Hours after the win against the Los Angeles Clippers, a game that proved to be an instant classic, something caught my eye in the old Twitter feed. Bill Platschke, writer for the Los Angeles Times, wrote this article titled, "Despite blunder, the Clippers' Chris Paul is the NBA's MVP so far". I was intrigued to see where Mr. Platschke was forming this statement from. I thought maybe he had some sort of NBA insight and knew more than little old Spurs writers like I knew.
He didn't hear it at the free-throw line, and he won't be feeling it on the streets, but Paul has been the NBA's most valuable player in the first half of the season, and what happened Saturday confirmed that.
He was the hero. He was the goat. And then, he was the man.
- Bill Plaschke
I read his article three times in order to find this insight Plaschke apparently has. It's not there. No where in this article in which he got paid to write proved where Chris Paul is the league's MVP this year. Okay, taking off the "silver and black" glasses, maybe Tony Parker won't be MVP this year. That isn't to say he doesn't deserve it. Parker has been averaging 19 points, 8 assists in 33 minutes. By comparison, Chris Paul is averaging 18 points, 8 assists in 36 minutes per game.
(stats from basketball-reference.com)
What is Plaschke's reasoning here? 2/3rds of his article is about how Paul ruined the play, and eventually the game, for the Clippers. It just surprises me how writers here at Pounding the Rock, and even the other writers at other SB Nation websites are paid mostly NOTHING and come up with articles worthy of incredible praise and attention (1, 2, 3). Conversely, Bill Plaschke has a cushy job with the LA Times ending an article with:
"Today's story changed that quick, didn't it?'' he said to the pack of media members he generously welcomed to his locker Saturday afternoon. "You had it written differently, didn't you?''
Not me. Didn't change at all.
''M-V-P … M-V-P … M-V-P''
Unbelievable. If Plaschke can get away with writing that, then I'll say that I'm the best writer in the world. Despite having any credibility, any proof of backing this up, I'm the best writer in the world.
2 recs | 111 comments
Have you considered that Plaschke might have been drunk when wrote that?
According to his logic, since CP3’s mistake cost the Clippers the game, it means he is so, so valuable that when he makes mistakes his team losses.
Sh!fty - February 18, 2012
Sounds like he was plaschtered, no?
Manu ex Machina - February 19, 2012
Plaschke is an idiot. A lot of writers could do a better job but the L.A.Times probably wants someone who panders to the lowest common denominator. Ziller wrote an article similar to this one, destroying Plaschke’s "thoughts" on the lockout.
Edg5 - February 18, 2012
I remember reading and liking that at the time, but I forgot that Plaschke was involved.
Thanks for the refresher.
J.R. Wilco - February 19, 2012
Maybe it’s that terrible writing that got him kicked off that HBO show, before he even had the chance for 1 episode.
On the other hand, Kevin Arnovitz is pure genius: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/37148/the-spurs-quiet-rampage
TrooperJoe73 - February 18, 2012
That’s a good article.
Edg5 - February 18, 2012
That was a great read
hurts2bgood - February 18, 2012
Maybe you should post it as a Fanpost.
Edg5 - February 18, 2012
I will let someone else do it. Good idea though!
Someone bail me out!
TrooperJoe73 - February 19, 2012
Nevermind
TrooperJoe73 - February 19, 2012
I actually meant to say Fanshot, but I don’t think it’s a bad idea to have it as a Fanpost.
Edg5 - February 19, 2012
Good article indeed but I LOVE that photo.
greyberger - February 19, 2012
that article is from the clipperblog.com founder!!
you’re welcome Spurs fans!
Lawler's Law - February 19, 2012
Cooo!!!
grego21 - February 19, 2012
he was on HBO?
bren - February 19, 2012
He was going to be on the new Dustin Hoffman show on HBO. However, he had a scheduling conflict and they immediately replaced him. It was going to be a sports guy type of roll.
TrooperJoe73 - February 19, 2012
he was on the first episode though. I seen him in the the episode where the three guys won a lot of money on a horse and he commented on it
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
I stand corrected.
