Blazer's Edge called it right!

[magnifier661]

http://www.blazersedge.com/2011/4/17/2117414/an-example-of-playoff-basketball

The first time Wallace hits the hardwood without a whistle (and there were several) maybe you shrug it off. The second time it happens it's time to take matters into your own hands. Overtly shoving back probably would have been too extreme, likely to draw a retaliatory call from the refs and perhaps ejection. But there would have been nothing wrong with a little forearm followed by an angry stare-down of the "somebody better hold me back or I'm going to take this guy out" variety. Had Wallace jumped up, immediately squared off against the offender, and told him that if he did that one more time he'd be carrying his head home in his gym bag, play would have stopped. Both teams would have jumped in to separate and/or jaw. The officials would have gotten in the middle, perhaps assessed a tech on Wallace, perhaps given Double-T's had they seen the original infraction and decided not to whistle it for whatever reason. Either way, the near fight would have made the refs realize they were losing control of the game and would have resulted in them calling it extremely tight for both sides from that point onward. The roar of the crowd, heretofore Dallas' ally, would have only convinced the officials that more violence would be dangerous, perhaps riot-inducing, tightening the reins even more. They would have gone way out of their way to make sure no cheap stuff slipped by. Even if the Mavs weren't intimidated directly by Wallace's response they wouldn't have gotten away with any more shoves. The game would have changed if Portland had been willing to go there...if that had been their instinct instead of just playing on.

I couldn't agree more. The reason why I was so excited about Wallace was for this very same reason. We need to impose toughness. So what, we get a tech, maybe even an ejection. Whatever happens, you force the NBA to do something, good or bad. Dave nailed it right. Dirk will continue to do this until the refs start calling it the other way. Wallace or maybe a "Chris Johnson" should come into the game and enforce the issue. Make it clear to everyone that Portland will not allow the NBA, other team or fans dictate an unfair game.

 

[maxiep]

That is a great take. It's one of the ill effects of the Washington/Tomjanovich incident. You no longer are allowed to settle disputes on the court. In the 1970s, Dirk would have had a broken nose for those elbows to the chest. But getting double techs is really the only response you can make these days. I hate lawyer ball.

 

[glazeduck]

All great points/ideas in theory.

Unfortunately, Nate's go-to move (pictured below) doesn't seem to evoke much retaliation

 

[magnifier661]

Players need to take that challenge. If Nate isn't telling them, then players like Wallace, Roy and camby need to enforce. Every successful playoff team has one or two. We need that player to step up, even if it means a tech or possibly an ejection.

 

[HailBlazers]

IMO If your the Blazers you can't play soft and expect to get many calls. If you want the refs to blow the whistle than get a step on your defender and attack the basket with force.

I understand how people are upset about the calls, or lack thereof, but if the Blazers are relying on the officiating to make the game even than their not striving hard enough to dominate. One thing is clear to me after Game 1, we own the match-ups against Dallas and there's no excuse for us not to dominate. It's ours win, or ours to lose. We are in control not the Refs. Nate knows this, and that's why he doesn't waste his time getting absurdly emotional.

Go Blazers.

 

[magnifier661]

IMO If your the Blazers you can't play soft and expect to get many calls. If you want the refs to blow the whistle than get a step on your defender and attack the basket with force.

I understand how people are upset about the calls, or lack thereof, but if the Blazers are relying on the officiating to make the game even than their not striving hard enough to dominate. One thing is clear to me after Game 1, we own the match-ups against Dallas and there's no excuse for us not to dominate. It's ours win, or ours to lose. We are in control not the Refs. Nate knows this, and that's why he doesn't waste his time getting absurdly emotional.

Go Blazers.

I think we did a fine job at attacking the basket. We had a ton of points in the paint. We needed a tech. Put a fire on the team and possibly force the refs to call the game tighter.

 

[HailBlazers]

My point is the Blazers are better than that. Maybe if the Ref's called the game tighter we would win!? How about if the Blazers didn't play like CRAP, we would win.

Our offense was horrible, and it brought down our D. There is a silver lining though, it made great game film and showed that even when playing bad, we are even with the Mavs. I fully expect the Blazers to dominate once they get their $hit straight, then it won't be left up to the refs.

