I posted this in the NBA dish area also, but here goes: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=240411023 But even in a defeat that probably relegated them to the fourth seed, the Lakers stole the spotlight with another unique controversy. Bryant, the NBA's fourth-leading scorer, took just one shot while playing 21 minutes in the first half. For reasons known only to him, Bryant -- who scored at least 34 points in each of his last five games against Sacramento -- passed up open shots, allowed Christie to bully him and didn't play his usual aggressive game until the third quarter, when the Lakers were 21 points behind . . . O'Neal also got just one shot in the first half, but he played 12 minutes because of foul trouble. Bryant clearly decided to stop shooting, and the Lakers suffered. Bryant's bizarre reticence might have been a response to coach Phil Jackson's recent criticism of the superstar's game. Jackson said the Lakers frequently suffer when Bryant concentrates solely on driving and scoring. So Bryant, 23-of-72 from the field over the last three games, played perhaps the least aggressive half of his NBA career. His lone shot was a missed 3-pointer when the shot clock was winding down midway through the second quarter.
I don't know about you all, but I watched the whole thing, and it definitely looked like the Lakers tanked that one.... I guess they really do want to play Dallas in the first round.....
Perhaps that explains the Jazz game. I hate talk about tanking on purpose. The Rox do enough of that without even trying.
Were the Lakers Big4 all playing when we beat them on Xmas at Staples? AAaaaaaahhhh, who cares??? I think we can beat either team...bring 'em on!
Yeah we should definately tank, I mean whose gona know if they did it on purpose or not. We have seen many games against crappy or mediocre teams that we have gotten beat. So I think we should definately take losses to ensure us the 8th spot in the playoffs.
I'd definately want to face the Lakers. 1. It'd get the most coverage. 2. We actually can beat the Lakers. 3. If we're gonna go out in the first round, I'd rather it be against a team with 4 HOFs.
"Tanking" is part of every season-end NBA life for one reason or the other. The "tank-job" that got to me most in recent memory is the one San Antonio pulled off to get Timmy. It was so so obvious but is not what pissed me off - the slizzy Greg Porpovich (then the GM) fire coach Hill who did not do anything wrong (except following instructions from above). Greg then went ahead and named himself the next freaking coach (you can see I am still angry) with Timmy in the bag and David Robinson coming back from injury. Now people call him a genius - nonsense! Coach Hill could have done as well if not better.
Guys, we'll be 7th seed, tank or not! Just look at their schedule, there is no way Jazz or Nuggets can win the remaining two games. So we better prepare for either the Kings, or the Wolves (if they fell behind the Kings)
Ditto. The only way I would ever say those words is if Karl Malone went back to Utah, John Stockton came out of retirement and joined him, and Utah faced the Lakers. Even then I would be praying that somehow there would be a way for both of them to lose.
Forget about the so-called "Fantastic Four", they're the NBA's most dysfunctional family. They're finished, do you hear me, finished. I hope we face the Kings and smash them in 6. Remember, the 1st round is seven games, too. The Kings will regret beating us this season, especially the cheating of the referees. Let's send them crying back to the Maloof brothers. Smash the Kings! GO HOUSTON!!!! ON YOUR FEET AND PREPARE FOR A ROCKETS LIFT-OFF. We're two years away from THE BIG BROADCAST OF 2006, the Houston Rockets 3rd championship.