TrooperJoe73 - February 19, 2012
LOL! He lacks common sense!
TDzilla! - February 18, 2012
Like a lot of young stars on our opponents’ teams, Chris Paul’s temper costs his team a few points nearly every game.
cocanat - February 18, 2012
lame comment!
how do you figure paul loses games cuz of temper?
ThaFoX - February 19, 2012 via Android app
What I am trying to figure out is why he calls Chris Paul a “young star”. Isn’t he like 27?
quincyscott - February 19, 2012
I think he said “points” instead of games. But I have no guess as to why he’s saying that, but we should at least ask him to explain what he said, and not what we thought he said.
J.R. Wilco - February 20, 2012
Good reply
Bit I doubt that bill placid will read it (or try in response if he does )
I think there is a portrait of the Spurs that is growing old somewhere.
dmcnulla - February 18, 2012 via mobile
Good reply
Bit I doubt that bill placid will read it (or try in response if he does )
I think there is a portrait of the Spurs that is growing old somewhere.
dmcnulla - February 18, 2012 via mobile
Well said. I enjoyed your insight and I’m satisfied enough to anoint you the greatest writer in the world. (Like Plaschke, I lack any empirical proof).
The Big Fundamental - February 18, 2012
That is just really frustrating. I am the biggest Tony hater in Spurs land and I would not trade Tony for Paul this season. No way. I watch every Spurs game and ALMOST ever Clippers game. Chris Paul plays in spurts and doesn’t seem to always know when to be aggressive or when to be passive. He gets frustrated when things aren’t going his way and either seemingly checks out for parts of the game at a time or allows his opponent to dictate the way he is going. I think he is really missing Chauncey and dare I say that Chauncey was the floor general of that team? I’m not sure. The person who handles the ball most isn’t always the leader—Tim Duncan showed us that for years. So where Paul was getting the lump sum credit for all the success (and stop and think about how curious it is that he is already getting almost zero blame for that turn over at the end of regulation, had it been Lebron, Kobe, Westbrook, they’d be getting destroyed), his flaws shouldn’t be over looked, flaws that maybe Chauncey covered up.
This year Tim is playing around half the game and Tony is in there pacing the Spurs through everything. His decision making is almost flawless all year long and when matched up against other elite point guards he shines even more. Quite pittiful indeed that after a performance where Chirs Paul was out played and made the biggest mistake of the game, he is deemed most valuable player in the league by a guy who is read so widely. Gross.
Manuwar - February 18, 2012
I think Paul plays in spurts so he can get others more involved in the offense. I’m a huge Tony Parker supporter and I would take Chris Paul over him. If you watched the game yesterday you will see that Chris Paul wasn’t as aggressive offensively until the last quarter and he was a huge reason they were in the game then.
I do think Tony deserves more MVP recognition for what he is doing this season but to be honest the MVP award is Chris Paul’s to lose this year. I mean the media has pretty much made this a well known fact since he has gotten there and they have played solid. I’m not saying it’s fair or right but it just seems like it is a fact
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
If Jeremy Lin will continue to play like he did against the Lakers, he may easily become the MVP race favorite. He is already the most hyped player in the NBA, and NY media is the force to reckon with.
Kondor - February 19, 2012
You got a good point on that
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
LA
I like Lin also, but you cannot say how he played against the Lakers!! That has been the Lakers weakest part of the team for the past 10 years!!!
jwayne72 - February 19, 2012
He still had his best scoring game against them with 38 points and it was nationally televised. You know being nationally televised is a so called big thing also. LOL. But the guy has been playing great besides the turnovers and he has been helping a (so called) marquee team return to prominence.
Most Spur fans know how the media works all to damn well to be honest. SMH
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
PG has been a weak spot for the Lakers, but it doesn’t mean that any PG in the league would shine against them. It was seen pretty much as Kobe vs. Lin duel, and Lin won. Kobe is often still seen as the best player in the world, so Lin clearly distinguished himself as a marquee player in the NBA. Today he had another nice game against the defending champs, also on the National TV. These are kind of games that make or brake the player’s reputation in regular season.
