That's Joey "Go Lakers!" Crawford, and it's the first time I've ever seen him make a 50/50 call against them. However, the very next play he gifted them 4 FTs (Lakers went 0/4 LOL).
Can anyone explain how Kobe's chucking losing them games? I'd understand if it was inefficient (like it has been for a few years), but this year he is shooting >50%, but still when he shoots 20+ times they seem to win more than they lose and 20 or fewer serves the opposite effect. I'm GUESSING the other guys end up becoming spectators and trying less on the defensive end, but I'm not really sure. It would be bold, but in my opinion would make the Lakers better (won't happen, but it's fun to speculate), to trade Kobe get a couple a VERY GOOD spot up shooters/defenders, somehow throw Artest in the trade and have a true team when Nash gets healthy. Dwight, Gasol, Marion Type player, Joe Johnson type player, Nash is a Suns 2.0 team. Kobe needs the ball too much and doesn't work in a D'Antoni system.
Anyone who has played organized (or even pickup) basketball knows how it sucks to never touch the ball because some chucker dominates it. It is demotivating and results in lethargy on the other end of the court. Even when the chucker is hitting shots, it's not a good idea. Basketball is a team game and everyone needs to be a threat.
Joey Crawford is a clown. I wanted Lakers to lose but they got called for a blocking foul (should've been a charge on the Pacers) and he did a egregious "blocking foul motion dance*. It was disgusting..like he was extra amped that he was going get the crowd riled up with disappointment when he called it the other way. He creepily gets off on his power.
The call was whatever because they he made it up on the other end with gift FTs but the way he goes about his job, IDK how this clown is still a ref. This guy had to see a sports psychologist back then..does that not raise any flags??
Oh no argument from me. Joey Crawford is the worst ref in NBA history. Bavetta is pretty bad too, but he's like 100 so I give him props there.
That call was horrible. About as horrible as the call that sent Artest to the line after Howard missed his FT's.
Somewhere in all of the mess, Kobe has to share some of the blame. Maybe it is the he plays. Or his tantrums if you have a bad night or don't do what he wants. What other "franchise player" can you pair up with Gasol, Nash, and Dwight and still feel it's not enough? Kobe's numbers so far are great -- don't get me wrong. But the Lakers spend so much money on their roster and you still wonder what's wrong. Kobe fanboys all over the internet are actually saying "Kobe is only hogging the ball because his teammates suck". Whatever you believe is the issue, Kobe is a part of it because players like Gasol are still very talented. On another team (over 20 teams), Gasol can still put up 20/10 easily. People are screaming as if he were a liability. You put him on the Thunder, Heat, Celtics, Spurs and they all become better. I don't think many teams would take on Gasol's contract, but that's the Lakers fault. You signed him long-term to use his good years. You can't pretend to be a victim once he goes into a slump. In this case it's not even his ability to play basketball. It's simply sad that the Lakers, with their pay-roll and star-studded line-up, might not even make it to the conference finals. (Disclaimer: the season is still early).
Outside of KB24 and DH12 the rest of the Lakers shot 5-38! Team was 12-30 from the line (minus Kobe), Howard was 3-12 from the line, the team was 1-17 from three (minus Kobe), 19 TOs and 10 from Kobe. Even with the 10 turnovers it would have been a 30 point massacre if Kobe didn't play hero ball. That's a pathetic effort if you ask me.
joey crawford like david stern are the biggest POS's ever.. if you know a ref by name most likely its cause they suck donkey balls still the most ridiculous sequence i have ever seen has to be the below <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kOygTd1NWCM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Stats are fun because you get to play with it: Kobe was responsible for more than 50% of the team's turnovers. Dwight Howard shot 70% from the field -- almost double Kobe's 42%!
That's not how basketball works though. If Kobe didn't play, the other guys would have had more touches and chances to get in rhythm. As it was, while his statline looks respectable, he actually had a very mediocre game because he dominated the ball. On a team with multiple quality options, that is simply unacceptable and surely can't be D'Antoni's gameplan.
Think back to last year. To start the season, Kobe was the only guy on the Lakers that played like he cared and was the sole reason they didn't start the season with a terrible record. He carried them on his back. I only watched the last 45 seconds tonight, but maybe the same thing is happening this year. He's shooting over 50% for the season. The problem is the efficiency won't hold up and the high minutes and usage will wear Kobe down over the season. By playoff time, he will be far from his best. The only way they can contend for a championship is for both Kobe and Nash to be in peak form in the playoffs. That ain't likely.
D'Antoni badly needs a real PG to run his system. Kobe is a good playmaker but he is not someone you want to distribute the ball. Luckily for the Lakers, they have Steve Nash coming back soon. Unluckily for the Lakers, Nash is nearing 40 and doubtful to be able to be counted on for 82 games and beyond.
It is possible for Kobe to be fresh comes playoffs as long as he plays TEAM basketball and trust his teammates more.
Relax, it wasn't Joey Crawford... it was Enrico Pallazzo. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VWY9S-uKU-4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
