ImageImageImageImageImage

top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers

Moderators: Danny Darko, Kilroy, TyCobb

GeneralNash
Banned User
Posts: 666
And1: 13
Joined: Dec 23, 2012

top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#1 » by GeneralNash » Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:35 am

It comes to mind that there is a possibility we are going to see top seeded teams throw games intentionally so that the lakers do not make the playoffs. What benefit does okc or san antonio have for for beating the rockets, golden state or utah who are holding the lakers at 9th seed.

San Antonio, okc, and other west teams do not want to face the lakers in the he playoffs so why not throw games to keep the lakers at bay right? Look the nba has corruption and we have seen this with stern's trade blocks. FYI if you are a gambler that likes to play bad odds and come up with cash you might want to think about betting on houston, golden state, or utah when they play the top four seeded teams.
User avatar
Beethoven
Head Coach
Posts: 6,508
And1: 3,805
Joined: May 03, 2012
Location: Utopian Dystopia
 

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#2 » by Beethoven » Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:39 am

Oh please if stern had anything to do with it, he would want the lakers in the playoffs. If any top seed team would throw a game is when the seeding is set and wanted to rest their star players.
Kobe Bryant forever
GO LAKERS
8-)
GeneralNash
Banned User
Posts: 666
And1: 13
Joined: Dec 23, 2012

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#3 » by GeneralNash » Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:50 am

briansaddleback wrote:Oh please if stern had anything to do with it, he would want the lakers in the playoffs. If any top seed team would throw a game is when the seeding is set and wanted to rest their star players.


Clearly why he blocked the cp3 trade...stern wants the lakers...oh wait...

You do realize that a top seeded team would have to be discreet and not obvious when throwing games right..or else it would be illegal...team could get banned from the nba...
User avatar
DEEP3CL
RealGM
Posts: 27,899
And1: 3,207
Joined: Jul 23, 2005
Location: LOS ANGELES,CA.
     

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#4 » by DEEP3CL » Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:56 am

Was waiting for this topic to come up

As for as Houston, we're 3.5 back with 1 head to head matchup left at home. Houston is bound to lose more games regardless if the Spurs,Clippers or Thunder play them. I get the logic in why they may want to "throw" the games but it serves the Spurs or OKC no true purpose to do so, not with the Clippers breathing down their throats. As much as they may don't want to face the Lakers, they can't really afford to drop games.

OKC may be fine with the 2nd seed, but it's no lock they make it to the WCF's. As we speak if it ended today they would face the Jazz, a team that can flat out upset them. But if they win the series they face the winner of Clippers/Warriors....two teams that can beat them.

It would serve the Spurs best to stay in the 1 seed, they really don't want to drop to the 2 seed because the Jazz are a matchup nightmare for them. Any team with an interior game will be the Spurs death kneel.

But I'm not going to go into conspiracy mode and say teams will tank games in order to avoid us. I can't see those teams squandering off games and a chance at the 1 seed and the all important Game 7's at home just to jerk us.

If these teams don't fear us, they shouldn't care where they finish.
VETERAN LAKERS FAN

SmartWentCrazy wrote:It's extremely unlikely that they end up in the top 3.They're probably better off trying to win and giving Philly the 8th pick than tanking and giving them the 4th.
GeneralNash
Banned User
Posts: 666
And1: 13
Joined: Dec 23, 2012

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#5 » by GeneralNash » Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:15 am

DEEP3CL wrote:Was waiting for this topic to come up

As for as Houston, we're 3.5 back with 1 head to head matchup left at home. Houston is bound to lose more games regardless if the Spurs,Clippers or Thunder play them. I get the logic in why they may want to "throw" the games but it serves the Spurs or OKC no true purpose to do so, not with the Clippers breathing down their throats. As much as they may don't want to face the Lakers, they can't really afford to drop games.

OKC may be fine with the 2nd seed, but it's no lock they make it to the WCF's. As we speak if it ended today they would face the Jazz, a team that can flat out upset them. But if they win the series they face the winner of Clippers/Warriors....two teams that can beat them.

It would serve the Spurs best to stay in the 1 seed, they really don't want to drop to the 2 seed because the Jazz are a matchup nightmare for them. Any team with an interior game will be the Spurs death kneel.