Kondor - February 19, 2012
+1
Exactly.
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
I just want the Spurs to bring up another big for reserve purposes from the Toros while Tiago is out. It just makes sense.
Spurs Yoda - February 18, 2012
Two guys, other then Malcolm Thomas, that I wouldn’t mind the Spurs taking a look at if Tiago is out for awhile.
Keith Benson: http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/keith_benson/index.html
Jeff Foote: http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/jeff_foote/index.html
Spurs Yoda - February 19, 2012
He just didn’t want to throw his guy under the bus after the guy made a horrible mistake. Still, Paul kept them in the game. I was really enjoying reading that article though. It just shows how much the Clips and their fans got hurt by today’s loss.
Kondor - February 19, 2012
Neal vs Paul
Did anyone else notice when Neal met Paul at half court, Neal said something to Paul. Paul reacted like a little B!#$% and said something back to him. I think it was after the big 3 pointer in OT or maybe the 3 to tie at the end of regulation. Paul even did this little frustrated arm wave towards Neal.
Thought it was funny!
TrooperJoe73 - February 19, 2012
I love Neal. He is truly humble, but backs down from no one. Actually, the same can be said for several of our young ones, like Green and Leonard.
quincyscott - February 19, 2012 via mobile
And all are paid less than Luke Walton or Meta World Peace. Makes me feel good.
grego21 - February 19, 2012
You mean Ronald William Artest, Jr.?
quincyscott - February 19, 2012
I love it, and will be using that sobriquet at every chance possible.
J.R. Wilco - February 19, 2012
I just have to wonder how Artest’s dad feels about all this. Perhaps they don’t get along.
quincyscott - February 19, 2012
You’d probably have to go backwards on the timeline for quite a while before I start being interested in what his dad was thinking about his behavior — like somewhere about the time of the Malice at the Palace?
J.R. Wilco - February 20, 2012
Me also. The young guys are playing great and are showing no fear. I really hope we resign Green for a decent price. Not to mention I can’t wait until next year to see how these guys keep improving
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
I am happy that you are feeling good, but I kind of wonder why. For example, Jeremy Lin is paid less than Manu Ginobili, T.J. Ford or James Anderson. How do you feel about it?
Kondor - February 19, 2012
As I lay awake at night struggling for sleep I feel a calming peace come over me as i realise that somewhere in the world Jeremy Lin just bounced the ball off his foot and over the sideline for his 25th turnover of the game.
Bushka - February 20, 2012
LOL
gunnin' gervin - February 20, 2012
What a tool. Horrible reading.
Tony has ALWAYS been Chris Paul’s better. This season, in the playoffs, head-to-head, you name it.
Trey Felder - February 19, 2012
The toll in question, of course, being Bill Plaschke, not our esteemed colleague Completely Deck :)
Trey Felder - February 19, 2012
*tool
Trey Felder - February 19, 2012
He got way to much credit last year for giving the Lakers a hard time. Problem is, EVERY guard looks like the 2nd coming against Lakers guards. Especially this year! Only reason TP doesn’t get any run is because he’s not American. Same for Ginobili!
TrooperJoe73 - February 19, 2012
Bill Plaschke sounds like Mr. LA, Mr. New York, Mr. Miami, Stephen A. Smith. Tony should be considered for MVP. Tony has been playing out of his mind. He won’t get any love of corse but it doesn’t matter. As long as we’re the last one standing at the end of the year, it will make up for all the disrespecting during the season.
spurlover - February 19, 2012 via mobile
Bill Plaschke sounds like Mr. LA, Mr. New York, Mr. Miami, Stephen A. Smith. Tony should be considered for MVP. Tony has been playing out of his mind. He won’t get any love of corse but it doesn’t matter. As long as we’re the last one standing at the end of the year, it will make up for all the disrespecting during the season.
spurlover - February 19, 2012 via mobile
This is totally off topic but someone should do a post on George Hill and his impact on the Pacers. I read a post a while back that said we raped the Pacers in the trade. It made me mad because I don’t think it’s just coincidence that the Pacers were doing so well with GH and then started floundering when he went down with an injury. I think what he gives the Pacers is priceless. Just like when we got Mario Ellie or Rob Horry.
