WOJ : Bulls mock LeBron James for flopping, find fuel in Game 3 conspiracy

[lefty]

CHICAGO – Everything changed on the March night LeBron James had come to the United Center and declared these Chicago Bulls a dirty basketball team (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--chicago-bulls-end-miami-heat-s-27-game-winning-streak-025042967.html%20). The world's best basketball player insisted that Chicago's hard fouls were "not basketball plays," that the Bulls had crossed into troubling territory.
Of course, the Bulls believed James had used his bully pulpit to influence the way the NBA officiated him. James' greatness promised a closer inspection out of the league and its officials, a strategic understanding that the world would judge harshly the way these Bulls imposed physicality on the four-time Most Valuable Player.
When everyone else watched Chicago's Nazr Mohammed make a run at James, shove him tumbling onto his back (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/nazr-mohammed-shoves-lebron-james-bulls-heat-game-014410630.html) on Friday night, the Bulls witnessed something else: confirmation of a conspiracy. Mohammed earned the ejection, and the rest of these Bulls earned the indignation and outrage that they need for public retaliation.
"We're well aware of what's going on," Thibodeau seethed late Friday. "I'm watching how things are going. I watch very closely. What I'm seeing is…
"…We'll adjust accordingly."
[Related: Nate Robinson blocks LeBron James' shot (w/video) (http://yhoo.it/18AgvHp)]
http://l1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/aLPEurzXiIsVKv2C2eZSTA--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTI1MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/Sports/ap/201305102003722212576-p2.jpegNazr Mohammed was ejected after shoving LeBron James. (AP)Running out of players, running out of time, Thibodeau will never let these Bulls run out of conspiracies to frame in these Eastern Conference semifinals. The Heat beat the Bulls 104-94 in Game 3 (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/nate-robinson-somehow-blocks-lebron-james-shot-miami-033051788.html) and finally took a 2-1 series lead.
No one pitches "we're getting bleeped" better than Thibs, no one better sells it to his players in a neatly wrapped, pretty bow package of damning disgust. His message is unmistakable and his locker room is fully invested in the brainwashing: The NBA wants us to go away, wants us to leave LeBron James (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3704) undaunted and unharmed on the way to consecutive championship coronations.
"We're not going to get calls," Thibodeau grumbled. "That's reality."
That's the reality in his parallel universe, where Thibs' post-game diatribe likely promises to inspire a substantial fine from the NBA office. For him, it will be money well-invested to counter consecutive defeats where the Bulls lost composure, lost tempers and ultimately lost playoff games.
Here, Thibodeau needs these depleted Bulls to push further and further into a hard-hitting basketball place. The Bulls want the Heat to lose their minds and lose their way. For a moment, Mohammed did get James to retaliate (http://sports.yahoo.com/news/james-bosh-lead-heat-past-031013678--nba.html). For a moment, it had worked beautifully on Friday night – until Mohammed trumped James' tech with an ejection.
[Also: Hawks eyeing Stan Van Gundy in hopes of luring Dwight Howard (http://yhoo.it/10oJ9Uj)]
Before Mohammed was ejected in the second quarter, 40 feet from the basket, he wrapped up James on a fast break. As Mohammed grabbed him, James ripped free of him and whipped the Bulls center to the floor. As the official was whistling the technical foul on James, Mohammad never noticed. Beyond livid, he leaped to his feet and made a run at James, pushing him backward and ultimately onto his butt.
"I do believe it warranted a tech," Mohammed said. "We've had guys jumping on Nate's face, guys backing up Marco Belinelli out of bounds. There's been a lot of plays that didn't get ejections.
"A push shouldn't get an ejection. …It was a cheap shot throwing me down."
Nate Robinson (http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/players/200557) told Yahoo! Sports, "You see LeBron in a lot of commercials, a lot of good acting."
http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/Alvp9j4UTtLEL7TJSqAPyg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTMxMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_US/Sports/USA_Today/20130510_krg_aw6_268-d65f09aba394ed67d008b9da8ca64060James finished with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in the Heat's Game 3 victory. (USA Today Sport …And Thibodeau flatly said, "From my angle, I just saw a guy flop."
Until the final minutes of the fourth quarter, the Heat couldn't free themselves of the Bulls' death grip. The Bulls are relentless in their resolve to hang around, muck up these games and find a way to steal them. They don't have the players to compete with the Heat – only the resourcefulness.
Most of all, Thibodeau needs to create a climate of havoc and hysteria. He keeps telling his players that they have "more than enough" to beat Miami, and somehow they stare at Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich in suits and still believe him.

