2025-26 NBA Playoffs

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

People need to get over their homerisms and realize that sometimes reffing crews can swallow or be extra aggressive with whistles any given night.

Also, stars with egregious genetic advantages have been historically known to garner more physical contact. See: Shaq; Zion...and now Wadlow.

The only problem is these refs have been consistently allowing the overly physical play from game 1. And Castle's actually been more of the recipient and he's not some giant. They've let Randle shove, body slam, guys pushing him to the point where he said..."I'm not going to let them punk me".

The issue w Wemby is the contact hasn't been the kind of physical Shaq or Zion would get. You foul them or get punished. Wemby isn't built like either one so they are able to foul and possibly injure him. I have no problem w the ejection, only the neglect that led to it. Once the tape gets out, we'll see how the refs looked the other way on some pretty dirty tactics. The pushing, grabbing, holding and including shots above the neck. I've pointed that out even in the wins earlier. Mitch Johnson also said they've tried to get him to play through it. It's on the refs to protect the players but they are looking the other way. He's young but he's also has a mean streak that'll show up later this week

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

The only problem is these refs have been consistently allowing the overly physical play from game 1. And Castle's actually been more of the recipient and he's not some giant. They've let Randle shove, body slam, guys pushing him to the point where he said..."I'm not going to let them punk me".

The issue w Wemby is the contact hasn't been the kind of physical Shaq or Zion would get. You foul him or get punished. Wemby isn't built like either one so they are able to foul and possibly injure him. I have no problem w the ejection, only the neglect that led to it. Once the tape gets out, we'll see how the refs looked the other way on some pretty dirty tactics. The pushing, grabbing, holding and including shots above the neck. I've pointed that out even in the wins earlier. Mitch Johnson also said they've tried to get him to play through it. It's on the refs to protect the players but they are looking the other way. He's young but he's also has a mean streak that'll show up later this week

I don't think anyone's contending that he receives an unjust amount of additional uncalled contact. But I think this is what's to be expected based on history. Regardless of how the physicality is dealt, his vertical length is so great that he gains the same kinds of offensive/defensive advantages that both Shaq and Zion did based on their horizontal girths (pause).

Technically any 3 of these players could probably earn a whistle on 50 percent of plays if we go straight by the rule books. But that's simply not feasible.

I'd say the only thing to do if you're a fan of his (which I am), is prepare yourself for more of this in the future because it's just how it is. He's going to have to learn how to circumvent/navigate not losing it in these moments because there's most likely a lot more to come.

Hopefully nothing ends in a catastrophic injury, but he's done a great job adding additional mass in the offseason to take the contact.

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

I don't think anyone's contending that he receives an unjust amount of additional uncalled contact. But I think this is what's to be expected based on history. Regardless of how the physicality is dealt, his vertical length is so great that he gains the same kinds of offensive/defensive advantages that both Shaq and Zion did based on their horizontal girths (pause).

Technically any 3 of these players could probably earn a whistle on 50 percent of plays if we go straight by the rule books. But that's simply not feasible.

I'd say the only thing to do if you're a fan of his (which I am), is prepare yourself for more of this in the future because it's just how it is. He's going to have to learn how to circumvent/navigate not losing it in these moments because there's most likely a lot more to come.

Hopefully nothing ends in a catastrophic injury, but he's done a great job adding additional mass in the offseason to take the contact.

Good points. And I think he had been handling it fairly well throughout the playoffs thus far. Which brings me to my conspiracy. Because I don't think for a second Wemby didn't realize what a flagrant 2 brought... Or that he was that flustered in the second quarter to wind up and deliver a shot like that. imo he's too smart of a player for that...young but well coached. And after listening to the coach's presser, I starting to think it was for the team as a whole. idk...maybe

[ninjacookies]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

Good points. And I think he had been handling it fairly well throughout the playoffs thus far. Which brings me to my conspiracy. Because I don't think for a second Wemby didn't realize what a flagrant 2 brought... Or that he was that flustered in the second quarter to wind up and deliver a shot like that. imo he's too smart of a player for that...young but well coached. And after listening to the coach's presser, I starting to think it was for the team as a whole. idk...maybe

Mitch definitely ready for that $25k dono. That's what you want out of your coach though. Good or bad, he's down for the cause.

I want to give Wemby the benefit of the doubt. He's never been known as a dirty player. Stuff happens.

The additional unfortunate thing for him is that he's so damn tall, that any flailed elbows are almost guaranteed to leave a dent in the side of an opponent's dome or their larynx. Same elbows for others might brush the sternum or shoulder.

[Sticks33]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

The only problem is these refs have been consistently allowing the overly physical play from game 1. And Castle's actually been more of the recipient and he's not some giant. They've let Randle shove, body slam, guys pushing him to the point where he said..."I'm not going to let them punk me".

The issue w Wemby is the contact hasn't been the kind of physical Shaq or Zion would get. You foul them or get punished. Wemby isn't built like either one so they are able to foul and possibly injure him. I have no problem w the ejection, only the neglect that led to it. Once the tape gets out, we'll see how the refs looked the other way on some pretty dirty tactics. The pushing, grabbing, holding and including shots above the neck. I've pointed that out even in the wins earlier. Mitch Johnson also said they've tried to get him to play through it. It's on the refs to protect the players but they are looking the other way. He's young but he's also has a mean streak that'll show up later this week

With all due respect, the spurs have been equally physical in the series. The amount of hand checking/grabbing is over the top. I’d like to see the refs clean that up for the rest of the series. Good hard defense is one thing, grabbing and holding is another. It goes both ways.

