[LAL/DEN] Western Conference finals

[Variant]

The Lakers can and will play a lot better in Game 5. I just hope the Nuggets can weather the early run and match their intensity...... I still don't quite believe in them, but the Lakers are such an enigma this year you never know.

Poking around on a few Laker forums right now, it's mind boggling to me how many of them think there's some sort of conspiracy to keep them out of the Finals.... I mean, I can't even wrap my mind around how that could make any sort of sense at all.

I'm sure I'll hear it in the halls tomorrow at work though.

 

[vikinginferno]

The Lakers can and will play a lot better in Game 5. I just hope the Nuggets can weather the early run and match their intensity...... I still don't quite believe in them, but the Lakers are such an enigma this year you never know.

Poking around on a few Laker forums right now, it's mind boggling to me how many of them think there's some sort of conspiracy to keep them out of the Finals.... I mean, I can't even wrap my mind around how that could make any sort of sense at all.

I'm sure I'll hear it in the halls tomorrow at work though.

I completely understand them, how do you not??? Obviously whenever the Lakers don't get 75% of the calls going there way, it is a conspiracy!

 

[coolhandluke]

NBA: where what the... happens.

 

[sloter]

I have to say though, that Dahntay Jones is a dirty player. Pushing Kobe in the back in midair last game (I know from experience how bad that can get), and the trip tonight. Not cool

I agree that the push in the back was dirty, but the trip today was not. It should have been called a personal foul, but there was nothing remotely dangerous about that play.

I don't understand why the commentators made such a big fuss about that play and thought that Bynum on Anderson was not flagrant. How can hitting someone with your elbow in the head as they are going full speed to the hoop not be a flagrant ?

 

[SacKings7]

I agree that the push in the back was dirty, but the trip today was not. It should have been called a personal foul, but there was nothing remotely dangerous about that play.

I don't understand why the commentators made such a big fuss about that play and thought that Bynum on Anderson was not flagrant. How can hitting someone with your elbow in the head as they are going full speed to the hoop not be a flagrant ?

Nothing dangerous about it, but still a dirty play. I don't have too much of a problem with that one actually, just doing that after the push amplifies it for me.

And I agree about the flagrant on Bynum

 

[Big Cuz 15]

LMFAO they had to slow mo it too

good win for the nugs. now only if they can do it 2 more times. i really don't want to see the undeserving lakers in the finals. the "we can turn it on when we want lakers"

 

[BMiller52]

I agree that the push in the back was dirty, but the trip today was not. It should have been called a personal foul, but there was nothing remotely dangerous about that play.

I don't understand why the commentators made such a big fuss about that play and thought that Bynum on Anderson was not flagrant. How can hitting someone with your elbow in the head as they are going full speed to the hoop not be a flagrant ?

It's because Mark Jackson is the biggest Kobe apologist on air, and whenever someone does somethig that might offend the golden boy he's gotta call em out on it

Seriously, does anyone else notice this? He's always saying Kobe is the best player this, they're trying to hurt Kobe that, I can't believe Kobe didn't get the call, that ref has something against Kobe so he makes the bad call, etc. All of that is garbage IMO. But whatever.

 

[kennadog]

Poking around on a few Laker forums right now, it's mind boggling to me how many of them think there's some sort of conspiracy to keep them out of the Finals.... I mean, I can't even wrap my mind around how that could make any sort of sense at all.

I'm sure I'll hear it in the halls tomorrow at work though.

 

[kingsnation]

It's because Mark Jackson is the biggest Kobe apologist on air, and whenever someone does somethig that might offend the golden boy he's gotta call em out on it

Seriously, does anyone else notice this? He's always saying Kobe is the best player this, they're trying to hurt Kobe that, I can't believe Kobe didn't get the call, that ref has something against Kobe so he makes the bad call, etc. All of that is garbage IMO. But whatever.

Ditto for JVG.

 

[Wuster]

I find it rather ironic that Phil Jackson was complaining about imbalanced officiating in last night's loss to the Nuggets:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lakers-tripping&prov=ap&type=lgns

An excerpt: "Jackson criticized Jones at the end of a rant about what he said was inconsistent officiating that resulted in Denver taking 49 free throws—14 more than the Lakers."