Chicago holds pure hatred in its heart for the Heat, and sometimes Miami must grudgingly match it.
"We really dislike each other," Taj Gibson said. "And it shows on the court."
When the two teams walked out for the Game 3 opening tip, something happened that you almost never see in the NBA: no fist bumps, no handshakes, no phony half-hugs. Nothing.
"It was worse than that when LeBron got the MVP," Gibson told Y! Sports. "You didn't see any of us clap."
They don't come to celebrate James' talent, but make him feel the wrath of that suffocating defense, those beat-up bodies unafraid to crash into the Heat. When it was over, the Bulls spoke longingly of a different time in the NBA, a different era, when they would've been allowed to get away with taking a run at LeBron James (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3704).
"M.J. would get fouled and he would just keep playing," Gibson told Y! Sports. "That's old-school basketball."
Whatever it used to be, it's something else now. Back on the night Chicago stopped the Heat's 27-game winning streak, James understood these Bulls would ultimately stand between him and his third straight NBA Finals. He understood the conversation needed to be changed, that the examination needed to be thrust upon the devices of these Bulls.

Ever since, Thibodeau and the Bulls are fighting to the impossible fight, fighting the changing times and a changed NBA. No more runs at the world's greatest player, no room for interpretation that the strongest man in basketball could've flopped when pushed back on his heels.
"I'm on my way out of this league," Mohammed said. "And it's his league now." :lol
This was Tom Thibodeau's rage on Friday, the parallel universe where the NBA is conspiring to stop the Bulls and somehow, someway, he's still selling his team on the improbable belief that fate had wronged them. The coach of these Chicago Bulls (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/chi) is running out of players, running of time, and yet he's still selling solidarity of a locker room that believes it can make life a living hell for LeBron James until he's finally disposed of them.

[Clipper Nation]

Ironic, considering Noah and Dat Dude Bellinelli have been flopping all over the place, tbh....

[D-Wade]

Solid article but I'm not even mad at the Bulls. Whatever it takes I guess. Thibs is full of shit but just like Vogel, he's the kind of old school tough coach that gets things done. There's no rivalry here, though. At the end of the day the Bulls are thinking more about the Heat than vice versa.


As for that play, I don't even think Lebron deserved a tech. For the second time in 2 games, Mohammed wrapped Lebron up for no apparent reason 1000 feet from the basket and Lebron reacted by moving him off. What would you do in that situation if a dude put his hands around you?


LOL @ ""I'm on my way out of this league," Mohammed said. "And it's his league now." Dude is delusional.


Gotta call BS on MJ never complaining. He did, too. But he adjusted and merked everyone who previously thought they got the best of him. As will Bron.

[Thebesteva]

Heat always seem to magically get the right calls at the right time. I despised the Spurs but I never once recall resorting to the "refs are in on it" line with them, nor with the Kings, or any other team aside from that 2008 game 2 against the Celtics, everything has always been relatively fair by me.

But the calls King James' teams always magically get are obvious, Im not saying he's not great, but the guy has had referees sucking his dick since 2009. 90% of his game is basically running magestically into the paint and drawing a blocking foul tbh.

[MarioSpeedwagon]

God, I hate this cocksucker. Really sucks to be a Bulls fan right now.

[Jacob1983]

James has been getting 2006 Finals DWhistle treatment from the refs. Fuck David Stern. I hope to God that it's the Pacers and the Grizzlies or Spurs in the Finals just so it pisses off Stern and his minions.

[Thebesteva]

James has been getting 2006 Finals DWhistle treatment from the refs. Fuck David Stern. I hope to God that it's the Pacers and the Grizzlies or Spurs in the Finals just so it pisses off Stern and his minions.

Jew normally gets his way, but he's had a hard time with Lebron. I remember in 2008 Jew really had his panties moist over the idea of Lakers V Celtics, and coincedentally Lebron wasn't getting those calls in that crucial game 7 @ Boston.

Then in 2009, the Kobe V Lebron commercials came out, and when KG went out for the year, it was amazing to see the type of calls Lebronze was getting. When Orlando went up 2-1, the refs did everything they could do help Lebron win, alas it did not work.

To me, one of the least talked about games is game 2 of Celtics V Cavaliers in 2010. I remember how badly hyped Kobe V Lebron was at this point, and the Celtics were up about 14 points in the 4th quarter @ Cleveland. I will never forget the WWE style screw job the refs put in against the Celtics. I saw 4-5 consecutive and 1 plays for Lebron and the Cavs while the Celtics had not a single call.

