% of Sports TV land isn't able to.

* Mark Stein rankings. It's true I can't stand most of the writers on ESPN and I think Hollinger's ranking is silly as well but at least it's not a fickle opinion-based ranking but rather a geeky pure stat ranking. Stein just comes off as a schizophrenic who seems to have a different opinion every week. What is the point? Are the Celtics really the best team one week, than the 4th best the following week? Useless.

* Two TD Banknorth Garden cheers.
1) "Ev-ry Bo-dy Clap Your Hands." Sure, other arenas have used this moronic cheer over the last handful of years but we’re the Boston Celtics. Must you make me feel like I'm in a 5-year-old's birthday party? It may be appropriate to get an Oklahoma crowd to pay attention but we don't need it in Boston.
2) This one's much more subtle: The organ instrumental of "Here We Go Celtics, Here We Go" plays 3 notes rather than 2 on the word "Celtics". Two syllables should equal 2 notes. It's not Ce-Ehl-Tics. Yes, I know I'm sounding crazy...

* +/- ratings. On their own, useless, since they don't consider who you're on the floor with. Since when do player combinations not count? Please stop stating them out of context.

* Stating combined player stats. As in "Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince have missed a combined 40 games this season..." No, they've missed 20 games each. 40 games haven't been even played yet.

* While we're on ESPN... Highlights. Win or lose the star studded team gets 90% of the highlights, since I'm assuming, ESPN believes fans of the other team don't exist and general NBA fans are not interested in seeing highlights of good basketball plays. Hey look, it's another Kobe jumper. Thank you ESPN.

* LeBron. Talent aside, he gets less likeable with every season. Suggesting retiring #23 only to wear Russell's #6; River dancing while blowing out a team. Promising to be in the dunking contest then saying he may not do it. Getting away with way too many star calls and complaining when not. Generally comes across as arrogant. Sorry. Talented? Of course, but me no likey.

* HubiEnglish. My 2 least favorite basketball phrases have now been fully implemented into the broadcasting vernacular. Credit Hubie Brown. 1) “Scoring the ball.” How about simply "scoring"? We already know there’s a ball involved - thank you for clarifying.
2) Defencing. As in "I love the way they're defencing him", or "that was defenced perfectly." How about defending and Defended? That verb has worked for ages - is there really a need to change it now?

* The media overrating the Lakers and sucking on Kobe's balls. No need to go into heavy descriptions here but "the best lineup of any team in recent memory, maybe in history" is a phrase I've been hearing way too many times. Ridiculous. Let some games be played before crowning anybody. Please.

* Rasheed whining. I've felt the same about him for 10+ years so I'm not going to now be a hypocrite and ignore it just because he's on my team this year. Played great last night though...

* Amicur Insurance? C'mon Mike. Take out the 'R'. Make Amica happy. Tree? I've heard you say a proper "th" just 2 seconds ago. It's "Three". OK, sorry. I love you man.

* Back to ESPN, Stuart Scott. Ugh. Must you scream all the time? Do you realize you are not announcing a boxing match? Do you really talk this way? Can you say anything in a normal conversational tone?

* Traveling no calls. Please, stop calling it the Euro two-step. There is much more traveling going on in the NBA than in Europe -- just watch the games. 3 steps without a dribble has to be outlawed for good.

* In televised games. the Director cutting to a close-up of the guy who just scored, or a bench reaction, while missing the fast break and a made basket that are happening on the other end of the floor. C'mon TV people, you're better than that.

* NYC - "Mecca of basketball." Not. I love NYC and used to live there but this ain't the 50's. No more great players come out of NYC then they do from other cities. Stop this "Mecca" BS.

* Christmas snowflake Jersey patches. I may be the only one here but they look eerily similar to a star of David... Just missing a "Yuden" sawn into them to complete the 1940's picture. I'm probably the only one...

* Starting All-Star voting 15 games into the season.


That's it for now. Add yours?

I'm getting sleepy again, and really. not that mad at any of the peeves I just listed. Belated Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, and championship wishes for 2010.

[Captain_Caveman]

Good stuff. Legitimate LOL @ "we already know there's a ball involved."

Here's mine:

* The lack of respect for defense and defensive players. Just seems to be this prevailing opinion that bad defense > bad offense, when in reality, the opposite is true much of the time. That's why the defensive teams are playing in June and the more entertaining ones are already home. No one should have to explain to you why Dwight Howard is a defensive monster or why the Celtics are a great defensive team.

