2008 Western Finals: (1) Lakers vs. (3) Spurs

[Andrew]

I think the call is questionable simply because a play like that usually draws a whistle. It's puzzling that they'd decide to pocket the whistle when such a play is so crucial to the outcome of the game. In a way it's good to see the referees let the teams play but if either it's a foul all the time or none of the time. Even though I don't buy into any of them myself, it's calls like these that give legs to all the conspiracy theories involving NBA referees.

However...the Spurs really shouldn't have had a chance to tie the game or win it in the final seconds the way they had blown opportunities up until that point. Ginobili stunk and San Antonio failed to capitalise on tying the game several times during the second half and blew every chance they had. I would suggest that's mainly why Popovich dismissed the notion that the Spurs had been robbed on the non-call because their play was subpar and he doesn't want to make any excuses. Privately, he might feel that a foul could have been called.

I think the Spurs are making a mistake by trying not to send Kobe to the line. It's obviously working as he's only attempted one free throw in the last two games and he's a great free throw shooter so it's wise not to put him at the stripe but the tradeoff seems to be giving him easy layups and dunks, which is hardly what they want either. It's understandable that they don't want to give up three point plays but I would have thought they'd want to be more physical with him rather than waving him on through to the basket.

Bottom line, you hate to see a game decided like this because the controversy overshadows a poor performance by the losing team who was only in it until the end due to good fortune (or some would say favouritism, you make the call) and the non-call is at least a little bit iffy because there's usually a call in that kind of situation and aside from all the conspiracy theories about the NBA wanting a Lakers/Celtics Finals, the credibiltiy of NBA referees has probably never been lower with all that's transpired in the last twelve months. However, with all that said I would agree that the better team won. It was a game that San Antonio could have won but they did not get the job done.

As for the series it's still not over til it's over but at 3-1, I'd agree that it's all but over. The Spurs remain the defending champions for at least one more game and you've got to respect that but with the way they've blown opportunities it's tough to envision them winning three in a row including two in LA.

[Jackal]

Okay, so I just finished my usual dodging of anything media related and finished the game.

Great game by both teams, some very questionable calls going both ways...bad decisions regarding clock management but a balanced effort. Some foul trouble for Fisher and Odom but Odom did well. Kobe telling Walton to get going also seemed to help. For the Spurs, Duncan was tired around the third quarter already, for anyone that says it's boring to watch him play, I still don't see how they can say that, he's just so effing good...awesome. Barry played an awesome game as well. 37 year old? With Dice playing well in the last Detroit game, it just goes to show...there is always some gas left in the tank. Always.

One win away from the Finals. Keep playing hard LA, keep playing hard.

As Bryant said, no foul, no foul.

[Lean]

Meh I won't question you Jackal. I'm supposed to argue with you since it's another Lakers-Spurs series, but San Antonio is down so I'll just be quiet.

[rant] But Barry was fouled! [/rant]

[Micchy_boy]

for me its a foul but no continuation. but after reading some post/comment from other site. someone said that barry travelled(sp) before being foul.

here is his post.

Sure, Fisher fouled Barry, though not in the act of shooting. Still, Spurs deserved the two FTs...

... until I saw this. http://i32.tinypic.com/8vvq4m.jpg

Clear travel violation (he stepped his left foot back, making his right foot the pivot foot, and he lifted his pivot foot before the dribble) on Barry before the foul. I can't justify a foul if something as basic as a travel violation occurs before the contact.

hope here your side.
Peace out....

[magius]

any other time in the game it would be a foul, but you can't expect the refs to bail you out in the last minutes of a game. fair.

[Ckay]

the game is over so moved on
just wait for tomorrows game at the Staple Center
no game 6 i'll bet

[Flen Flyss]

Meh I won't question you Jackal. I'm supposed to argue with you since it's another Lakers-Spurs series, but San Antonio is down so I'll just be quiet.

[rant] But Barry was fouled! [/rant]

Barry travelled before he was fouled. Yes, he was fouled. The NBA agreed with it but it's over.

But Barry travelled!

[kinokong]

and like someone mentioned, fisher's shot hit the rim b4 bouncing off horry's leg..... the game should have been over rite there. with a fresh 24, the spurs would have to foul and it would have most likely been a 4 point game or at least a 3 point game... the refs did a horrible job officiating for both teams and like magius said u can't expect the refs to bail u out in a tough situation....

[Lean]

Hehe, it's Micchy_boy. Long time no see pal. The last time I saw you post was way back in the 2004 Finals with the "Na na na na hey hey hey goodbye" thing.

Heard Reggie Miller's comment that Barry should have put up the shot when Fisher is about to go down.

I hope to see a Pinoy Spurs fan.

[Jackal]

[rant] But Barry was fouled! [/rant]

[Kobe Bryant] No foul, no foul. [/Kobe Bryant]

[magius]

[rant] But Barry was fouled! [/rant]

[Kobe Bryant] No foul, no foul. [/Kobe Bryant]

DEJA VU!!!

[Micchy_boy]

Hehe, it's Micchy_boy. Long time no see pal. The last time I saw you post was way back in the 2004 Finals with the "Na na na na hey hey hey goodbye" thing.

Heard Reggie Miller's comment that Barry should have put up the shot when Fisher is about to go down.

I hope to see a Pinoy Spurs fan.

Sorry off-topic ^^ Well so many things change. First my pc back then crash. then got married and got a job then got addicted to online games like rose online and now perfect world.. now i own a computer shop so i can now visit this forum regularly.

Hope to post more soon.... Also stop playing NBA Live

[Lakeshow109]

this is it time to close these guys out and gets some rest for the finals i predict a Laker win tonight(but i say that evry Laker game)

[Matthew]

I wouldn't be shocked if this series still goes 7 but I'm picking the Lakers to win game 5.

[Angelo]

Yahoo Lakers won on todays game over Spurs

[shadowgrin]

Yes?!?

[Lamrock]

Damn; they blew a 17 point lead... looks like the Spurs suffered the same thing the Suns did. Losing a big Game 1 lead on the road kills you.

I lol'ed when Duncan took the 3, and Vujacic got the pointless exclamation mark buzzer-beater.

[Oskar]

Kobe is sick.

[Bruce]

look for the Spurs to want to cripple Vujacic the next time they play against each other. I think the Lakers hasn't picked up the option for his contract next year yet.

We are just at least one game away of a pipe dream matchup between the Celtics and the Lakers in the finals.

[L10]

Well, Tim Duncan triple double wasnt enough for the Spurs. Its a tough loss for them...but in my opinion SanAntonio didnt loose this game...Kobe win it.

[Lamrock]

Blowing a 17 point lead isn't losing a game?

[Angelo]

Well, Tim Duncan triple double wasnt enough for the Spurs. Its a tough loss for them...but in my opinion SanAntonio didnt loose this game...Kobe win it.

Definitely Kobe was just so hard to handle bruce and even the other defenders of him cant guard him very tightly

[magius]

the lakers are a good team, against most other teams td would be enough, but in this series ginobili, for whatever reason, really let them down, and parker, while still decent, played somewhat ordinary. I'm picking the east to win it now.

vujavic looks like the guy from rushmore.

[deihatein]

I just realized, if the Spurs doesn't have the momentum on their side they would likely lose the game and they can't just defend their champioshipwell

[JT_55]

From this series, I got what I want: goodbye Spurs. Now if only Boston or Detroit can stop the Lakers.

NOTE: Out of 55 voters, only 2 got it right. A wonderful 3.636% success rate. Not counting people who voted for one of Lamrock's infamous poll choices (essentially wasting your vote), still only 5.714% got it right.