qwerty Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 CHICAGO -- Four days isn't enough time for all the scratches to heal. Not that the Sonics need any scars to remember a three-point loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday at KeyArena. The Bulls defense rubbed the Sonics raw, leaving them with motivation that is more than skin deep heading into tonight's game at the United Center. "It's definitely more incentive, because it is fresh on our minds," Sonics guard Ray Allen said. "We didn't play our best, so it's a payback game for us." The Sonics (42-19) didn't have to wait long. At least not for this rematch. As for the renaissance these two franchises are experiencing this season? Well, that's been a few years in the making. It has been seven years since either team won a playoff series, but both the Sonics and Bulls suddenly matter again. The Sonics and Bulls are two of the biggest surprises. The Sonics are one of the league's most efficient offenses with their combination of shooting precision and rebounding power; the Bulls (32-28) have one of the league's most nettlesome defenses. They are a New Age Jazz of sorts, the Bulls now playing the same sort of clutch-and-grab style that the Utah Jazz once used to flummox the Sonics. "They just get into your head with all the grabbing and the holding and the no-calls," Sonics coach Nate McMillan said. The San Antonio Spurs are the only team holding opponents to a lower field-goal percentage than the Bulls. Allen was 4-for-16 shooting in Friday's loss, and he and plenty of teammates spent much of the second half complaining to officials about fouls that were not called. "That pressure bothered us," McMillan said. "They were fouls, and the officials were not calling it, but you've got to play through it. "You've got to be able to do that by being calm and under control." Patience is what the Sonics practiced yesterday in Chicago, McMillan saying that playing slow and steady was the best counterpunch to the Bulls' aggressiveness. "That pressure or that physical play can force you to rush," McMillan said. "What you have to do is slow down, as opposed to rushing, and use each other." He said passing was the best antidote, not a headstrong insistence upon penetrating against a defense that collapses in the middle while shot blockers Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler wait inside. In fact, the Bulls may well have been on the speed dial of Sonics general manager Rick Sund, who was inquiring foremost about Chandler, a fourth-year center. The Bulls, meanwhile, have had a years-long interest in Vladimir Radmanovic. "We've got a whole new team, basically," Bulls coach Scott Skiles said after his team practiced in Seattle on Friday. It wasn't a case of blind devotion to a master plan, Skiles said, so much as an accurate personnel evaluation. "The moment you start thinking, 'Geez, five years from now if we just keep everybody,' that's not pro sports," Skiles said. "You've got to try and get better all the time. "On the other hand, you don't want to be stupid, either." The success of these two teams only seems to have happened overnight. Actually, it has taken years of waiting, but tonight's game is finally a matchup worth watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldmember Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 (edited) That’s when the Sonics made a run behind Ray Allen. Allen had an extremely difficult night, missing 12-of-16 shot attempts while being guarded by Kirk Hinrich. At one point toward the end of the third quarter, Allen shot a baseline jumper, and as he released it he said to referee Danny Crawford, “See that? He’s hitting my arm every time.” The ball sailed long for an air ball.[ Edited March 15, 2005 by qwerty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted March 15, 2005 Author Share Posted March 15, 2005 They call it a snakebite. It works like this: An offensive players raises up to shoot his jump shot. As he brings his arm forward to release the ball, the defensive player quickly and subtly taps the player on the elbow or the forearm, like a snake, disrupting his shot. Sometimes it is detected. But NBA players are so good at it that an official can’t see the snakebite every time because often it simply looks like a player is contesting a shot. That, more than anything else, Seattle SuperSonics guard Ray Allen said, is what had him infuriated in the Sonics’ 100-97 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. “Every time I went to shoot, they were hitting me right there on my elbow,” Allen said after the team’s Monday practice at Moody Bible Institute. “One time, I came underneath the basket and put up a shot, and two people chopped me across my arms. The ball went straight up in the air. No calls. That was frustrating more than anything.” ... Allen is usually so composed that it was completely out of character for him to express frustration over Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich, who was the primary reason for Allen’s 4-for-16 shooting and 17 points. But Allen said it wasn’t so much Hinrich as it was the officiating crew. “It was the lack of calls I was getting every time he slapped me on my wrist or elbow,” Allen said. “He could have kept doing what he was doing, and if I got the call for it, it wouldn’t have mattered. If somebody plays good defense and stays in front of me, that is frustrating when I can’t get to the hole. But I was getting to the hole. And I was getting fouled every time. “And the referees kept telling me they couldn’t get to a spot where they could see what he was doing.” Allen said Chicago assistant coach Ron Adams was an assistant coach in Milwaukee when Allen played for the Bucks. Allen said Adams used to teach Bucks players to use the snakebite technique that Hinrich and Chris Duhon are employing. “I know where it came from,” Allen said. “I have known Ron Adams for a couple years, so I know that is his technique. If it was me, I would do the same thing. http://www.thenewstribune.com/sport...p-4334934c.