GT: @ Atlanta Wed Nov 28 7:30PM

[LamarMatic7]

just watched the game, some thoughts:

I know that a game against the Bobcats doesn't sound entertaining, but that was a small crowd even for Atlanta's standarts

Did Dunlap really thought that the Diop-Biz duo would work? That's basically going three on five on offense.

I guess Warrick has been terrible though, so we have to play Gana even though he seems to be struggling to even sprint up and down the court. Have you noticed how he shoves his ass out and how odd his legs move when running? Fats probably was right - his knees can't take the NBA speed any more.

Playing the pick-n-roll D with Gana or Mully really hurt us. I understand that we want to be an aggressive team, so both of them are probably ordered to go for the aggressive trap. However, wouldn't it be more safe to let them sag off and wait for the roller? Because Atlanta usually ended up beating us off the pass and finding an open three point shooter.

To continue the topic of Mully's defense, I have to give him kudos for his post defense. He has really improved in that part of the game. He's still bad at rotations and pick-n-roll, however, his improved post D encourages me to believe in him.

He definitely should stop taking threes during the first seconds of possessions or that fastbreak three. I think the percentages would back up the fact that he's a lot better at shooting from long-range after pick-n-pop situations. I'm okay with him taking those shots. As for the people who didn't like the announcers, I'd like to add that Nique himself was a selfish ball-hog who took bad shots. I know that it shoudn't factor my adjustment of him as a commentator, but I'm tired of guys like Stacey King and Nique dissing Mully's jumper selection when they themselves weren't perfect when it came to the mid-range game.

Random fact - Mully has ripped through the defender's arm and made the shot twice this season. Both times the shot was disallowed since it's some new rule. He has also earned that call and not made the shot twice, when the opponents hadn't reached 5 team fouls. Both times referees awarded Mully with two free throws. Lack of consistence when it comes to this play. Whistle it one way or the other way, refs.

Overall, I'm happy that the team fought Atlanta until the end. They do seem to be capable of home-court advantage in round one as they can space the floor very well with all those long-range threats. However, that was one disappointing way to close out the game.

[Eoghan]

Random fact - Mully has ripped through the defender's arm and made the shot twice this season. Both times the shot was disallowed since it's some new rule. He has also earned that call and not made the shot twice, when the opponents hadn't reached 5 team fouls. Both times referees awarded Mully with two free throws. Lack of consistence when it comes to this play. Whistle it one way or the other way, refs.

That rule pisses me off big time. I don't like to see rule changes b/c some players are being too clever, that's stupid. It's the NBA with its endless continuation rewards, how is "the Tim Duncan move" as I like to call it not just clever continuation?

They need to get rid of that rule and those damn semi circles and just teach officials to show some restraint on whistle blowing in certain circumstances.

[SWedd523]

sorta related to Dave's comment, I'd like to get rid of the charge foul altogether.

[Eoghan]

They don't need to get rid of charges, they just need to teach referees how to properly identify one. It isn't rocket science; you just need an understanding of basic physics like there is no way a small guard is going to send flopper extraordinaire Reggie Evans sprawling into the 2nd row. What they should do is have much more stringent qualifications for drawing a charge, i.e. a player must be absolutely stationary (no sliding into it) and only the most obvious charges are called around the basket, otherwise the refs should swallow their whistles and promote an atmosphere that encourages defenders to actually block shots and defend. That's the way it was in the late 80s and the 90s, I don't see why it should be so hard.

[fatlever]

Random fact - Mully has ripped through the defender's arm and made the shot twice this season. Both times the shot was disallowed since it's some new rule. He has also earned that call and not made the shot twice, when the opponents hadn't reached 5 team fouls. Both times referees awarded Mully with two free throws. Lack of consistence when it comes to this play. Whistle it one way or the other way, refs.

i was thinking the same thing watching that play, 2 calls one way, 2 calls the other. same play. would be funny to slice all 4 plays together back to back with the ref reaction and send it to the NBA for comment.

[SWedd523]

the refs should swallow their whistles and promote an atmosphere that encourages defenders to actually block shots and defend.

My stance.

I just don't see any positive of charges and would much rather see players actually try to guard the rim. Get rid of charge calls!

[catch20two]

the refs should swallow their whistles and promote an atmosphere that encourages defenders to actually block shots and defend.

My stance.

I just don't see any positive of charges and would much rather see players actually try to guard the rim. Get rid of charge calls!

I agree with these

[JT2006]

They don't need to get rid of charges, they just need to teach referees how to properly identify one. It isn't rocket science; you just need an understanding of basic physics like there is no way a small guard is going to send flopper extraordinaire Reggie Evans sprawling into the 2nd row. What they should do is have much more stringent qualifications for drawing a charge, i.e. a player must be absolutely stationary (no sliding into it) and only the most obvious charges are called around the basket, otherwise the refs should swallow their whistles and promote an atmosphere that encourages defenders to actually block shots and defend. That's the way it was in the late 80s and the 90s, I don't see why it should be so hard.

A charge should be based on the offensive player's action/motion, not the defender. If they're barreling around with no regard for other players, it should be a foul.