Without a timeout left and only a few seconds left, they should have fouled anyone, even Kobe. Why even give them a chance to tie? And I never understand why you don't play tough D, or at least the same level of D as you have been playing all game in these type of situations. Why back off and basically give him a wide open shot? Why not body him up? Who cares if he drive pass you since you should only be concern about protecting the 3pts line. I see this too many times... you have a 3pts lead and you are so scare of making a dumb foul, you play "safe" D giving the offense exactly what they wanted and needed.
Rip looks nervous out there. I thought he was usually automatic with some of the mid-range shots he was getting, but whatever. I liked the number of times he took it to the rim though. But yea, if u make it a free throw shooting contest, Detroit still has Chauncey and Rip, both more than-solid free throw shooters.
So let's sum this up. Fluke Walton had the game of his life... the Lakers were lucky to come back from 6 down with a minute left... Malone is limping on one leg... and all Gary Payton can do any more is serve as a fouling mechanism. You think that team would or even still will win the series? You need help.
No kidding. geez, when I see that I want to puke. yao was abused when he fought for position. no way a player should be allowed to put such force with out a foul. It's been predetermined. The NBA wants the Lakers to win.
Brown should have totally had Ben Wallace foul Shaq the moment he got the pass, % would say that he only going to hit one and you get the ball with ~5 seconds left. However, that 3 point play given to shaq when Wallace did NOTHING was the biggest load of sh*$!!
I may not have fouled Shaq, but why guard him at the three point line. Ben Wallace should have trapped Walton. If Walton throws it back to Shaq, Detroit wins. If Walton some how got it to Kobe, I would have trapped him also. Double teams are a tremendous ally at the end of the game because time limits the number of passes the opponent can do before the clock strikes zero.
Shaq got hit on the arm when he was going up. It was a good call. Just because Shaq is a giant doesn't mean he shouldn't get those calls.
Last nites game makes me question god, I got that same horrible feeling in my stomach when the pistons were up by 5 with ~90 seconds left. I had that same feeling back at the end of game 4 of the Roxs series. I wanna see how the pistons come out in game 3, I think they have been very resilient through the first two games, aside from OT, but I still say they can pull it out.
I don’t buy it, it was a total gimme for the Fake show, I had seen much more contact on other play with no calls. BS
Besides not fouling Shaq, the biggest mistake was Rip Hamilton backing off Kobe. He should have gotten right on him and encouraged him to drive to the hoop. It would have left the Fakers behind by 1 with about 2 secs left (assuming it would have taken Kobe an extra sec to get all the way to the hoop). Barring a Larr Birdesque steal by the Fakers, Detroit would have put this one away. The person guarding Shaq should have also run over to immediately double Kobe. Shaq isn't going to hit a 3.
Horrible move by Brown. Seriously horrible. I'd like to know why you'd guard Shaq, anyway. You're up 3. Double on Kobe. Why in the world wasn't he doubled? Even after that, if you're going single coverage, why was Rip the one guarding him???? Prince should have been on him like a Colorado hoochie. Horrible. To be fair, I expected the Pistons to get routed in Game 2. Hopefully they're still going to Detroit with plenty of confidence. Evan
I don't think it's Larry Brown's fault. I think the players shoulda seen Shaq with the ball and tackled him. God, even -I- was yelling foul!!!! Who WOULDN'T foul in that situation? The Pistons, apparently.
Probably not. 4 out a 5 with 3 in Detriot is a tall order for a consistently up and down team with chemistry hanging by a thread. Best case scenario for the Lakers is they win in 7--I honestly think had Detriot one last night the Lakers chances were very slim given their internal problems. Now I think Detriot will keep it close--but I think that game and their complete wilting will huant them. Has anyone heard Larry Brown's comments? Did he say he doesn't believe in hack a Shaq, did he give the foul order but the team didn't follow through, what? It didn't matter Kobe had the ball, they should not have let anyone get off even a desperation 3. Surprised they let it happen after what they saw in the playoffs this year with the Billips half courter and the TD/Fish plays. Fouling Shaq in all probablity (he only gets one while Chauncy or Rip known down both) insures even a desperation half courter at the buzzer leaves the Lakers 1 point behind. Unfathonable to let the Lakers get off a play! The most similar ending I can think of was game 1 Houston-Orlando. Nick the Brick misses all those FT, Orlando is stupid enough to let Kenny get off a 3, and bingo,OT and Game 1 Rockets, and soon to be sweep. On the other hand Sac was still able take it to game 7 on their home court aftet the Horry miracle (I assume ZRB actually thinks the Lakers win that series even if they fall 3-1 to the Kings), so maybe Detriot can regroup. One thing is for sure, Detriot must win game 3--we will see what they are made off. I think they will respond with a good game, more like how Sac responded than the Magic's collapse, I just hope the Lakers don't respond with a better game and win anyway.
Oh yeah, why was not Prince on Kobe for the last play, Prince has been able to bother him much more and you are not worried about Kobe going to the basket (Prince can just extend to the 3 point line and make the shot tougher). Prince on Kobe, Rip on someone else, Fisher, Rush, Walton, even Shaq . Still can't believe the series of mental blunders down the stretch by Brown and his team.
Agree. This is the best plan by far. Make the other team hit a miracle three off the double on kobe. If they hit it fine, but don't just give them free points with the clock stopped. That's crazy in my opinion. That does nobody any good.