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 Aw those poor babies. It must suck have the refs out to get you. STFU and play ball damnit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backman Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 lets go bulls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodAsGould Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 thats about the biggest bunch of bs i ever heard... Allen seems to forget what he was doing elbowing the s*** out of Hinrich and all and still getting the benefit of the doubt and Hinrich was called for the foul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BridgeportHeather Posted March 15, 2005 Share Posted March 15, 2005 The Bulls were actually the ones who got the shorter end of most calls. It was poetic justice that they were able to beat Seattle Friday night to rise above it all. This time around, I don't care that Seattle's a better road team. The Bulls just won't lose to them at home. I predict at least a 6-7 point win for the boyz who play at 1901 W. Madison. And Hinrich and Gordon will be out to get them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wise Master Buehrle Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Is it just me or does Hinrich suck? He can't drain anything and he takes way too many shots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted March 16, 2005 Author Share Posted March 16, 2005 QUOTE(El Piervizdyeguchansodnik @ Mar 15, 2005 -> 09:02 PM) Is it just me or does Hinrich suck? He can't drain anything and he takes way too many shots. It is his fault that he misses all those wide open shots but it is not his fault that he is shooting all of those shots. He just does what he is told to do. Hinrich far from sucks. He passes well ( sloppy on occasion), crazy ass defense, drives well and kicks it out well while driving etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wise Master Buehrle Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Tom Dore: In my house my kids still say "Good guys wear black". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted March 16, 2005 Author Share Posted March 16, 2005 The refs apparently have listened to the sonics. f***ing bunch of pansies. This is one of the lamest games ever played. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 God this is f***ing ridiculous. The refs are scared of the Sonics pussy asses. This is one of the worst basketball games I've ever watched. PEOPLE DONT PAY TO SEE YOU BLOW YOUR MOTHER f***ING WHISTLE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 ANY OTHER f***ING BULLs*** PUSSY ASS PHANTOM CALLS YOU WANNA MAKE? THIS IS f***ING BULLs*** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 How much are the Sonics paying Joey Crawford over the course of his 10 day contract? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wise Master Buehrle Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 This is pretty gay. STupid refs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 PLEASE SOMEONE TRY AND EXPLAIN ONE WAY THAT WAS A FOUL ON BEN THAT WAS f***ING BULLs***! BULLs***! f*** THE REFS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spod=Ratings Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 bulls need a run big time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted March 16, 2005 Author Share Posted March 16, 2005 In 23 minutes curry has three rebounds 0 defensive f***ing rebounds. Let the praising begin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gene Honda Civic Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 Worst.Game.Evar. They've looked like a middle school team here in the second half Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 This ball game is over. Good night, sixty f***ing fouls what a waste of my god damn time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted March 16, 2005 Author Share Posted March 16, 2005 3:22 left and there have been 62 f***ing fouls called. Crawford ( the official) and the rest of there crew must have gotten some sexual favors out of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spod=Ratings Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 hey atleast depaul may win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spod=Ratings Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 (edited) all these fouls are insane! Edited March 16, 2005 by Spod=Ratings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFanForever Posted March 16, 2005 Share Posted March 16, 2005 These refs are god awful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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