But I'm not going to go into conspiracy mode and say teams will tank games in order to avoid us. I can't see those teams squandering off games and a chance at the 1 seed and the all important Game 7's at home just to jerk us.

If these teams don't fear us, they shouldn't care where they finish.


That is why you have to buy into the idea that the Lakers are the sleeping giant in the nba and that top seeded teams stand to gain more without the lakers in the playoff picture. And those top seeded teams would not have to squander that many games. Just games against utah, gsw, and houston.

it is something to watch out for. Already houston beat okc and gsw beat the spurs...coincidence?
User avatar
Speedlot
Lead Assistant
Posts: 5,130
And1: 697
Joined: Jan 01, 2007
         

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#6 » by Speedlot » Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:33 am

Haha they can't tank that hard.
User avatar
DEEP3CL
RealGM
Posts: 27,899
And1: 3,207
Joined: Jul 23, 2005
Location: LOS ANGELES,CA.
     

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#7 » by DEEP3CL » Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:33 am

GeneralNash, I get where you're coming from. But at the same time those games are really just an anomaly. G.State had lost 6 straight......they needed a win. And if OKC wants to drop game then go right ahead, they way I figure it them dropping seeding's don't help them at all.

I get teams and fans all around don't want to see the Lakers in the playoffs, but it's fear more so than us just being a garbage team. Because if we were total garbage, they should be welcoming us with open arms.
VETERAN LAKERS FAN

SmartWentCrazy wrote:It's extremely unlikely that they end up in the top 3.They're probably better off trying to win and giving Philly the 8th pick than tanking and giving them the 4th.
WarDragon
Freshman
Posts: 80
And1: 3
Joined: Mar 15, 2012

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#8 » by WarDragon » Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:37 am

GeneralNash wrote:
DEEP3CL wrote:Was waiting for this topic to come up

As for as Houston, we're 3.5 back with 1 head to head matchup left at home. Houston is bound to lose more games regardless if the Spurs,Clippers or Thunder play them. I get the logic in why they may want to "throw" the games but it serves the Spurs or OKC no true purpose to do so, not with the Clippers breathing down their throats. As much as they may don't want to face the Lakers, they can't really afford to drop games.

OKC may be fine with the 2nd seed, but it's no lock they make it to the WCF's. As we speak if it ended today they would face the Jazz, a team that can flat out upset them. But if they win the series they face the winner of Clippers/Warriors....two teams that can beat them.

It would serve the Spurs best to stay in the 1 seed, they really don't want to drop to the 2 seed because the Jazz are a matchup nightmare for them. Any team with an interior game will be the Spurs death kneel.

But I'm not going to go into conspiracy mode and say teams will tank games in order to avoid us. I can't see those teams squandering off games and a chance at the 1 seed and the all important Game 7's at home just to jerk us.

If these teams don't fear us, they shouldn't care where they finish.


That is why you have to buy into the idea that the Lakers are the sleeping giant in the nba and that top seeded teams stand to gain more without the lakers in the playoff picture. And those top seeded teams would not have to squander that many games. Just games against utah, gsw, and houston.

it is something to watch out for. Already houston beat okc and gsw beat the spurs...coincidence?


Huh?

I cant think of any reason why top teams like okc and spurs would throw games just to diminish the chances of Lakers not reaching playoffs. I mean obviously no team in the nba would want to play against a lineup consisting of Nash, Kobe and Dwight in the playoffs but suggesting that they are intentionally throwing games might be pushing it.

