NBA Playoffs

[GregC]

He doesn't stand out like Bowen (far from it, really), but his elbows get thrown around quite a bit. Shaq used to do the same (when he got rebounds....).

Mike

I think it's mainly because he's so tall, has a huge wingspan and can jump out of the gym. With guys like that, the elbows are just going to land on other people sometimes as long as the player is a good/active rebounder.

FWIW, I've never thought Shaq was dirtier than the average player, either.

 

[elgecko]

I think it's mainly because he's so tall, has a huge wingspan and can jump out of the gym. With guys like that, the elbows are just going to land on other people sometimes as long as the player is a good/active rebounder.

FWIW, I've never thought Shaq was dirtier than the average player, either.

I agree, Shaq is/was NOT a dirty player!

Now The Mailman, that's a different story. I used to cringe every time he rebounded a ball, thinking someone was gonna take an elbow to the face.

 

[Tommygunn]

I think it's mainly because he's so tall, has a huge wingspan and can jump out of the gym. With guys like that, the elbows are just going to land on other people sometimes as long as the player is a good/active rebounder.

FWIW, I've never thought Shaq was dirtier than the average player, either.

Not on topic really but he is pretty trash talky/raciest. Poor Yao

I don't think I'll ever let that go.

One thing with Kobe/LeBron (I see it more in them than with any other players, but a lot of the forwards/guards do it) I hate is when they travel like 15 steps and make a layup (happens more when they dunk) and the ref doesn't call it.

 

[Gard]

I think it's mainly because he's so tall, has a huge wingspan and can jump out of the gym. With guys like that, the elbows are just going to land on other people sometimes as long as the player is a good/active rebounder.

FWIW, I've never thought Shaq was dirtier than the average player, either.

You get guys that are THAT big, there isn't much they can do to keep from hitting someone coming down with a rebound.

I met Shaq a few times in Orlando, and he isn't big. He's another freakin' species! Howard is darn near his size, just quicker and more mobile...but he's still just flat BIG, and that is why you see his elbows hitting folks.

 

[Gard]

LOL ha We'll see. My boys will wrap it up tonight.

They'd better or your dad is going beer shoppin'!



They don't end it in game 6, they're ended in game 7, and YOU know it.

 

[Tommygunn]

I'll tell you I wouldn't mind a underdog/underdog series. So if the suns won, I wouldn't care that the magic won.

 

[Gard]

I'll tell you I wouldn't mind a underdog/underdog series. So if the suns won, I wouldn't care that the magic won.

I hear ya...here are my preferred scenarios:

1 - Magic win out, hang the Champ banner opening day next year (really looking forward to my football team FINALLY doing that in September! )

2 - ANYONE BUT THE FAKERS WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

 

[mike_v_s]

I think it's mainly because he's so tall, has a huge wingspan and can jump out of the gym. With guys like that, the elbows are just going to land on other people sometimes as long as the player is a good/active rebounder.

FWIW, I've never thought Shaq was dirtier than the average player, either.

I'm talking the habit he has, after coming down with a rebound, of keeping his elbows out at chest level while holding the ball and "clearing" the immediate space around him with a few side to side sweeps. Anyone in the vicinity catches one. Shaq does the same thing.

Mike

 

[Tommygunn]

I like that second one best.

 

[Eric Perry]

...Now The Mailman, that's a different story. I used to cringe every time he rebounded a ball, thinking someone was gonna take an elbow to the face.

I don't think Malone threw many elbows maliciously. He was just a wee bit overzealous when he boxed out.

I always loved Karl. My favorite player by far. I can't think of him as dirty!

 

[Gard]

I'm talking the habit he has, after coming down with a rebound, of keeping his elbows out at chest level while holding the ball and "clearing" the immediate space around him with a few side to side sweeps. Anyone in the vicinity catches one. Shaq does the same thing.

Mike

He's not allowed to protect the ball when he gets a rebound?



...really???

I suppose that Dwight and Shaq should just stand there with their elbows down and let whoever just reach in and knock the ball out?



Really, even THAT is because of their size, not because of "dirty play". Everyone has the right to protect the ball when they are coming down with a rebound, if you're DUMB enough to try and challenge a guy like Howard or O'Neal on a rebound, and you catch an elbow, it's YOUR fault for sticking yourself in front of a moving semi truck, isn't it?