* Stats-obsessed people. Whether it is the hyperstatistical crowd preaching these Hollinger stats about defensive win shares and efficiency ratings, or just tools who think Monta Ellis should make the All-Star team just because he averages 25 PPG in a season-long losing streak, I have no use for it. It is fantasy sports culture run amok. There are not enough common variables to make a comparisons of stats useful much of the time.

* Play-by-play guys who try to do color. This one drives me nuts. Call the game and shut up. Commentary is what the ex-player or ex-coach is sitting next to you for. You are a 5'8" guy who probably never touched a ball in your life that wasn't attached to you.

* Fans who have "boo's" or "binky's". Come on, people. We all have our favorite players, but what is with grown men rooting for players over teams or defending other grown men that they have never even met to the death? Embarrassing.

* The lack of respect for greatness. People don't have to like Kobe or LeBron, but they should give them their due. No one is asking you to let them date your sister or to have them as your roommate. They are great players whose games deserve respect. Same for successful or championship teams. If it doesn't mean anything when they win, it doesn't mean anything when your team does and it doesn't mean anything when your team beats theirs.

* Refhating. Blaming the refs is for losers. Blown calls rarely, rarely decide games, and in my experience, they have never decided a playoff series. When you are using Donaghy as a crutch, or acting like Wade or Kobe only get to the line because of the refs rather than their opponents' inability to defend them, what you are really saying is that your team is inferior.

* The mythology of past eras and players. Yeah, respect greatness, just like I said above. But drives me nuts when people act like there's no argument over Jordan being the GOAT, even though guys like Kobe actually had to beat real teams in the playoffs. Ditto for the golden era of 80s basketball being the pinnacle of solid fundamentals and team play. Whatever... if I want fundamentals, I'll watch the WNBA. Check out ESPN Classic or YouTube some highlights sometime and just watch with an honest eye. You'll see a preponderance of slow white guys with no muscle tone or athleticism playing no defense at all. Even the Jordan Era looks so much slower and less explosive than today's league. This is not to say that there weren't great players or teams in past eras, just that today's league is doing just fine.

JMO.

[GWVan]

Good stuff. Legitimate LOL @ "we already know there's a ball involved."

* The mythology of past eras and players. Yeah, respect greatness, just like I said above. But drives me nuts when people act like there's no argument over Jordan being the GOAT, even though guys like Kobe actually had to beat real teams in the playoffs. Ditto for the golden era of 80s basketball being the pinnacle of solid fundamentals and team play. Whatever... if I want fundamentals, I'll watch the WNBA. Check out ESPN Classic or YouTube some highlights sometime and just watch with an honest eye. You'll see a preponderance of slow white guys with no muscle tone or athleticism playing no defense at all. Even the Jordan Era looks so much slower and less explosive than today's league. This is not to say that there weren't great players or teams in past eras, just that today's league is doing just fine.

JMO.

the EXACT opposite of that

lol

not so much Kobe, but can LBron do SOMETHING before we anoint him?

and the GOAT is still Russell

[SichtingLives]

yes, yes, yes. Great thread, I love reading rants. I lol'ed at the "everybody clap your hands" thought, and this

* In televised games. the Director cutting to a close-up of the guy who just scored, or a bench reaction, while missing the fast break and a made basket that are happening on the other end of the floor. C'mon TV people, you're better than that.

^^^this has been pissing me off to no end for years, glad I'm not the only one.

Here's a few more:

- the make-up call - I've long felt that a make-up call is not actually a make up but rather just a sequence of two bad calls. So you blew a call/non-call? Fine. Just don't try to make up for it by intentionally blowing another one. NBA officials would automatically improve by simply eliminating this habit.

- ball-hogging, quick chucking, run and gun crapsketball - I've been spoiled from watching the Celtics for the last three years, playing unselfish basketball with good ball movement and nobody on an agenda that they have to get their 20-25 shots or else they'll throw a tantrum. Too many teams have very little structure to their offense, with 1 or 2 guys who honestly think they are MJ reincarnated yet are nowhere close, resulting in the tossing up of ill-advised shots and refusing to incorporate any of their teammates unless they get quadruple teamed in a corner. Frankly, that's their team and fans problem, but I can't stand watching that kind of garbage and have little patience for anyone trying to justify it.