spurlover - February 19, 2012 via mobile
I don’t think it was a one-sided deal, but I do think the Pacers might not have realized the type of player they lost. Paul George basically made this deal happen. Otherwise, Leonard likely would have been a Pacer. Hill should be back and his game will once again do the talking. That and the post season will show how much they have gained.
grego21 - February 19, 2012
What I was thinking last night is how much Leonard, Green and Neal have really added to this team. I love George Hill, and I wish him nothing but the best, but this is a better team because of that draft day trade.
quincyscott - February 19, 2012
It was taking George Hill awhile to adjust to the way the Pacers play ball but when he finally started figuring things out he got injured. I think the fans will realize how good George is once he is fully recovered and ready to roll. Like Grego21 stated I also think a lot of the fans didn’t realize what type of player George truly was when they got him.
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
George has only played more than thirty minutes twice this season i Believe. He is playing typical cubits ball though from all reports.
Bushka - February 20, 2012
He wasn’t shooting as good as he did with our guys
gunnin' gervin - February 20, 2012
We could really use that Lorbek guy about now. He’s supposedly lighting up the Euroleague. . . .
Manu ex Machina - February 19, 2012
If not for the stupid lockout, he would have likely been a Spur already.
grego21 - February 19, 2012
Idiot
This is the same guy who said college football in it’s current system is better than having a playoff . Why? Because everybody gets a chance to play in a big game. You know, the guy who thinks every kid should get a trophy no matter who wins or loses. Idiot
Easyrhino - February 19, 2012 via mobile
Manu
Let me preface this by saying, he’s my favorite spur in spurs history, the greatest competitor in spurs history, the only time you will ever seer in a jersey, it’s his. But I’m starting to think Manu can’t finish a basketball game anymore without getting hurt. For the rest of his career, we should shut him down until the last two weeks of the season.
PS. MANU IS GOD
Easyrhino - February 19, 2012 via mobile
WE NEED DWAYNE
With Tiago out, it’s time to bring in a big man.
Choices :
Dwayne Shintzius – currently playing in an Lynard Skynard tribute band, Shinsered Skynard
Cadillac Anderson- selling Hondas in Resida
Frank Brickowski- Winning!
Ed Neeley- bouncer at midnight rodeo
Easyrhino - February 19, 2012
ah, the Midnight Rodeo…
What about that other giant ginger we had years and years back….?
Joe deLarios - February 19, 2012
why not bring back
Antoine Carr
bren - February 19, 2012
The original big dog!!! He does the Utah Jazz games sometimes if I’m not mistaken
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
This post made me laugh out loud for real. Some of these guys I haven’t heard about in years
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
SO WHY CHRIS PAUL IS NOT THE MVP
SIMPLE: he gets paid millions of $$$$ and does know the rules of the game he is paid to play. If he knew that he was not in danger of a backcourt violation, then all he had to do was dribble the ball around. But he does not and he thought he was going to turn the ball over, when in fact, he was not but he turned the ball over to the most dangerous three ball man the Spurs had at that time, Neal. Paul, do yourself a favor and go read the rulebook. Or better yet, don’t and let smarter teams continue to beat you
Joe deLarios - February 19, 2012
He had a brain fart. It happens. He’s a talented player who is very difficult to defend. I remember folks used to say that no team with Avery Johnson as its point guard could win a title. Things change. I’m not a Chris Paul fan, and I wouldn’t proclaim him MVP, but he is a good player. I would never have given an MVP vote to Steve Nash, since he does not contribute on the defensive end of the floor. But no player is perfect, and that includes MVPs.
quincyscott - February 19, 2012
Very Nice
A fair and balanced look at things.
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
Yeah. We’ve had similar mistakes coming from our stars. Shit happens.
