Tim doesn't get to the line anymore....

[hsxvvd]

"Sorry, My fault."

[timvp]

Very nice thread, EHJ. Good stats and observations.

I do think the refs have let teams beat up on Duncan a bit this year. Especially before he gets the ball. Big Baby was just allowed to sit there and push him away from the basket the whole game. I also have noticed that the body bump isn't called as much for Duncan this year when he's taking up a shot around the rim.

However, I think Duncan has taken a couple moves out of his repertoire that were moves he did just to draw fouls. And honestly, I hated those moves. When Duncan goes up trying to draw a foul rather than score a basket, the result was usually bad. This season (and especially lately) Duncan has done a great job of always trying to score instead of sometimes going up trying to get fouled.

Combine both reasons and then we can start to figure out why his free throws are down. Luckily Duncan is good enough to be dominant whether the refs want to call fouls or whether the refs let it be physical. As long as it's consistent, Duncan will be fine. But for example in that Celtics game, the refs can't let Big Baby and Powe push him all game and then call that weak offensive foul when Duncan was just going up to complete a basket. If the refs want to let the defense be physical, they have to let Duncan be physical as well when he has the ball.

[rascal]

Has Duncans shot attempts also decreased?
IF so, fewer attempts = fewer free throw opportunities

[timvp]

Has Duncans shot attempts also decreased?

Nope. His field goal attempts are actually way up. Highest since the '04-05 season.

[picnroll]

Big Baby did what refs have been allowing since Malone played Duncan in the WC semis in '04. Refs letting Malone run through Duncan on his shot was a big part of LA winning that series and it's continued since.

You never see Duncan doing that arm drag through his shot to draw a foul on a reaching defender anymore. That use to be good for a couple of shooting fouls a game. Don't know if that's because nobody bites on it anymore.

[timvp]

Big Baby did what refs have been allowing since Malone played Duncan in the WC semis in '04. Refs letting Malone run through Duncan on his shot was a big part of LA winning that series and it's continued since.

I don't think it's been as drastic as this season. Lately, Duncan just gets blatantly pushed out of position with no call. The last couple years they seemed to crack down on the dislodging using the knee and both arms. They don't even seem to do that anymore.

You never see Duncan doing that arm drag through his shot to draw a foul on a reaching defender anymore. That use to be good for a couple of shooting fouls a game. Don't know if that's because nobody bites on it anymore.

That was one of the moves I was talking about earlier. Duncan has gone away from those moves -- mostly out of design, I assume. I didn't like those moves and they lost their effectiveness since he used to try that move almost every game. Now if he breaks it out at some point in the playoffs, it'll be much more effective again.

[picnroll]

That was one of the moves I was talking about earlier. Duncan has gone away from those moves -- mostly out of design, I assume. I didn't like those moves and they lost their effectiveness since he used to try that move almost every game. Now if he breaks it out at some point in the playoffs, it'll be much more effective again.

Could be because his bank shot isn't as consistent the last couple of years so it's not as feared or played as tightly.

[ancestron]

Tim has still managed to be a beast lately.

[ambchang]

So why isn't Parker getting more calls?

[timvp]

Could be because his bank shot isn't as consistent the last couple of years so it's not as feared or played as tightly.

I have to highly disagree. His bank shot has been much improved this season. I haven't seen him hit his bank shot as regularly as he has this season since his first couple seasons in the league.

[Fabbs]

Indeed, but you think they'd extend that to TD like they used to a few seasons ago...

I don't believe in conspiracies, but there's some cir stantial evidence that the league is skewing their refereeing guidelines to try to prevent the Spurs from winning another ring.

Why could that not be called a "conspiracy"?

[Hemotivo]

"Sorry, My fault."

[m33p0]

Maybe it's fallout from the Timmy and Joey Crawford incident. I always knew it would come back and bite us in the posterior. Refs are taking out their revenge on the Spurs. Sucks if its true.

spurs in the finals------------------------>>>>> low ratings

gotta get rid of the spurs


there's nothing more i want than for the spurs to shove the trophy up stern's ass.

[Cry Havoc]

It's ridiculous, really. There are blatant hacks that they show over and over on a replay where Duncan is getting chopped at, physically pushed while in mid-shot, or just knocked out of the way with no call.

Here's what I hope, though: That he turns it up during the playoffs, MAKES the refs call the fouls, and runs right over the top of people who are trying to push him out of the way. So BBD wants to push? Duncan will catch a ball with position in the post, throw the ball through the hoop and deliver a well-placed forearm to his sternum. I've always had to remind myself just how strong Duncan is when he wants to be, and he tends to turn adversity into dominance -- it's what makes him one of the all-time greats even at this stage in his career. It's not always possible (try getting hit on your forearm when you're in the middle of a shot) but he has the ability to beat this. I have to think he'll get at least SOME favorable calls in the playoffs when we're at home as well.

[picnroll]

I have to highly disagree. His bank shot has been much improved this season. I haven't seen him hit his bank shot as regularly as he has this season since his first couple seasons in the league.

He usually takes that shot form the left outside the paint. He's shooting .333 from there this year link . He's shooting a much better percentage from the right or left near the top of the key.