The league issued a statement telling us something we all already knew: Kendrick Perkins’ basket with 1:05 remaining should not have counted. The statement reads:
“Kendrick Perkins was improperly credited with a basket that should have been ruled offensive basket interference with 1:05 remaining in last night’s game. Although a player is permitted to touch the net while the ball is in the cylinder above the rim, Perkins also touched the ball while it was still in the cylinder which is a violation and constitutes goaltending.”
Of course that doesn’t change anything as the Thunder went on to win 107-103, but it certainly does add a bit of flavor to Oklahoma City’s win. The tip put the Thunder up a point with a minute left. It was a critical play in the game and I don’t think even the most homertastic Thunder fan could deny that OKC caught a break there.
However, watching live in the arena, I actually thought Russell Westbrook’s shot had dropped through on its own. Most of the other writers around me thought the same thing. So you can imagine the position the officials were in during that situation. They got it wrong. They know and the league knows it. We all figured out what happened on the tip after watching the replay three or four times. The officials didn’t have that luxury. Maybe that’s the real question though: Why didn’t the officials have that luxury?
Daniel Plainview :@kfmsooner
I think Denver would be up 2-0 on the Bulls
This.
@kfmsooner
Yes, that 7 games under .500 team, the team that lost their starting PG before the half, and the Bulls pull out a close one. I agree, I think Denver would be up 2-0 on the Bulls
@Daniel
"Don't waste time with the argument that it's only the Pacers, the seven-games-under-.500 Pacers, because the Pacers have a better roster by miles than fourth-seeded Orlando and play with a passion the Atlanta Hawks couldn't possibly understand. Whichever of those two the Bulls get in the second round won't come close to testing the Bulls the way the Pacers will over this series."
This paragraph is all you need to know about Wilbon's NBA knowledge. Trying to sell us on how good the Pacers are? Please. If it were Bulls-Nuggets, Rose is down 0-2...
The love affair continues...
"Bulls follow familiar formula
Rose is shouldering the load the way Jordan did, and so far he's met every challenge"
http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/nba/columns/story?columnist=wilbon_michael&id=6387266
@Daniel Plainview
Shhhh, don't rock-the-boat with anti-Bulls dissent. We can't have the favorites (who have never won anything) being dissed man.
"Our play has to get better," Rose said. "We have to be more smooth, more efficient, especially on the defensive end where we have to try a lot harder. But I feel like we're going to get things together pretty quickly." What gives him that faith when oth games were basically mirror images of one another? they couldnt pull it out tell the waning moments, which is good, but Id be concerned if I was a Bulls fan. Didnt you guys just play a whole season together, save the injuries? but youve had plenty of time to get it together.
After reading the article, they did express more concern about the Bulls seeming inability to dominate they way their season suggests they should, however, that headline is still bogus. Burn is destruction; a blowout. these have been nail biters.
I love it, the ESPN Headlines says, Bulls Burn Pacers. Both games Indiana has led most of the games and lost in the last minutes. Bulls seem to be struggling with the weakest team in the playoffs, but the media's not expressing any concern.
Daniel Plainview :@DJ
7
Im a homer too, but Rose is more solid and more crafty, with the Ball. Russ might have an edge in explosion and desire. Rose has been playin PG a lot longer and a lot longer at a higher level of success. Russ is a late bloomer who is still growing into his postion as a play maker.
i think people tend to overlook that feature about Westbrook because i know i did, Russ did use to play the 2 before, he just recently became a point guard. Rose has been playing the Point since he was in high school.
Accordin to NBA.com on facbook: Another Big night for Miamis Big 3 - Wade 14 pts, 6 rebs
@DJ 7
Im a homer too, but Rose is more solid and more crafty, with the Ball. Russ might have an edge in explosion and desire. Rose has been playin PG a lot longer and a lot longer at a higher level of success. Russ is a late bloomer who is still growing into his postion as a play maker.
Daniel Plainview :@Thunder
S
Im not sure RW can guard him either, but nor can he guard westbrook. Both would definately step it up defensively, I feel
i'll admit im being a little of a Homer, i believe Westbrook is the better player, and i myself don't want to think of it as any other way. But like you said, i don't think Rose can guard Russ either.
If one of the two was to make the improvement of player better defense it would be Russ even though Rose plays for one of the best defensive coaches in the league.
@Thunder S
Russ will do it if it means to show who the better player is, Russ always steps up against the players people think he's less than.
