Obviously you weren't watching the game carefully. What happened is that the refs called 3 bogus fouls on Shaq prior to that. Same with Malone who was fouled by Garnett and was called for the foul. Instant replay proves this. Not to mention the fact that Bryant was manhandled over and over during the series and the refs just let it go.
Finally, somebody who has the facts right. I didn't have a complaint with Shaq's fourth foul, although he barely brushed Sprewell. I blamed Jackson for even having him on the floor at that time. However, there were at least two calls before that, which were unbelievable. The real conspiracy should be why were the Lakers in foul trouble to begin with. But conspiracy theorists only want to talk from a one sided point of view.
Yes, I wasn't watching at all, haven't watched all year. The NBA is a fraud.
Sources:
ESPN, Dan Patrick Show - http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache:oz3R94h-RkgJ:espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/show%3FshowId%3D1058217+shaq+foul+%22ed+rush%22&hl=en
Another sportswriter - http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache:2UkzkEm1tI4J:www.tcpalm.com/tcp/sports_columnists/article/0,1651,TCP_1066_2933652,00.html+shaq+foul+%22ed+rush%22&hl=en
Sporting News, a former NBA ref says Ed Rush should be reprimanded - http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache:d3HrRuEKI3kJ:radio.sportingnews.com/audiovault/+shaq+foul+%22ed+rush%22&hl=en
Another sportswriter - http://216.239.41.104/search?q=cache:x8ZfxaS8s3AJ:www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~102~2186287,00.html+shaq+foul+%22ed+rush%22&hl=en