In fact, I was a Laker fan from the day they drafted Magic Johnson to the day they hired Phil Jackson. I haven’t rooted for them since.

He’s made the kind of missteps that you’d expect from a coach that’s in his first playoffs. Slow to make adjustments when he sees things are going wrong. Sitting guys down when they helped the team overcome a deficit. Continuing to let Sasha Vujacic play despite the fact that he can’t hit the side of an aircraft carrier. Being inconsistent in treatment (i.e. he used to let guys play through their troubles, with Bynum, sitting him down). It’s definitely tarnished his aura.

Hilarious!!

Mizzo:

Why the *!@(!(! is Luke Walton playing 19 minutes if he’s giving such little production?

LOL

The Knicks had the highest number of votes, so they’re already up 2-0 on the Rockets without playing a game because YOU America, voted for it!

The most damning thing in all of competitive sports is when professional associations seek to destroy, discredit or deny facts in evidence for the public to make informed decisions.

The NFL did it when the Owner’s Boy (Goodell) “chose” to destroy the tapes made by the New England Patriots.

The NBA did it when the Owner’s Boy (Stern) sought to defame the testimony around Donaghy concerning the depth of the referee issue. D-wil has also pointed out the number of refs involved in the practice of tax evasion and the impact that has on their propriety.

Bottom line — it’s all scandalous. That doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the spectacle; we just can’t delude ourselves into thinking it’s much more than American Idol with bouncing balls.

Do you think America will get to vote for the NBA champion in a few years?

That’s been my theory all through these playoffs. That they are trying to extend series, particularly for the Lakers. They want the destination to be LeBron vs. Kobe, but they want it to be a longer journey for the sake of money. Remember, Stern took a sh%tty deal, just so he could get a minimal increase in TV money when he left NBC for Disney. That was followed with another minimal increase. Everyone already knows that ESPN has sh!tty coverage. For that reason alone, the ratings are down. Got to try to create some kind of excitement!

Of course, the big problem is, teams don’t always cooperate. What if a key player on the Lakers or Cavs got injured? What if Denver and Orlando just get real hot and we end with no Kobe or LeBron? Would that erase Spurs vs Cavs from the record books as being the lowest rated NBA Finals in history? I’m still not 100% convinced that Kobe vs. LeBron will happen, if for only the reason that the Lakers are playing like a 6 seed, and Cleveland looked like they expected the Magic to roll over the other night.

The drama in these series is all about Kobe and LeBron. So, to keep viewing and betting interest at a peak, both stars have to face an clear and present danger. If Denver had won Game 1, they probably don’t get the calls in Game 2.

Where will amazing happen on Saturday? If Denver wins both games in Denver, then the theory probably doesn’t hold up — unless LA wins 3 in a row and Kobe LIVES at the free throw line.

That’s a slight contradiction to your statement, but we all know what the NBA wants. It’s so obvious or you wouldn’t see all these bs commercials. That’s why I added Dwight Howard into the mix. Is he on their level, no, but an Orlando/Cleveland rivalry is more realistic at this stage in the game based on the potential of LA and Cleveland getting their asses handed to them in the next week and a half.

Like GN said. Maybe it’s LeBron/Melo. I just wanna watch the games and have a beer or eight.

LeBron/Kobe has to happen but the future can’t be written.

I read the piece but i’m confused.

If the league wants to see a Lebron vs. Kobe matchup, why would the officials “cheat” for the Nuggets?

Do you think that they would they prefer a Melo vs. Lebron matchup instead?