Not that he shouldn't be starting, but I think he should be on a shorter leash. Especially with the injury. He may be our second best player, but that was back in the regular season. I don't want to lose because he's not contributing. I think putting Ray or AD in at small forward in the fourth might be better if Shard is stinking it up again. Of course, if he would just start eating his Total again, we wouldn't even need to discuss this.
No, actually Mike Shiminsky (our trainer) is the genius. We're going to need Sweet Lew to advance to the Western Conference Finals. Remember how poorly we played in April when he was out? He needs to play better, and probably play less minutes, but we aren't going to benefit with him watching in street clothes.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He needs to play better, and probably play less minutes, but we aren't going to benefit with him watching in street clothes.</div> And might I say, Rashard was looking stunning in his tan suit. Quite posh.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">This may be an off topic question, but why is Mateen Cleaves still with the team?</div> He's a chemistry/attitude guy. He was on the bubble 1st half of the season but management especially Nate kept saying how important it was to have guys like Damien and Mateen up off the bench cheering the team and working hard in practice.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kingrex:</div><div class="quote_post">so, what you're saying is that Mateen = "glorified cheerleader". </div> Yeah. Why do you think Paul Shirly is on Phoenix' playoff roster.
The benefit of starting Shard is having Brent Barry start instead of Gino. Down the stretch in a close game the Sonics might want to consider benching Shard if he's struggling, but he's still a matchup problem for the Spurs. It's hard to count on your role players to give you back to back great games in the playoffs.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kingrex:</div><div class="quote_post">so, what you're saying is that Mateen = "glorified cheerleader". </div> Mateen Cleaves and Robert Swift are not on the playoff roster. Cleaves was kept exactly as a glorified cheerleader. Allen and Lewis went to Nate and Sund and said he was critical for team chemistry and was a locker room leader. Nate suggested that Sund sign him and he did. He was immediately voted as the back-up team representative to the player's Union. Neither Cleaves nor Swift expected to make the playoff roster. I believe that they are still travelling with the team and attending games because they buy into the team as a family concept that has kept these misfits together exceeding expectations all year. I don't care what anyone calls them, I think it is pretty dang cool that they are standing with their team in every huddle and cheering for them on the bench of every game after you have been cut.
I think it gives the other guys a lift when they see a player like Mateen Cleaves who doesn't play, but still turns up to practice and games night in night out with a smile on his face and the attitude to match. Just means the guys who do play don't take it for granted.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pwn3d!:</div><div class="quote_post">I think it gives the other guys a lift when they see a player like Mateen Cleaves who doesn't play, but still turns up to practice and games night in night out with a smile on his face and the attitude to match. Just means the guys who do play don't take it for granted.</div> What people don't understand is Mateen recognizes that he has to do that to stay on an NBA roster. There is a huge difference from him cheerleading on a $800,000 contract or him playing in the Developmental League for $45,000. Seems like an easy choice to me. I've actually turn the corner on Cleaves. He seemed to be a "gimmicky" type of guy when he was cheerleading for the Pistons/Kings/Cavs (and Michigan State when he was hurt in college) but I have no doubts that his love for the team is genuine this season. He and Flip have also seemed to be tight, which is always helpful in a season worth of DNP CD's. They both sit right next to the coaching staff, too. Not too often two afterthoughts are that supportive. One of the many reasons why we've been successful this season.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Purple Fever:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah. Why do you think Paul Shirly is on Phoenix' playoff roster.</div> His blog, the guy is truely amazing with his basketball stories.
Looks like Rashard may miss Game Five, too. Will be interesting to watch D-Wilk's minutes if Rashard does play, though.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Pwn3d!:</div><div class="quote_post">Looks like Rashard may miss Game Five, too. Will be interesting to watch D-Wilk's minutes if Rashard does play, though.</div> He was playing the 4 against Horry. I bet Nate would use him for defense whenever he felt he needed it. You put a small lineup in with Nick, Lew, Damien, Ray and Luke or AD and you have potent offense with smart, athletic defenders for short stretches. It would depend on matchups though. Damien can't guard TD, Nesty or Nazr.
I don't want to sound like a butthead but has anyone here ever had a sprained toe? I've had plenty of sprained ankles which is why watching Vlad get hurt made me queasy. I've never had a sprained toe so I'm wondering how painful it is - I'm sure it hurts and if Rashard can't run or jump obviously it's no use to have him out there. Don't get me wrong I have a low pain threshold myself, but I just saw some highlights of Isiah scoring 25 in a quarter against the Lakers on a practically broken ankle. Love him or hate him you have to admit he was one tough sucker. Rashard doesn't exactly have a rep as a mentally/physically tough player so I'm just curious if this is just par for the course.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Roland Hood:</div><div class="quote_post">I don't want to sound like a butthead but has anyone here ever had a sprained toe? I've had plenty of sprained ankles which is why watching Vlad get hurt made me queasy. I've never had a sprained toe so I'm wondering how painful it is - I'm sure it hurts and if Rashard can't run or jump obviously it's no use to have him out there. Don't get me wrong I have a low pain threshold myself, but I just saw some highlights of Isiah scoring 25 in a quarter against the Lakers on a practically broken ankle. Love him or hate him you have to admit he was one tough sucker. Rashard doesn't exactly have a rep as a mentally/physically tough player so I'm just curious if this is just par for the course.</div> Before Game 4 Charles Barkley said he injured his TOENAIL in a game. He had it removed, and told the doctor he wasn't missing a game over a toenail. He then tried to put on his shoe and discovered the meaning of pain. He couldn't stand or walk without pain, forget run, cut or jump. He missed 7 games. He said it is not the significance of the injury so much as the fact that all upright activity and motion relies on your big toe. The big toe is central to everything you do on the basketball court and therefore the pain is intense, constant and unfortunately unavoidable. Other injuries can be worked around and some players can find ways to push past limitations of pain. If you can't move though....what do you do?