 

[VF21]

Poor little Lakers. They're finding out their crown has slipped, they're no longer the league darlings they once were and they aren't happy about it at all...

Has the officiating been exemplary? Nope. Has it favored the Lakers? Nope, and that's the first time in a long time I've said that and really felt it was true. I've seen the Lakers get the slight edge (or more) on calls, non-calls, etc. for a very long time. I've seen Kobe make his faces of disgust, disbelief, etc. and have the rest of the game somehow mysteriously tilt his way. I've seen a couple of officials appear as though they're actually bowing to the greatness that is Kobe Bryant.

This series is proving the Lakers have feet of clay...and I think it's going to bring out the very best in them for the first time in a long time. I don't know if it will be enough, however, to get them into the NBA finals because they are vulnerable to human failings.

This series actually might mark a turning point in the Western Conference, at least as far as the officiating goes. And, quite frankly, it's about time...

The Lakers are still good. You do not count out a team with Kobe Bryant on it lightly. (And remember, I have no real love for the Brave Little Soldier. Speaking of which, did anyone else catch the crawler that announced that Kobe might need surgery to repair his injured pinky finger???? Wasn't that last year's excuse/injury???)

Anyway, long story short?

GO NUGGETS!!!!

 

[kingsnation]

This series actually might mark a turning point in the Western Conference, at least as far as the officiating goes. And, quite frankly, it's about time...

...


GO NUGGETS!!!!

I agree with all you said, especially the 2 statements above!

 

[Big Cuz 15]

I find it rather ironic that Phil Jackson was complaining about imbalanced officiating in last night's loss to the Nuggets:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap-lakers-tripping&prov=ap&type=lgns

An excerpt: "Jackson criticized Jones at the end of a rant about what he said was inconsistent officiating that resulted in Denver taking 49 free throws—14 more than the Lakers."

lmao

they didn't bring their crashball team to play against the underdog nuggets.

phil always has his 2 cents to ***** about when things don't go the lakers way. i'm amused with what he comes up w/ next.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Poor little Lakers. They're finding out their crown has slipped, they're no longer the league darlings they once were and they aren't happy about it at all...

Has the officiating been exemplary? Nope. Has it favored the Lakers? Nope, and that's the first time in a long time I've said that and really felt it was true. I've seen the Lakers get the slight edge (or more) on calls, non-calls, etc. for a very long time. I've seen Kobe make his faces of disgust, disbelief, etc. and have the rest of the game somehow mysteriously tilt his way. I've seen a couple of officials appear as though they're actually bowing to the greatness that is Kobe Bryant.

This series is proving the Lakers have feet of clay...and I think it's going to bring out the very best in them for the first time in a long time. I don't know if it will be enough, however, to get them into the NBA finals because they are vulnerable to human failings.

This series actually might mark a turning point in the Western Conference, at least as far as the officiating goes. And, quite frankly, it's about time...

The Lakers are still good. You do not count out a team with Kobe Bryant on it lightly. (And remember, I have no real love for the Brave Little Soldier. Speaking of which, did anyone else catch the crawler that announced that Kobe might need surgery to repair his injured pinky finger???? Wasn't that last year's excuse/injury???)

Anyway, long story short?

GO NUGGETS!!!!

he's been playing injured all this time?

 

[VF21]

he's been playing injured all this time?

Amazing, isn't it? I find it especially remarkable that he's suffered through incredible pain the entire season and was able to hide it so successfully from the media ... and pretty much everyone else in or associated with basketball. But he's not the "brave little soldier" for nothing, right?

 

[TaxMan]

lmao

they didn't bring their crashball team to play against the underdog nuggets.

phil always has his 2 cents to ***** about when things don't go the lakers way. i'm amused with what he comes up w/ next.

Well, the question is if he really believes it or not. Like him or hate him, Jackson is a master at using the media to attempt to sway the refs. I would not be surprised if the lakers had a big advantage in free throws in the next game as the refs worry about being "fair" to the lakers.