LatinD - February 19, 2012
My impression was that in the last 2 minutes of the regulation you can catch ball in the backcourt, but you cannot catch ball in the frontcourt and then cross in the backcourt. That is a violation. And Paul caught ball in the frontcourt, because of Gomes awful pass (worked for us very well, I should say).
ananuri - February 19, 2012
Yes, it looked like the intent was for him to catch the ball in the backcourt and dribble out the clock, but he couldn’t avoid taking the pass in the frontcourt and his momentum was carrying him into the backcourt. It might have been best if he had simply thrown the ball high into the air and back towards his own basket, or simply holding onto the ball and being called for the violation.
Alamo - February 19, 2012
Right.
LatinD - February 19, 2012
EXCEPTION: RULE 8 Section 3 E
Point 1: And no, it is not an excuse because he had a ‘brain fart’. He is a professional that makes millions of dollars per year, tens of thousands of dollars per day and the excuse that he had a ‘brain fart’ should not be accepted.
Point 2: If a player plays a game his entire life and makes millions of dollars he should know the rules. Period. Especially one as important as this one.
Point 3: Yes, I am sure there are examples of boneheaded moves made by Spurs players but I strongly doubt there are too many boneheaded plays based on the mental understanding of the game.
Point 4: If Chris Paul knew the rule, the game would be a W for the Clips. Am I sad about it? no. But I do have a problem with someone getting paid that much money and not understanding the rules that govern millions of dollars
Joe deLarios - February 19, 2012
that exception only applies on the inbounds pass. once it has touched any part of the floor (and that includes a player), it is now in-play, and cannot be taken into the back court if it was in the front court. what paul did was the right move – it would have been a violation.
/former referee
sleep research facility - February 19, 2012
I am sure it was an inbound pass to Paul, therefore not a backcourt violation
Joe deLarios - February 20, 2012
but i could be wrong…did Paul catch the pass in the frontcourt? if so, I am mistaken.
Joe deLarios - February 20, 2012
yep, he made contact with the ball in the front court, but was travelling towards the back court – hence him throwing it in a general direction before the violation. so it was, in theory, the smart play – he was trying to keep it in the clippers front court, hoping a team mate would grab it, so they’d retain possession and avoid the violation.
my interpretation was that it was basically a mix up – paul was expecting the ball in one place, while the inbounder thought paul was heading to a different spot, so the pass went to the wrong spot. who’s fault it was for not making it clear where the pass was to go is something only those clippers know….
sleep research facility - February 20, 2012
yes, he did, and yes, you are. by the way, this short video is very enjoyable.
Kondor - February 20, 2012
Bill Plaschke is kind of a silly guy. If you have ever tried to follow his line of reasoning on ESPN, you know that logic is not his strong suit. One thing I have always found kind of amusing about him is that he writes for an El Lay paper and sings the praises of the Lakers, but he is ironically always on his high horse about middle America morality and family values. Go figure.
Anyway, if you are going to be a homer, I say you at least try to be an honest homer.
quincyscott - February 19, 2012
Good news
ironm8 - February 19, 2012
sweet. Maybe Tiago and Manu will just get some rest and be back for the Portland game…..probably not, but that is best case scenario.
Spurs Yoda - February 19, 2012
Should be no rush. Get the final road games out of the way. Worst case scenario is 1-2. Get the All-Star game out of the way, and that will be a good amount rest for both players. Not to mention, it might give Anderson a game or two to play. TJ Ford is playing 1 on 1 already, so his return might be upcoming.
TrooperJoe73 - February 19, 2012
+1
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
why the worst case scenario is 1-2, not 0-3?
Kondor - February 19, 2012
Being optimistic. I figure, the Spurs would not lose 3 straight. However, yes, 0-3 is the worst case scenario.
I am still predicting 1-2 at the worst. None of those games are a gimme, but I’m hoping for at least 1 win.
