Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 at 9:32 am  |  135 responses

Post Up: Pacer Power

Indiana steals Game 2 in Miami, while the Spurs coast to a Game 1 win over Lob City.

Pacers 78, Heat 75 (Series tied 1-1)

An exciting playoff game going down to the final buzzer will be overshadowed on this Wednesday morning. A phenomenal performance by Pacer big man David West, who outmuscled the Heat bigs all night long and hit clutch baskets down the stretch, will be elapsed. West has legitimately become the Pacer’s go-to player they have been looking for, but his presence will not be the spotlight of the game. The fact that Mario Chalmers, not the current MVP LeBron James or Dwayne Wade, took the final shot of the game with four seconds left to tie will not be remembered. Indiana’s tremendous defense, limiting a team averaging 98.5 ppg to 75 points, will get outshined. It’s a shame, really. The two teams went a combined 2-8 on free throws in the final minute will also be forgotten. Dwayne Wade’s post-game comments will overshadow the whole game.

Everyone, please watch this video a time or two. Give it a quick glance. Let it soak in for a minute, and explain how Dwayne Wade can criticize someone for “celebrating” a playoff win.

The Heat threw a party for the arrival of LeBron James and Chris Bosh. The Pacers showed a few visible signs of emotion from a win after an extremely chippy game. Both teams played full speed all game, and tempers flared multiple times. The Pacers did no major celebration dances, no posing for the cameras, no victory laps or anything of the sort. Instead of focusing on the reasons why the Heat dropped a winnable game at home, Wade made these remarks about what happened after the final buzzer sounded:

“I don’t know if they didn’t expect to win. Every night we go out on the court, we expect to win.”

“I heard they wanted to be like the Dallas Mavericks. I saw their little celebration at the end of the game.”

If Wade wants to play the villain, so be it. Every League needs a bad guy. But comments like the ones he made take away from a fantastic game and shine the spotlight on a negative side of sports: bad player quotes.

The fact of the matter is the Pacers head home 1-1 with full momentum and two home games in a row. David West proved he could be the “go-to guy” the media claims is necessary for a Pacers title run. Paul George and Danny Granger came up big at different moments. The defense played its best game of the year and the Pacers proved they can hang with the top dogs in the East. Game 2 was not a game in which the Heat blatantly beat themselves—the Pacers deserved the victory and outplayed the Heat. If the Heat don’t get their act together quickly, they could be staring a series deficit straight in the eye after Thursday night in Indianapolis. —Dave Spahn (@DaveSpahn)

Spurs 108, Clippers 92 (SAS leads 1-0)

Signs pointed to the younger Los Angeles Clippers being able to play with the older San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. For about a quarter, that is. Tied up at 29-29 to start the second quarter, Tim Duncan & Co. imposed their will the rest of the way en route to a rather impressive 108-92 victory in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Furthermore, the Spurs silenced some of their critics who thought they were on the downside of their careers and the shortened season might catch up with them at some point.

And with the particularly lopsided result, perhaps they sent a message to the rest of the League that they still have something left in the tank and are on the verge of big things. This much is clear: The Clippers do not appear to be up to the task of making things interesting.

For all the talk about Blake Griffin being the future, Duncan upstaged him to prove that he’s still one of the premiere players at his position and the face of Lob City has a long way to go. There’s no substitute for experience, I suppose.

Duncan scored 26 points on 12-of-20 shooting from the field. Can’t forget to mention his 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals. In comparison, Griffin finished with 15 points on 7-17 shooting. He added 9 rebounds too. Anyone who watched the game somewhat close could clearly see how over-matched Griffin was.

Duncan might have lost a step. Collectively, the Spurs might have lost step. Nevertheless, the Clippers are in trouble, based on the what we witnessed Tuesday. Granted, this series is not only about Duncan vs. Griffin. There are interesting match-ups all over the court. That said, can’t imagine things being much different in Game 2. —Sean Ceglinsky (@seanceglinsky)

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  • http://www.google.be/imgres?q=NO!+meme&um=1&hl=nl&sa=N&rlz=1C1AFAB_enBE454BE454&biw=1600&bih=763&tbm=isch&tbnid=L3l0ZW3D5dDSDM:&imgrefurl=http://forthesakeofscience Max

    And your ECF:
    Pacers – Sixers
    WHOOHOOOO!!

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    After Duncan and KG I don’t there is another power forward better than Malone.
    He scored better than everybody. Defended as well as everybody not named Duncan or Garnett. Same with rebounding. And he was consistent.
    Do y’all realize that McHale never averaged 10 rebounds in a season? Unacceptable.
    Why do so many people think Barkley is better than Malone? Based on what exactly?

  • http://cnbc.com JTaylor21

    There is nothing overrated about Malone, absoultely nothing. The man is probably the most consistent superstar (outside of KAJ) to play in the NBA. He is the only cat in League history to avg. 25+ppg/10+rpg for 10 straight seasons, if that isn’t being consistently dominant I don’t know what is.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Allen, McHale did average 9.9 one season. And he was consistently above 8, on a team with 2 other guys 6’9 and 7’1 who averaged right around the same number. He had a lot of competition for rebounds on those Celtics teams.