- General marketing of the NBA - I'm not going to type 15 pages on this, although I could. I'll just say that I think it is all wrong and Mr. Sterny is doing a huge disservice to basketball fans worldwide with the direction he has pushed this league.

A few message board related themes:

- Overbearing homerism or irrational, never-ending negativity - the two extremes we encounter on message boards (and occasionally in person, although most people aren't nearly as bold face-to-face). People who say "see, this is why this team cannot compete for a championship" in ****ing November. No, it's not. Your just on your period is all that's going on. Or blaming the refs/making a thousand and one excuses every time your team loses a game. It's not necessary, even the best teams are supposed to lose from time to time. We get it: You love your team/hate the world. Really, we get it. No, really, we get it. Did I mention we get it?? Inject a little bit of reason and objectivity into your opinions. Very little in this world is sink or swim, black or white, and things are often more complex than simply incredible/terrible.

- the "knee-jerks" - People who base their entire opinion of a team or player on the last game played or observed. These folks can be identified by their sally drama queen, over the top statements about this player is the greatest or that player friggin blows alpacas or "OH MY GOD WE NEED TO SHAKE UP THIS ROSTER ARRRGHH!!!!" People have good games and bad, so do teams. Stop posting (Please Use More Appropriate Word) threads just because you finally decided to actually watch your first game of the year.

[Scalamental]

and1 on the forum knee jerkers, ridiculous.

[Captain_Caveman]

the EXACT opposite of that

lol

not so much Kobe, but can LBron do SOMETHING before we anoint him?

and the GOAT is still Russell

Another pet peeve is straw men and conflated arguments. No one is calling LeBron the GOAT. That's an accomplishment based on accomplishments as well as ability.

But if you limit it to ability, he is an elite of elites. As good as anyone has ever been already.

[bdawg]

I can't believe you WAISTED all your time to bitc something like that...... chill out !!!

[Cyclical]

I can't believe you WAISTED all your time to bitc something like that...... chill out !!!

Trust me, I'm as chill as humanly possible. Saturdays are sometimes made for writing -- more of a comedic rant than an angry one. "Waist" Spelling error corrected, but I'm still not sure what bitcing is. I'll try it if it's good.

[3pt %]

I can't believe you WAISTED all your time to bitc something like that...... chill out !!!

Mate, that was just a funny, funny list. I suspect the rest of the board has taken it in the proper context from reading Cyclical's posts for a while.

[Percules]

I hated the Santa Clause bit during the game Bos-Orl. Some random clown in a costume was giving a stupid interview and I couldn't see what was happening on the court, because the screen was split between the game and him.

[joneb]

Excellent topic.

I agree with most of the OP's issues.
Here's a few of mine:

-The Amica shot clock!*#%! drives me crazy. It's bad enough that the buildings the games are played in now are almost all named after corporate entities, but the broadcasts are now inundated with these little 'commercials'. It's not the Amica shot clock, it's the shot clock. The starting lineups, the sideline reports, and statistical updates now have 'sponsors'. Stop acting like whores and play basketball!

-Agree with the traveling issue. Some of the moves that are allowed these days are ridiculous. The move down the slippery slope started with allowing the 'hop step', but now that's become standard, even though it's technically traveling.

-Loud music and general distractions at the games. I no longer enjoy attending games because there's too much focus on the jumbotron and marketing, and not enough on the game.

-The NBA's focus on individual stars as opposed to teams is very detrimental to the game. Basketball is a team sport that requires cohesion among various individuals. The superstars receive preferential treatment from the refs, which can affect the outcomes of games. To me, basketball is most fun to watch when all five players on the floor are in perfect synch. When the ball is shared freely, it's a thing of beauty to watch. Watching a so-called superstar break down his man 1 on 1.....not so much.

-Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy. Nuff said!

-The all-star game has become a joke. Years ago these games were competitive and fun to watch. Now it's just a dog and pony show, where fans blindly vote for the names they recognize, regardless of what type of year the player is having. The dunk contest has degenerated into a circus. Superman capes and cupcakes don't belong in the competition. All you need is the ball and the hoop.

Just a few thoughts off the top of my head. Thanks for the opportunity to vent!

