A finalist determined tonight? I think so

You think the Spurs have any chance tonight?

WINSLOW TOWNSON/AP

Speaking of finalists, these guys have to pick it up or else.

I don’t, which means they are pretty much a lock to win.

Not sure what’s happened to San Antonio but blowing big leads and falling behind too far at home are not characteristics you normally associate with the Spurs.

And it will be likely be their fatal flaw as they try to repeat as NBA champions for the first time ever. The Lakers just seem mentally stronger than the Spurs, which is often the determining factor in a series between teams evenly-matched in talent.

And I’ll tell you this, I’d have to do a bit more thinking about it, but having watched all of these conference finals games, I’m leaning to suggesting the Lakers win the final in five games. That may change when we look more closely at the individual matchups but L.A.’s just going so well right now.

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Okay, maybe time to revise the thought on that Derek Fisher non-call at the end of Game 4? The league is.

Check out this Marc Stein story and see the quote from the league official.

I’m pretty sure if I’m Joey Crawford, being hung out to dry like that is not appreciated.

I still agree that it was a borderline call that probably doesn’t get made in any game – an opinion shared by many of the Spurs, by the way, but the history between Crawford and

San Antonio – the ref was suspended for last year’s playoffs because of an incident involving Tim Duncan – adds a layer of intrigue.

Because there are so few truly qualified officials available to conference finals and finals, the familiarity and contempt grows as the post-season unfolds.

I’m not saying Crawford did anything but make the call he felt was right – he is among the very, very, very best refs in the league – but I know there are people out there who wonder.

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Take yourselves back to February, when the Celtics – along with Spurs and Raptors – had some interest in waived Memphis Grizzlies guard Damon Stoudamire.

I know the Celtics had their eyes set on Sam Cassell all along and didn’t get serious about Stoudamire and that’s turning out to be a horrible mistake. I guarantee you Stoudamire could have got the ball over halfcourt against the defence of 192-year-old Lindsay Hunter, something Sam I Am couldn’t accomplish in the two whole minutes he played last night.

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I’m watching Kendrick Perkins go all Wilt Chamberlain on the Pistons and I’m wondering just when Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess turned into Andrea Bargnani wannabes.

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Cleaning out a couple of things from the mailbag because we’ve got a full one coming tomorrow. Keep the cards and letters coming:

Q: Hi Doug, I was having a bit of a discussion with some buddies, and we were wondering: can Calderon dunk? Have you ever seen him? Who do you think is the best dunker out of all the point guards in the league? (We don't count Nate Robinson.)

Louis F, Woodstock

A: Yes, I have seen Calderon dunk.

Best dunking point guard? Well, the immediate reaction is, “who cares?” or “no one” but I guess Deron Williams finishes pretty well, as do T.J. and Baron Davis. And Rajon Rondo can get to the rim every now and then.

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Q: In going through some Draft Express profiles for the upcoming draft I ran across Victor Claver a SF from Spain. He is young at 19 but with excellent size at 6'11"-217lbs and supposedly good athleticism, and able to get to the basket. Have you heard of him, and might the Raptors have some interest as a 2nd round pick for the future?

John N, Oshawa

A: I know absolutely nothing of him and I also know the Raptors don’t have a second round draft pick this year. So I wouldn’t be too concerned about him.

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When good people do good things.

Tammy’s one of most enduring pro basketball players we’ve ever produced, doesn’t get nearly enough recognition and this would be a good way for all of you to help her out.

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I’ll tell you one thing: If Ray Allen shoots tomorrow night like he shot last night, the Pistons have no chance in Game 6.

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Action: Dallas is thinking of bidding on the 2010 NBA all-star game and holding it in the new Cowboys stadium.

Reaction: That might be cool as a one-off deal.

All-star weekend is more about the parties and the people than the game so why not make it real circus.

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Finally, dashing the hopes of another Canadian city:

Q: I'm hearing a lot of people asking whether Vancouver could get a NBA team back there. It made me wonder if Montreal was ever considered in the past? Is there/was there ever a possibility?

Alain R, Canmore

A: No, I’ve never heard Montreal even mentioned when the NBA is being talked about. I know early in their existence – second season, maybe? – the Raptors were going to play an exhibition game there and had to move it because advance ticket sales were horrendous.

Comments

[rn]

can't leave nate robinson out of the best dunking pg conversation

[Jeff]

Lindsay Hunter is playing really really well in the minutes he gets, his d is tenacious and non stop. The way he was pressuring any guy he was guarding yesterday, or coming up from behind on a double team causing the celtics to do those lob passes was a thing of beauty.

[Kristian]

Does anyone else think that Jeff van Gundy has completely lost it? His analysis of what constitutes a flagrant foul definitely had me scratching my head. In broad strokes, it was my belief that if no play is made on the basketball and the offensive player is not in a position to defend themselves (i.e., in the air, attempting to dunk), the refs have every right to call a Flagrant 1. His comparison of P.J. Brown's foul on Maxiell vs the foul on Garnett wasn't even close. The more I listen to his analysis, the more he sounds like a whining, snivelling coach as opposed to an intelligent analyst. Doug, what's your take on what a Flagrant 1 is?

Blogger's note: That's the big problem, there is no consistency on what's a Flagrant I or II. My opinion? It's a play that's not on the basketball or in the general flow of the game. It's like the old saying about pornography: I don't know exactly what it is, but I know it when I see it.
I think that's the way the refs are calling it, too.