 

[VF21]

Well, the question is if he really believes it or not. Like him or hate him, Jackson is a master at using the media to attempt to sway the refs. I would not be surprised if the lakers had a big advantage in free throws in the next game as the refs worry about being "fair" to the lakers.

As I mentioned above, the officials aren't as worried about being "fair" to the Lakers as they have appeared to be in years past. Of course, that could change. Any bets that tomorrow's game will be officiated by Dick Bavetta?

 

[Variant]

With all the whining being done over the physicality of game 4, I'm sure the refs will call game 5 tight to avoid any "chippiness".

No doubt this will work against the Nuggets as they tend to play a little bit more of an emotional, aggressive style. Expect to see ticky tack fouls called against them early in the interest of "keeping things calm" and probably several key players in early foul trouble.

Should be enough to up the odds of a Laker win.

This thing is going 7 after all.

 

[tradepeja]

Well, the question is if he really believes it or not. Like him or hate him, Jackson is a master at using the media to attempt to sway the refs. I would not be surprised if the lakers had a big advantage in free throws in the next game as the refs worry about being "fair" to the lakers.

This is so true. He always seems to get the officiating to swing his way after a little post-game rant. Of which he is never, ever fined for.

Also, what I like is how Kobe said his 5th techical would be his last. Very strategic of him, as you know just saying that has caused the refs to be even that much more reluctant to call a tech on him than they were before.

He should be receiving a technical after nearly ever shot he misses, as the amount of arguing, whining, arm flailing, and ball pounding he does on a possession-to-possession basis is mind-blowing.

 

[Variant]

K folks.. I am setting the over/under on Laker free throws in game 5 at 50.

I say over.

 

[TheWileyVet]

K folks.. I am setting the over/under on Laker free throws in game 5 at 50.

I say over.

Prolly a good call. Kobe alone will likely take 25 or so.

 

[kingsnation]

ESPN..

Frustrated Gasol says Lakers' Big Men Need Ball More

Pau Gasol says the Los Angeles Lakers should take greater advantage of their inside game in the remainder of their series against the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Daily News reported.

More..

 

[Aenadin]

which means he doesnt want kobe hogging the ball....

jackson should have said "you should ask kobe why he isnt making any touches"

gasol said they had the size.. ok but i dont see the toughness.. did their size help them rebound?

 

[kingsnation]

SI..

Phil Jackson fined 25K for blasting refs

NEW YORK (AP) -- Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for his public criticisms of the referees following Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference finals.

The Lakers organization was also fined $25,000, the day after a 120-101 loss to the Denver Nuggets that evened the series.

More..

 

[vikinginferno]

SI..

Phil Jackson fined 25K for blasting refs



More..

It's weird. I've seen it happen a number of times where someone or some people say something like the league never apologizes for its refs or Phil Jackson never gets fined and then in a couple of days it happens. Maybe NBA checks KF, lol...

 

[TheWileyVet]

Let's go Nuggets!!

I'm living the Nugg Life!!! lol

 

[AriesMar27]

how can phil complain about the refs in game 4 when the fouls in game 3 were exactly the same except it was the lakes shooting freethrows? the lakers had 31 fouls in game 4 the nuggets had 24. in game 3 the nuggets had 31 and the lakers 24. the freethrow differential in both game 3 &4 was 14. oddly enough the lakers shot 68% ft in both games.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Phil has a lengthy history of complaining about calls, occasionally getting fined for it and then having his team get a huge FT advantage in the following game. As long as it works he'll keep doing it no matter how absurd it may seem.

 

[VF21]

Phil has a lengthy history of complaining about calls, occasionally getting fined for it and then having his team get a huge FT advantage in the following game. As long as it works he'll keep doing it no matter how absurd it may seem.

I'm going to be very interested in seeing what happens tonight. Based on what we've seen so far, however, I don't think the officials remembered to pack their Laker-tinted glasses. Of course, the real proof will be there for all to see if/when Bavetta gets into the mix...

 

[tradepeja]

The refs and George Karl doing everything in their power to keep this a close game. Go Denver, keep it up in the 2nd half.