Game 84: Quick Recap

by Rohan on Apr 23, 2009 12:27 AM CDT in Recaps

Three reasons we lost this game: turnovers, shooting, and officiating.

Let's start with turnovers. Chris Paul was way out of control, making horrible decisions all night, and throwing awful passes. In short, this was the worst game he's played as a point guard in a long while. Couple that with the various freebie shots he missed, and he really didn't provide much to the Hornets. The rest of the team didn't help him out on the ball-control front. David West turned into a black hole offensively; literally every time he passed out of the post, it resulted in a turnover. The Hornets finished in the neighborhood of a 20% turnover rate, meaning they gave the ball away once every five possessions. On the road, that won't get it done.

Denver shot terrifically from the floor once again. Only this time, they hit far tougher shots; for most of the first three quarters, the Hornets closed well. I know the rotations got sluggish in the fourth, but I don't feel too poorly about the incredible shots J.R. Smith and Chauncey were knocking down.

Finally... the officiating. Long time readers of this blog know that in almost two season's worth of recaps, I've complained about officiating maybe twice. No exaggeration. I HATE hating on the refs. It's generally counterproductive and comes at the expense of analyzing shortcomings of players. I've seen the Hornets in the playoffs before- many times- and so this isn't some thing where I'm just extra jacked up due to the intensity. There's no way around it; the officiating was very, very, very bad tonight. I'm probably going to put up a video of all the phantom calls that went Denver's way. Off the top of my head, I can think of at least ten. It's ironic that Denver blogs were anticipating superstar calls going Chris Paul's way prior to the series, and Chauncey Billups was the recipient of at least three superstar calls in this game. Dahntay Jones drew two "charges" with his feet clearly moving. J.R. Smith got one of those. Nene travelled three times in the first quarter and was whistled once. Chauncey stiff armed Rasual Butler and drew a blocking foul. The amazing thing was the consistency with which the calls went Denver's way and how widespread they were. They occurred at all points in the game, whether it was West getting called for a "charge" with the Hornets trailing 25 or Butler getting called for a "block" in a tie game.

There is one element of positivity I should throw in. We were down 10, having fought back, to start the 4th quarter. A flurry of ridiculous threes (J.R. from 27 feet, anyone?) and questionable calls allowed Denver to pull away in a hurry. A 10 point deficit on the road with 12 minutes left, with your superstar point guard and star power foward struggling, and with every close call going against you? That really isn't shabby. It certainly gives me hope for Game 3.

A fuller recap, analyzing individual players, will come soon. For now, we gotta sleep on another bitter loss.

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Comments

I am SO, so glad you said this

I know I am a homer fan, and I acknowledge I don’t necessarily have the basketball knowledge. But… there is nothing more depressing than watching this whole playoffs and already knowing where it is being manufactured to go. Seriously. I’m pretty depressed. Not even about the Hornets! About the whole thing. Because I watched last year, and you know what? The finals were pretty evenly officiated. You want to take a guess why? Because the NBA already had the matchup it wanted? Yeah.

Ugh. I hate to devolve into a conspiracy theorist. But these games have been So. Close. but for a couple of terrible terrible calls that started the Hornets tumbling into a hole. Up to just that one point in the game that was the tip of the iceberg. And it is just even more frustrating to watch than the team flat-out losing.

Does anyone have ANY doubt that it will be LeBron vs. Kobe? I mean, what’s even the point? Sorry, sorry, but this is genuinely how I feel and it makes me so upset because I want to be surprised and inspired and moved. And that… just wont’ do those things for me.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Apr 23, 2009 12:56 AM CDT reply actions

Poor officiating

I think it’s fair to complain about the poor officiating but come on, there is no conspiracy here. I mean, the Hornets are playing the Nuggets last time I checked, not the Lakers or the Cavs. If Stern was really telling the refs what calls to make, don’t you think they’d call more in favor of CP3, one of the league darlings, versus the Nuggets who are the epitome of the thug imagery that Stern wants to eliminate?

Anyway, I watched this game despite not being a fan of either team because I expected a CP3 explosion. Obviously, I was disappointed. I think this is the first poor game I’ve seen him play. There were alot of times where I felt that he should’ve just shot the ball. One play in particular was when he tried to throw an alley-hoop to Chandler after having blown by his defender. This is usually money but Tyson had a defender in front of him and Paul was wide open in front of the rim.

