Mass suicide in San Antonio...

[Dr. Dumas]

Well, the rules state you can. I am willing to go on a ledge and say they didn't pull that number out of the air, there was some sort of reasoning behind it.

I mean, if you look at the replay, Fisher caught the ball with his left hand and just pushed it up there. It isn't like he turned around, or set his feet, or even took a traditional jump shot.

When Fischer received the inbound pass from GP, wouldn't his back be facing the basket?

Okay, so if his back is facing the basket and .04 is only enough time to catch and shoot, then I really don't believe he could catch the ball, turn in the air, while fading away. I believe that the clock was started late. But again, how can you blame blame the ref, when we are dealing with 100th's of seconds.

 

[Chaz]

When Fischer received the inbound pass from GP, wouldn't his back be facing the basket?

Okay, so if his back is facing the basket and .04 is only enough time to catch and shoot, then I really don't believe he could catch the ball, turn in the air, while fading away. I believe that the clock was started late. But again, how can you blame blame the ref, when we are dealing with 100th's of seconds.

Well Fischer was moving tword the baseline when he turned back to catch the ball. He did a great job of getting the shot off quickly. He didn't really turn in the air or gather himself at all. It was catch, turn, release (and with Ginobili in his face) his hips were already turned half way around when he caught the ball.

Good point about the amount of time we are talking about. It all comes down to fractions of seconds. The bottom line is it left his hand before the clock expired (barely) and the shot went in.

Whatca' gonna do? Stuff happens.

Almost more amazing was Duncan's 18ft fall away while moving to his left.

 

[elindholm]

Turning and fading don't require any extra time. Fisher did those while going through his shooting motion. It isn't like "first he caught the ball, then he turned, then he faded, then he shot." It all happened simultaneously.

 

[elindholm]

The officials now start and stop the clock, so there cannot be any hometown favortism by timekeepers.

Ah, I had forgotten that. Cancel my point about the official scorer's obstructed view, then.

 

[WaywardFan]

I'd just like to say that I REALLY hate the Lakers. Being so far away from Phoenix and the Suns, my NBA playoffs concerns two things. The Lakers and the Nets not winning the championship. Now, that doesn't look as good...

 

[elindholm]

I hate the Lakers too. That's why I bet on them -- to soften the pain when they win.

 

[Joe Mama]

Please note that I earlier said that it's hard to fault the officials. Eric, I always laugh about the NFL placement of the football as well. Of course they can use the replay to place the ball also. It's just that most the time the ball is in some big pile, see you can't really see it on the replay anyhow.

They did not repeal those rules on what you were allowed to do in a specified amount of time. I'm almost certain of that. They did modify the Times though after a member of the Orlando Magic (Darrell Armstrong or Tracy McGrady) caught the ball, turned, and shot it in just under 0.6 seconds when it was supposed to be impossible.

I would like to see that replay of Derek Fisher again. Originally I thought he had caught the ball, taking a full stride, and shot it while turning which just his dad to be impossible to do in under 0.4 seconds. I'll admit I haven't had any physiology since high school, but I thought it took over 1/10 of a second just to get the message from your hands to your brain, processed, and back to your hands to shoot it.

I hope some geek somewhere breaks down the film to see exactly how long it took. It's not going to change anything, but it would be interesting.

Even though I hate the Lakers I have to admit that it was a fantastic ending. I have a feeling they're going to finish off San Antonio in Game 6, and I will be left depending on Minnesota, Sacramento, or some Eastern Conference team to save me $50.

Joe Mama

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I'd just like to say that I REALLY hate the Lakers. Being so far away from Phoenix and the Suns, my NBA playoffs concerns two things. The Lakers and the Nets not winning the championship. Now, that doesn't look as good...

i'm with ya wayward, i'm soooo with you. all seemed great when the spurs and pistons were up 2-0 on those bastards, and now i may have to watch another series btwn the two not really knowing who i want to lose. sux.

 

[elindholm]

I'll admit I haven't had any physiology since high school, but I thought it took over 1/10 of a second just to get the message from your hands to your brain, processed, and back to your hands to shoot it.

