Kings @ Lakers Game Thread 1/1, 7:30 p.m. PST

[Andre87]

Guys I'm as disappointed as one can possibe be but I tell ya - that was NOT a push. They were going towards each and just collide and even if there was a little push refs NEVER EVER call that in the closing moments of games!
We lost it ourselves.

 

[swisshh]

You guys are bashing Sergio for getting a moving screen and an elbow thrown into him by a guy he wasn't set to guard. The breakdown is on Kenny Thomas and Udoka. Trust me, the Lakers would have loved to not seen Sergio in this game, his points and bench play are part of the reason the Kings were able to put up so many points on the Lakers.


Also of note, Lakers D entirely overrated. They've been exposed since their schedule wasn't full of puffcakes. People want to say its the lack of Artest, but Cleveland burned them with Artest on the floor as well. They are just a slow, halfcourt team that beefed their defensive stats by playing a soft schedule. Even in the third, where the Kings were missing shots, they were wide open looks and missed layups.

 

[rainmaker]

I saw the game. You just to automatic on your reaction.
a ball in --> smart play
a ball out --> stupid play

Lol.
You think its that simple?
Your pg needs to have control of your offense. At no time do I feel Sergio does have control. Yes, he makes some nice passes. He also makes some bad ones, at very critical junctures in a game. He is about 1-10 on layups his last 2 games. He airballed a poorly-timed 3, which I already pointed out to you but you ignored. He got burned repeatedly on defense, including that last play. Foul or no foul, he was taken completely out of the play. So I honestly don't know what your arguement is. I'm not blaming this loss on Sergio, but I'm also not going to sit here and act like he played a good game.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Guys I'm as disappointed as one can possibe be but I tell ya - that was NOT a push. They were going towards each and just collide and even if there was a little push refs NEVER EVER call that in the closing moments of games!

Oh, it was certainly a push, but it's hardcore homerism to think for even a moment that you're ever going to get that call...

 

[kingsnation]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3Z7umFXThk

53 second mark. Sergio attempts to slow or stop to avoid the foul, Kobe doesn't and clearly collides with Sergio, uses his elbow to create space. That's a foul.

Clear as day. That elbow/forearm is just as deadly as his jumper.

 

[cstorm]

And if Udoka makes them you would have told us that the Kings won in spite of the refs doing their best to cheat them into losing...Kobe barely released the ball in time and in bounds,but hey,I guess that shot is easier for him than the free throws for Udoka.

Lakers missed free throws too. Players miss shots. That is what SHOULD decide the game, not NBA refs trying to chip in to keep it close to add drama and "value" to marquee players. I don't understand what point you are trying to make.

If Udoka made them I would have watched a movie and gone to bed. All's right with the world.

 

[LookingAround]

Lol.
You think its that simple?
Your pg needs to have control of your offense. At no time do I feel Sergio does have control. Yes, he makes some nice passes. He also makes some bad ones, at very critical junctures in a game. He is about 1-10 on layups his last 2 games. He airballed a poorly-timed 3, which I already pointed out to you but you ignored. He got burned repeatedly on defense, including that last play. Foul or no foul, he was taken completely out of the play. So I honestly don't know what your arguement is. I'm not blaming this loss on Sergio, but I'm also not going to sit here and act like he played a good game.

Didn't say he played a good game. He had good first half and bad second half.

But you didn't say "bad game" but "bone-headed plays". But you as it seems don't see the deference between these too...

 

[casspion]

Fascinating; the weight of a blown twenty-point lead can be laid at the feet of four missed free throws? That's some interesting math, I'd say...

Absolutely. You won't sustain that separation from the Lakers in their building. The lead put you in a close game situation in the fourth and then you have two options: to be clutch or to choke.

 

[cstorm]

Why are we all so fixated on the last play. It would have been moot if the the refs hadn't made the effort to keep it close. The real "foul" was the Kobe friendly calls during the rest of the game.