Imo, the biggest advantage the Nuggets have are their bigs (I know, not exactly a novel idea). The Hornets bigs just can’t compete, not with DWest being made inefficient . The frontcourt advantage is opening up everything for the Nuggets. This series is similar in that sense to the LA-Utah series.

by Worthy J. on Apr 23, 2009 1:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I agree, I don't think there's a conspiracy in the officiating

Sorry if the post came off like that. Lakers-Cavs is gonna happen because the teams themselves are great. Now HOW the Lakers became great (Gasol trade, Kobe refusing to play for Charlotte) is another question entirely, but not one I’m interesting in pursuing right now. Agreed on all other points too

by Rohan on Apr 23, 2009 3:12 AM CDT up reply actions

I should clarify

That I wasn’t really talking about this game. I don’t believe there is a conspiracy AGAINST the Hornets. There’s no reason, if there was, that David Stern wouldn’t want CP3 to go deep into the playoffs. People love him, he equals revenue. I watched part of the Cavs game yesterday and it put me into this mood. I’m feeling rather fatalistic about the whole thing in general. I know the Cavs have played great basketball this year, but that whole article about LeBron being called for an average of less than one foul per game? Have you read it? Even Kobe, Wade, CP have been in foul trouble. James has never been, not once. And it’s frankly unbelievable for a guy in DPOY consideration who throws his body around that much and goes to the basket that hard.

My frustration is that Stern apparently has no interest in doing something about the league’s rep for sketchy officiating and ridiculous star calls. And CP’s have gone way up this year from last year, I’ve noticed— anecdotally— are there stats on this? I actually read an article where Brandon Roy said something surprisingly frank about that. Said that after his 50 pt game in November he started to notice the fact that he was getting whistles he doesn’t usually get. But you aren’t allowed to talk about the officiating or you get fined. I just feel like there is a possibility it’s allowed to continue, maybe, MAYBE, because then when things are slightly manufactured, it’s less noticeable?

I really feel more “what’s the point anyway? we know who’s getting to the final” than “everyone hates New Orleans.”

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Apr 23, 2009 5:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Sorry

I actually meant to say less than TWO fouls a game. It’s 1.7.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Apr 23, 2009 6:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah

I read that article and I agree, it’s pretty shocking. I agree that stars get calls; so does the homecourt team. The officiating is flawed and everyone knows it. I just don’t buy the “Stern wants them in the Finals” rhetoric. All superstars get calls and most teams that have a chance at going to the Finals have superstars anyway. I like to think that the uneven calls balance out in the long run, even if that might not be completely true.

by Worthy J. on Apr 23, 2009 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Well

I shall reserve my right to be a conspiracy theorist.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Apr 23, 2009 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions

What is more upsetting may be the fact that the officials could be paid and that the NBA want to generate more revenue if the big market teams make it to the Finals. That could be the whole reason why Stern and the NBA would like LA or Boston or Cleveland (b/c of Lebron) to make it so far. Why do all the good players seem to go to big market teams? It’s because it’s a fricken business ultimately and no one thus wants to see, for example, the Spurs and Jazz go to finals because less people will watch the games. This probably affects the whole player trading deal too. I wonder if big market teams have bigger budgets for spending on players than small market teams?

by Hornets#1 on Apr 23, 2009 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Um...

Spurs and Jazz finals would be difficutl since they are in the same conference.

by Tigernut on Apr 23, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Why do all the good players go to big markets?

Because big markets can pay for them. I mean come on guys, it’s no secret that Stern wants the dynasties in the Finals to increase ratings but let’s use some common sense here. The Spurs get massive amounts of calls and every Finals they go to see rating drop like a stone. The Jazz get alot of calls too considering how “physical” they play.

by Worthy J. on Apr 23, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Funny

I’ve watched both games and my view is that Hornets have enjoyed the lion’s share of poor calls — breathing in the vicinity of Chris Paul is apparently a foul.

And ticktock — yes, this a giant conspiracy by the NBA to eliminate the Hornets & clean-cut Chris Paul, whom the NBA & its broadcasting partners relentlessly promote in commercials at every opportunity, so that generally disliked, weed-smoking, drunk-driving badboy Carmelo Anthony & the Nuggets can advance. That sounds logical.

by KC Gunner on Apr 23, 2009 1:51 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

breathing in the vicinity of Chris Paul is apparently a foul.

