The fact that Kobe can play through injuries and the fact that he's also a drama queen who habitually oversells things are perfectly consistent.
Actually, you're about the 500th poster who has brought that play up in the last 9 years only to get it WRONG. The play was stopped by Christie wrapping Kobe after the collision w/ Bibby. Foul went to Christie, not Bibby. By the way, Bibby had both arms around Kobe's torso before the ball was inbounded, which should be a foul. Kobe did the same thing to Bibby in the final secs of regulation in Gm 7 with the Lakers up by 2 and the refs DID call that foul, giving Sac the opportunity to send the game to OT on the line. You didn't have an issue w/ that though, I'm sure...you hypocrite.
There were an incredible amount of bad calls in that game 6 (27 free throw attempts in one quarter? Give me a break)... but that no-call on the Kobe-Bibby play was not one of them.
Kobe sprained ankle and missed game 3 in 2000 finals. He came back in game 4r, hobbled his way to get all 8 points in OT after Shaq fouled out in regulation, and helped Lakers to a commanding 3-1 lead. I guess he purposely missed game 3 to prove it's a real injury as well?
I would agree here. It's out of hand for now. I mean, come on guys, the Lakers are the significantly better team, them losing is unexpected. Don't whine about refs just because the better team won, even if you don't like them.
Did I say the foul went to Bibby? By the way, Bibby didn't. Watch the replay. He had his right arm next to Kobe's torso but wasn't touching him. Kobe initiated the contact by going through Bibby. Hypocrite? Just so I'm clear, I'm arguing about Kobe hitting players in their face and you're twisting it into a strawman argument about uncalled holding fouls. That's about right, isn't it?
Yes, the Lakers are a significantly better team when motivated. However, the Lakers are playing poor enough and the Hornets are playing well enough that there are some pretty close games. And when the refs call ticky-tack fouls on Okafor/Landry, it has a huge impact on the game.
So who played with broken ankles? Hell, who else played with broken fingers nowadays? Most players are about next contract and they won't risk their career to do that.