[GWVan]

the EXACT opposite of that

lol

not so much Kobe, but can LBron do SOMETHING before we anoint him?

and the GOAT is still Russell

Another pet peeve is straw men and conflated arguments. No one is calling LeBron the GOAT. That's an accomplishment based on accomplishments as well as ability.

But if you limit it to ability, he is an elite of elites. As good as anyone has ever been already.

crap, I'm just an old farm boy, had to google both straw men and conflated to try to comprehend

I'm trying to say that I can't stand the cursory evaluation of history and assumption that the current era is better, todays stars are so much better than those clumsy looking old guys? Rule changes have continually evolved to make players LOOK more spectacular, don't be deceived into assuming they actually are. Conditioning is better so on the whole so todays players are better physical specimens than past years (before even considering steroids) but that does not grant them the heart of a champion, the ability to pull their teammates to the finish line? You have to combine that physicality with the heart and mind of a champion - then you have something special.

I'm just not much for worshiping at the alter of potential, ability means nothing if until you realize that potential, and that takes more than getting a tattoo of "chosen 1" on your back.

Jordon was magnificent, Kobe is impressive, LBron might yet do something, but until someone shows the ability to win at all levels throughout a career, Bill Russell remains the greatest basketball player of all time.

[exculpatory]

Cyclical and everyone else:

GREAT STUFF for a Sunday morning read. Very cute/witty and I agree with alot of it. I would add my own list right now, except I must start writing this huge paper again for the next 18 hours today. My deadline is 1/6/2010 and I still have much much much to do. I WILL watch the Celtics on mute however.

I am PROUDLY guilty of one of someone's peeves (I think Cave), and happily stand by it.

I am certainly a grown man, I have 2 early 20s daughters, I am a professor of medicine (in the midst of a project which is literally eating me alive and costing me an average of 16 hours of my life a day), and yet I have a "binky". Guess who? LOLOL. However, in defense (BTW, DEFENSE IS SPELLED THIS WAY, CYCLICAL MY FRIEND, LOL) of my "binkyness": 1) I am a Celtic fanatic first and foremost, and have been since my childhood well before Paul was lust in his dad's eye; and 2) I would NOT be as much of a Truth binky, if he were properly lauded/praised when he is outstanding (which is most of the time) and not immediately "**** on" by some people (even Celtics fans) when he plays "off" for a game or few, i.e. my obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) takes over and I feel the need to protect him. For better or worse, this will continue. :0).

If we can whip the Clips and Warriors tonight and tomorrow (which we will do easily if we play D like we did against the Tragic), and possibly take down the Suns Wed (a very tough game with or without Paul), Paul can ease back into the flow against the Raps next Sat at home, and be ready to really bring it when we play Atlanta twice and Miami during the 4 games which follow.

BTW, SPEAKING TO ANOTHER OF THE PET PEEVES LISTED, I AM SURE THAT YOU GUYS HAVE NOTICED THAT, AS USUAL, OUR IRRATIONALLY NEGATIVE "GLOOM AND DOOMERS" (LED BY YOU KNOW WHO) WERE NO WHERE TO BE FOUND ON THIS BOARD WHEN WE KICKED THE ASS OF THE TRAGIC. SO TYPICAL AND SO SAD (FOR THEM), BUT FRIGGING WONDERFUL FOR MOST OF THE REST OF US - THE "POSITIVE REALISTS".

EVERYONE PLEASE HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL REST OF HOLIDAYS. God bless all of you (even cracker head).

Ex

[canman1971]

Cyclical and everyone else:

GREAT STUFF for a Sunday morning read. Very cute/witty and I agree with alot of it. I would add my own list right now, except I must start writing this huge paper again for the next 18 hours today. My deadline is 1/6/2010 and I still have much much much to do. I WILL watch the Celtics on mute however.

I am PROUDLY guily of one of someone's peeves (I think Cave), and happily stand by it.

I am certainly a grown man, I have 2 early 20s daughters, I am a professor of medicine (in the midst of a project which is literally eating me alive and costing me an average of 16 hours of my life a day), and yet I have a "binky". Guess who? LOLOL. However, in defense (BTW, DEFENSE IS SPELLED THIS WAY, CYCLICAL MY FRIEND, LOL) of my "binkyness": 1) I am a Celtic fanatic first and foremost, and have been since my childhood well before Paul was lust in his dad's eye; and 2) I would NOT be as much of a Truth binky, if he were properly lauded/praised when he is outstanding (which is most of the time) and not immediately "**** on" by some people (even Celtics fans) when he plays "off" for a game or few, i.e. my obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) takes over and I feel the need to protect him. For better or worse, this will continue. :0).

