REALLY like the original post, Will. You put my thoughts into a very eloquently written post. We've got to be mentally tough, and Ron and Von failed miserably at that last night.
Will, I see where you are coming from but I disagree. I think there comes a time where you have to say "enough is enough" and stand up for yourself. Could have Artest handled that situation a little better? Yea, he could but he's Ron Artest, man. It is not like he is going to be the most coherent thinking dude out there. Plus his past reputation obviously played a factor in him getting ejected. EDIT - let's just be thankful that he didn't throw any punches or do anything else that could warrant a suspension (Stu Jackson better not suspend him just because he made a gesture across his throat). If anything, he may have caused Kobe to get suspended instead which would turn out to be a brilliant move on Artest's part.
....and that time is when we lose our best player (of the night) and a quality role player off the bench to ejections. Those two headed to the showers and we lost. You can either stand up and make some ridiculous macho pride point, or you can help your team win a crucial game. Ron and Von chose macho pride over helping the team, unfortunately.
Had Ron not done anything, nobody would even take notice of what Kobe did - we've got Shane to be the consummate professional and just take the beatings and smile about. We need somebody to stand up to it or they'll just continue to take these cheap shots with impunity.
I disagree with your post. It was an excellent post, but screw that **** I'm glad Artest went to let him know what is up. Artest getting ejected was something Artest did not anticipate otherwise I'm sure he would of played that differently. The ejection did not make sense but with Joey Crawford anything is possible.
Their meltdown obviously didn't help our chances but we lost the game for a multitude of other reasons besides that, mainly with Yao only taking 4 shots and staying in foul trouble and giving up too many points in transition.
Yeah, Battier walking off resulted in what, Kobe throwing elbows the next game. Ron knew exactly what he was doing, and now Kobe's elbows will get attention from the league, instead of just attention on a message board. No disrespect to Battier
Ron could have drawn attention to it without getting tossed. You're giving Ron waaaaay too much credit. Remember, this is the same guy that, while a player making millions in the NBA, applied for a job at Circuit City in order to receive the employee discount. The guy is a mental midget.
Both teams lost their composure last night. The only "weak" things last night were Von's actions and Fishers cheapshot. The rest of it was part of the heat of battle. If the Artest ejection had ignited our team and we came back and won, nobody would be calling it weak.
Look, I was as skepital as anyone when we aquired Ron but he hasn't had any incidents since the fight. That was four years ago. What he did last night shouldn't have drawn an ejection. He only drew one technical. It wasn't that bad, he got in a player's face, it happens all the time.
You ever take an elbow to the throat and various other cheapshots throughout an entire game? He could've gone over there and started another all-out brawl. I thought he handled himself very well given the circumstances...and in a normal situation, he wouldn't have been ejected. It just so happens that was at a time that the officials had zero-tolerance. And it didn't help that Joey Crawford was in the middle of it. Ron had complete control over himself- that's not being mentally weak. I think we've gotten past the point where we can look at what Ron did earlier in his career and not acknowledge that he's grown from that. Not to say he can't still pop off, but he's obviously matured.
I don't agree with the claim that this will put Kobe under the microscope. He is on trial in the court of public opinion, but the officiating on him will not be any tighter nor will he be suspended. I also do not agree with those that claim this will somehow intimidate Kobe Bryant or cause him to play differently. If anything, he will bring it at a higher level, a more physical level, and he will be allowed to do such. I also don't buy into the notion that this will 'fire us up' or that that could have positive effects. Our team, and Ron Artest specifically, plays naturally physical and energetic. Because of our overall lack of talent and fine skill, any increase in this emotion usually results in bad consequences in the form of very sloppy play and turnovers. This isn't a team that can be fueled by higher emotions because they already bring it at a combustible level. However, I disagree that what Ron did was wrong. I don't think it will have the benefits that some here are saying it will. I just don't think it's something you can criticize a man for doing. While Bryant will no doubt be fired up, that that is the result of an action isn't sufficient justification for indictment of the action. You don't purposely hold back out of fear that the other guy will refrain from continuing to hold back. If the absolute gauge is the end result, then it is true that Ron Artest's reaction probably hurt his team. However, no great NBA player would have allowed the opposition to throw an elbow to their throat without retribution. Ideally one would pay it back with their play, but I can't criticize a man standing up for himself and his teammates. In fact, I would go so far as to say that I respect Ron Artest more for his reaction, taking into account that he also had Battier in mind. Ron didn't throw a punch or do anything that would be grounds for an ejection under normal circumstances. He reacted in a calculated manner, and one which, if a crippling double standard against him didn't exist and standard protocol had been followed, would have resulted in the same way it does anytime a leader stands up for himself and his team - a mere technical foul and praise from the fans.
You're right on Doc - Will, I couldn't disagree with you more. The Rockets are in the Lakers heads and that's why it boiled over last night. Not sure about the rest of you, but this is the first time I've watched a TEAM play basketball in Houston since 1995.
That is not what happen will. Everyone knows Artest is a hothead but Kobe is a dirty player and at some point you have to say screw that. What he did was react. He said hey ref this guy is throwing elbows... he fouled me. And the ref said that's not what I saw and so Artest said, Fine I'll take care of it myself and he went over to bryant and said don't hit me in the neck again. Just try it and see what happens. What he did may not have been the wisest choice but it was necessary. Kobe is still going to play dirty but I doubt he throws an elbow at Ron Again. As for Scola he did the some thing to Odom. No difference Odom threw some elbows at him and Scola gave him a hard foul to Odom. Odom backed off but the other Lakers put a target on Scola and took him out. That was dirty and fighting would have served no purpose but someone getting in Fishers face and saying you need to stop that **** b**** would have helped. Scola definitely wanted to kick somebodies ass. But he did get laid out and the time on the ground saved punk ass Fisher from retaliation. I am glad Scola didn't get upi and retaliate. But if he would have I would have backed him 100%. The thing is the whole Laker team targeted Scola and the Rockets got to protect their own better. If that means retaliating some than so be it.
<BR> Know the weird thing? I love Will's origingal concept about putting a win above EVERYthing else. And I love everyone who says that sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. I love both sides of a very contentious issue. In other words... I love you, man!! Or men, in this case. The non-gay point being that in case there was any doubt before, everyone here now has a common enemy. Meanwhile, the Lakers are stumbling all over themselves saying how all of a sudden they've found that "toughness" they lacked. HA! The Lakers now see themselves as this: While the rest of the basketball world knows they're still just this: Fakers, you ain't seen toughness yet in this series. YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE BRUISE!! <BR>