I agree that this has been the case at numerous points in the season, but do you honestly think that about Game 2? I mean, if you do, fine. That’s your opinion.

by Rohan on Apr 23, 2009 3:13 AM CDT up reply actions

But CP only went to the line twice

Billups was 11/11. I mean, props to him for hitting them, but seriously? You’re making that argument in the face of the numbers?

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Apr 23, 2009 5:58 AM CDT up reply actions

Melo had ZERO free throws!

by Battlecat on Apr 23, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions

But as far as the conspiracy

See my clarification above. I don’t think this game is a conspiracy against the Hornets. For the exact reasons that you said (clean cut, weed-smoking, thug rep, etc).

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Apr 23, 2009 6:41 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm going to post what I posted at 247

Regarding Tyson and his (dis)ability to jump and contest because of his injuries makes me wonder why Marks (or some better frontcourt player) isn’t playing longer minutes. A lot of points given up in the point I noticed wasn’t because Chandler couldn’t be bothered to move to the player, it was because I could tell he was in pain. Please, Hornets’ fans and Coach Scott, I know TC is a pivotal player in our team and I’m fine with him playing some minutes, but Marks has done a fair job for us this season and I think he deserves some more playing time given the situation.

by JChangNZ on Apr 23, 2009 3:19 AM CDT reply actions

Yep I am

very surprised to see Marks get no minutes in 2 games. Ely and he played some big minutes in the closing stretch of the season, and now they’re both completely out the rotation? It makes very little sense.

by Rohan on Apr 23, 2009 3:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Marks played 5 minutes in the first 3 quarters

And then only the remaining 2 when Coach pulled the starters. I know Hornets’ fans have had this issue with Marks at the beginning of the season with him shooting the ball, but when it comes down to this, I know he can do it. If the bench isn’t going to be productive, it’s a good idea they share the ball around. I don’t care how they score. So long as they score. They’re doing a good job on defence so far…

by JChangNZ on Apr 23, 2009 3:25 AM CDT up reply actions

The thing with Marks

Is that when he gets passes under the hoop, he is a good catcher and he always goes up strong. Hilton does neither of these. Marks is sometimes rejected, but most of the time he at least draws a foul.

It’s best for Chris Paul if Marks is in the game… I think most people that watched the Hornets this year can tell that at first glance. Plus, he’s way better at help defense. So we’ll see.

by Rohan on Apr 23, 2009 3:33 AM CDT up reply actions

The thing is I BELIEVE and KNOW he can shoot this mid-long jumpers. And my issue is, he is also playing with the 2nd unit out there, perhaps not as long as Armstrong is, but if no one is going to shoot the ball, you might as well set some pick and pops for Marks so he can get open. I used to see him hit at least two or three open jumpers whenever he got an opportunity to play. And when no one guarded him on the right wing for a three, he shot it and would most likely get it. I like his new game now, going into the hoop strong, but there is no reason why he can’t have some jumpers too. I remember, if I’m correct that once you saw him pre-game warmup just knocking down 15-footers unconsciously?

Yeah. Anyway, we’ll see how Sunday (your Saturday) goes. Hope we can pick up the offense, rotate some more on D and keep the turnovers down. CP3 did look really out of control today and I realised that from the first ball. He looks nervous out there and I know its a real big thing to ask of him, but when team-mates see their all-star player nervous like that, it doesn’t help at all. Basketball is half a mental game when it gets to this level.

by JChangNZ on Apr 23, 2009 3:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I was surprised Hilton was in the game too

And didn’t he drop the ball out of bounds right away when he was?

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Apr 23, 2009 6:00 AM CDT up reply actions

No problem...

I never had a problem with anything Marks did, so I don’t know where you get that we ‘had this issue’ with him shooting the ball. In fact, I was amazed that such a great player could come from all the way down under in NZ. I thought ya’ll were mostly into futbol and cricket.

by Tigernut on Apr 23, 2009 8:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Fouls in Game 2 ...

