Bargnani – quick 3 fouls in the game with his third being called before the 8 minute mark of the first quarter. Had a good second half where he hustled and buried a few. Gathered in only one rebound, though, and that is still a tough stat for a seven footer to swallow.
Bosh – for all those that question his value as a franchise player, they don’t need to watch this game unless they want to be called idiots. 29pts and 10boards do not do justice to his game today. Being played by Howard benefited him and he was like an unleashed beast for most of the game. The victim of a non-call in the last minute, he was given the ball for the final shot and I have no issue with that. Were there other options? Sure. But, Bosh knew Dwight wouldn’t crowd him, he was in his comfort zone as far as a spot on the floor and he just didn’t make the shot.
Calderon – magnificent game fraught with a little too much whining to the refs. In a game that, at times, seemed to be being played at a whistle convention, you need to accept a few calls and move on. Kudos to Sam for going with the right guy down the stretch, as well.
Delfino – seems that article picking him as a possible X factor could have some merit. He bothered Dwight more than a few times, he made some tough baskets, and he had a swagger. Made me remember some Raptor playoff games from the good old days. High marks, especially after a meek start to the game.
Ford – we should nickname this guy Rollercoaster or Mood Ring. So many changes in the course of the game, it’s crazy. Just a brutal first quarter when it came to keeping a handle on the ball. Seemed like he was playing tennis with so many unforced turnovers. Then, when coming back into the game, he settled down and relied on his old drive and kick, which worked enough to make the Magic take notice.
Humphries - well, he had more floor time than a virgin holding out during his first lapdance. 50seconds and a whole lot of zeroes. Way to earn that contract extension, bro.
Kapono – I was surprised to see him not make it on to the floor until the second quarter. When he did, though, he hit his first three and took off from there. He even got an imprint of the word Spalding on his face for good measure. His offensive output more than made up for a few poor decisions and he continues to show why he should be the first shooting option off the bench.
Moon – yup, start him instead of Bargs. His first defensive play? Faked out by a head and shoulder move. D-League stuff. Of his 5 boards, 3 were made by the ball just falling to him. 2 for 11 compared to 5 of 14 for Bargs. Yup. Fire Sam.
Nesterovic – who would have guessed that for the second year in a row Rasho is a loud non-factor. I was a bit surprised how Dwight manhandled him in Game One if only just based on the strong month and a bit Rasho has had. The few minutes Rasho played tonight made it even more apparent that the only action Rasho should get in the post season is in the hottub.
Parker – I know that Arsenalist was hoping AP would take the last shot, but it was not to be. Parkers sister signed a deal with Adidas earlier today and her brother celebrated by putting up an 0-fer. He did pull down 6 boards, but if he had just an average output tonight, the series would have been tied at 1.
Driving the Bus: Chris Bosh
Under the Bus: Rasho Nesterovic
Related posts:
Mitchell – Calls a timeout and instead of drawing up a play discusses who the next couple to be kicked off Dancing with the Stars might be.
This guy is a fucking disgrace of a coach. First the insane starting lineup and then he punctuates his pathetic coaching by drawing up a “play” which is the equivalent of just passing the ball to an exhausted Chris Bosh 20 feet out.
I want to go piss on his front door. Do let me know the address if anybody has it.
Arsenalist’s last blog post..Game 2 Heartbreak: Mitchell draws up middle-school play with :09 left
Don’t tell me you’re sleeping, wake up and lets talk some ball…
Arsenalist’s last blog post..Game 2 Heartbreak: Mitchell draws up middle-school play with :09 left
Carlos was brilliant but not a good way to end the game after high performance night.
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2008/04/playoffs-news-manu-parker-takes-spurs-2.html
john’s last blog post..Postgame Locker Room – Manu Ginobili
Well…. same starting lineup, same terrible start. We made up the difference more quickly this time, but still ran out of gas and were unable to get any separation while we were hot.
As for the final play, I have to say I wouldn’t mind seeing something other than a pick and pop for an iso on one of the better individual defenders in the NBA. At the same time, you’ve got to go to your star, so I can’t really complain. Bosh played like a man last night and that non-call was horrible.
Lastly, with regards to the Moon/Bargs thing – Moon looked a little uncertain of himself, and certainly didn’t play well. (Wouldn’t have been so bad were it not for that segment in the middle of the 3rd where he suddenly forgot he couldn’t shoot) But neither did Bargs, other than a couple made jumpers to start the second half. And we still dug an immediate hole to start the game. Still don’t like the move.
Altraps, I was with you on your belief we’d win this series before this game, and I still want to believe, but things are looking grim. Whatever… now it’ll just take 7 instead of 6!
I could be an ass and point out that, yes, we did start with the same lineup, but both Rasho and Bargs were gone in the first 6-8 minutes and the bleeding didn’t stop right away. But I won’t.
Plus, in all fairness, bad ball handling was the real culprit in the first and miscues by TJ and Bosh leap to mind immediately. Did the Magic still fire off uncontested 3s? Sure….but name a team we played all year that didn’t.
Scott’s last blog post..Linkage – April 23
okay, but any ass that pointed that out would also have to acknowledge the score was already 14-4 when Rasho left, and 24-8 when Bargs left… so the lead had already been built, and the magic were in full stride at that point.
However, you’re right that TJ’s sloppy play and lack of defensive intensity were the main culprits. I am still firmly of the mind that TJ hurts our team more than any other player. I really hope we can convince someone to take a flier on him this summer.
exactly why I said an ass would say it. (I saw that argument being used elsewhere today and my chin hit the desk)
I do honestly say, though, that the 2 quick starts were pretty different. You take away that bumbling and we (could) gain back 10pts and that 24-8 is now 14-8 and not so bad. Again, of those 14 were some of them uncontested looks? Yes…but we also had our fair share last night too.
I have no issue with how they played last night except for that rattling out-of-the-ordinary-for-us first quarter.
Scotts last blog post..Linkage – April 23