I would play westbrook off rose and throw in some traps now and then
same concept
@Thunder S
You dont just let him do whatever. Lockdown everyone else. Kind of like with the Orlando game. Dwight had that monstrous game but they still loss
@Thunder S
Im not sure RW can guard him either, but nor can he guard westbrook. Both would definately step it up defensively, I feel
I know he's not superman. just asking what the gameplan would be
DJ 7 :
Thunder S :
I’m curious how you guys would defend rose in late games. if you go for the block at the rim he does a dipsy do layup or floater. if you try and take a charge he avoids u and gets the foul. if you put a bigger guy he blows past you…smaller guy blows past you. trap is tough…but i think thats the best bet.
thing is Rose hasn’t faced someone as athletic as he is until he plays Westbrook.
I dont think westbrook can guard him. honestly the only person who has a shot is lebron imo. and @okc baby, if u dont do something he will just attack and win the game at the end.
Dick Stockton makes Brian Davis look not so bad.
now this is intresting, do the Pacers foul them quick, and then cause a turnover, do they send the Bulls to the line, or what?
Thunder S :
I’m curious how you guys would defend rose in late games. if you go for the block at the rim he does a dipsy do layup or floater. if you try and take a charge he avoids u and gets the foul. if you put a bigger guy he blows past you…smaller guy blows past you. trap is tough…but i think thats the best bet.
You dont to an extent. You guard everyone else. He is the Bulls Offense
Thunder S :
I’m curious how you guys would defend rose in late games. if you go for the block at the rim he does a dipsy do layup or floater. if you try and take a charge he avoids u and gets the foul. if you put a bigger guy he blows past you…smaller guy blows past you. trap is tough…but i think thats the best bet.
thing is Rose hasn't faced someone as athletic as he is until he plays Westbrook.
@Skeletor
haha. I said that about 15 min ago here at home
If this game would just go into OT, Chicago would have no players
Lol at the ref wishing he didn't blow the whistle on the Rose foul, they are prolly going to say it was a 2 shot foul just to make sure the Bulls win.
Is it me or does Kyle Korver look like Tom Brady? I was wondering what I hated about him
I'm curious how you guys would defend rose in late games. if you go for the block at the rim he does a dipsy do layup or floater. if you try and take a charge he avoids u and gets the foul. if you put a bigger guy he blows past you...smaller guy blows past you. trap is tough...but i think thats the best bet.
Bulls games are going to be grinded out defensive games
justin :
Are we complaining about another team getting favorable calls at home…….
Two back to back blown calls? yep
Daniel Plainview :
TERRRRRIBLE FUCKING CALL ON HIBBERT!!
Now that is a call to bitch about, especially on the other end the Pacer player was pushed as clear as day.
WOW < Boozers blown foul
Are we complaining about another team getting favorable calls at home.......
TERRRRRIBLE FUCKING CALL ON HIBBERT!!
NOW THAT IS A BLOWN CALL!!!
if this game came down to a Rose buzzer beater the commentators will have an orgasm.
Indiana's offense comes too tough against the Bulls. They have to play perfect to win this kind of game.
The crowd is getting Loud, ill give them that
@DJ 7
Well they did trap him, which is what got Korver open.
That was a dumb trap with Korver on the court and the two bigs who can pass.
even though Korver got the pass from Noah they are going to try their best to credit Rose with that play.
Wow, Bulls fans do not think their team is capable of causing a foul
I really wish the announcers would talk more about the dubious superiority of teh Bulls because of these two games...oops, they just alluded to it. But it definately merits more mentioning....yeah, they just did it again.
Looks like Bulls going to win again
they called that weak ass bump a blocking foul? what happen to "this is the playoffs theres more physicality." bullshit.
justin :
Indiana needs a star guy. Granger’s OK but he’s not a star player really.
he how Westbrook is for us, except Westbrook is a bigger star and more talented player. i know they play different positions, but im comparing in terms of star status and meaning to their team. If they had another star he would be their Westbrook.
justin :
Indiana needs a star guy. Granger’s OK but he’s not a star player really.
Eh, the biggest change in this game was when Collison got hurt. Indiana, which will probably lose, has been playin wonderful ball against the number one team in the league without a star player
Daniel Plainview :
Im shocked how the announcers are not showing more surprise how the Bulls cant seem to pull away. I think Ive heard them acknowledge it once.
That was a bullshit call on Dunleavy fouling Deng. Rose flatened Price earlier on a 3, nada
you mean the one where Price was sent flying about 4 feet?
Indiana needs a star guy. Granger's OK but he's not a star player really.
That was sweet, Rose