It's not a question of reaction time. Think of a volleyball player who stops the ball instantaneously before setting it. That doesn't require anywhere near 0.4 seconds; in fact it can probably be done in under a tenth. Your muscles can complete actions very quickly if they know in advance what they need to do.

If it's a surprise, that's different. Then you do have to "think" and react, and that chews up time. But that wasn't the case here.

If the clock started late, it wasn't by much. Remember that, in slow motion, even 0.1 second goes by slowly, so it should take quite a bit of time for the clock to change from 0.4 to 0.3.

 

[fordronken]

I tend to agree with Eric, and for those complaining about the clock starting late, I have heard quite a bit from people about how Duncan's shot went through with much more than 0.4 left. If that's the case, even by 1/10th of a second, we wouldn't be having this discussion. So, if "One lucky shot deserves another," then maybe one shot clock human error deserves another, too.

And P.S., I really wanted the Lakers to lose.

 

[thegrahamcrackr]

Well, the Spurs officially protested the shot. However, David Stern denied the protest and said after additional reviews of replays, the ball left his hands in time, and the clock started at the approiate time as well.


About Fishers shot, the biggest thing is he is left handed. When he came the ball, his entire torso was already facing the hoop. All he did was catch the ball (in a position where he could immediately shoot) and push it up there.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I hate the Lakers more than anyone and I just saw the shot over and over again - and I can't believe it - he actually got it off - I hate saying it - but damn if it ain't true -- I more want to know how the Spurs took a three point lead with 2 plus left and then couldn't score again until that prayer from Duncan - they should have put the game away once they got that lead. Damnit - the Lakes just won another damn title with that game yesterday - I hate it - I hate it - I hate it - I hate it - and now I'm starting to believe that this mirasculous run is going to keep Kobe's ass in LA instead of in Phoenix where he belongs!

 

[slinslin]

David Stern: "The best judge are the ratings".

 

[Cheesebeef]

David Stern: "The best judge are the ratings".

slin - do you really think the refs gave that game to the Lakers? That shot was sooo close either off in time or not - I don't think the consipracy was at work yesterday. Hell - just looking at the play-by-play - the Spurs could have delrivered the knockout 4 times and missed four straight shots - all from 19 feet and out - why the hell didn't Duncan shoot one of those?

The Spurs blew it last night - they had their chance up 3 - and then up 1 with the ball and offensive rebounds and they just couldn't get it done.

 

[slinslin]

No but obviously Stern denies the Spurs protest. I bet that David Stern doesn't want a Spurs - Detroit/Indiana/New Jersey finals.

 

[Joe Mama]

Of course he denied the protest. It really wouldn't matter if it was the difference in Game 7 of the conference finals with the Lakers and San Antonio switching places. Unless there was just a very blatant error by the officials there is no way a protest would be upheld.

I just saw the play again. In the three minutes between now and my last post I have decided that Derek Fisher probably was able to get that shot off with the 0.4 seconds left in the game. It looks like it was a good call to me. And if it wasn't a good call, it was so close that you could never fault one of the officials for the mistake.

Joe Mama

 

[fordronken]

When do they ever allow the protests? Honestly, the last thing the NBA wants to do is start replaying the ends of games. Who remembers one of those protests ever going through? Ever.

 

[sly fly]

Of course he denied the protest. It really wouldn't matter if it was the difference in Game 7 of the conference finals with the Lakers and San Antonio switching places. Unless there was just a very blatant error by the officials there is no way a protest would be upheld.

I just saw the play again. In the three minutes between now and my last post I have decided that Derek Fisher probably was able to get that shot off with the 0.4 seconds left in the game. It looks like it was a good call to me. And if it wasn't a good call, it was so close that you could never fault one of the officials for the mistake.

Joe Mama

If Joe Mama says it, then I feel vindicated!

This is why that shot was so amazing. The margin for error was miniscule.

I take that back. There was no margin for error.

And, Phil Jackson just walks calmly off the court...