 

[rainmaker]

Didn't say he played a good game. He had good first half and bad second half.

But you didn't say "bad game" but "bone-headed plays". But you as it seems don't see the deference between these too...

Dude, are you arguing for the hell of it. I've given numerous examples of mistakes he made. He didn't have a good game, and yes, he made bone-headed plays. Please, if you're going to argue, use some facts. Tell me what you saw. Use details.

I obviously know the difference between the two. Quit making this personal. I'm arguing about what I SEE on the court.

 

[Krunker]

I'm looking at the footage not at what the announcers say.Like I said, Ayen was right on Kobe's shoes and the line and removed his pointing arm right after he landed.To me that means there was no out off bounds argument to be made for Sac.

From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kzZvuEwvxM at the 10 second mark Kobe's heel is clearly on the line.

 

[VF21]

Why are we all so fixated on the last play. It would have been moot if the the refs hadn't made the effort to keep it close. The real "foul" was the Kobe friendly calls during the rest of the game.

Look at the start of the second half. The Kings LET the Lakers back into the game without any "help" from the officials.

Was the officiating perfect? Nope. Did the Kings play so well that not even poor officiating could beat them? Nope. The Kings made enough mistakes at critical junctures to allow the camel to get its nose under the tent. That's all it took...

 

[Merdiesel]

53 second mark. Sergio attempts to slow or stop to avoid the foul, Kobe doesn't and clearly collides with Sergio, uses his elbow to create space. That's a foul.

Hmm..
That elbow seem awful familiar?...

“It was the worst pain of my life.”- Danny Granger

"No contact with the neck, no suspension." Yeah, right. What ever you say Mr. Stern.

::drum roll::
and last but not least!
....

"Personal foul on Mike Bibby" yeah, nose to elbow, for those just joining us.



this league doesn't fix games.

 

[casspion]

From http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kzZvuEwvxM at the 10 second mark Kobe's heel is clearly on the line.

I am sorry but you can hardly call what you get from the angle/zoom "clearly". Possibly ...again the reaction from the kings bench would have been different.
Damn you Omri... I'm so emotionally invested in this team now. Most painful loss this season for me.

This is not about beating the lakers at Staples Center, it's about not losing at home to the likes of the 76ers. If they can just take care of that business they got a shot at making the playoffs. The wheels will fall off the blazers at some point without a healthy center. With Reke,Martin,Garcia and the whole team coming together I really believe sneaking to the 8 spot is possible.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Fascinating; the weight of a blown twenty-point lead can be laid at the feet of four missed free throws? That's some interesting math, I'd say...

Absolutely. You won't sustain that separation from the Lakers in their building. The lead put you in a close game situation in the fourth and then you have two options: to be clutch or to choke.

Fascinating.

 

[piksi]

Zen master
On whether he was surprised that Kobe was so open on the final play:
“Well, no. Not when you look at the play. Rodriguez jumped in front of Kobe to take away that and so he reversed course.”

 

[VF21]

^You gotta love Phil Jackson.

 

[kingsnation]

**Reads quote...**

Zen master
On whether he was surprised that Kobe was so open on the final play:
“Well, no. Not when you look at the play. Rodriguez jumped in front of Kobe to take away that and so he reversed course.”

***Becomes live version of piksi's avatar...***

 

[Aenadin]

^You gotta love Phil Jackson.

his usual zen Bull? or is he getting to the senility stage? its not only his hair he is losing..

 

[xrzn]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, everyone stop for a sec.

Someone PLEASE watch the shot Kobe took again. Did he travel when he grabs the ball? He technically takes 3 steps; one foot to jump off and two to land. Someone tell me I'm wrong.

 

[Tetsujin]

his usual zen Bull? or is he getting to the senility stage? its not only his hair he is losing..

You're assuming that he had any intelligence to begin with.

 

[Tetsujin]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, everyone stop for a sec.