  • T-Money

    i’ve noticed something else yesterday in the 4th. bron got CLOBBERED on two makes in the paint where he didn’t fall and didn’t get the calls. can that be part of the reason why stars are flailing, knocking their heads back and screaming when they get touched? it’s like in soccer, nobody wants diving but i’ve never seen a ref give a penalty to someone that didn’t fall down.

  • T-Money

    here’s another suggestion for spo, play wade at the 2, bron at the 3 and bosh at the 4. the role players are not good enough to play your stars out of position. if you had a james harden on the bench, i’d get why you would want to alter line ups but why does wade have to play poitn and bron the 4 to find minutes for miller and battier?

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Because Miller and Battier can’t play out of position. And Bosh is done man. He is not coming back until next season. Not effectively at least.

  • Da-Meat-Hook

    Allenp, I think the only thing Barkley really had on Malone was the ability to create his own shot off of the dribble. Where Malone was quite reliant on the P & R, Barkley had the ability to take bigger defenders out to the perimeter and create his own shot. I also think Malone had the benefit of playing with John Stockton for 15+ seasons and also had the tutelage of Sloan. And that’s no not on the Mailman, I just think he was surrounded by more talent for a longer period of time. They’re both in my top 4 PFs of all time!

  • Da-Meat-Hook

    *no knock on the Mailman

  • http://www.slamonline.com Wayno

    TD, KG, Malone, Barkley.

  • Da-Meat-Hook

    nbk, what’s the latest you’ve heard on Bosh’s status? I’ve been out of the loop. Last I heard, the strain was moderate and he would only have to miss this series (which may mean the end of this season).

  • http://cnbc.com JTaylor21

    There’s no explanation for why some people have KG and Barkley above Malone. If it weren’t for a lack of rings, Malone would be by far the greatest PF.

  • Da-Meat-Hook

    Who had the highest ceiling between Kemp, Webber, and Sheed?

  • http://www.slamonline.com Wayno

    Your could use that argument for KG too though JT…if he and TD swapped teams for thier careers, there’s a pretty good chance KG would have all those rings instead.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    I have KG above Malone. And I don’t think it’s the big of a debate. Malone was a better scorer. But he wasn’t clearly better at anything else. So I guess it depends if you value scoring more than, defense. The other categories, (passing, rebounding, leading a team) are all negotiable. I’ll take Garnett

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    DMH – Typically an abdominal strain takes 4-6 weeks to recover from. I mean Bosh can take some pain medication or take a pain shot and numb the area, but then he’s risking a major injury. I don’t see him being anything resembling his regular self again this post-season.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Wayno

    If they all had the same amount of championships. then sure, Malone is #1…but this is reality, not hypothetical land.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Wayno

    @ meat hook – I’d say Sheed had the most potential. I firmly believe he was every bit as talented as KG and TD, he was just never as mature, mentally tough, or willing to lead.

  • Da-Meat-Hook

    Thanks nbk. That really sucks!

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Why is this so shocking to you Taylor? Barkley could do more on a basketball floor than Malone could. I think Malone was slightly better, but it is because of consistency not because of skill/talent. Barkley is arguably better than Malone. I comes down to preferences and team needs when deciding who you want more.

  • Kadavour

    I take KG over Duncan. His intensity and versatility on defense give him the edge. I also think he spreads the floor better than Duncan. I could only imagine the damage he would have done if he had a guy like Rondo to create pick and rolls for him when he was in Minny.

  • http://cnbc.com JTaylor21

    Wayno, I’m not so sure about that. Maybe KG wins 1-2 rings with the spurs but not the 4 TD has so far. KG and TD are totally different players with different styles. I think having a big man that dominates on the low block (TD) vs a big that shoots jumpers (KG) gives you a higher chance at winning championships.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    yep Miami is in trouble. This is LeBron’s big chance to shut everyone up. If he can somehow win a title without Bosh then i don’t think there will be much to any logical criticism of him. Unless of course he continues to struggle in the last 2 minutes while winning games. He’ll be labeled as one of the best 46 minute players of all-time. ANd probably until he wins some games in the finals that are close in the closing minutes.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    KG is higher for defense and passing. Barkley is behind Malone on my list. Mainly because Maloney was far more consistent and durable than Charles. And Barkley played with the Sixers vets, Kevin Johnson (check his numbers) and Hakeem. He played with MORE talent than Malone.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Duncan is far better than Garnett as a low block scorer. Really as a scorer in general. Everything else is fairly even although Garnett is more versatile on defense.

