Biggest story in the finals is the refereeing MERGE

[tfmiii]

i was hoping that after 'extending' the series to six we would get some balanced reffed games.

no dice

(i put extend in quotes because i don't think the league had to do anything to extend it, they are well matched teams, but it is my belief that they did manipulate calls in the misguided attempt to tinker with what could have been a classic series).

Read Doyel's column about how lousy a series it has been, and the key reason is that the refs have handicapped one team or another through most of the series. Yesterday the lakers could not commit a foul. Hard drives to the hoop, lots of over the top, but no whistles if you were wearing yellow. You look at some of the hits Pierce and Garnett were taking and it is hard to believe. Rondo - 17 stitches???

Now, they did not call a lot on the Cs either, and given the energy imbalance it could very easily been a Laker win, more than likely. But it would have been a much more competitive game if called correctly. The same can be said for at least three other games in the series. A potential classic has been aborted.

[jsimon]

For those whining about officiating calls......you are not getting screwed on foul calls as there have been bad calls both ways.

There are several instances of bad calls/no calls that could be pointed out on the other side....but to do that would be whining.....its just playoff basketball.

Lets do a little quick analysis shall we.

Adjusted for intentional fouls through 6 games, the Lakers have out shot the Celtics at the stripe 163-116. That is a whopping difference. Now if you were going to make the argument that the Lakers have been going inside all series and the C's have been shooting jump shots and camping out at the 3 pt. line, you could go down that path. It would be a ludicrous argument mind you, but you could try.

No, I tend to think the Lakers are primarily a jump shooting team, especially on the road. Fisher and Kobe both shot jumpers in Boston, Odom jumpers, Artest nothing but threes, even Gasol was nothing more than a jump shooter in Boston. Yet still they shot more FT's than us. The Celtics have been going inside all series long. Pierce has been driving, Rondo going to the hoop, Allen even goes to the hoop. KG has posted up at least as much as Gasol. The only Laker who almost exclusively plays inside is Bynum, and he's barely seen the court.

So the argument of going inside more often in my mind is rubbish. Both teams have been very physical on defense, and both teams are tied 3 games each in the win column, so the effort seems equal on both sides.

So tell me Laker fan John, all things being equal, and I believe that to be the case, I believe both teams have gone inside equally at worst, and both teams have been physical on defense, and both teams have won three games... how exactly do you white wash the whole debate by just saying "calls have gone both ways - that's just playoff basketball" when the Lakers have shot 47!!!! more free throws than us over 6 games?

How does that work exactly? If each team has had bad calls go against them, I'd say the Celtic's have had waaaayyyyyy more bad calls go against them than your team. These are the facts, and they are indisputable.

163-116.

[Banks2Pierce]

I'm doing a rewatch of game 5 right now....and 6 minutes in, there have been 6 bad calls or non calls in the favor of LA and 0 the other way around. We should've had a much better cushion to withstand their shooting onslaught that lasted for another quarter and a half. Also had forgotten how early Perk was out of this game.

[mr_sunshine]

Kobe and Gasol: 93 FTAs
Pierce and Garnett: 48 FTAs
Pierce Garnett and Allen: 68 FTAs
Pierce Garnett Allen and Rondo: 85 FTAs

What is wrong with this picture? Gasol and Bryant have shot only like 25 less FTAs than our entire team....

[theman]

For those whining about officiating calls......you are not getting screwed on foul calls as there have been bad calls both ways.

There are several instances of bad calls/no calls that could be pointed out on the other side....but to do that would be whining.....its just playoff basketball.

Lets do a little quick analysis shall we.

Adjusted for intentional fouls through 6 games, the Lakers have out shot the Celtics at the stripe 163-116. That is a whopping difference. Now if you were going to make the argument that the Lakers have been going inside all series and the C's have been shooting jump shots and camping out at the 3 pt. line, you could go down that path. It would be a ludicrous argument mind you, but you could try.


How does that work exactly? If each team has had bad calls go against them, I'd say the Celtic's have had waaaayyyyyy more bad calls go against them than your team. These are the facts, and they are indisputable.

163-116.

FINALS POINTS IN THE PAINT
Game 1: L.A. 48, Boston 30
Game 2: Boston 36, L.A. 26*
*Not including the 25 FT attempts by Bynum/Gasol.
Game 3: Boston 50, L.A. 38
Game 4: Boston 54, L.A. 34
Game 5: Boston 46, L.A. 32
Game 6: L.A. 40, Boston 32

Total Boston 248, L.A. 218

The numbers actually show it is the Celtics who have been playing in the paint. So the jump shooting argument is obviously flawed.