And its not like Pops sent his starters home (like against Miami). His starting lineup of Parker (40min), Duncan (38min), Leonard (38min) all played heavy minutes.
User avatar
EArl
RealGM
Posts: 49,765
And1: 13,221
Joined: Mar 14, 2012
Location: Columbus
   

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#9 » by EArl » Sat Feb 23, 2013 8:56 am

I really doubt teams would do this.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
User avatar
stunnar0b
Starter
Posts: 2,476
And1: 121
Joined: Feb 10, 2010
Location: JUST OG

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#10 » by stunnar0b » Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:40 am

:D :lol: :lol: :lol:
User avatar
Qwigglez
Forum Mod - Suns
Forum Mod - Suns
Posts: 20,522
And1: 13,537
Joined: Jul 10, 2009
Contact:
     

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#11 » by Qwigglez » Sat Feb 23, 2013 9:59 am

The Suns still haven't played Houston this year. You can count that as four more wins for the Rockets.
BlackBerry
Banned User
Posts: 352
And1: 3
Joined: Feb 18, 2013
Location: Toronto

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#12 » by BlackBerry » Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:08 am

Lakers will make the playoffs. However I know DALLAS wants it just as bad.
Tee212
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,782
And1: 423
Joined: Jan 10, 2009

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#13 » by Tee212 » Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:25 pm

Ill rather bank on any of the playoff teams losing a key player for the rest of the season due to a freak injury. We absorbed the most key injuries so far this year imo.
User avatar
Jakay
Retired Mod
Retired Mod
Posts: 29,480
And1: 5,904
Joined: Jan 27, 2003
Location: Half out of my mind
Contact:

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#14 » by Jakay » Sat Feb 23, 2013 12:47 pm

I have one rebuttal.

If other teams are throwing games to screw the Lakers, I guarantee the refs will counter act that trend.

Going to the season that counts, guaranteed.
User avatar
AcecardZ
Lead Assistant
Posts: 4,770
And1: 541
Joined: May 09, 2011
Location: Watching the Lakers play basketball...

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#15 » by AcecardZ » Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:36 pm

Tee212 wrote:Ill rather bank on any of the playoff teams losing a key player for the rest of the season due to a freak injury. We absorbed the most key injuries so far this year imo.


We've easily had the most injuries to deal with and with Pau out, a very key player, we're still dealing with them. If we win the number of games we're going to need to win to make the playoffs without Pau Gasol in the lineup it will be a minor miracle.
Sometimes being wrong is awesome!!! :D
User avatar
Father Time
Head Coach
Posts: 6,305
And1: 467
Joined: Dec 12, 2009
Location: Portland, OR
 

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#16 » by Father Time » Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:58 pm

Let's face it, we're not really a threat to any top team. I don't think anybody fears us.
"There's nothing else I can do for them. I can give them some bulls---, and act like I'm a coach or something, but it's on them." - Popovich

Secret secrets are no fun. Secret secrets hurt someone.
timdunkit
RealGM
Posts: 16,355
And1: 585
Joined: Aug 05, 2008
     

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#17 » by timdunkit » Sat Feb 23, 2013 4:03 pm

Father Time wrote:Let's face it, we're not really a threat to any top team. I don't think anybody fears us.


Actually the opposite is true. The Lakers have played terrible till this point of the season. If we make the playoffs we are going to be one of the hottest teams going into the playoffs thats peaking at the right time. No top seeds wants to face a team like that (see Dallas/Warriors) especially with the amount of talent the Lakers have.

The Lakers have 14 games against teams under .500 which we need to get atleast 11 (preferably 14) wins against these teams.

The remaining games are against: Nuggets , 2x Hawks, Thunder, Bulls, Pacers, Spurs, Rockets, 2x Warriors, and the Grizzlies.
H00PDREAMS
Veteran
Posts: 2,831
And1: 112
Joined: Oct 26, 2005
Location: Lompoc, CA/ Santa Barbara County
Contact:
 

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#18 » by H00PDREAMS » Sat Feb 23, 2013 4:15 pm

Nah! :no:
User avatar
hermes
RealGM
Posts: 93,236
And1: 24,545
Joined: Aug 27, 2007
Location: the restaurant at the end of the universe
 

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#19 » by hermes » Sat Feb 23, 2013 4:31 pm

holy smokes

Image
User avatar
The Prodigy
Starter
Posts: 2,362
And1: 469
Joined: Jul 17, 2004
     

Re: top seeded teams may throw games to sabotage lakers 

Post#20 » by The Prodigy » Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:09 pm

The whole premise of this thread is ridiculous and the idea that teams are so scared to play the Lakers in the playoffs is a stretch. They have been far from intimidating this season.

Return to Los Angeles Lakers