TrueHoop (ESPN): That Was A Foul!

[csaenz]

I think this about sums it up.

***

That Was A Foul!
May 28, 2008 12:33 AM

OK, there, big ol' NBA, let's be honest: You were on notice. No funny business! We have had our referee scandal, we have been accused of fixing games, and we have promised that such things would never never never no not ever happen again.

You bounced back pretty nicely. But you promised transparency. You talked about a sacred trust.

And in that context, with everyone and their brother suspecting that the League would prefer to have the ratings monster Lakers in the Finals, and with a notorious anti-Spur referee assigned to the game, how can a key Western Conference final game end like this?

Laker Derek Fisher left his feet, and landed hard into Spur Brent Barry. The Spurs were down two and time was running out. That's a foul in my pickup game. That's a foul in high school. That's a foul in college. And, at just about every moment of NBA basketball that I have ever seen except this one, that's a foul in the NBA.

That just simply must be called a foul, if nothing else to allay the fears that the League may be fixing up the Finals for big ratings.

I actually do not think that the NBA is rigged (if it was the shot clock would have been reset on the play before, when Derek Fisher's shot appeared to touch the rim). But a lot of people do, and that's a problem. The way to solve that problem is to be scrupulously fair, which this was not.

And when mistakes are made, I think fans are owed a clear and honest explanation, complete with, when necessary, a swift admission that an error was made. Is that too much to ask?

And then, do me one last little favor: Look us in the eye, and tell us just one more time that the sport we love is not rigged.

[mikekim]

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-32-237/That-Was-a-Foul-.html

[2centsworth]

Lakers and their fans have nothing to do with this they deserved the W.

This is all between the Spurs and Joey "the joke" Crawford.

[ballhog]

It'll probably be the only thing talked about for 2 days. The NBA has set itself up for a lot of scrutiny in making open statements about wanting a Celts/Lakers finals. It's gonna happen.

[Dim Tuncan]

LOL. I'd have entitled the blog "That Was A Travel!"

:lmao

[O-Factor]

The lakers were better tonight, but we fought back and deserved to go to the line for 3 foul shots and a chance to win the game

[TDMVPDPOY]

they call them fouls alot in the NOH/SPURS series every time cp3 had a touch bump...

why they dont call it in this series....

this reminds me of the spurs/mavs 06 series...

[Mamba24]

The lakers were better tonight, but we fought back and deserved to go to the line for 3 foul shots and a chance to win the game

No, you didn't deserve it. The Spurs should not have had the ball with 2.1 seconds left. That shot by Fisher clearly hit the rim, the shot clock should have been reset...and the Spurs would have been forced to foul, probably Kobe or Fish who are 83% and 88% at the free throw line, respectively.

[jamisont]

The lakers were better tonight, but we fought back and deserved to go to the line for 3 foul shots and a chance to win the game

that was foul before shot. Barry pumped fake, Fisher jumped on top of barry then barry shot after that, so it wasnt shooting foul. (if foul was called)

also it was ref's bad calls that put spurs back in game. (odom's goaltending and fisher's airball that hit the rim)

[Lakers14Titles]

Funny how dipshit Spurfan can only see the calls that didn't benefit them, but ignore the litany of ones that DID. Idiots.

Fisher's shot hit the rim morons.

[SPARKY]

Funny how dipshit Spurfan can only see the calls that didn't benefit them, but ignore the litany of ones that DID. Idiots.

Fisher's shot hit the rim morons.

Fortunately we aren't you.

[samikeyp]

Funny how dipshit Spurfan can only see the calls that didn't benefit them, but ignore the litany of ones that DID. Idiots.

Fisher's shot hit the rim morons.

yes again because ALL Spurs fans think alike. :rolleyes

I see you decided to purposely ignore the fact that many Spurs fans, including Brutalis, myself and others agreed with you about Fisher's shot.

Way to stay open-minded! :lol

[Lakers14Titles]

Wow that's two of you, that's quite a majority here.

[Lakers14Titles]

Fortunately we aren't you.

I'll say that, I'm not an conspiracy-laden, excuse-making, cybaby asshole like most of you. I'm just an asshole.

[samikeyp]

Wow that's two of you, that's quite a majority here.

actually Brutalis, myself and others is more than 2.

[Lakers14Titles]

Ok so let's see there are probably 500 active users on here tonight, and 10 of you agree with us. Yay for Laker nation!

[pakzz]

crybabies :lol

[SPARKY]

I'll say that, I'm not an conspiracy-laden, excuse-making, cybaby asshole like most of you. I'm just an asshole.

Nah, fortunately we aren't a whiny little troll with nothing better to do than spam this forum as if he actually won something.

[Lakers14Titles]

Nah, fortunately we aren't a whiny little troll with nothing better to do than spam this forum as if he actually won something.

I don't think I whine, you obviously are stupid. I'm sorry.

I don't play for the Lakers, I didn't win anything last I checked.

[21_Blessings]

Lakers and their fans have nothing to do with this they deserved the W.