Then, after 2-3 Ray Allen 3 pointers, the refs realized it was over and suddenly they magically started making calls against Cavs with 1 minute left to "even out" the FT discrepancy. I knew when I was a kid that something seemed fishy about the WWE, and I've felt the NBA has been fishy for a long time as well.

[lefty]

Jew normally gets his way, but he's had a hard time with Lebron. I remember in 2008 Jew really had his panties moist over the idea of Lakers V Celtics, and coincedentally Lebron wasn't getting those calls in that crucial game 7 @ Boston.

Then in 2009, the Kobe V Lebron commercials came out, and when KG went out for the year, it was amazing to see the type of calls Lebronze was getting. When Orlando went up 2-1, the refs did everything they could do help Lebron win, alas it did not work.

To me, one of the least talked about games is game 2 of Celtics V Cavaliers in 2010. I remember how badly hyped Kobe V Lebron was at this point, and the Celtics were up about 14 points in the 4th quarter @ Cleveland. I will never forget the WWE style screw job the refs put in against the Celtics. I saw 4-5 consecutive and 1 plays for Lebron and the Cavs while the Celtics had not a single call.

Then, after 2-3 Ray Allen 3 pointers, the refs realized it was over and suddenly they magically started making calls against Cavs with 1 minute left to "even out" the FT discrepancy. I knew when I was a kid that something seemed fishy about the WWE, and I've felt the NBA has been fishy for a long time as well.
Yup

The Celtics also got screwed last season during the ECF

[HarlemHeat37]

:lol Lebron has never been involved in a notoriously poorly officiated game..

There hasn't been a game where the 3 Kings Heat received a significant ref advantage that stands out..the only game in the past 3 years where Miami received a clear favorable advantage was game 2 vs. the Celtics last year..

The Heat have never been in a game that compares to OKC game 6 vs. the Spurs, Miami against Dallas in '06, Spurs-Suns game 3, etc..the Lakers are in their own category, not worth mentioning..

[MarioSpeedwagon]

:lol Lebron has never been involved in a notoriously poorly officiated game..

There hasn't been a game where the 3 Kings Heat received a significant ref advantage that stands out..the only game in the past 3 years where Miami received a clear favorable advantage was game 2 vs. the Celtics last year..
Lolmfao

[MarioSpeedwagon]

7/10 Troll job.

[HarlemHeat37]

People assume Miami gets calls, but the evidence is scarce..

Statistically, it doesn't add up..they don't get nearly as many FTAs that you would expect from a team with Lebron, Bosh and Wade..

Based on the eye test, there aren't any actual examples of a horribly officiated game, other than last year's game 2 vs. Boston..

There have been many games during the past 3 years where Miami was hurt by the refs..the difference is that most Heat fans don't cry about it all day..

[MarioSpeedwagon]

Yeah, it's surprising fans one of the most ref favored teams in the league doesn't complain about officiating.

[Thebesteva]

:lol Lebron has never been involved in a notoriously poorly officiated game..

There hasn't been a game where the 3 Kings Heat received a significant ref advantage that stands out..the only game in the past 3 years where Miami received a clear favorable advantage was game 2 vs. the Celtics last year..

The Heat have never been in a game that compares to OKC game 6 vs. the Spurs, Miami against Dallas in '06, Spurs-Suns game 3, etc..the Lakers are in their own category, not worth mentioning..

R u serious man? Did u really just say that? Do you not notice how if you breathe on them in the paint it's an automatic blocking foul?

[HarlemHeat37]

Outside of Lakers fans and Knicks fans, the Bulls have the shittiest fanbase in the NBA, tbh..

All they do is complain, despite having a team built around being physical and getting away with "defensive reputation" calls..they had Jordan as the golden boy of the NBA for 15 years, yet they complain about superstar calls..they blindly defend Derrick Rose's cowardice..

Most people in Chicago are fucking imbeciles, Derrick Rose's broken-English ass is perfect for them:lol..

[MarioSpeedwagon]

From interacting with them on various message boards, comments sections of articles, etc I can attest that the Heat have easily the dumbest fan base in the league. Half of them probably thought his name was Lebron Jones when the team signed him. Their opinion is beyond worthless anyways.

[MarioSpeedwagon]

True or False; Heat have one of the smarter fan bases?