Mike, maybe you don't have the perspective of how REALLY BIG these guys are. Imagine a guy that is as much larger compared to me as than I am compared to Marick. They're a different definition of BIG.

 

[elgecko]

I don't think Malone threw many elbows maliciously. He was just a wee bit overzealous when he boxed out.

I always loved Karl. My favorite player by far. I can't think of him as dirty!

Okay, maybe "dirty" was the wrong word..."overzealous" is probably a better word to describe his "vigorous" clearing techniques.

I liked Malone too. I felt bad that he left the Jazz to get a ring and didn't.

 

[macaroni tony]

I've got to agree with Mr. Brees here, all good big men protect the ball when they come down with it. Otherwise they'll get stripped (not the most prolific dribblers) or get a possible jump ball called cradling the ball and remaining stagnant) more often than they would like. The really big guys like Shaq and Dwight look like they're trying to elbow somebody in the eye because....well they're just big. Big and awkward, in Howard's case

 

[Gard]

I've got to agree with Mr. Brees here, all good big men protect the ball when they come down with it. Otherwise they'll get stripped (not the most prolific dribblers) or get a possible jump ball called cradling the ball and remaining stagnant) more often than they would like. The really big guys like Shaq and Dwight look like they're trying to elbow somebody in the eye because....well they're just big. Big and awkward, in Howard's case

Dude, I love Shaq, but NO ONE is more gawky/awkward than he is, Dwight is a freakin' ballerina next to him!

 

[dangnewt]

Dirty - nah
Big and a little awkward - don't buy that either.

Anyone who has ever been the parent of a 3 to 8 year old can spot an "accidently on purpose" act when they see one. I guess NBA refs spend too much time away from home to have learned this. Howard has more than his share of those.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Y'know, I honestly don't get the "Howard is dirty" stuff...really...he's a big dude, he's kinda gawky sometimes, but intentionally "dirty", don't get it.



However, Wallace, yeah, he's an "enforcer" type with a big yap, and he IS dirty.

IMO, the dirtiest player in the league is Fisher. He's just so good at it and he delivers it with a smile. This is why I love watching him play.

 

[mike_v_s]

He's not allowed to protect the ball when he gets a rebound?



...really???

I suppose that Dwight and Shaq should just stand there with their elbows down and let whoever just reach in and knock the ball out?



Really, even THAT is because of their size, not because of "dirty play". Everyone has the right to protect the ball when they are coming down with a rebound, if you're DUMB enough to try and challenge a guy like Howard or O'Neal on a rebound, and you catch an elbow, it's YOUR fault for sticking yourself in front of a moving semi truck, isn't it?



Mike, maybe you don't have the perspective of how REALLY BIG these guys are. Imagine a guy that is as much larger compared to me as than I am compared to Marick. They're a different definition of BIG.

Gard, I love ya, but there is a difference between protecting the ball and the elbow sweep. Not everyone uses that move and they still manage. Now, he's not the only one and I wouldn't go out of my way to call him "dirty" because so many other players really meet the criteria, but he's certainly not clean.

If someone were to hang onto the ball with one hand and stick their arm out with a balled fist and spin in a circle, clothslining anyone in the vicinity, it would be a foul. I see this move as the same thing. Apparently the NBA does not, but traveling hasn't been called in a while, either.

Mike

 

[Gard]

Gard, I love ya, but there is a difference between protecting the ball and the elbow sweep. Not everyone uses that move and they still manage. Now, he's not the only one and I wouldn't go out of my way to call him "dirty" because so many other players really meet the criteria, but he's certainly not clean.

If someone were to hang onto the ball with one hand and stick their arm out with a balled fist and spin in a circle, clothslining anyone in the vicinity, it would be a foul. I see this move as the same thing. Apparently the NBA does not, but traveling hasn't been called in a while, either.

Mike

If he doesn't "elbow sweep", someone can reach in on him. If he does, no one with any sense will be close enough to do so. I think he has a right within the rules of the game to "box out" the area he is in, if he doesn't then guys will sneak in and poke at the ball.

If it were me playing the game, once he has possession of the ball, I'd let him have it!

 

[Tommygunn]

Thus why you're not in the NBA. If they never tried going in, he'd win most of his games.

 

[Tommygunn]

Imma pull a Maki

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My 2 cents