Here is an interest stat. Free Throw attempts per point in the paint
Boston .47 L.A. .75

Put another way for every basket the Celtics make in the paint they average less than one trip to the foul line. On the other hand the fakers average One and a half trips to the free throw line for every basket in the paint they make.

[TonyMontana]

Kobe and Gasol: 93 FTAs
Pierce and Garnett: 48 FTAs
Pierce Garnett and Allen: 68 FTAs
Pierce Garnett Allen and Rondo: 85 FTAs

What is wrong with this picture? Gasol and Bryant have shot only like 25 less FTAs than our entire team....

You have three players other than Paul that are playing the perimeter and match-up oriented, and the roles change from match-up to match-up. Kobe plays both and if you look at the amount of touches he gets 20 to 30 sometimes 40 which include both driving and shooting abilities. Majoirty of Pauls game is on top of the elbow so he's basically a shooter. Same goes for Ray he's basically JUST A SHOOTER. Also K.G isnt the old K.G who dominates the paint like he use to in his earlier days, so you can also label him as a shooter.

My point is the style of these five players you mention are different. Also Kobe like Lebron, Wade, Melo, players that are more exggressive and they drive to the basket get the fouled.

Also take a look at rebounding in these finals as well, you can clearly see that the Lakers have outrebounded the Cs.

[jsimon]

FINALS POINTS IN THE PAINT
Game 1: L.A. 48, Boston 30
Game 2: Boston 36, L.A. 26*
*Not including the 25 FT attempts by Bynum/Gasol.
Game 3: Boston 50, L.A. 38
Game 4: Boston 54, L.A. 34
Game 5: Boston 46, L.A. 32
Game 6: L.A. 40, Boston 32

Total Boston 248, L.A. 218

The numbers actually show it is the Celtics who have been playing in the paint. So the jump shooting argument is obviously flawed.

Here is an interest stat. Free Throw attempts per point in the paint
Boston .47 L.A. .75

Put another way for every basket the Celtics make in the paint they average less than one trip to the foul line. On the other hand the fakers average One and a half trips to the free throw line for every basket in the paint they make.

Phenomenal info. that only further proves the point that we have been screwed by the refs this series... Win or lose, this series is tainted.

[CelticFaninLBC]

For those whining about officiating calls......you are not getting screwed on foul calls as there have been bad calls both ways.

There are several instances of bad calls/no calls that could be pointed out on the other side....but to do that would be whining.....its just playoff basketball.

Lets do a little quick analysis shall we.

Adjusted for intentional fouls through 6 games, the Lakers have out shot the Celtics at the stripe 163-116. That is a whopping difference. Now if you were going to make the argument that the Lakers have been going inside all series and the C's have been shooting jump shots and camping out at the 3 pt. line, you could go down that path. It would be a ludicrous argument mind you, but you could try.


How does that work exactly? If each team has had bad calls go against them, I'd say the Celtic's have had waaaayyyyyy more bad calls go against them than your team. These are the facts, and they are indisputable.

163-116.

FINALS POINTS IN THE PAINT
Game 1: L.A. 48, Boston 30
Game 2: Boston 36, L.A. 26*
*Not including the 25 FT attempts by Bynum/Gasol.
Game 3: Boston 50, L.A. 38
Game 4: Boston 54, L.A. 34
Game 5: Boston 46, L.A. 32
Game 6: L.A. 40, Boston 32

Total Boston 248, L.A. 218

The numbers actually show it is the Celtics who have been playing in the paint. So the jump shooting argument is obviously flawed.

Here is an interest stat. Free Throw attempts per point in the paint
Boston .47 L.A. .75

Put another way for every basket the Celtics make in the paint they average less than one trip to the foul line. On the other hand the fakers average One and a half trips to the free throw line for every basket in the paint they make.

Great stat. Am guesing Boston has taken quite a few more shots in the paint considering all the misses in Game's 4 & 6.. Also am wondering what's the free attempted per point in the paint ratio when you factor in LA having to intentionally foul in Game's 2 & 5. Boston didn't have to intentionally foul in Game's 1 or 6. I don't quite recall Game's 3 & 4, but don't think there were as many intentional fouls...

[CeltsfaninDC]

Same goes for KOBE he's basically JUST A SHOOTER.