This is all between the Spurs and Joey "the joke" Crawford.

Barry traveled. If Joey was 'on the take' he would have called said travel.

If the series was rigged the Spurs would have won and it would be going seven right now instead of ending in 5

[Lakers Dynasty 2000]

Here it is: http://i32.tinypic.com/8vvq4m.jpg

[Manufan909]

You dumb shit, the fifth game hasn't even been played yet, and you already think you've won!?! The Spurs are a way better team then the Jazz, so the Lakers will be lucky to end it in six.

[Lakers14Titles]

You dumb shit, the fifth game hasn't even been played yet, and you already think you've won!?! The Spurs are a way better team then the Jazz, so the Lakers will be lucky to end it in six.

Calm down, you sound like you might cry. It really will be OK.

[fyatuk]

that was foul before shot. Barry pumped fake, Fisher jumped on top of barry then barry shot after that, so it wasnt shooting foul. (if foul was called)

I actually agree with this. It should have been called on the ground, Barry with 2 free throws (after the foul he came to a complete stop, then went up, shouldn't get continuation on that shit).

Personally I think they should have called it (on the ground) just because the contact prevented from getting off anything but a prayer, and calling it on the ground would not have lost the game for the Lakers.


also it was ref's bad calls that put spurs back in game. (odom's goaltending and fisher's airball that hit the rim)

Odom did goaltend. It the backboard before he got it and had a chance to go in (although I don't think it would have). It certainly was a goaltend.

And Kobe traveled before he passed it to Fisher, so pick your poison on that one.

There were too many bad calls on both sides, it sucked.

[florige]

Lakers and their fans have nothing to do with this they deserved the W.
This is all between the Spurs and Joey "the joke" Crawford.



Yeah I agree with that!

[iflyabeech]

I actually agree with this. It should have been called on the ground, Barry with 2 free throws (after the foul he came to a complete stop, then went up, shouldn't get continuation on that shit).

Personally I think they should have called it (on the ground) just because the contact prevented from getting off anything but a prayer, and calling it on the ground would not have lost the game for the Lakers.



Odom did goaltend. It the backboard before he got it and had a chance to go in (although I don't think it would have). It certainly was a goaltend.

And Kobe traveled before he passed it to Fisher, so pick your poison on that one.

There were too many bad calls on both sides, it sucked.

x2 Great post:wakeup

[honestfool84]

No, you didn't deserve it. The Spurs should not have had the ball with 2.1 seconds left. That shot by Fisher clearly hit the rim, the shot clock should have been reset...and the Spurs would have been forced to foul, probably Kobe or Fish who are 83% and 88% at the free throw line, respectively.



the spurs grabbed the rebound..

why would it have mattered?

dip sh!t

[PwrGetter]

I actually agree with this. It should have been called on the ground, Barry with 2 free throws (after the foul he came to a complete stop, then went up, shouldn't get continuation on that shit).

Personally I think they should have called it (on the ground) just because the contact prevented from getting off anything but a prayer, and calling it on the ground would not have lost the game for the Lakers.



Odom did goaltend. It the backboard before he got it and had a chance to go in (although I don't think it would have). It certainly was a goaltend.

And Kobe traveled before he passed it to Fisher, so pick your poison on that one.

There were too many bad calls on both sides, it sucked.

Not to mention, Fisher hit the rim on the last shot. This should be put the clock back at 24, and Kobe wouldnt have had to shoot that shot with 2 seconds left. That would either force Spurs to attempt to force a turnover, or just foul and someone to the line for two.

That last possesion by the spurs shouldnt have happened at all, if it was called correctly.

So yes, I think Barry was fouled too, but one bad call deserves another. It evens' out.

[fyatuk]

Not to mention, Fisher hit the rim on the last shot. This should be put the clock back at 24, and Kobe wouldnt have had to shoot that shot with 2 seconds left. That would either force Spurs to attempt to force a turnover, or just foul and someone to the line for two.

That last possesion by the spurs shouldnt have happened at all, if it was called correctly.

So yes, I think Barry was fouled too, but one bad call deserves another. It evens' out.

Reading comprehension much? I said Kobe traveled before passing the ball to fisher for that shot. Hence my line about picking your poison. Spurs should have been shooting free throws, but that posession shouldn't have happened because Fisher's shot hit the rim, except that shot shouldn't have happened because Kobe traveled, etc. Playing that game is stupid.

No call should have any relevance or bearing on any other.

Bottom line is Lakers outplayed the Spurs. Every time the Spurs tied, the Lakers had a 6-0 run in them.

[TampaDude]

The refs did NOT cost the Spurs this game. The Spurs rebounding poorly and shooting poorly, inlcluding a dismal 4 of 14 down the stretch, cost the Spurs this game. All they had to do was hit a couple more shots, or grab a couple more boards, and this series is tied. The Spurs did NOT deserve to win last night. I'm surprised they even had a chance there at the end. They should have lost by 15-20 points.