Someone PLEASE watch the shot Kobe took again. Did he travel when he grabs the ball? He technically takes 3 steps; one foot to jump off and two to land. Someone tell me I'm wrong.

Kobe walks every time he touches the ball so I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Luv4Kings]

Sergio has his nerve "jumping in front of Kobe" as if he's supposed to play defense or something. He should be standing back in silent admiration as Kobe makes the throw.


And then kiss his hem.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, everyone stop for a sec.

Someone PLEASE watch the shot Kobe took again. Did he travel when he grabs the ball? He technically takes 3 steps; one foot to jump off and two to land. Someone tell me I'm wrong.

Just remind yourself that, three years from now, Evans will be getting the benefit of that kind of "officiating."

 

[xrzn]

You're assuming that he had any intelligence to begin with.

This might be true, but on that position specifically, doesn't it look like he travels?

 

[cstorm]

Look at the start of the second half. The Kings LET the Lakers back into the game without any "help" from the officials.

Was the officiating perfect? Nope. Did the Kings play so well that not even poor officiating could beat them? Nope. The Kings made enough mistakes at critical junctures to allow the camel to get its nose under the tent. That's all it took...

How can you say that the "letting" was not a result of Kobe getting the star treatment and the Kings afraid to guard him aggressively. Or that Kobe was allowed to play without fear of getting called for the foul. This is bigger than this one game. This is a problem with all the refs and all the marquee teams and players. I'm tired of the Kings being treated like we are the Washington Generals to Stern's All Star Parade.

 

[Luv4Kings]

How can you say that the "letting" was not a result of Kobe getting the star treatment and the Kings afraid to guard him aggressively. Or that Kobe was allowed to play without fear of getting called for the foul. This is bigger than this one game. This is a problem with all the refs and all the marquee teams and players. I'm tired of the Kings being treated like we are the Washington Generals to Stern's All Star Parade.

Of course Kobe gets star treatment. Shaq used to as well. It's funny to see Shaq called all the time now for offensive fouls that he got away with for years before.

It's the nature of the refs. It's been this way for decades and isn't changing anytime soon.

We have to learn how to win despite that and start to get our own star treatment. It's not "fair", but it's reality and the only way I can continue to watch this sport. I have to laugh it off.

 

[vikinginferno]

Of course Kobe gets star treatment. Shaq used to as well. It's funny to see Shaq called all the time now for offensive fouls that he got away with for years before.

It's the nature of the refs. It's been this way for decades and isn't changing anytime soon.

We have to learn how to win despite that and start to get our own star treatment. It's not "fair", but it's reality and the only way I can continue to watch this sport. I have to laugh it off.

Just because it is what happens doesn't mean you accept it. If something is wrong, I am going to fight for what is right. That is how I was brought up. Just because something has happened for decades doesn't mean it can't change. Maybe not with the current head of the NBA, but it CAN change. If the head of the NBA puts equality of calls at the top of his agenda and stresses to the referees to call fairly no matter the player or situation, then it will rub off on the refs and it will become a MUCH more level ground.

Some people have accepted star calls, the lack of any calls late in games (except to get the Lakers back into games such as that phantom call on JT on Shannon Brown), calls to the home team, and calls going for big market teams. But really unless people, including people inside the league, treat it as a problem, it won't get better.

The game should be called the same in the beginning of the game until the end of the game, no questions. Nowhere in the rule book does it say that in the final seconds of a game to not call any kind of foul/penalty unless it is a completely blatant foul. Just because last second shots look good doesn't mean it is good for the game to turn a blind eye to the usual fouls/penalties.

 

[Kings Fan Gerard]

Kobe: Oh yeah, down 2, no problem. I'm just gonna elbow Sergio Rodriguez here to get myself free and hit the game winning shot. Refs have no problem with that, they've always had my back.

 

[Chupacabra]

Make free throws. Dont try to flop on the last play of a game while youre guarding #24 = Win