I hate … hate, hate, hate, hate, hate the way NBA games are officiated. I think every fan of every team can pinpoint times during games when their team is getting the short end of the stick. It’s miserable, but the NBA is very hard to call unless you wanted to put replay into games and have 7:00 p.m. tipoffs end at 12:00 a.m. there is really no great solutions.

I was at the game tonight and felt that the officials were keeping the Hornets in the game early … I didn’t have the advantage of replay on all the calls, but I felt early the Hornets definitely benefitted and late the Nuggets started getting some calls when they started being more aggressive.

Now I know it doesn’t tell the whole story, but each team recorded 20 fouls last night.

The Hornets were actually +3 in terms of foul shots made.
Hornets 16-20.
Denver 13-21.

So I don’t see the Nuggets getting this game gift wrapped from the refs any way you slice it.

Things should be interesting on Saturday morning … what an early tip! 11 a.m. here in Denver.

Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan

by Nate Timmons on Apr 23, 2009 3:37 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah

I’m not saying it was “gift wrapped.” Not at all. I’m saying there were 8-10 calls that were totally blown, and 8-10 is a number I consider abnormal by normal officiating standards. Thus, I don’t think that total fouls or fouls shots portray the whole story.

Chauncey getting any of his 3 3 point plays was questionable, Nene was traveling consistently, and Dahntay Jones drew a couple charges on which he had both feet clearly in the circle or wasn’t even close to set. Officials miss calls all the time, and I have no problem with that. It’s why I don’t ever mention the refs in talking about a loss. I just felt like so many calls were blown tonight that it was worth pointing out as an observation.

by Rohan on Apr 23, 2009 4:12 AM CDT up reply actions

I hear you on that.

There is a lot of frustration with NBA officiating. There is just no easy way to fix it b/c it seems that Stern and the rest of the higher ups are not interested in cleaning up the foul calling.

But I agree that if you felt strongly about the officiating you should voice it. Again, it was tough for me b/c I was sitting down low and didn’t have the benefit of replay, but again felt the Hornets got some early calls and Denver got some calls late.

It also looked like Billups was doing a good job of drawing contact on his “And1” three points plays … at least on two of them that I saw clearly.

I’m sure this will be a much different series down in NOLA. Can’t wait for Game 3.

Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan

by Nate Timmons on Apr 23, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions

But I think that's the problem

Everyone saying the officiating is going to drastically change when the series gets to New Orleans is just pointing out what’s wrong with it. Why should it change? The crews are supposed to be neutral. I don’t WANT it to change.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Apr 23, 2009 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Let me clairfy ...

I don’t think (or I at least hope) the officials are a non-factor in NOLA.

I am just thinking that it’ll be good for the Hornets to get back on their home floor for a few nights and that’ll perhaps give them a positive vibe with their fans (all of you) supporting them.

It’ll be a different story with the Nuggets in a hostile environment and I can’t wait to see it!

GAME 3!!

Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan

by Nate Timmons on Apr 23, 2009 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Worse call of the night

Nate, being at the game I’m not sure if you could tell or not, but the worse call of the night was when Posey came barreling in like a freight train towards the hoop, Birdman jumped STRAIGHT up and he was whistled for the foul, hilarious!

The officiating was horrendous on both sides, no way was it one the “deciding” factors of this game.

by Battlecat on Apr 23, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions

What do you all think about Tyson?

If we don’t win Game 3 shut him down? Just throwing it out there. He looked so bad in the fourth. You can tell he wants to play, but he couldn’t even run without a limp. He can defend positionally, but he can’t get any height going for rebounds. I know we relied on him to inject some hope in this team, but it’s probably starting to be time to face the facts.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Apr 23, 2009 7:25 AM CDT reply actions

In Denver, D is for Double-team Defense

After reading all the posts about bad officiating, poor play, etc., I have to say the Nuggets didn’t just beat us; we were suffocated to death. In both games, Karl’s defensive plan is working like a charm. Better than a charm, even (my charms never worked!). Karl knows we have a team on which every player can shoot. You can’t really just focus on Paul or West or anyone. What do you do? What Karl did. Smother ‘em. Don’t matter who has the ball, collapse on him and make his life a living Hell. Our guys were standing on the perimeter a lot with their thumbs up their butts waiting for kick-outs that never came or were so poorly done that the recovery time to set up was all Denver needed to collapse on the new ball-handler. This is how I saw it. If the Bugs don’t pick up the tempo and learn to move the ball around the floor better, it’s going to be a short playoffs.

by Tigernut on Apr 23, 2009 8:19 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

BTW...

