If anyone's wondering why Kobe/the Lakers are so hated...

[NovU]

I do sort of see where Jing is coming from though. I do see why people would say Kobe is overrated, seeing how he is compared to the greatests all the time and some even claiming he's in fact the greatest of all time. Since eveyone supports their reasons on different standard and measure, it's an endless debate between fans and people so called haters.

As for superstars(in some cases, certain teams) getting their calls, it may not be fair but it'll always be there I guess. But it's more of timing of those calls, how and when those calls can affect the outcome of the games.

[Andrew]

I haven't read anything besides the first half of the OP, but seriously, that's not all about Kobe. All the Superstars get the calls, but thats the part of the game. One gets calls because for whatever reason, he's deserved it. I personally hate it aswell and quite frankly it's pretty retarded that it works the way it does, but you've got to live with it, Kobe is a great player like you said, which is why he gets the calls as do most of the other great players. Look Wade, LeBron, CP, you know? Even Jordan back in the days, but probably not as bad as now.

Absolutely, I do go on to acknowledge all of that. Basically my post started off as "the Bucks got screwed" and morphed into some other thoughts on superstar calls, officiating, media hype and Kobe Bryant.

Incidents like this are also an example of a part of the approach to officiating that annoys me, the whole "let them play/don't call it in the final minutes" philosophy. The idea is that the game isn't marred or decided by a call in the waning moments and to be fair, if Kobe had been called for a charge it would've sparked a fair amount of outrage, right or wrong. However, when referees pocket the whistle or call it the other way it can end up being just as controversial, so why not call the game the same way from opening tip to final buzzer? It's that lack of consistency combined with superstar calls that give rise to all the conspiracy theories.

[koberulz]

the bucks tv team.. lol what a bunch of homers- especially the color guy.

It wasn't just on the last call, either. Was I the only one who saw the replay on the lane violation clearly show Ilyasova or whatever his name is go in first, whilst the color guy rants over the top of it about how it's the worst call he's ever seen?

Also, of all the jobs to eat a cookie while doing, commentary is probably the worst.

As for the final call, I'm simply going to point out that Bogut's left foot was clearly still moving, admit that there's no way I can be remotely objective in the matter, and leave it at that.

[Andrew]

Also, of all the jobs to eat a cookie while doing, commentary is probably the worst.

That was a weirdly funny moment. One might go so far as to suggest they paid an inordinate amount of attention to a plate of cookies.

[J@3]

As for the final call, I'm simply going to point out that Bogut's left foot was clearly still moving, admit that there's no way I can be remotely objective in the matter, and leave it at that.

It doesn't have to be stationary to be a charge. The NBA already said it should've been called an offensive foul.

[koberulz]

Also, of all the jobs to eat a cookie while doing, commentary is probably the worst.

That was a weirdly funny moment.

Moment? It went on for hours. I'm not sure how long, I ended up muting the TV to get them to go away.

[Andrew]

I was being a bit generous with "moment", perhaps. Of course, they might have been exceptional cookies.

[koberulz]

That's all well and good, but they have a job to do.

Though at least they didn't ignore the game during half time, in favour of doing an interview with a football coach, after the play-by-play guy referred to the Bucks as the Hawks for the entire first half.