The 2-Man Weave

–1–
29Slim: Let’s add to the madness: foul, no foul?

TheBaron: I’ve got a much bigger beef regarding that play, but I’ll get to it. Yes it was a foul and yes it should be called.
S: Are you surprised that it wasn’t?
B: Not at all. Like the TNT guys said, he didn’t sell it and refs rarely call fouls that the players don’t sell.
S: Wait a minute. Does that seem wrong to anyone else?

–2–
B: I’m so friggin’ tired about all of the “you have to sell it” talk.
S: You realize you added to it above.
B: But I was answering the question you posed, and it was an appropriate answer. Refs don’t call it if you don’t sell it. Now I’m telling you that it’s an absolutely terrible precedent to set.
S: Agreed. Worse yet, the precedent has been set for some time.
B: Look at what it’s done, though. The TNT crew on that video, as well as guys all over the sports talks today, are advocating that Brent Barry, on the last shot of a game, fumble the ball to sell the call at the expense of getting a good shot off, thereby “forcing” the refs to make a call.
S: That was a lot of commas.
B: Thank you.
S: Agreed. An offensive player should never have to “force” the refs to make a call. If a foul is a foul, can’t you call it?
B: I’m fine with letting some fouls go, if they don’t affect the play at all and they’re not egregious.
S: Sure. But Fisher’s foul affected the quality of the shot that Barry could get. Clearly. What the bottom line here is, you are punishing a player for trying to get a good shot regardless of the refs and rewarding players who “sell a call” and put the game in the refs’ hands.
B: Reminds me of this 2000 Western Conference Semifinals game. This part, specifically:

With 1.4 seconds left, Russell inbounded the ball to Karl Malone, who gave it back to Russell, whose shot was way off. The Jazz and coach Jerry Sloan heatedly called for a foul, but no whistle came.

S: I don’t remember the play.
B: I remember Scottie’s 3 before this, and this play vividly. Rasheed bumped Russell as he was shooting, a lot like Fisher bumped Barry here–but more clearly in the act of shooting. Obviously, I was ecstatic that it wasn’t called, but as we established above, it probably should have been. It affected the shot. The difference between the two plays is how the shooter handled it. Bryon Russell, rather than focus on getting a good shot, leaned into ‘Sheed and sold the call, at the expense of focusing on his final shot. Russell was slammed by the media for letting the refs decide the game rather than trying to avoid the D and decide the game himself. I have no double standard here. I hate “forcing” the refs to call something. It takes the game completely out of the players’ hands.
S: I see all sorts of contradictions here, but we’ve probably taken this topic to its limit for now.
B: I always appreciate it when you overlook my contradictions.

–3–
S: Memphis offered Mike Miller up for Travis Outlaw and the Blazers’ #13?
B: Looks like it. I would love Mike Miller on the Blazers, but not at the expense of Trout and the #13.
S: How about for Trout straight up?
B: That would be intriguing, but I still probably don’t do it. Outlaw is still getting better, while Miller isn’t. Though his skills match what the Blazers need almost perfectly (no defense). Nah, I don’t do it.
S: This is interesting. It’s a Grizzlies fan message board. Good to see the other side of the coin. Most fans in there seem pretty level-headed. They admit that the trade isn’t really good for the Blazers.
B: Whoa! You see that guy who says that Mike Miller’s only equal on the Blazers’ roster is Brandon Roy?
S: That’s what message boards are for!

–4–
B: Chinese government says you can’t watch the NBA in China because it’s too happy for the tragic times.
S: Speaking of contradictions…
B: Yeah. Because when tragedy strikes, the last thing you need is distraction. You need to be immersed in your depression at all times. In fact, I move that we imprison anyone who is not currently crying in China.
S: Remember what a huge lift that first Saints game back in N’awlins was after Katrina?
B: I do. Apparently the Chinese government doesn’t.
S: Our country’s got issues, don’t get me wrong. Still can’t beat it.
B: Agreed.
S: I hope no other tragedies happen. They may cancel the Olympics.
B: 1) ‘Cause that’s the only reason to hope no tragedies happen? 2) Apparently they haven’t heard about Tibet. Or Darfur. Or…

–5–
S: Joakim Noah’s dad doesn’t give a rip that his son got arrested.
B: I’m guessing you do?
S: No, not really. It’s a minor-enough problem. But my issue is that Noah Sr. says it’s “no big deal.” Maybe it’s not a big deal over in France where he is, but it is here. He broke the law and got caught.
B: Good call. It may not be a huge offense and I may not really care about it, but it’s still breaking the law . Just like speeding. As long as it’s not crazy fast, speeding’s about as minor an offense as you can do. But if you get caught, don’t argue that you didn’t deserve it.
S: Yep. The best part, though, is that he got arrested at all.
B: Not sure I follow.
S: I can’t stand the kid. He’s too cocky, too ugly, and way too… not good enough.
B: Wouldn’t want to give the guy a few years in the league–you know, a legitimate chance to succeed–before proclaiming his worthlessness, would we?
S: Absolutely not. Come on. He’s a spoiled, rich, French, brat.
B: There’s nothing there that I can argue with.
S: Besides, how many good things to come out of France can you name? It’s French fries, French toast, and the Statue of Liberty. That’s it!
B: Okay, I’m shutting this post down before you get out of hand.