Its been seven years, can we rationally discuss this now?
Posted: Sat Sep 12, 2009 7:46 am
You know what i'm talking about - 2002 Western Conference Finals.
I fully accept the premise that the refs screwed the kings over in game 6. David Stern cares about money and a seven game series makes more money for the league. Game 6 was a travesty, but games 2 and 5 taken together were much worse.
First, the lakers crushed the kings in game one. Then in game 2 Kobe got poisoned by the hotel staff and shaq was called for some ticky tack fouls causing him to eventually foul out. Floppy divac made a mockery of the refs in game 5. Floppy wouldn't even attempt to play defense on shaq, he would just flop all over the court and the refs gave him the calls. If floppy divac didn't get shaq in foul trouble in games 2 and 5 the lakers would have finished the kings off in 5 games and game 6 would'nt have even been necessary.
I suspect after game one stern figured the lakers would sweep the kings so he told the refs to give game 2 to the kings. They split the next two, then stern wanted the series to go seven games so he gave game 5 to the kings and game 6 to the lakers. Game 7 was fairly officiated and the kings choked.
I fully accept the premise that the refs screwed the kings over in game 6. David Stern cares about money and a seven game series makes more money for the league. Game 6 was a travesty, but games 2 and 5 taken together were much worse.
First, the lakers crushed the kings in game one. Then in game 2 Kobe got poisoned by the hotel staff and shaq was called for some ticky tack fouls causing him to eventually foul out. Floppy divac made a mockery of the refs in game 5. Floppy wouldn't even attempt to play defense on shaq, he would just flop all over the court and the refs gave him the calls. If floppy divac didn't get shaq in foul trouble in games 2 and 5 the lakers would have finished the kings off in 5 games and game 6 would'nt have even been necessary.
I suspect after game one stern figured the lakers would sweep the kings so he told the refs to give game 2 to the kings. They split the next two, then stern wanted the series to go seven games so he gave game 5 to the kings and game 6 to the lakers. Game 7 was fairly officiated and the kings choked.