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

The only problem is these refs have been consistently allowing the overly physical play from game 1. And Castle's actually been more of the recipient and he's not some giant. They've let Randle shove, body slam, guys pushing him to the point where he said..."I'm not going to let them punk me".

The issue w Wemby is the contact hasn't been the kind of physical Shaq or Zion would get. You foul them or get punished. Wemby isn't built like either one so they are able to foul and possibly injure him. I have no problem w the ejection, only the neglect that led to it. Once the tape gets out, we'll see how the refs looked the other way on some pretty dirty tactics. The pushing, grabbing, holding and including shots above the neck. I've pointed that out even in the wins earlier. Mitch Johnson also said they've tried to get him to play through it. It's on the refs to protect the players but they are looking the other way. He's young but he's also has a mean streak that'll show up later this week

Blame the refs is a solid go-to for a series your team should be winning.

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

Blame the refs is a solid go-to for a series your team should be winning.

Avoiding the actual complaint is a common counterpoint

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

Avoiding the actual complaint is a common counterpoint

Stop making excuses. Your team is better than the Timberwolves and your star is at 100% health. Win the games, don't blame everyone else. You're being a homer. (Which is totally ok, just don't deny it!)

[spurs50fan]

Originally Posted by spurs50fan

Minny and their pushing and pulling is frustrating. But man Wemby is DIF..frent

Probably the toughest he’s looked given the obvious fouling

^^^this was after a win btw

Dont confuse homerism w worry but I’ll subscribe to either one. This isn’t limited to Wemby either. The Wolves are resorting to this. I know it’s a staple of some team’s/players repertoire but it’s still hard to watch. The Spurs have no issues with the physical play, they’ve stated that over and over. Most of the fans have seen enough to also know the difference. Should they have won even last night’s game…yes. But they have kept their complaints under wraps hoping the officiating would start cleaning the unnecessary stuff up

https://youtu.be/tgVTcYVID1w?si=LClVopu9UFOYys2x

[BoSoxFan1999]

Wemby doesn't lose his cool, Spurs win last night and the series is effectively over. I predict they'll win the next 2 to close it out, but can't have any mental mistakes like what Wemby did last night.

[Above the Rim]

These NBA players know every trick in the book. They are the best at it in the world. They are masters at holding, pushing, grabbing, shoving, and clocking the other player while trying to draw minimal referee eyeballs. They are going to continue to play against the rules and do it as long as they don't get caught ... which, in the vast majority of times they aren't. Some teams are better at it than others, and the better they are at it the more the advantage for them. Gee, I have no clue how to fix it, but it's not good for the game.

[pingbling23]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

These NBA players know every trick in the book. They are the best at it in the world. They are masters at holding, pushing, grabbing, shoving, and clocking the other player while trying to draw minimal referee eyeballs. They are going to continue to play against the rules and do it as long as they don't get caught ... which, in the vast majority of times they aren't. Some teams are better at it than others, and the better they are at it the more the advantage for them. Gee, I have no clue how to fix it, but it's not good for the game.

over 10 billion a year in revenue. nba can easily afford "reviewers" to watch games and a "review board" to asses penalties after the fact. would easily clean up the game. flopping and dirty play would be drastically reduced.

[tjforce]

Wemby not getting any further disciplinary action is wild to me, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised that there is a clear double standard between how they treat a superstar vs a normal player.

Feel free to be upset if you are a Twolves fan.

[Scottish Punk]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Wemby not getting any further disciplinary action is wild to me, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised that there is a clear double standard between how they treat a superstar vs a normal player.

Feel free to be upset if you are a Twolves fan.

That has been status quo since the Stern/Jordan days. Disciplinary action, travelling, fouls, everything. Once you reach superstar level, your rules are different. I think Stern said something like "People don't spend 5k on courtside seats to see Kobe on the bench in foul trouble".

[trixstar]

I'm a little surprised at no fine tbh

[Above the Rim]

Part of there being no suspension and no fine is that Wemby has little to no track record of such fouls. In his defense, he has been pushed, shoved, knocked down, kicked, grabbed and held, tripped, slapped at by opposing players regularly. He just wanted to secure the rebound, had 2 players up in his grill and bodying him hard, and he got fed up, frustrated, and reacted as he should not have. How many fouls with the ball, and off-ball fouls does a guy have to endure all the while getting no whistle?

[Sticks33]

Originally Posted by Above the Rim

Part of there being no suspension and no fine is that Wemby has little to no track record of such fouls. In his defense, he has been pushed, shoved, knocked down, kicked, grabbed and held, tripped, slapped at by opposing players regularly. He just wanted to secure the rebound, had 2 players up in his grill and bodying him hard, and he got fed up, frustrated, and reacted as he should not have. How many fouls with the ball, and off-ball fouls does a guy have to endure all the while getting no whistle?

That's been everyone in the playoffs. Other guys haven't swung up high with an elbow.

That being said, for entertainment value, I'm glad they didn't suspend Wemby. If I were a Wolves fan, I'd be livid.

[Scottish Punk]

Pistons look really flat with no urgency at all.

[ninjacookies]

Gerald Levert flu revenge game.



Looks like another 4th quarter grindout incoming.

[Incarnadine]

wow, Cleveland on a 21-0 run in the 3rd.

[ninjacookies]

Welp.

G5 must-nguyen it is.

[SK40]

Would love if Cleveland Browned this game up lol

[exitmusicblue]

Real post to help break the jinx. Is it possible the Lake squad simply won't score for an entire quarter?

[ninjacookies]

Caruso playing like he refuses to let Reaves sabotage his eagle scout promotion.



T-minus 24 minutes til' Bali.

[exitmusicblue]

Bron and Reaves with the worst +- in the game. Bron wolfing down the defensive boards as he can't do much else.

Accountability.