TA and the officiating

[Kim Malo]

At 03:06 PM 5/3/2008, Ryan W wrote:
>I think you have a good read on what's happening in
>Doc's head.

Now THERE'S a disturbing thought : )

>   But I think he's not trying hard enough
>with the hand he's been dealt.  We're talking about an
>extra 5 mins of rest in the first half for Ray.  It's
>not that hard to find it but it is especially
>important that we find it on the road.

OK, but seriously do you think 5 min rest would make that much 
difference? I can understand wanting to throw the changeup to keep 
them offbalance, but I'm not so sure minutes per se were an issue. I 
can't say we looked noticeably tired at the end or that I think 
that's why Ray missed that last shot. While he may feel that he needs 
the minutes to get into the flow of the game. One of the earlier 
season things that made an impression on me when people were looking 
at us not getting quite the lights out shooter we thought with Ray 
(although both shooting % were dead on for his career stats and both 
better than the prior year) was Bulpett noting that he was more apt 
to make the clutch 4th quarter shots than shots earlier in the game, 
and suggesting he needs extensive time to warm up, like a pitcher 
who's better as a starter than out of the bullpen for the same 
reason. That's largely held true.

>You're right, Cassell has been bad for the team when
>he's not making shots, and that's a bad bad thing
>(even when he's making shots, it's kinda bad in terms
>of what it does to the offensive flow--though I
>thought he was much better at keeping that flow in
>game 5).  The same truism applies to House, but House
>adds more of the little things, like some defense and
>speed to bring the ball up.

Yes he does, although I'm wondering where his head is at - that game 
where he refused to take some open shots (although he seems to have 
backed off that) was almost like he was sending a message to the 
coaches either that a) he was more than just a shooter or b) that 
they really needed him shooting.

>As for Tony, you know, he's not that bad

OK, let me repeat, although I really, really shouldn't have to. I 
have NOT, repeat NOT been saying Tony IS that bad per se. What I HAVE 
been saying is that he's looked that bad going into the playoffs. And 
people can deny it until they're blue in the face, but he has been - 
not just invisible because not helpful but actually and more 
importantly disruptively bad.

>but I also think what he
>does well consistently--draw contact, hustle, play
>good defense, (even if you think he's not at his
>normal defensive level right now, he's still better
>than the alternative--Cassell, or Ray playing 40+
>minutes) are things we need out there, if only for
>five minutes.

Fair enough. And again, I said I would try him myself, I was just 
saying I understood why they didn't. But I also think you're 
completely ignoring just how disruptively bad he was and whether the 
good stuff you might, and only might get sufficiently offsets that. 
That's the bottom line equation and while agreeing on the good things 
he might bring I'm not so sure he's worth it. Games can entirely 
change in 5 min of constant turnovers and disruptions.

>   Five minutes, Doc!  And you know what,
>there's always the possibility that good Tony comes to
>play.  But you'll never know unless you play him.

Yeah, but this is like the eternal he's still young excuse that 
apparently applies until senility. How long do you keep trying to 
play him in the hopes your wishes might come true. They really did 
give him a ton of chances and he failed every one. It's not like they 
yanked him after one or two bad games and then ignored him

> > I just still can't believe Ray took that last shot
> > last night. It
> > wasn't the fact that he missed it so much as that he
> > took it with 10
> > + seconds left on the clock even if he made it, and
> > Ray's always been
> > a smart player.
>
>You know what?  I liked that shot.  We were getting
>nothing from the officials and I'll take my chances
>ending the game right there.

But it wouldn't have ended the game. That's my point. I don't mind 
the shot per se and didn't say I did. I mind the shot with just over 
10 seconds left on the clock. With a team that can score quickly 
coming back at us, that's an eternity.

Kim