MVN Lakers: The Foul That Wasn’t Called
Posted on May 29, 2008
I’ve been writing a lot on MVN lately. Sorry about the overall lack of Kobe Bryant-centric content here on RespectKobe.com — I’ll try to get a new article up here soon. In the meantime, head over and read my latest article on MVN. Here’s an excerpt:
Let me be very clear about this: It was a foul. Fisher jumped up and towards Barry, and he collided with him as he landed. Not only is that a foul, but it’s a very clear and obvious one, and one of the most consistently called fouls in NBA basketball.
But the question here isn’t whether or not Fisher fouled Barry. It’s whether or not the foul should have been called.
Bear with me here. Yes, we could get into how NBA officiating changes in the final moments of a close game. And yes, this would still be justification enough for the non-call. But none of that is necessary. In fact, we can still interpret the rules “by the book” and come to the same conclusion — that Fisher’s foul on Barry, while real, should not have been called.
Respect Kobe reader lalball81 also made a valid point regarding the Fisher/Barry play. Click here for those thoughts, and feel free to continue the discussion either here or in the comments at MVN.
Click the link below, or head over to MVN Lakers, where I am a contributor, for my in-depth take on the Derek Fisher foul.
MVN Lakers: The Foul That Wasn’t Called
Filed Under Kobe Bryant | 6 Comments
MVN Lakers: A Man’s Game
Posted on May 29, 2008
I’ve posted a new Lakers article on MVN.com. Here’s a quick excerpt:
Early in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz, Ronny Turiaf knocked Ronnie Price to the ground while colliding with him en route to a hard block. Turiaf was assessed a Flagrant II foul, and what had been nothing more than a “hard playoffs foul” resulted in an ejection.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the sissy playoffs.
Thankfully, that ended after the second round. These are the Conference Finals, and thanks to the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs, this is a man’s game again.
Click the link below, or head on over to MVN Lakers, where I am a contributor, for the rest of my article on why I’m enjoying this Lakers-Spurs series so much.
Also, if you have any thoughts on the Derek Fisher non-call, feel free to share them in the comments!
Filed Under Kobe Bryant, Lakers, MVN Lakers, Playoffs, complaining, officiating, referees | 4 Comments
MVN Lakers: They Don’t Have Kobe
Posted on May 25, 2008
I’ve posted a new Lakers article on MVN.com. Here’s a quick excerpt:
This is not the bold statement it would have been back in either the first or second round. By now, it should be clear.
The Lakers will win the championship this year.
You want a bold statement? I’ll take it one step further: It doesn’t matter who they face in the Finals.
The Real NBA Finals
In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers found themselves trailing the Spurs by 20 points, with a score of 45-65, with 5:39 remaining in the third quarter. The Spurs, the defending champions, looked completely unaffected by travel complications, lack of rest, and old age. Home court advantage, it seemed, was about to be stolen away from Los Angeles.
Only one problem: the Lakers had Kobe Bryant.
Click the link below, or head on over to MVN Lakers, for the rest of my article on why Kobe Bryant and the Lakers will win the championship this year.
Filed Under Boston Celtics, Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons, East vs. West, Eastern Conference, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Lakers, MVN Lakers, Playoffs, Rasheed Wallace, San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan, big games, clutch, leadership | 2 Comments
MVP, But Not Without Weakness
Posted on May 15, 2008
Kobe Bryant is good at most things on the court. He has, without a doubt, the most complete and well-rounded basketball skill set currently in existence. He is, and has been for the last half-decade, the best player in the world, and he is this season’s MVP — and he is completely deserving of that honor. But he is not without weakness, even on the hardwood court that he so thoroughly dominates.
There will be time — very soon, I promise — to celebrate his MVP season. But right now, I want to focus on four of Kobe’s on-court weaknesses: complaining to the referees, “lost ball” turnovers, jumpshooting when cold, and inconsistent assisting. Continue reading
Filed Under Kobe Bryant, Lakers, LeBron James, MVP, Statistics, Teammate, assists, complaining, officiating, poor shooting, referees, turnovers, weaknesses | 18 Comments
An Ironic Chris Paul Day
Posted on May 6, 2008
This first part is painfully obvious, so let’s get it out of the way right now: I love Chris Paul. He is simply incredible. That sound you sometimes hear when watching Hornets games? That’s my mind blowing (from halfway across the country). He has accomplished things few point guards have ever managed in the history of the game, and he’s one of several factors that have breathed new life into the NBA during this season.
But one day, either before or after a Lakers game that my wife was watching with me, I turned on a Hornets game (probably because I was tracking them closely, in hopes that the Lakers could take over the #1 spot in the West by season’s end). Can you guess my wife’s first comment when I pointed Paul out to her?
“He looks like Carlton Banks from Fresh Prince.” Continue reading
Filed Under Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, MVP, Playoffs, Statistics, Western Conference | 14 Comments