Fixed it for you.
How do you then account for all of his FTs? hmmmmmmm

[Jeff23]

So the refs/stern gave the lakers another title... whats new? The 4th quarter has been a disgrace for the NBA and the basketball world.

[theman]

37-17?????????????????????????????

:shame:

[Green Giant]

Make it 4 now.

http://www.thumpernewman.com/rigged_nba_games.htm

[Ben-N1ce]

That's was a manufactured win. Period.

[postaboy84]

the replay appears to be all legit foul. the celtics players are a bunch of thugs who were commiting obvious fouls. In the fourth quarter, the Lakers were being more aggressive, playing with high intensity, and most of all, they were attacking the basket and got called foul which was shown on replay they did got foul. the lakers were playing terrific defense. the Celtics just couldn't attack the basket, it seem like they were scared

[PPAW4Life]

Naw, can't blame the refs.

At least I am not going to.

We had a 12 point lead...even if we sent them to the line in the 4th, there is no excuse to run that awful offense we were running in the 4th quarter.

The Lakers are not a great defensive team, but we ran an offense, all series, that made the Lakers seem like a great defensive team.

[JCizzle]

Would love to see a replay of the Gasol board at the very end where he seemed to clothesline Rondo, if anyone has it on youtube.

[jsimon]

That's was a manufactured win. Period.

Perfectly put my friend.

They just couldn't do it could they? They just couldn't let the game play out on the court. So let's break this down...

After calling a fairly good game for three quarters, all of a sudden the whistles come flying left and right. Not for both teams mind you, just for the Lakers. And it's not just the continued absurdity of total FTA, in this game a comical 35-17 (adjusted for the intentional), but they almost all came in the fourth quarter. The Lakers shot something like 19-21 of their free throws to our 6 or so in the 4th. What??? Are you saying that all of a fuc*k*ing sudden the Celtics started fouling uncontrollably? But of course the Lakers just played shut down defense in the 4th. right? Just locked us up. They weren't shoving and grabbing and holding for the entire quarter...

For three quarters Gasol and Odom and Bynum were coming over our backs with no calls. In the 4th Gasol picks up a key foul on Wallace on a questionable over the back. Gasol then gets his usual throw the arms up flop call on KG who is defending him no differently than Artest was defending Pierce the whole quarter. Kobe gets the bogus three shot foul on Allen. Gasol goes up and down with the ball and scores, but of course no call.

The Lakers trailed this game for three quarters until the refs came to the rescue, like they've done all series. The worst part is I actually thought for a while there they were going to let them play, you know, make it seem like the refs haven't been carrying the Lakers all series long. But when the puss*y Lakers showed up for the 4th quarter trailing they couldn't hold back any longer. Kobe is well defended and cold all game, don't worry we'll put you on the line. Gasol can't score consistently all game, no problem here's a parade of free throws for you big fella.

Only a 16 year old fan boy would be proud of this win. If there are any Laker fans reading this post you should be embarrassed right now. Yes, you did out rebound us all game, but you shot like crap and jumped over the back on almost all of them. Yes, Ray Allen was ice cold, but so was Kobe. There is absolutely no way you win a 7 game series without the refs carrying your sad flopping puss*y asses all series long.

That fourth quarter was the final nail in the NBA coffin for me. And you know what's the worst thing? Even though they let 'em play for about 38 minutes, I fuc*k*ing knew it was coming...

Gawd Dam*n you to hell David Stern!

Final free throw tally adjusted for intentionals, 198-133 Lakers. 19-6 in the 4th quarter of game 7.

Total - Fuc*k*ing - Joke.

[kevin_405]

U do realize thats how we(Lakers) felt in 2008...

This was redemption..

That's was a manufactured win. Period.

Perfectly put my friend.

They just couldn't do it could they? They just couldn't let the game play out on the court. So let's break this down...

After calling a fairly good game for three quarters, all of a sudden the whistles come flying left and right. Not for both teams mind you, just for the Lakers. And it's not just the continued absurdity of total FTA, in this game a comical 35-17 (adjusted for the intentional), but they almost all came in the fourth quarter. The Lakers shot something like 19-21 of their free throws to our 6 or so in the 4th. What??? Are you saying that all of a fuc*k*ing sudden the Celtics started fouling uncontrollably? But of course the Lakers just played shut down defense in the 4th. right? Just locked us up. They weren't shoving and grabbing and holding for the entire quarter...

