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.
Frankly, it was quite clear what the refs were up to from the first game. The Lakers just played through it or didn't. Game 5 was an example of them collectively shrugging their shoulders and saying "We can't fight City Hall (or the NBA front office)."