OKC versus Toronto - Tuesday, November 6th

[Nilanka]

Hoping for a split on this mini road trip.

On paper, a Dirkless (and Marionless) Mavericks team seem to be weaker than OKC, but a road game on the 2nd night of back-to-backs have historically been trouble for us.

[Raptor_11]

I think people are excited for this game. Hasn't started yet and already on the 3rd page of the thread. Lovin' it!

On a more serious note, I'm really hoping Lowry outplays Westbrook tonight. But unfortunately, we'll also need Derozan to perform well against a tough defender, as well as Bargniani. It'll be a tough one, but if Duane Casey has taught us anything, it is that any game is winnable with him calling the shots

[Jclaw]

As the game is on nbatv....I guess it won't be on our nbatv, just tsn. We should be able to find an nbatv feed I guess. Btw, arse, I respect you but how in good conscience can you call raps by 2. Anything can happen but that doesn't mean you predict it. Maybe I should read the whole write up first

[slaw]

Your source?

In the NJ/Toronto game, not one official called a single playoff game last year. Against, Minny, the three officials called a total of 3 games.

Indiana? 12 playoff games between the 3 officials. Tonight, Garretson is on the crew - widely recognized as one of the top NBA officials. 9 playoff games last year.

EDIT: I looked at this very fast. Someone may want to check the numbers on NBAstuffer but the general point still stands.

[stretch]

Really?

The NBA is far far less physical than it has been.


In this case, there was no technical, ejection, flagarant foul, suspension.... nothing.

Also in today's game there is no handchecking on the perimeter. I can only shudder to think what Jordan would have done without handchecking.

Watch some of the highlights of the Detroit Pistons Bad Boys years:



Then there is Riley with the Knicks in the 1990's:


I don't think the league is ANYWHERE NEAR as physical as it was 15 years ago and earlier. Basically since the end of handchecking.

The rules are clearer now than 15 years ago. I wasn't referring to hand checking at all. It's the shooter initiated contact on drives to the basket in which the call almost always went to the shooter in the past but now the defender is allowed some verticallity. It's still a judgement call but there is a lot of contact these days that are non calls and that's the way it should be as long as it is consistent that way.

[Raptor_11]

The rules are clearer now than 15 years ago. I wasn't referring to hand checking at all. It's the shooter initiated contact on drives to the basket in which the call almost always went to the shooter in the past but now the defender is allowed some verticallity. It's still a judgement call but there is a lot of contact these days that are non calls and that's the way it should be as long as it is consistent that way.

I wish it was

[Matt52]

The rules are clearer now than 15 years ago. I wasn't referring to hand checking at all. It's the shooter initiated contact on drives to the basket in which the call almost always went to the shooter in the past but now the defender is allowed some verticallity. It's still a judgement call but there is a lot of contact these days that are non calls and that's the way it should be as long as it is consistent that way.

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on what constitutes physicality.

I do not think the game is anywhere near as physical in any manner as it was 15 plus years ago. I've been watching the league for nearly 25 years and that is just my opinion.

[ceez]

The rules are also completely different from 15 years ago.

[stretch]

The most physical basketball game I ever played was on a beachside court in Acapulco in the 1970s. Everytime I went for a layup I was bench pressing two Mexicans. They weren't picking on the tall gringo per se. That was their game.

[phez]

this game could either be very entertaining

or extremely painful to watch

[Raptor_11]

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nb...ll-access.nba/

Getting more recognition from around the NBA

[ReubenJRD]

If we lose, it will be under 10 points. If we win, it will be under 5 points. Just my thoughts on the margin.

Intriguing match-ups:

Westbrook vs. Lowry - Two aggressive looking point guards, but Lowry with the edge defensively. If Lowry can somehow make Westbrook shoot a bunch of contested jumpers, he will be a non-factor. I would also like to see Lowry attack Westbrook constantly.

Derozan vs. Sefolosha/Martin - Derozan is gonna have a hard time tonight. It will be a good challenge to see where he can try to get his own against guys his size, and a top defender in the league in Sefolosha.

Valanciunas vs. Perkins - Perkins is a big guy, who will do all of the dirty work. Valanciunas may have some troubles offensively against him (unless is getting out on the break), but defensively should really have the edge in terms of his lateral quicks and length.

Bench will be crucial tonight. Calderon, Amir, and Anderson are going to be relied on a lot here tonight. Would also love to see the energy Ed Davis has been showing since the home opener.

[hotfuzz]

KYLE LOWRY vs WESTBROOK!!!!

FUCK YEA, I'M SO PUMPED!

[b2kelly]

If VAL-ANCE-CEE-YUN-US can get it going we got this.

[draftedraptor]

Durant and Ibaka are monsters and cannot be stopped.

Raps must focus on perkins and sefo

[hotfuzz]

Bargnani is embarrassing to watch.

[draftedraptor]

Bargnani is embarrassing to watch.

he is not alone there. Fields with some embarrassing plays on both ends

Get in alan anderson nowwwwww

[ReubenJRD]

Goodness... Bargnani... Amir come into the game please.

[akashsingh]

Bargnani is embarrassing to watch.

he's embarassing us in front of all of america, fuck this guy.

[ReubenJRD]

Hey what's going on with the Game chat? It's not working for me. It's says it's not active.