Did anyone dig Chris Anderson’s faux-hawk? What is that? A comb like a rooster for the Birdman? What’s next? Rhinoplasty to have his nose turned into a beak? I liked Anderson while he was here, but the crackhead cracker just couldn’t keep his **** together for us. That really irks me.

Oh, and since I’m white, I can use the ‘c’ word. Right?

by Tigernut on Apr 23, 2009 8:27 AM CDT reply actions

Aw, heck...

…. let’s just blame it on the weather. That thin stuff Denver calls “air” can wreak havoc on a team from a place where you can cut the atmosphere with a knife. They can’t breathe (oxygen, anyone?), their shots travel farther (another ringer off the back rim!), and they can’t communicate (in space, no one can hear you coach).

Ok, nuff excuses. Come Saturday, we better be on like Donkey Kong or we’ll be gone like…. Donkey Kong.

by Tigernut on Apr 23, 2009 8:51 AM CDT reply actions

The number of foul shots in this game does not tell the whole story. The shooting percentage differential and the turnover differential were more affected.

When Denver is able to bump, slam, and grab Tyson and West without a foul being called, it hurts our shooting percentage. When Butler and CP3 get called for BS calls they have to back way off Chauncey and Dhantay, allowing then to shoot a higher percentage.

An offensive foul is the best way for a ref to turn a game. I can think of three calls in the second half that resulted in 7 points taken off the board and two turnovers, plus at least 2 free throws we should have been shooting. (JR on West, Rasual on a great assist, and Dhantay on West on the baseline). No free throws, but a 9-point swing.

There is also a tendency to quit when the odds are stacked against you, and for the favored team to gain confidence.

The Nuggets are doing a much better job of finishing when we weakly foul them than we are when the foul us hard. Hmmm……

by NOEngineer on Apr 23, 2009 9:30 AM CDT reply actions

Agreed on certain calls

It’s kinda annoying that the refs take the blame for this one, when I saw a bunch of ticky-tack fouls going New Orleans way, as well as Denvers. There were bad offensive calls, like where Jones was in the circle and got the charge foul, or where Kenyon split the defenders and got a charge when they hacked his arms, but what it comes down to in the end is when Denver has fouled the Hornets, they do it hard and make it count. I guess that’s what everyone refers to as playoff basketball.

by Taloni on Apr 23, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Nuggets fan here

Everyone can complain about the officials. Yea you had some bs calls against you but so did Denver. I think when you loose the first thing fans do is blame the officials. Believe me the Nuggets have been on the bad side of this all season. The Nuggets are not one of the so called elite teams ie the Cavs and Lakers that get BS calls every night. I can understand your frustrations because the Nuggets get BS calls against them all the time. I saw numerous plays last night that should have been called against the Hornets and calls against the nuggets that were not fouls. I think it goes both ways. Also the fact that The Hornets were actually +3 in terms of foul shots made. Hornets 16-20. Denver 13-21. This shows the the calls were fairly even last night.

by gnarlybroncodude on Apr 23, 2009 12:06 PM CDT reply actions

It slices both ways - don't it!

Fellow nugget fan here and this same “we didn’t get the calls” mantra is EXACTLY the discussion at the water cooler in DENVER today. All fans get upset when their team doesn’t get the call, and “forgets” all the bad calls that went their own way. Ultimately wins heal everything – and a loss sends you searching for answers.

Seeing as this is a Hornets nest I wouldn’t expect you guys to be “balanced”. But you have to be joking right? I mean, everyone agrees the officiating is horrible – but to say the Hornets got the short end of the stick last night?

And to those of you complaining about Chandler getting bumped…really? You didn’t see all the elbows he threw around? This is the playoffs. How about when Paul got Birdman in the air – and while shooting Paul kicked out his leg, hooked Bird’s leg pulling it out from under him, and made Bird fall go out of control on his side – all while pulling on Bird’s Jersey? I mean, come on. Yep – the foul was called on Anderson. Score two points for the Hornets – and a ridiculous foul against a key big man.

