Late in the game when Yao and Nash fell, did anyone see if Nash kicked Yao? I couldn't tell... I don't think he would, but it looked like one of those agressive kicks someone gives someone when they get all locked up on the ground. (Rodman)
I don't think Kobe's was intentional.. I've seen it a million times, so you don't need to point anything out to me. I think his arms flailed because he was trying to keep Ginobili off while he tried to retrieve the ball. But I don't think he wanted to nail Ginobili with an elbow specifically.. and if he had gotten his forearm into Manu's chest (barring a big flop), there wouldn't have been any problem. It was just an elbow to the face. In the same way, I thought Yao's arm didn't just come down in the direction it was pulled after the foul. I think he was either going after the ball or trying to hold off Marion... and indirectly elbowed him. Yes, I'm totally fine with it.. and I'd love it if Yao showed people why they should stop getting their noses in near the ball so much when he has it. But I'm just saying the reasoning was similar to me. But I guess that's because I still think Kobe's actions were somewhat reasonable and people overreacted.. (On the kick... it looked like Nash was trying to push himself away from Yao with his feet by kicking against Yao's body in order to get up faster and without getting tangled. Didn't look like any intent to harm at all.. no big deal to me)
I don't see the similarities at all other than that they both hit someone with an elbow. Kobe's damage would be much more easily avoidable if he would stop acting (literally) like a douche on those plays. Yao's was a lot more incidental and natural.
Yao wasn't even aware that Marion was in the path of his elbow were as Kobe was clearly trying to protect his space. I would go in to more detail but what would be the point you are obviously a blind r****d if you think Kobe and Yao's arm swings were similar.
Marion took the risk by going into Yao's space on the shot. His arm did nothing abnormal but come down in a normal way. I doubt Yao even knew Marion's head was there. Nash did kick Yao. Nash moved in front of a moving Yao, and got run over, and they both went down. Nash kicked Yao in the back before they got up. Yao probably didn't even feel it. Funny thing is, Bill was saying that they were good friends before the game, since they played some charity game in China together. I think Nash was just pissed that he didn't get a whistle for becoming a pancake.
Yao needs to ask Dikembe for the number of his manicurist. That guy can take a buffer to Yao's elbows and make them nice and sharp, so the next time Marion goes in there he'll miss at least one game.
agree. NOT EVEN CLOSE to the same thing man. the beauty of film is that you can watch it over and over. the tape doesn't lie. not a hint of purpose behind that elbow. kobe's thing was like a *move* he would do to try and draw a foul. remember karl malone's suspension too? the film showed how intentional that was to steve nash...