TrooperJoe73 - February 19, 2012
aha, it was the optimistic worst case scenario, now I got it
Kondor - February 20, 2012
So, we have for the rest of RRT:
the worst case scenario 0-3
the optimistic worst case scenario 1-2
the optimistic scenario 2-1
the best case scenario 3-0
Kondor - February 20, 2012
Maybe. The first thing I thought of when I heard “strained oblique” was Evan (not Eva) Longoria. He missed 5 weeks with the same injury, and wasn’t 100% for about 2 months after returning to his lineup. Different sports, but……..
cocanat - February 19, 2012
knock on wood
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
Someone on the quick cap already mentioned that strained obliques are common in baseball players, because they use that part of the muscle more often than other athletes.
silverandblack_davis - February 19, 2012
Should be very different, since baseball players need that twisting motion with batting and throwing to a lesser extent.
TrooperJoe73 - February 19, 2012
I read some of Plaschke’s articles a while back
He’s terrible. It’s not just that he’s a bad writer – he is waaaaaaaaaaaaay too negative
doubleteapot - February 19, 2012
Losing Manu and Splitter might mean we free &erson with Kawhi getting time at the 4? I just want a big. The Jazz will be quite a challenge without Tiago. Hopeful Blair can step up his game.
Manu ex Machina - February 19, 2012
The game vs Jazz its the perfect oportuinity to blair ….
Kanter and Favors have a selfish games …
cuentaluis1 - February 19, 2012
Yeah it is going to be a big challenge for Blair agains the Jazz big guys.
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
UNIFORMS
And on a different topic , is the NBA just throwing team colors and uniforms out the window now? I mean I’m watching a Heat game right now, the Heat are in black (our color) and the magic are in there home uniforms. When did it become ok for a team to just change colors?
When was the last time the spurs were in thier black rodies?
ITS OUT OF HAND!
The Chapperels??
Los Spurs?
Why not a jersey for every heritage?
Irish : The McSpurs
Can we just have the regular freakin jerseys already??
Hey there’s one for Italians !!! The Freakin Spurs
Easyrhino - February 19, 2012
Calm down.
LOL
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
Settle down. Black is not “our” color, it’s a color they use on the road. Chaps is a throwback thing, probably for financial reasons by the league (sell more jerseys). Los Spurs is a demographic thing. It’s a way to show the local area some love, that is all. The largest minorities in America are Latinos/Hispanics. It’s marketing, plain and simple. I’m not really sure why it should bother you. You don’t work for the NFL do you? I know the NFL is full of uniform Nazis. :)
TrooperJoe73 - February 19, 2012
Ha! Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak took down the Mav’s!!! Lin Sanity!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Ryan the temp!!! (BJ “Novak”)
Spurs Yoda - February 19, 2012
Manu Ginobili and Tiago Splitter will both miss Monday’s Spurs-Jazz game in Utah.
Ginobili (strained left oblique) has returned to San Antonio and he will be examined by Spurs team physicians on Monday and will undergo an MRI.
Splitter (strained right calf) remains with the team on the trip.
cuentaluis1 - February 19, 2012
KAWHI LEONARDS NEW NICK NAME
Ok if you think about it , it’s perfect, because he looks like it, he’s built like it, and if you ever saw the show, he could be in it. I give you KAWHI LEONARDS NEW NICK NAME!!!!!!
THE WIRE
Easyrhino - February 19, 2012
Why could he be in the show “THE WIRE”? I’ve seen the show and i own the box set on DVD but I truly want to hear the reasoning behind why he could be in the show?
gunnin' gervin - February 19, 2012
He’s built like a wire?
TrooperJoe73 - February 19, 2012
cuentaluis1 - February 20, 2012
I read on www.hoopshype.com that Derrick Rose would love for Pau to come to the Bulls. They evidently share the same agent and he thinks “according to sources” trading Boozer and somebody else would help the Bulls upgrade.
I agree Gasol is a major upgrade over boozer but I don’t think D. Rose would come out publicly and say something like this. As a matter of fact I don’t think he would say something like this to anybody in his front office. Maybe he would say that to a friend while they are hanging out but not the front office.
gunnin' gervin - February 20, 2012
Derrick Rose doesnt look like that kind of person
And I dont think the lakers would do it, maybe Boozer and Watson, who knows
cuentaluis1 - February 20, 2012
Boozer could be a good fit for the Lakers though. He is a thug.
Kondor - February 20, 2012
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