For three quarters Gasol and Odom and Bynum were coming over our backs with no calls. In the 4th Gasol picks up a key foul on Wallace on a questionable over the back. Gasol then gets his usual throw the arms up flop call on KG who is defending him no differently than Artest was defending Pierce the whole quarter. Kobe gets the bogus three shot foul on Allen. Gasol goes up and down with the ball and scores, but of course no call.

The Lakers trailed this game for three quarters until the refs came to the rescue, like they've done all series. The worst part is I actually thought for a while there they were going to let them play, you know, make it seem like the refs haven't been carrying the Lakers all series long. But when the puss*y Lakers showed up for the 4th quarter trailing they couldn't hold back any longer. Kobe is well defended and cold all game, don't worry we'll put you on the line. Gasol can't score consistently all game, no problem here's a parade of free throws for you big fella.

Only a 16 year old fan boy would be proud of this win. If there are any Laker fans reading this post you should be embarrassed right now. Yes, you did out rebound us all game, but you shot like crap and jumped over the back on almost all of them. Yes, Ray Allen was ice cold, but so was Kobe. There is absolutely no way you win a 7 game series without the refs carrying your sad flopping puss*y asses all series long.

That fourth quarter was the final nail in the NBA coffin for me. And you know what's the worst thing? Even though they let 'em play for about 38 minutes, I fuc*k*ing knew it was coming...

Gawd Dam*n you to hell David Stern!

Final free throw tally adjusted for intentionals, 198-133 Lakers. 19-6 in the 4th quarter of game 7.

Total - Fuc*k*ing - Joke.

[DRose4MVP]

Bulls fan here...

You guys got robbed your 18th title by the referees. Get this, the Lakers shot more FT's in the 4th quarter than the Celtics did in the entire game. How can the refs justify that? It makes no sense at all how something like that is possible.

Great game by the Celtics. They shot better from the field than the Lakers, better from 3 point line than the Lakers, and better from the foul line than the Lakers yet they lose the game? Something doesn't sound right about that.

Oh and by the way, Kobe sure didn't deserve the Finals MVP. He didn't shoot over 50% from the field in ANY game. His best of the game of the series his team lost. Gasol was the real MVP of this series, not Kobe. I love how Kobe copied Jordan by jumping on the scores table with the ball in his left hand and his right fist in the air. **** copy cat will never be as good as or better than MJ.

Also, just reported on ESPN that Rasheed tried to talk with the referees outside their room after the game but security told him he was not allowed to talk to them and he boarded the bus with his jersey on. How pathetic. The refs should have to explain their calls. They are the ones that made them, explain them...damn it!

[azuresou1]

Bulls fan here...

You guys got robbed your 18th title by the referees. Get this, the Lakers shot more FT's in the 4th quarter than the Celtics did in the entire game. How can the refs justify that? It makes no sense at all how something like that is possible.

Great game by the Celtics. They shot better from the field than the Lakers, better from 3 point line than the Lakers, and better from the foul line than the Lakers yet they lose the game? Something doesn't sound right about that.

Oh and by the way, Kobe sure didn't deserve the Finals MVP. He didn't shoot over 50% from the field in ANY game. His best of the game of the series his team lost. Gasol was the real MVP of this series, not Kobe. I love how Kobe copied Jordan by jumping on the scores table with the ball in his left hand and his right fist in the air. **** copy cat will never be as good as or better than MJ.

Also, just reported on ESPN that Rasheed tried to talk with the referees outside their room after the game but security told him he was not allowed to talk to them and he boarded the bus with his jersey on. How pathetic. The refs should have to explain their calls. They are the ones that made them, explain them...damn it!

Repost because blaming refs is weak unless it's blatantly ridiculous:

Celtics got put into the penalty VERY early in the 4th on some dumb fouls. The Lakers didn't. The foul discrepancy was 6 fouls, which is not a huge amount, especially since the Celtics gave two intentional fouls in the closing minute.

Jordan shot 42.68% and 41.64% in two different Finals, including a 5-19 performance for 22/9/7 with 5 TOs in the final game vs Seattle. He won FMVP for both series. How is that in any way better than Kobe's 6-24 performance for 23/15/2 with 4 TOs?

Celtics played well and physical, but in the fourth they played not to lose instead of playing to win, which is why the Lakers came back and won. Stop drinking the Haterade. The Lakers won fairly in probably the best officiated game all series long.