I don't know if this has been said already, but it needs repeating if it has...That is a real p***y way to try and win a game, intentionally fouling a guy in the 2nd quarter when you fall behind. Maybe if his team had executed in the first half or, god forbid, play a little defense once in a while, he wouldn't have had to resort to bush league tactics. This isn't the 40's! It's not like the Spurs are going to hold the ball and win 27-25. The best par was Bowen making 4 of his 6 free throws and forcing Donny Boy to change his strategy...When the Mavs came back, they didn't need to pull that "Hack a Bowen" bullsh*t, they did it by...*GASP*...forcing the tempo and playing defense!! Who woulda thunk it?! I have never wanted a basketball team to lose as much as I want the Mavs to lose and for Don Nelson to once again experience the bitter taste of disappointment and failure...
Heh. I read Michael Wilbon's column in this morning's Post pretty much saying Nellie is a genius (Wilbon is the biggest kiss ass in the business). He said the "hack-a-bowen" tactic completely broke down the Spurs momentum and flow, which made the free throws insignificant. I only caught the end of the game, but from what I've heard, it sounds like Wilbon was right. I'm almost more disgusted with the Spurs than the Mavs. The Spurs really are triple-ply.
I say in the end all that really matters is wins & losses. I would have suited up Bradley & had him foul Duncan 6 more times in the second half. It is not the Mavs fault that the Spurs shoot such a bad free throw %, they should pay the price.
The problem here is that he was fouling Bowen in the FIRST half. By doing that crap, he basically said to his team, "OK guys, I have no confidence in you actually winning the game on your own, so I'll try and help you out". It only worked temporarily too. The Spurs built their lead back up again in the third quarter before the Mavs came back on their own merit. Even Mike Fratello was saying that the Mavs players looked a little embarrased fouling a guy like that...
Have to agree with that. Fouls are part of the game plan and have been for a long time, first quarter or last quarter. It's not pretty, but if you are behind 1-3 in the conference finals, you try everything you can, and I won't blame you for it.
I don't like the hack tactic either. But I wouldn't say it's a disgrace. I'll only say it's a disgrace when the coach tell his players to intentionally hurt the other team's players. The coach has the right to exploit the weaknesses of the opponent within the rules of the game. But it sure is ugly basketball. (Even worse than ISO. )
A-Train, You are kidding right? It completely changed the momentum. Nellie is just doing what he thinks will work. When your team is down, you do whatever it takes....Hell, I wish Rudy would have tried some things like this, if he had he might still be the coach. Brilliant move by Nellie. DD
DaDa...It DIDN'T work! It only disrupted the Spurs momentarily. They had their lead built up even higher than it was when Nelson started hacking Bowen. THEN Dallas started to make their comback. The Spurs were killing the Mavs until midway through the third. If the Mavs had won by 1 or 2 points, then it might have had an effect on the game, but they came back and won by 12.
If the FT% was insignificant, then why pick on Bowen? You could foul anyone and 'disrupt the flow.' That they were picking on Bowen shows that they were counting on misses; and they didn't get them. Bowen got more points per possession shooting 67% from the line than the Spurs would have gotten playing it straight. And, if you play a ponderous half-court game bogged down with fouls, I think the Spurs will win it (even with the lower FT%). Not a good strategy, in my opinion. But, not a disgrace either.
Well get ready for game 6 cuz its going to happen again. It should be a slap in the face to the mavs and they actually want to play defense. I think that is the main purpose of it.
You are just mad the Mavs won. I'm beginning to think I would prefer an uptempo Finals between the Mavs and Nets instead of watching the Spurs dominate.
I wish our coach tried to use the rules to his advantage last year, instead of sticking to his playbook from the 90's. Kudos to Don Nelson for trying something different. If Bowden has a lousy free throw percentage, that's his fault.
i actually start the playoffs off in their favor. but after watching lead after lead after lead being blown by the "mvp" i root for the competition more and more. I like seeing the competition playing their hearts out, over seeing tim duncans bullwinkle look and saying "how can you call that? i never foul!"
If this was the 98-99 season and we were fouling Shaq this would be a completely different thread. Basketball is war. You give your team the best chance to weapon.
It's a win! A win is a win.......... Pretty cheap tactic. I would be pissed if I was a Spurs fan. BUT I'M NOT! I always support the underdog......whooo Mavs. That was a great and quick comeback.
I dont see how anybody can complain about Nellie's hack-a-bowen tactic. It does wonders for the Mavs in that it takes the crowd out of the game and disrupts the Spurs focus.
Maybe Bowen should hit a better percentage, and that strat would be moot. I mean he is a professional isn't he? DD
What was his free throw stat line? I remember he made like 4 out of 6....not too bad. Anyways. He made them, but the Spurs offense was disrupted and they just were out of rhythm. They couldn't make any shots.
Also......this technique would work brilliantly with the Rockets. Just keep on fouling Cato, Moochie, or Griffin. Or......if Pistons. Keep on fouling Ben Wallace. I've never seen him make a free throw.....well like once in a while. But the Pistons can't score anyways.
