Boozer cutting himself to get an extra / free timeout. Dirt or Fair?

[greg683x]

I recall JVG saying that Boozer had cut himself on purpose because he was praising it as a smart strategy.  I also remember thinking that he could be joking, but I wasn't sure if he was, and none of his colleagues were treating him like he was being silly.

Either Van Gundy is pretty much banished from the NBA or has no intention or getting back into coaching....Otherwise he wouldn't be praising something like that as smart strategy...

i think thats kind of unfair to say.  i remember Van Gundy saying in the '08 finals that James Posey continues to foul the man hes guarding after the whistles blown and if he was Phil Jackson he would be complaining to the officials and calling James Posey dirty, he then said on the other hand if he was Doc Rivers, he'd give Posey a pat on the butt and be proud that he's on my team.

i think both examples, the 08 finals reference and reference from the Bulls game, are proof of two things.  Jeff Van Gundys being honest, and that Jeff Van Gundy knows what it's like to need every mental and physical competitive edge to win.

I'm sorry, in sports, unless we're talking about something completely outside the box, honesty is completely out the window.  Let the officials sort it out, thats what theyre there for, if it's something they cant enforce, then write a letter sir.

Put yourself in the players position.  You're rounding third heading into home to score the winning run, the throw from right field beats you to the plate, you notice the catchers glove with the ball in it, graze your foot before you can slide under the tag and touch home....

....instead of calling you safe or out, the umpire says, I missed it, were you safe?....What are you gonna say?  I was out??  I feel sorry for your teammates if you call yourself out.  If you steal the ball in a basketball game but blatantly reach in to do it, but it goes uncalled, are you gonna throw an outlet pass to start a fast break?  Or hand the ball to the official and say, 'I reached in, you missed it.'

I know this is an unlikely scenario, but my point is, competing at a high level in sports is like war.  Us against them, and to be blunt, screw them.  

[GreenFaith1819]

Thank God for the "Sportmanship of the Year" award....

[chambers]

I watched the game in its entirety but didn't notice Boozer's blood timeout. Anyone have a link to a clip?

There is no footage of Boozer cutting himself; here is the series of events,Bulls are out of time outs.

* Thibs calls Boozer over as Rondo goes to the free throw line to shoot the penalty shots for team fouls.
*Rondo shoots both, makes both, and Boozer goes to ref and points out the blood on his arm.
*Garnett and Pierce both say something to Boozer about the cut, and Van Gundy can over hear the conversation, he then points out on the TNT broadcast that Boozer cut his arm on purpose and that he thought it was very smart.
*Pierce starts shaking his head in disgust, and the Celtics all walk to the bench and the Celtics bench has heard what has happened and they are shocked/ laughing that they would stoop this low.

No video evidence, but Garnett and Pierce have said enough for Van Gundy to make the statement on national TV- he was definitely not joking either as one reply to this thread suggested.

[raynman]

If he had intentionally sprained his ankle I would've been fine with that!

[greenlion]

everything for the game i guess, funny if true, low? well, if they won then because of that tactic then it served its purpose..