NBA 2013-2014

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Spoelstra doesn't deserve the criticism there, Bron does. Dude was an absolute moran on that play all because he was too proud to acknowledge that Stephenson had picked his pocket. He needed to let Stephenson go, as his continued presence on the floor was way more important than one possession. Even if Spoel leaves him in, which is a really hard decision to make, Bron guaranteed they were going to be playing high risk for more than a quarter and a half. That play basically cost the Heat the game and it didn't need to.

He clearly should've disregarded what 11 years of playing in the NBA taught him about what refs will and will not call. NBA refs never make that call against a superstar who has been in foul trouble in a playoff game, especially when there was contact from Stephenson earlier in the play. Once they blew that whistle early in the 2nd half against James I thought he was going to be allowed to do whatever he wanted the rest of the game.

Agree that no way was it worth a foul to try to keep that ball, but saying he should've let up in order to not get a foul called in that kind of situation is like saying some superstar shouldn't step into the lane early on a free throw attempt. It's just a call that doesn't get made, especially not in a game where Joey Crawford isn't involved. But Ed Malloy is certainly auditioning to play the thin man syndrome to Crawford's small man.

[smokymountainrain]

Spoelstra doesn't deserve the criticism there, Bron does. Dude was an absolute moran on that play all because he was too proud to acknowledge that Stephenson had picked his pocket. He needed to let Stephenson go, as his continued presence on the floor was way more important than one possession. Even if Spoel leaves him in, which is a really hard decision to make, Bron guaranteed they were going to be playing high risk for more than a quarter and a half. That play basically cost the Heat the game and it didn't need to.

Hold on, can we not criticize both LeBron for fouling and Spoelstra for taking him out at that point? I didn't realize the two events were mutually exclusive.

[MarkGrace]

He clearly should've disregarded what 11 years of playing in the NBA taught him about what refs will and will not call. NBA refs never make that call against a superstar who has been in foul trouble in a playoff game, especially when there was contact from Stephenson earlier in the play. Once they blew that whistle early in the 2nd half against James I thought he was going to be allowed to do whatever he wanted the rest of the game.

Agree that no way was it worth a foul to try to keep that ball, but saying he should've let up in order to not get a foul called in that kind of situation is like saying some superstar shouldn't step into the lane early on a free throw attempt. It's just a call that doesn't get made, especially not in a game where Joey Crawford isn't involved. But Ed Malloy is certainly auditioning to play the thin man syndrome to Crawford's small man.

My experience is just watching the NBA, not playing in it, but you could see that foul coming from a mile away. The first contact he was fine, but when Stephenson got the angle on him after that contact and he started playing the lane instead of the ball for additional contact, he was done. To me that's just a dumb move for a player of his experience level. Lose the battle so you can win the war.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

My experience is just watching the NBA, not playing in it, but you could see that foul coming from a mile away. The first contact he was fine, but when Stephenson got the angle on him after that contact and he started playing the lane instead of the ball for additional contact, he was done. To me that's just a dumb move for a player of his experience level. Lose the battle so you can win the war.

Absolutely. But given the unique circumstance of the game, particularly because it was an elimination game in the playoffs, I can see why he thought no way a foul was being called there. I guess I'm more surprised he wouldn't just take a dive and get the immediate call against Stephenson.

[MarkGrace]

Hold on, can we not criticize both LeBron for fouling and Spoelstra for taking him out at that point? I didn't realize the two events were mutually exclusive.

You were only criticizing Bron. But at any rate, he deserves the criticism for putting Spoelstra in the position to have to make that call. That's a complete no-win for the coach. Just a really dumb move.

[smokymountainrain]

You were only criticizing Bron. But at any rate, he deserves the criticism for putting Spoelstra in the position to have to make that call. That's a complete no-win for the coach. Just a really dumb move.

I didn't say LeBron didn't deserve criticism. But I do feel this is one of those situations where sitting the star player voluntarily during the game probably cost the team a win. Regardless, I'm not interested in arguing that point, I just mostly wanted to get Cardiac's take on the decision.

[MarkGrace]

You were only criticizing Bron. But at any rate, he deserves the criticism for putting Spoelstra in the position to have to make that call. That's a complete no-win for the coach. Just a really dumb move.

Oops...that was supposed to say Spoelstra.

[MarkGrace]

Guess Ballmer is not longer going to be partnering with Hansen.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Nice job audition, Lance.

Paul George after being asked if he wants Stephenson on his team next year: "I don't know."

[smokymountainrain]

Nice job audition, Lance.

Paul George after being asked if he wants Stephenson on his team next year: "I don't know."

ouch.

[BGRTHNUMEGO]

Will be interesting to see who they replace him with, because he was a bargain. Made under $1 M this year. And their bench was miserable even with Stephenson on the roster. They are over the cap w/o Lance or Evan Turner.

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[CardiacCoug]

I didn't say LeBron didn't deserve criticism. But I do feel this is one of those situations where sitting the star player voluntarily during the game probably cost the team a win. Regardless, I'm not interested in arguing that point, I just mostly wanted to get Cardiac's take on the decision.

My take is Spoelstra screwed up by pulling Lebron after the fifth foul. That decision cost the Heat game 5.

Just play Lebron as you normally would and ignore the fouls. Do people who commit a crime go sit in jail preemptively to decrease the chance they will commit another crime? 😀

[CardiacCoug]

Looked it up at basketball-reference.com. Lebron committed 1.6 fouls per 36 minutes this year during routine play, not even trying to be careful not to foul most of that time obviously.

I know it's unconventional but honestly I think the rational approach for a coach is to keep Lebron in, tell him "don't foul" and count on his athleticism, smarts and star power with the refs to avoid that sixth foul.

[smokymountainrain]

Looked it up at basketball-reference.com. Lebron committed 1.6 fouls per 36 minutes this year during routine play, not even trying to be careful not to foul most of that time obviously.

I know it's unconventional but honestly I think the rational approach for a coach is to keep Lebron in, tell him "don't foul" and count on his athleticism, smarts and star power with the refs to avoid that sixth foul.

I thought you might feel this way.

[The_Douger]

Looked it up at basketball-reference.com. Lebron committed 1.6 fouls per 36 minutes this year during routine play, not even trying to be careful not to foul most of that time obviously.

I know it's unconventional but honestly I think the rational approach for a coach is to keep Lebron in, tell him "don't foul" and count on his athleticism, smarts and star power with the refs to avoid that sixth foul.

I see your point, but given how they called the first five on him, and only one of those really was a foul, I just kind of felt like they had it in for him that night. It doesn't matter. They showed us all who Indiana was.