I wouldn't be surprised. You think it's a coincidence that home teams have been doing so well in these playoffs? Stern does not want this series ending in L.A.

I always find it particularly funny when Laker fans blame the referees. It seems that's the only way they ever lose is when the refs cheat them. The funny part is that I think Laker fans totally overlook how the refs helped them to those three straight titles in the first part of the decade.

Go back to the series with Portland in the 2000 West Finals. The Lakers won game seven of that series 89-84. During the first six games of that series, both teams had shot 188 free throws. In fact, after going down 3-1 in the series, Portland had outshot the Lakers 68-57 in games five and six. So how did game seven play out? The Lakers ended up shooting 37 free throws to 16 for Portland. Yes, 37-16.

Go back to game six of the 2002 West Finals against Sacramento. Sacramento was up 3-2 in the series and up to that point, had outshot the Lakers 149-112 from the line. So what happens in game six? The Lakers get 40 free throws to 25 for Sac. If that's not bad enough, the Lakers shot 27 free throws in the fourth quarter alone. They won that game 106-102.

What do both games have in common? Both were played at Staples with the Lakers on the brink of elimination. So it's always funny when I hear Laker fans complaining about the calls when it's probably the calls that gave them two of their titles in the first place. It's called taking the good with the bad. It all evens out.

Does that have something to do with having Shaq you MORON!

Wants at least 6 games, and would love to have 7....

Lakers look very tired

Well, I may indeed be a moron but if I'm not mistaken, in both of those series', Shaq played all games. So it's not like he was missing and the Lakers got outshot and then he returned and that's what the difference was. So, no, I don't think it had much to do with Shaq.

you are right though, it will all even out once they go back to Staples. I am willing to bet that Powe doesn't shoot more free throws than Kobe.

Add that to the ever whining Phil Jackson.
Complaining that Kobe was not getting the line
in the SA series... dont matter that he was
not even going to the basket, just raining jumpers.

If Brent Barry had been a Laker and got fouled
at the end of the game... no end.
Popovich needs to go kick Jackson in his hip
(This is an intentional foul... Phil)

Rivers is a fairly good whiner himself.
D'Antoni learned his whining at Italian Operas.

Be serious. they only reason they were even in the game late was a bunch of unlikely 3 point shots. They had 7 more fouls called on them then Boston and tell me one instance where the fouls called on them especially when Powe had the ball that werent the right call. Kobe isnt going to the line much because he has been settling for the jump shot in both games. the game wound up close but one team clearly outplayed the other for 44 minutes.

Your boy Pop totally blew that game. I couldn't believe it. Down two with a FOUR-SECOND differential from shot clock to game clock, and you don't foul? Really? Then your final play after you -- SURPRISE! -- get the ball back with only three seconds left is a 30-footer by Brent Barry? Great job.

You're right, the Lakers were fouling the Celtics. No argument from me there, my argument is that Kobe was getting his arms grabbed and other Lakers were getting fouled and the refs kept the whistle in their pockets.

I didnt see those non fouls. i thought the refs have been letting them play which favors Boston who is a more physical team.

you didn't see Kobe drive to the lane with his left arm being grabbed and he still made the basket? You didn't see Paul Pierce with a fist full of Kobe's Jersey? You didn't see Gasol make an alley up layup in the first half when Garnett absolutely killed him?

In the interest of fair play, I know I talked to Cannon last night and that was NOT basketball I heard on his TV
:cool:

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

Well....

it wasn't porn either

but not hoops

2nd race at Los Al?

Or Joe Morgan talking about when he actually had a clue?

pip allows for both.

Lakers can't hang with them if they are gunna shoot this well. That's the biggest issue, all the other stuff is important, but it is mainly the result of one team shooting well ( as a whole team.) If it was just one player filling it up, then they could adjust, but the team as a whole is shooting too well for the Lakers to beat them. That's the reason they have so many more assists. Lakers are spread out, because everyone is shooting well. On the other hand, Boston can settle on that one person to defend, because the other players aren't making enough shots to make them get off that one player. If Boston cools off, then it could be a long series, but if they keep shooting the way they are, then it won't go very much longer. If Boston shoots a high percentage in the 1st half on Tuesday, then I think that's gunna be the series. Euros on the Lakers are not gunna hang in there much longer. As it is, they just look at each other after they both let a guy stroll past them to dunk. That's the way Euros do when they start getting beat ( it means "when are the Americans gunna finally get here?")

the lakers have the celts right where they want em.....:tro: not..koby was starting to cry...it only gets worse..

you called at 10:30 it was freakin halftime