[HarlemHeat37]

The Bulls fans on RealGm are horrible, but even on SpursTalk, the Bulls representatives have been NewcastleKeg and hitman2k..look up their history:lol..

[MarioSpeedwagon]

The Bulls fans on RealGm are horrible, but even on SpursTalk, the Bulls representatives have been NewcastleKeg and hitman2k..look up their history:lol..
Heat?

[Jacob1983]

The Heat get calls when it matters. Thank you.

[MarioSpeedwagon]

Lol, avoiding the question. That's answer enough.

[Tuddy]

People assume Miami gets calls, but the evidence is scarce..

Statistically, it doesn't add up..they don't get nearly as many FTAs that you would expect from a team with Lebron, Bosh and Wade..

Based on the eye test, there aren't any actual examples of a horribly officiated game, other than last year's game 2 vs. Boston..

There have been many games during the past 3 years where Miami was hurt by the refs..the difference is that most Heat fans don't cry about it all day..
They dont get the calls, it's the traveling. Almost everytime James goes to the rack off the dribble he picks the ball up mid step, lands and takes 2 more. Thats a rule he exploits more than anyone in the league by a mile. Giving someone of that size and speed that advantage makes him almost impossible to guard

[HarlemHeat37]

Heat has some shitty fans, of course, but not on ST, tbh..

Ace/Norris, Timmy2Zo, D-Wade..top-tier niggas..

[BobaFett1]

Outside of Lakers fans and Knicks fans, the Bulls have the shittiest fanbase in the NBA, tbh..

All they do is complain, despite having a team built around being physical and getting away with "defensive reputation" calls..they had Jordan as the golden boy of the NBA for 15 years, yet they complain about superstar calls..they blindly defend Derrick Rose's cowardice..

Most people in Chicago are fucking imbeciles, Derrick Rose's broken-English ass is perfect for them:lol..

:lol Chicago Teams
:lol Cubs
:lol Obama
:lol Rose
:lol Cutler

[Durant82]

LeBron absolutely does not get Durant/Harden/Wade treatment from the refs. If anything, he doesn't get enough calls. He's entered that Shaq level where he's so dominant physically that it's nearly impossible to defend him without fouling, and if the refs truly called every foul on LeBron the other team would run out of guys to put on him.

[UNCLE-DREW]

Why are the bulls fans or anti heat fans butt hurt about the shortcomings of the bulls this series. The first thing they should look at and blame is that gangbanger being cleared for 20 years and still fucks over his supposed teammates.

'Mental issues' when your team is known for it's thoughness, are you fucking serious :lmao

[BobaFett1]

:lol Rose look at his mental toughness.

[Bill_Brasky]

If Lebron and the Heat get such a huge officiating advantage then how did Dallas beat them two years ago? Was Dallas that good, or are you guys full of shit?

[UZER]

They dont get the calls, it's the traveling. Almost everytime James goes to the rack off the dribble he picks the ball up mid step, lands and takes 2 more. Thats a rule he exploits more than anyone in the league by a mile. Giving someone of that size and speed that advantage makes him almost impossible to guard

Players have been doing this forever. Manu does this as well. It's a tough call to make live because its so fast.

But I will say he gets away with other obviously blatant travels all the time, especially on the fast break.

[kidd_91]

Actually I find the way refs help out the Heat most is by the non-call. I'm amazed at the amount of defensive plays LeBron is involved in during a game then to discover he gets called for his 1st foul in the forth.

[Clipper Nation]

Heat always seem to magically get the right calls at the right time.
Says the Lakerfan :lol

[Clipper Nation]

From interacting with them on various message boards, comments sections of articles, etc I can attest that the Heat have easily the dumbest fan base in the league.
You're kidding, right? Lakerfan and Knickfan are a million times dumber :lol

[Bill_Brasky]

Actually I find the way refs help out the Heat most is by the non-call. I'm amazed at the amount of defensive plays LeBron is involved in during a game then to discover he gets called for his 1st foul in the forth.

This is something i can somewhat agree on. The refs dont call the game unfairly, but they do let the Heat(mainly Lebron) get away with very very physical defense.

[Brazil]

they could find fuel with Rose return.... wait... :lmao

[MarioSpeedwagon]

You're kidding, right? Lakerfan and Knickfan are a million times dumber :lol
At least they know something of the history of the game, Heat fans are unaware of anything about this league from beyond the past five years. Try talking to a random one about their team from the 90s and most will be like "He was on the team?" "Which year was that?" or "I'm only 14 dunno bout dat" derp...