Replies

This article may seem like sour grapes to people who want to see the Lakers get the crushing reality check that the Yankees got last year, but a very bright and talented sports announcer and columnist named Bob Fitzgerald has contended for years that the NBA -- and thus Stern -- chooses the officials for the playoff games, and there is a certain referee who is ALWAYS -- without fail -- chosen to call Game 6 of any playoff series. I don't remember his name.

The stakes this year were even higher, with the rights to NBA broadcasts being up for grabs next season now that NBC is eschewing major league sports from now on, and focusing on entertainment. What if Los Angeles -- the second largest TV market in America -- was aced out of the Finals by Sacramento, the 19th largest market? How would the NBA demonstrate that it is worth top dollar to a network?

"Mmmmmmmmakes me wonder..." -- Led Zeppelin

Here we go again. More GIBBERISH. Ok. I'm going to give you a chance to answer what no Queens' fan has yet had to guts to answer.

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? How about the fact that Shaq and Kobe were in foul trouble for some ludicrous foul calls, ultimately resulting in Shaq fouling out and Kobe getting 5 fouls?

Did any of you actually watch any part of Game 5?

Since you like songs, how about this one, Queens' fan:

"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!"

This article may seem like sour grapes to people who want to see the Lakers get the crushing reality check that the Yankees got last year, but a very bright and talented sports announcer and columnist named Bob Fitzgerald has contended for years that the NBA -- and thus Stern -- chooses the officials for the playoff games, and there is a certain referee who is ALWAYS -- without fail -- chosen to call Game 6 of any playoff series. I don't remember his name.
The stakes this year were even higher, with the rights to NBA broadcasts being up for grabs next season now that NBC is eschewing major league sports from now on, and focusing on entertainment. What if Los Angeles -- the second largest TV market in America -- was aced out of the Finals by Sacramento, the 19th largest market? How would the NBA demonstrate that it is worth top dollar to a network?

"Mmmmmmmmakes me wonder..." -- Led Zeppelin

The Fitzgerald theory works for me, L.N. But then, according to Laker fanatics (many of whom were Michael's minions just a few years ago), I'm just a bitter "Queens" supporter -- even if I'm not.