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NBA discussion thread
- Thread starter Scofield
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Kobe actually gets less respect from the officials than LeBron, or even Dwayne Wade. While all the superstars had higher FTA per game averages in the playoffs, Lebron has about twice as many, and Wade has about 50% more. Kobe has about 2 or so more.
When's the last time you've seen Kobe shoot 20 free throws? Not this playoffs!
The big difference in the two teams is that Cleveland has a quality defense, which means they really only need LeBron to score, while the Lakers have a middle of the pack defense, which requires the whole team to be involved to win.
I will grant that LeBron has the work ethic to develop his game, but you have to understand that the whole "let's call touch fouls for superstars" mentality is making somewhat one-dimensional players (throw guys like 2005 Wade, or even lesser guys like Corey Maggette) better than they should be.
I'm still hoping that the Cavs can win it. Both teams have been doing an amazing job, especially on the curcial shots.
Get ready for another disappointment.
That has nothing to do with the officials' respect for them. Kobe has an all around better team that helps him, meaning he has the ball less and gets opportunities to get fouled. Lebron carries the entire team on his back (offensively at least) with the occasional Mo Williams showing up here and there, making for alot of shots and alot of foul drawing opportunities. Dwyane Wade on the other hand, is completely alone in Miami, with absolutely no other standout player, which gives him many more chances to shoot, get fouled and go to the line.
yeah homsar is right. AR you assume that lower FT rate correlates to less "respect" from refs but in reality its just that kobe takes it to the basket less. How many times have you seen him pull up and hit that little backward leaning 15 footer? This is not a knock on Kobe, its smart because he's older and needs to conserve his body more instead of taking hits in the paint like dwade does. lebron is built like a tank so he just doesn't give a shit.
It's not really relevant to my larger point - that the rules are so unbalanced in favor of being "built like a tank and driving it to the hole" because officiating is so ridiculously slanted in favor of the offensive player. Watch some of Dwight's fouls on LeBron. Dwight is rising straight up, his hands are rising straight up, and yet the foul is still called! It is LeBron initatiing the contact, not Dwight!
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090528&sportCat=nba
Long ass Bill Simmons article about reffing and such, he kinda rambles and gives decent insight about the whole thing.
Kobe is very all around, and can score in a variety of ways. He may shoot more threes one game or drive it another, therefore a fluctuation of freethrows occurs. Although I thin anyone who watched games 3-6 of the Dallas series knows that DWade's ref treatment was absolutely ridiculous.
Cavs tonight, LBJ for 50 plus triple double? lol who knows..
Long ass Bill Simmons article about reffing and such, he kinda rambles and gives decent insight about the whole thing.
Kobe is very all around, and can score in a variety of ways. He may shoot more threes one game or drive it another, therefore a fluctuation of freethrows occurs. Although I thin anyone who watched games 3-6 of the Dallas series knows that DWade's ref treatment was absolutely ridiculous.
Cavs tonight, LBJ for 50 plus triple double? lol who knows..
The darkhorse of the playoffs WILL prevail. Orlando has been the most consistent in the entire playoffs. Silently sneaking their way to the finals while the Lakers had a rather tough time. Then again, ECF is pretty weak. Orlando in 6.
QFT.
Prior to their win over Denver, I would have taken the Magic over the Lakers but their lack of enthusiasm over the WC title has really made me think the Lakers are finally focused all post-season. I mean, Odom tossed this WC Champion shirt and hat aside like garbage, Fisher said he's still angry over the loss last June and Kobe shrugged 'been here, done this.'
It's going to be a blood bath. Or, at least I hope it is. Lakers in 6.
It's going to be a blood bath. Or, at least I hope it is. Lakers in 6.
lol. LeBron is a stat-stuffer... he will continue to drop 40 / 8 / 8 and still lose... Why? LeBron isn't as tactful in his offensive game. Kobe legitemately tries to involve his teammates in the early stages of the game to open himself up... there is a method to his madness. The Lakers win a ridiculous amount of games when Kobe takes less than 20 shots I think it was....
Bottom line is.. LeBron is not there yet. And watching today disguisted me. The officials were like "its the start of the second half and LeBron has ONLY attempted 6 free throws... whats going on?" Basically.. he bumrushes the lane every chance he gets. I'm not saying thats bad.. I'm just saying lets be real when you hype LeBron up to be a more complete player than Kobe Bryant... and how about defense? Nah.. I won't even get into that.
You are absolutely cold-blooded 1000% correct... this is why basketball is hard to watch these days... So many fouls are assumed to the point where its repulsive to watch.
Anyway... Lakers take this in 6... just too many weapons for the magic.. and they aren't coming back from 23 down every game because the Lakers can put points on the board with more than one player.
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