[Calixto Vargas]

Hello Doug: I understand free agents can receive offers until after July 01, but When do teams can start negotiations and/or re-sign their own free agents? For example when can the Raptors re-sign Calderon? How about players who can opt out their contracts like Maggette, Arenas,Artest etc? when do they let their teams know? and When can these players be re-signed? Can team combine sign and trades with draft picks? Can the Clippers pack Maggette and their pick for TJ Ford and Kapono? Thanks.

Blogger's note: No contracts with free agents can be signed before July 8 this year; negotiations can begin July 1. And players need to let their teams know their intention by whatever date is in their contract, but it can't be later than July 1.

[Marc in Burlington]

Doug,

I was surfing on SI.com when I came across this tid-bit regarding the non call.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/extramustard/specials/morning_jolt/2008/05/29/morning.jolt/index.html

"There is an explanation in the rule book," said McIntyre, "that there are times during games when the degree of certainty necessary to determine a foul involving physical contact is higher. That comes during impact time when the intensity has risen, especially at the end of a game. In other words, if you're going to call something then, be certain."

So let me understand this correctly, it's okay to guess at calls early in the game but you better be sure at the end? That about sum it up?

With direction like this from the League Office is it any wonder how a guy like Donaghy was able to manipulate the system? How does Stu Jackson still have a job? Is this issue not under his direct purview?

No doubt it's going to be Lakers vs Celtics, cos that's the way the League Office wants it.

Has there ever been a time more evident that there should be sweeping changes made in the League Office. When your officials start to make the game a mockery, it's time for a change.

[Craig]

Doug, how can you see Fisher landing on Barry was a "borderline" call that doesn't get made in any game? That play happens more times than I care to remember, the only difference being that Barry didn't "sell it like Varejao" and flail his arms in the air like he got shot.

Also, what the Spurs said to the media after the game was over would NOT affect the outcome of Game 4, but it could affect the out come of Game 5.

[tino]

"When good people do good things":please somebody give Bargnani, Tammy Sutton Brown' number.Maybe she'll inspire him..
Question for Doug: if the Raps could trade TJ To Portland, for Blake and their draft choice,would that package, plus the Raps's own choice,enough to get pick 3 to 6? If yes, could you suggest a team that would consider such a trade.Thank you.

Blogger's note: You mean Portland's pick, Toronto's pick and Blake for a pick between 3 and 6? I'd be surprised if Minnesota, Seattle, Memphis or New York made that deal. But I've been surprised before.

[Simon S-G]

Hey Doug just found this on si.com's "Truth and Rumors" section, in a blurb from the NY Post. I don't want to start a crazy rumor mill here but it could be of interest. The blurb, by Marc Berman, says:
"As he said on lottery night, Walsh is considering trading the No. 6 pick, and sources here indicate the Raptors will be active on June 26. The Raptors are beginning to shop PG T.J. Ford, according to a league executive."
Anything you've heard related to this, truth, not true, etc?
Keep up the great work,
Simon S-G

Blogger's note: I don't see anything new in this at all. The Knicks are thinking about dealing and the Raptors want to trade Ford. I don't think it's one for the other because the Knicks wouldn't make that trade.
But as separate entities, my man Marc is just catching up to old, old, old news

[Simon S-G]

BTW here's the link to the article: http://www.nypost.com/seven/05292008/sports/knicks/kerr_slow_to_assist_dantoni_112954.htm

[a]

Is there an NBA player who cannot dunk?

Blogger's note: Sure. Have you ever seen Steve Nash above the rim, for instance?

[Robert]

Doug, I have got to disagree with you about the foul call. I am not a Spurs fun but Fisher clearly fouled Barry. There was nothing borderline about that foul. Its a foul that would get called in the regular season or playoffs. Fisher jumped and landed on Barry's shoulder. I am not sure what would be a clearer foul other than a player wrapping his arms around another player. Phil Jackson acknowledged it was a foul. The league acknowledged that it was a foul - and they only do that when it was a clear mistake. The only reason that the Spurs said it wasn't a foul was because they have class and didn't want to point to that play as being the reason they lost the game. In the end, it was their poor rebounding that cost them the game. But, at worst, it should have been a 2 shot foul for Barry to tie the game and send it to overtime.

[Troy]

RE: Robert's comment.

"The only reason that the Spurs said it wasn't a foul was because they have class and didn't want to point to that play as being the reason they lost the game." - You're JOKING right or are you Robert Horry in disguise? So much class that they play dirty when everything is on the line (playoff games.) Last year if it wasn't for Horry, our own Canadian Steve Nash would had a chance to bring the NBA title to Canada.

For your info they didn't "whine" because they knew they got a break the play before. They caught a break when the ball went out of bound and the ref called in their favor. Like Phil Jackson said, just paraphrasing here; It part of the game and it happens, sometimes the call is in on your side others its not.

Thanks Doug for posting the link above otherwise I wouldn't have known about the previous play. It's good to know both sides of the story rather than just the story on that one last play.

[bballer]

doug, nash used to dunk when he used to kick it with guys like george frempong b4 he was in the league. at that time he was still in santa clara. nash can dunk or at least he used to be able to dunk.

Blogger's note: "Used to be able" being the key words in that sentence. And do you mean like when he was passing to Brendan Graves with the Broncos?

[Robert B]

There's a video on YouTube of Calderon during his Spanish league days doing an amazing breakaway dunk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUxwJfGNkAY