New ESPN Article: Erik Spolestra is a giant troll

[Quetzalcoatl]

http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/7994046/2012-nba-playoffs-erik-spoelstra-says-complaints-free-throw-disparity-deter-miami-heat

Spolestra complains that other teams noting free throw disparity is "frustrating," but at least ESPN makes a big statistical deal about the rate they are getting them in the playoffs.  The one thing I wish they put more emphasis on is:

James and Wade are the only two players in the league this postseason to have shot at least 100 free throws, although Celtics' forward Paul Pierce is third with 98 attempts.

Paul Pierce has 10 FTs this series, LBJ has shot 33.  Paul Pierce has 98 in 16 games, while LBJ has 141 in 13. That's a ridiculous disparity. 

[LarBrd33]

Pierce has lived at the free throw line his entire career.   He's playing hurt right now and isn't himself.  It's limiting his ability to move laterally, penetrate... and keep up with athletic players like LeBron.  Part of the reason he's fouled out twice in 3 games... part of the reason why he isn't get to the line as much.  A sprained MCL is a bummer.

That said, he did have a ton of free throws in the last two series.  Bron is a heck of a defender, though and Pierce is expelling a ton of energy keeping up with him.  I'm proud of how well he's played despite the injury.

[Moranis]

You mean the two guys that drive to the hole more than any other players in basketball have the most foul shots.  What insanity.

[Celtics4ever]

Spolestra  = Peter Principle  "employees tend to rise to their level of incompetence."

For him to cry about refs is an absolute joke.   I can't wait until he gets fired after they lose to the Spurs this year and he coaches some other NBA team.   He will be back in the film room or being a ball boy or what ever the heck he was prior to brown nosing Pat Riley.

As for the driving to the hole, Moranis.  Rondo drove and was hit in the the face and 3 refs did not see it.   Explain that one?   It was not a jumpshot.

[NoraG1]

You mean the two guys that drive to the hole more than any other players in basketball have the most foul shots.  What insanity.

Who wouldn't go to the hole more if the KNEW that just by getting breathed on they would get the calls. And also barreling through players and bulldozing their way through not only doesn't get called against them but actually gets them FTs each and every single time. They get a free pass no matter what on anything they do!

Take a look at the the times C's and Heat went to the hole in game 2: I believe C's went to the hole 1 less time the Heat. Hardly a huge disparity.

And yet a huge disparity of fouls and FTs

[cman88]

Moranis you do realise the cs drove to tge hoop as often as the heat in game 2

[Ocie1]

thanks a lot

[Frontierboy]

It's like the Heat/Mavs series ( not last year but the NBA Finals 5 years ago) where whenever a Mavs player breathed on Wade, he went to the line.

"The NBA, where refs determine games for their financial gain ( precedent: Dohaghy)"

[CelticG1]

Love when people make stupid comments like them getting more free throws because they drive more" or lebron not getting fouls called on him because "he's such a good defender " absolutely stellar analysis

I love that it's a fact that we went to the hole just as much as the heat in game 2 but excuses from our proud "un-bias" fans will rain down probably saying that the Heat didn't foul when we drove we just missed shots and that we can't play defense on the heat that's why we foul even though we were the best defensive team im the league.

Just find it funny that people try and use selective stats to prove things (which is ridiculous in itself) but when you use those same stats to disprove them later they brush it odd with other excuses.

Keep fighting the good fight noble "un-bias"fans!!

[Bean_town fan]

Post game today a reporter tried to elude to this and he didn't want a bar of it! Just tried to claim its a difference in aggressiveness!

[Terry3]

agree

[Bahku]

.

[edwardjkasche]

You mean the two guys that drive to the hole more than any other players in basketball have the most foul shots.  What insanity.

This is for Moranis (apt name, by the way):

These two guys haven't been driving full to the basket in this series.  They've been driving 10 feet and pulling up for jumpers.  And, when the jumpers brick, the whistles blow, and they go to the line for something they didn't earn.

If you're going to make a claim, back it up.

James and Wade haven't been earning their free throws.  They've been BAILED OUT TIME AND AGAIN!

Pierce and Rondo, BY THE WAY, have been driving to the basket constantly this series, and they haven't garnered the calls James and Wade have.

Quit trolling, you idiot, and leave this site.