Comment on NBA Playoffs: West Conf. Finals - May 28, 2026
scytale@piefed.zip 2 days agoIt’s not about the fouls, it’s about calling the game evenly. If they allow one team to be super physical, then let the other team be physical as well. If they want to call ticky tack fouls on one end, then call it the same the other way. I don’t care about OKC’s physical defense, as long as their opponents are allowed to do the same to them (which they aren’t most of the time).
Carter Bryant made a rookie mistake. Dude’s like a baby elephant, still not aware how strong he is and still can’t control himself. That’s why he’s been a foul machine the entire series, and he has been called for a foul every single time. The refs are calling it right.
Wemby told the subs to beat them up when they went in
You say people are jumping into hysteria while at the same time claiming that. Nobody knows what Wemby said to Plumlee. Isn’t that giving into hysteria? Now compare that to Chet deliberately stomping on Wemby’s foot on live TV, or Hartenstein pulling Castle down by his hair. Or some of Caruso’s steals that are basically hacking the player’s arms. Those are in 4K on everyone’s TVs. Hell, I’m glad Dort has been unplayable this series because that means he’s not on the floor most of the time, which means less chances of an injury. Just because Spurs had a dirty player in Bowen more than a decade ago, it doesn’t mean their current roster is full of dirty players.
RandAlThor@lemmy.ca 2 days ago
Then you aren’t watching Spurs defense. They are just as physical if not MORE than OKC. You don’t see all the quick pushing pulling slapping that SGA suffers at the hands of Castle or other Spurs wing defenders? Don’t just watch the ball. Wemby elbowing Naz in the throat, or telling Bismack coming into the game when the game was all over to lay the wood and then they proceeded to do just that? Or did you not see Bryant who’s much bigger and heftier than the thin SGA literally ramming him 2 possessions in a row?
Pop loved Bowen. He did the dirty job Pop wanted. Otherwise he would have been gone. I still remember how battered and bruised Nash was in his series against Spurs. I’d never seen a player get bruised like a boxer at the end of a fight from a basketball game. To this day. Spurs PR has been good. Pop’s a great orator and speaks well and talks the right values. He also knows how to play dirty to win. And he did.
scytale@piefed.zip 2 days ago
That is literally how physical OKC defends and what gives them the reputation of being the best defense in the league. Why is it a problem now that it is being done to them?
That’s a different series and nobody disputes that was a bad move. He received a flagrant 2 and was kicked out of the game. People can argue if it warranted a suspension, but that’s not what we’re discussing right now. Also, Wemby has no history of being dirty and that was his first major fuck up. And even then, he did it out of frustration with how the Wolves were being too physical with him, not because he just wanted to be dirty.
Again, the hysteria you are talking about. There is no evidence of what Wemby said to the end-of-bench guys. Meanwhile, Chet stomping on Wemby’s foot and Hartenstein pulling Castle down by the hair has clear evidence in 4K, yet you completely ignore those. It’s not even worth mentioning Dort’s history of dirty tactics. The most recent one vs the Spurs I remember is him targeting Wemby’s knees while running to the basket for a rebound. And the worst part is all those moves weren’t even part of play. Like you have to go out of your way to commit them. I can forgive unintentional hard contact while in play, but those were just blatant dirty moves.
Again, that was more than a decade ago. This is a completely different roster and personnel. This is their first playoff run and experience being in very physical situations (Wolves and Thunder series). Until there is a pattern of actual dirty play with evidence, I will reserve judgement about calling them dirty. Meanwhile, OKC already has a bit of a history.
My point is, I just want even reffing. You can’t allow OKC to be hyper physical on defense and at the same time fall for their flops. Pick one, stick with it, and allow the other team the same.
RandAlThor@lemmy.ca 2 days ago
Dude, it’s literally tiring replying to you. Those are fouls. Earlier in the series you guys are crying about OKC defense being too physical. If anything Spurs are as much if not more physical. I see the fouls and they are being called fairly evenly or they are not called at all. You are too biased to see the fouls being committed both ways. Spurs’ guards are way bigger and more athletic.
It’s the same player regardless of the series. Wemby is showing himself to be a dirty player. It’s the same organization, and Pop is VERY MUCH still the grand-daddy in current Spurs’ org. He’s still the patriarch. When he came into the locker room after game 5, he had the doors locked and HE held sway in there like he’s the godfather, over the head of current head coach. That is relevant.
I sorta like both SGA and Wemby. I am growing a dislike for both Spurs and OKC. I don’t give a shit if either team goes down. But there is one sided hysteria that’s diabolical and you are part of it. I am sitting here in disbelief how overblown and one-sided this is. Go ahead hate OKC. But there is no realism in the current views, yours and across the social media. Hysteria has blinded you. There’s no use talking to a cult member. I’m out.
scytale@piefed.zip 2 days ago
Nope, not me. OKC’s physical defense was already expected. Any NBA fan knows that facing OKC meant you’re gonna be in for a hard, physical series. What people were complaining about is the flopping on the other end, and the specific dirty shit they were pulling (foot stomp, hair pull, etc.). Hell, nobody was complaining in game 1 because the refs let them play.
Again, the elbow was the first time he did anything dirty. Until there is a pattern from him specifically, I will reserve judgement. OKC can’t say the same.
Like I said, I don’t care about OKC’s physicality. I just want them to quit flopping, and having their cake (allowed to be physical on defense) while eating it too (getting an easy whistle on offense).
Says the guy who’s calling out all the Spurs’ physicality while completely ignoring OKC and their history. I’m not blind, I see how the Spurs are pushing back on the physicality and roughing them up. OKC just needs to cut the dirty shit and the flopping, and this will be an even greater series.
I don’t care if the Spurs lose at the end, they already overly exceeded expectations and I’m sure they’ll be right back at it next season.
SGA is no doubt one of the best players in the league right now. He doesn’t need to be flopping and falling every time he shoots.
Anyways, see you on the next game thread.