  • BlackStar

    @Meat Hook – Definitely Sheed. If he had a better work ethic, he would be a top 5 PF without question … And to think, he still won a ring playing half hearted basketball. SMH …

  • http://cnbc.com JTaylor21

    All I care about when ranking/judging players historically is how well the performed/dominated on the basketball court. Now if we were talking “better player”, that would be different because I think Prime KG and Prime Barkley were better than Prime Malone but Malone’s extended dominance gives him the edge historically.

  • Da-Meat-Hook

    Allenp, Malone is ahead of Barkley on my list as well, but Barkley got to play with a healthy KJ for what, 3 seasons, tops? And Barkley was a shell of the player he was by the time he got to Houston to join Dream. Again, I’m in no way saying Barkley was the superior player, I’m just suggesting that playing with the greatest P&R pg off all time coupled with playing under a top 10 coach of all time is a pretty good situation to be in. Barkley had Doc and Moses at the tail end of their careers, KJ for a few seasons, and Dream when he was out to pasture.

  • http://nba.com GP23

    Ok cool, now how about top 5 SG’s
    I have
    1. Jordan
    2. Kobe
    3. West
    4. Iverson
    5. Drexler

  • Da-Meat-Hook

    Co-sign Wayno and BlackStar, Webber and Kemp were absolute beasts, but Sheeds toolbox was INSANE. His length, fundamentals, touch, and little white patch of hair were things of beauty!

  • Da-Meat-Hook

    GP23 NO WADE IN YOUR TOP 5???

  • http://nba.com GP23

    Meat Hook.. it was tough, I had him at 6, but I totally understand if he is in your top 5.

  • http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

    Allen can you really give the edge to Garnett in defense? I think that’s closer than you think. Duncan’s passing is also much better, though KG has better ball handling. Kinda washes out. That said, Duncan is far and away the best PF of all time. To me, it’s Timmy, then everybody else.

  • ti-sizzle

    I have Wade on my top5 WNBA shooting guard list.

  • Bola

    I know this aint in the convo but i take my boy Hakeem Olajuwon. Maybe because he comes from my father’s land. but boy Hakeem was a center playing like a small/power forward. He had one of the best moves in the NBA. he crossed defenders without moving his foot.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Man when Barkley joined the Sixers they had just gone to the Eastern Conference Finals and were two years removed from winning the Championship in one of the most dominant runs in NBA history. There weren’t that far into their decline. Nah, Chuck just wasn’t serious. He’s admitted this.
    Although I will admit that Barkley was an elite rebounder his entire career and Garnett has not been one.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Caboose I didn’t give Garnett the edge on defense. I just said he was more versatile. That doesn’t mean he’s better.
    And KJ was hurt during a part of his tenure with Chuck, but he was still quite good.
    Malone had Stockton, and then who else?

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Garnett is the best passing PF ever.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    Didn’t you just read that Horny article AP!? That’s who else.
    Haha, nah, Barkley was technically around more talent, but Malone was around more consistent better coached talent.

  • http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

    Fair enough Allen, he definitely is more versatile. Lake I should have specified, Timmy passes out of the post better, Garnett can run a team like a SF with his ball handling and passing.

  • http://slamonline.com LakeShow

    That I can accept!

  • http://www.slamonline.com Wayno

    Ok, so throw career accomplishments out the window…based on talent alone, which PF do you pick to start a team.

  • http://cnbc.com JTaylor21

    It’s between McHale and TD.

  • http://Roosterteeth.com Caboose

    Wayno: Duncan.

  • Da-Meat-Hook

    “Malone and Stockton, and who else” is like saying for his first 3 rings Jordan and Pip and who else? We’re talking 2 players who are arguably top 2 or 3 ALL TIME at their respective positions. And then throwing in a Top 10 coach of all time! Also, Mark Eaton, Thurl Bailey, Jeff Malone and then later Horny and Antoine Carr were all great role players in their day.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Wayno

    Yeah, I don’t think you can really make an argument that Malone didn’t ever have a supporting cast…he just fell victim to playing during MJ’s prime.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Jeff Hornacek did play in an All-Star game. He was far from a no-name teammate. Not saying he swung the pendulum, Barkley still had superior teammates. KJ (who was healthy in terms of going into the playoffs every year so his injuries are pretty irrelevant to the discussion) Majerle, Chambers Ceballos, Dumas, Ainge is a much better supporting cast than anything Stockton and Malone ever had. Just saying, Malone and Stockton weren’t surrounded by chopped liver, they probably would have won a title if it weren’t for his airness.

  • Kadavour

    depends on what you want from you PF spot. If i want defensive versatility and rebounds, i’m going with Rodman. If i want a post up 4, i’m going McHale. If I want someone to spread the floor, Garnett.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    I went back and thought about it. And while I think Barkley had better talent, you all are correct that Malone had more than just Stockton. I knew about Hornacek, but he also had some other talent.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Kadavour, Wait hold on, I realize McHale has a ton of moves in the post. But are you honestly trying to argue you would rather have him on the block than Tim Duncan? Really? Anyone else feel this way? And why? That seems outlandish too me.

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