 

[BBert]

We miss healthy Joel.

Wallace gets creamed all the time. And he keeps his mouth shut and plays on, all the time. He's tough, but he' not a whiner. NaBitchsky pretends someone touched him -- he gets free throws. LaMarcus and Wallace get elbowed, held, shoved and hacked, and the ball goes the other way on a fast break.

If the next game starts going like the first, I'd be happy to see one of our new bench PFs start a fight.

 

[magnifier661]

We miss healthy Joel.

Wallace gets creamed all the time. And he keeps his mouth shut and plays on, all the time. He's tough, but he' not a whiner. NaBitchsky pretends someone touched him -- he gets free throws. LaMarcus and Wallace get elbowed, held, shoved and hacked, and the ball goes the other way on a fast break.

If the next game starts going like the first, I'd be happy to see one of our new bench PFs start a fight.

Nah man Wallace can do it. What he did against L*kers (starting to get the spelling right), was a perfect example of what we need from him. We don't need a 20+ scorer. We need him hustling and being the enforcer. If Wallace puts up 15/8/1 block and 2 steals a game; I would be ecstatic! That would mean the most of his energy is making damn sure Dallas doesn't have it easy.

 

[Rhal]

Wallace isn't really the enforcer type. He is a very good and tough player but it takes a bit before he gets really in your face about things. LMA is the same way but it takes even more for him to get going. We need both of them to step it up and make the refs know there not gonna take shit from Chandler/Dirk anymore.

 

[Nikolokolus]

All great points/ideas in theory.

Unfortunately, Nate's go-to move (pictured below) doesn't seem to evoke much retaliation

Damn, Nate looks furious ... ummm ... wait a minute maybe he's actually a little tired ... er ... no wait, maybe he's constipated?

 

[BrianFromWA]

Tony Battie just joined the "lay a hard foul" Pantheon on LeBron just now. That's the way you foul. "I'm down 24 right now, but if you think you're dunking right there you have another thing coming. This is my arm crash through your chest while 'going for the ball'. Get up yourself."

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Players need to take that challenge. If Nate isn't telling them, then players like Wallace, Roy and camby need to enforce. Every successful playoff team has one or two. We need that player to step up, even if it means a tech or possibly an ejection.

Agreed 110%. Let one of our D-leaguers come in and break his nose. This all ends.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

for real, if the blazers are going to get called for fouls anyways, make them count, take dirks fucking head off.

 

[HailBlazers]

for real, if the blazers are going to get called for fouls anyways, make them count, take dirks head off.

This is the Playoff's after all! That's what I'm talking about.

I'm sure game one woke them up and they'll bring it hard tomorrow night, Guaranteed. And when they do we'll get the W, come home psyched and own Home Court.

 

[TripTango]

Damn, Nate looks furious ... ummm ... wait a minute maybe he's actually a little tired ... er ... no wait, maybe he's constipated?

You've been away for too long -- that is Nate's celebration face.

 

[BBert]

Tony Battie just joined the "lay a hard foul" Pantheon on LeBron just now. That's the way you foul. "I'm down 24 right now, but if you think you're dunking right there you have another thing coming. This is my arm crash through your chest while 'going for the ball'. Get up yourself."

Sign him.

 

[maxiep]

We miss healthy Joel.

Wallace gets creamed all the time. And he keeps his mouth shut and plays on, all the time. He's tough, but he' not a whiner. NaBitchsky pretends someone touched him -- he gets free throws. LaMarcus and Wallace get elbowed, held, shoved and hacked, and the ball goes the other way on a fast break.

If the next game starts going like the first, I'd be happy to see one of our new bench PFs start a fight.

Great point, BB. Repped.

I wonder if Joel is sitting at home in Wisconsin watching the games and thinking about how nice it would be to drop Dirk with an elbow or to get under Chandler's skin?

 

[BBert]

I wonder if Joel is sitting at home in Wisconsin watching the games and thinking about how nice it would be to drop Dirk with an elbow or to get under Chandler's skin?

Whenever I think of Chandler, I think of Joel.

 

[Rhal]

Whenever I think of Chandler, I think of Joel.

Joel probably would have gotten a t on dirk and one on chandler. Would have been glorius to see.