Posted on 06/04/2002 7:37:53 AM PDT by mrustow
Article argues that NBA Commissioner David Stern wanted so much for the Los Angeles Lakers to extend their two-consecutive NBA championships to a "threepeat," that he fixed the Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings.
Game 7 was a big paycheck for the NBA, NBC, and ESPN.
As a powder blue Kings fan, I do agree that the Kings did choke under pressure in a game 7. But, playing in LA in game 6, even against eight players on the court in the fourth quarter, The Kings almost did it.
The series was money, it needed to go seven games, so if possible the refs would help. Then comes game seven, Lakers did not win, the Kings lost. The better team did win the series. But the Kings are young and hungry, and will learn from failure, and will be there again. The refs are just part of the game, if the league wants 5v8 on some nights, know it and deal with it.
What do you think the officiating was like in Game 5?! Or was that conveniently erased for your memory banks? That game was the biggest travesty in the history of sports. I think what happened in Game 6 is that the refs finally called fouls a foul.
Here's a sample of just the last 11.8 seconds: Do you think:
1. allowing Webber to hit the ball out of bounds and then give it to the Kings;
2. allowing Webber to knock Fisher on the ground during a moving screen to free Bibby for his final shot; and
3. allowing Jackson to undress Kobe and hold his arm, preventing him from driving and disrupting his shot
was enough to win Game 5 for the Kings?
How about the one foul shot Shaq had the entire game,even though he made 9 total dunks with people hanging all over him, and 17 shots total for the game inside the key?
Nobody has food poisoning that lasts more than 24 hours. 48 could be possible. 72 is just plain ridiculous.
If Webber held Kobe's waist with his left hand and delivered a forearm shiver to Kobe's nose with his right, Webber would have been ejected, fined, and suspended for game seven.
For all you Queens' fans:
"We are the champions, my friend. And we'll keep on fighting to the end. We are the champions. We are the champions. No time for losin', 'cause we are the champions of the world!"
Magic vs Bird - That became the story because it happened, not because "the man" made it happen.
So many cynical, cynical people...
P.S. Some times the NBA finals, or the Superbowl, or Baseball just plain sucks. Maybe they just forget to "fix it" in those years.
As for the food poisoning, why don't you test it? Scarf down a Shaq Pack on the east side and let me know how it goes.
I'm not here to rain the Lakers inevitable celebratory riots, I'm just telling you what I saw. Bogus officiating. The fact that you counter the refs calling a foul on Bibby for Kobe's felonious assault in Game 6 with blowing a last touch call on an out-of-bounds ball is kind of funny, though.
And Shaq... please. If all fouls were called evenly, O'Neil would be out of every game before halftime. The man plays by his own, personal rulebook.
As far as Kobe's "felonious assault", you might want to check your eyes at an optometrist or roll the tape again. Then you'd be able to see Bibby in Kobe's face, giving him a bear hug, prior to your alleged assault. A defensive player has to give an offensive player enough room to move, or he runs the risk of getting called for a foul.
BZZZZZ! Oh, so sorry but that's the wrong answer! The correct answer would be that article said the series was fixed. But just for playing, here's your exciting consolation gift. Don Pardo, what has he won?
That's right, it's the gift every Sacramento fan has been hoping for, the Cowbells 24/7 gift set! This beautiful ensemble features a nightly overblown laser lighted introduction, and comes complete with a balding middle aged overweight white man ringing incessantly at your place of business, a daily curbside delivery of live fish to flop around in your yard, a large "We got your Zen" placard, and to top it off, a stylish tin foil hat to deflect those pesky radio transmissions emanating from the NBA head office as they call the head of officiating to issue further instructions!
But that's not all! You'll also get a detailed instructional manual on the Heimlich maneuver, fully translated into several Eastern European languages, for use in case of choking! You'll be the envy of the neighborhood, and best of all, no heavy trophies or MVP awards to lug around!
Prizes courtesy of Spiegel, Chicago IL 60609. No cash substitutes, void where prohibited by law.
ROTFLMAO.
But there's just one problem with your scenario, Bob Barker. I'm not a Kings fan. I think they're a marvelous team, but I'm a New Yorker. Unlike you, I didn't have a dog in this fight.
LOL. Sounds good to me!
Actually a green salad in east LA could do the trick for you too! Call your doctor, complain about something you ate three days ago, then wait for roaring laughter. Bottom line, NOT food poisoning! The Hyatt is one of the cleanest places on earth, or so say the inspectors.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.