If we can whip the Clips and Warriors tonight and tomorrow (which we will do easily if we play D like we did against the Tragic), and possibly take down the Suns Wed (a very tough game with or without Paul), Paul can ease back into the flow against the Raps next Sat at home, and be ready to really bring it when we play Atlanta twice and Miami during the 4 games which follow.

BTW, SPEAKING TO ANOTHER OF THE PET PEEVES LISTED, I AM SURE THAT YOU GUYS HAVE NOTICED THAT, AS USUAL, OUR IRRATIONALLY NEGATIVE "GLOOM AND DOOMERS" (LED BY YOU KNOW WHO) WERE NO WHERE TO BE FOUND ON THIS BOARD WHEN WE KICKED THE ASS OF THE TRAGIC. SO TYPICAL AND SO SAD (FOR THEM), BUT FRIGGING WONDERFUL FOR MOST OF THE REST OF US - THE "POSITIVE REALISTS".

EVERYONE PLEASE HAVE A SAFE AND WONDERFUL REST OF HOLIDAYS. God bless all of you (even cracker head).

Ex

Well, your favorite is taking a little vacation.

[Cyclical]

(BTW, DEFENSE IS SPELLED THIS WAY, CYCLICAL MY FRIEND, LOL)

LOL... The British would argue for the 'c' version, no the 's' so it's not completely wrong... Regardless, the point was he should be saying defending and not defensing (or defencing...)

[exculpatory]

(BTW, DEFENSE IS SPELLED THIS WAY, CYCLICAL MY FRIEND, LOL)

LOL... The British would argue for the 'c' version, no the 's' so it's not completely wrong... Regardless, the point was he should be saying defending and not defensing (or defencing...)

My apologies Cyc. I forgot about the Brits. I guess they spoke and wrote English before we did!!

I always enjoy Brit docs at the annual meetings of the Endocrine Society. They all sound like Laurence Olivier when making their presentations - so "suave" and sophisticated!

Ex

[Captain_Caveman]

Bill Russell is the best player of All-Time in the same way that a Model T is better than a Ferrari.

Love him, but Russell = Alonzo in the modern game.

[SHUTUP Lebron]

I love this thread.

Anytime Rajon Rondo makes a jump shot, you will always hear:

"NOW IF RONDO CAN ONLY KEEP CONSISTENTLY MAKING SHOTS LIKE THIS, THIS TEAM IS DANGEROUS."

While it's a sensible thing to say, I honestly think I have heard this statement after probably 50% of the jumpshots Rondo has EVER made.

[Gant]

Bill Russell is the best player of All-Time in the same way that a Model T is better than a Ferrari.

Love him, but Russell = Alonzo in the modern game.

This statement is obscenely incorrect. Russ could jump so high he hung and looked down into the rim. He was quick as a small forward with incredible length. He was the smartest player of all time. He'd destroy Mourning every time.

It's like saying Jordan = Carmelo Anthony.

[Jammer]

Bill Russell is the best player of All-Time in the same way that a Model T is better than a Ferrari.

Love him, but Russell = Alonzo in the modern game.

This statement is obscenely incorrect. Russ could jump so high he hung and looked down into the rim. He was quick as a small forward with incredible length. He was the smartest player of all time. He'd destroy Mourning.

C'mon Gant, even you underestimate Russell, although you did your best.
By the way, Gant, Happy Holidays, missed your posts. I know the board has, as well.

Captain Caveman doesn't have a clue, but here's a hint.

Imagine the fastest player in the NBA. Used to be Iverson, several years ago.

Now make that player 6' 10",
able to high jump 6' 11.5" (backed out to let 2 guys go to Melbourne since Russell was
already going on the basketball team, had he taken that jump, he could have
been the first 7 foot high jumper, although he would have knocked someone off the team),

with the BEST ANTICIPATION that I've ever seen.

Russell would wreck havoc on the entire opposing team.
Garnett and Sheed are slow motion in comparison.