Buck up and accept that the last two games have shown the stronger team despite the poor officiating. I can say this because for the last four years we have watched Melo get pummeled and not “get the call”. It is the nature of the game.

I’ll be back to complain ;-) when you win game four because Chancey gets called for a ticky tack foul on Paul with 1 second remaining – he hits both shots putting the Hornets over the edge. How will you react about that horrible call that went your way?

by mtnmaniax on Apr 23, 2009 1:55 PM CDT up reply actions

/Sigh

Again… my point is that the foul shots and fouls don’t tell the whole story.

by Rohan on Apr 23, 2009 3:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm baaaack....

My condolences are in order. I didn’t ever expect to win game four by a league record 58. Better luck next year with your “rebuilding” team.

A few notes from this old post of yours:

“I’m probably going to put up a video of all the phantom calls that went Denver’s way”
-Hoping you also do the same thing for your team for the sake of “consistency” since that seemed to be your concern. I can make Edwardo Najera look like the next MVP by stringing together clips that support my point!

“questionable calls allowed Denver to pull away in a hurry”
-Yep, this certainly made a big difference ?

“with every close call going against you”
-Um, yep, again this was so clear…

by mtnmaniax on Apr 28, 2009 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions

CP BASKETBALL CAMP

Hi all,

Just wanted to spread the word that Chris Paul is doing a camp for 7-18 year olds. I just signed my daughters up this afternoon.

I think it’s a pretty good deal. Its $179 if you use the code “CP3” and sign up online here: http://www.procamps.com/chrispaul

CP3 FOR MVP!!!!

by nrhornets22 on Apr 23, 2009 2:13 PM CDT reply actions

Dang!

When’s he gonna do one for 30-50 year olds? We’re people too!!!

by Tigernut on Apr 23, 2009 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions

That's pretty cool

Thanks!

by Rohan on Apr 23, 2009 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions

I must be on the wrong blog. I thought this ATTHEHIVE

by RonD on Apr 23, 2009 4:12 PM CDT reply actions

lol

by Junsier on Apr 23, 2009 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Speaking of Phantom Calls

Clearly you are showing your bias a little. The Nuggets are not the only team in this series receiving calls for fouls that never happened. For instance, just off the top of my head I can recall two in last nights game (and this number is only as small as it is because I don’t feel like recapping such a blowout): one where CP3 split a trap off of a screen and tripped on his own teammate’s foot (foul on the Nuggets) and another where The Birdman was falling off balance and inadvertently put a hand on CP3’s head and was whistled for a technical foul. It’s ridiculous to think that the Nuggets are getting the majority of the calls in this series, or simply in last night’s game. Even if there is a disparity it is because the Nuggets are the more aggressive team. The aggressor gets more calls, it is a simple fact in the game of basketball. The Nuggets had more foul shots than any other team this season for a reason, they play aggressive basketball. On the other hand, a team like the Hornets, who have shown little ability to do anything other than attempt jump shots, rarely get to the foul line as often. Superior defense on the part of Martin, Jones, Andersen, and the supporting cast is what is keeping the Hornets’ shooting percentage down, not constant fouling. I understand that it is easy to attempt to place the blame on the refs when your team is losing, but even if they were making the wrong calls (and they are not), that would not compensate for the fact that the Hornets have been blown out (badly) twice.

by parttime on Apr 23, 2009 5:13 PM CDT reply actions

No one said it did compensate for it

I wish people would read.

http://hornetshype.com

by ticktock6 on Apr 23, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions

This.

by Rohan on Apr 23, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions

But what we are supposed to understand is that Denver has dealt with a decade of losing so we should just accept the horrible officiate :/

by RonD on Apr 23, 2009 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Photo caption

The photo caption reads:

“Denver Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones, left, reels back after being severely intimidated by the New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul”

Are you joking or what? Did you watch the same games as I did? I’m a Nuggets fan but I don’t really like Dahntay. He’s a scrub who’s cocky when he really doesn’t have a right to be. But come on. He’s been getting all up inside Paul’s head in both these games. If anyone has been intimidated in that matchup it’s CP3, who has struggled to find a way to be effective, and been frustrated at not being able to, for nearly all of every stretch Jones has been on the court.

Anyways, good luck in game 3, and thanks for the laugh.

by cb7 on Apr 24, 2009 5:42 AM CDT reply actions