You guys act like it's a travesty the Lakers lost the game and Kobe is so overrated. Orlando didn't get to the Finals by luck, they are a good team.

 

:thumb: I did not expect the Lakers to sweep, I do expect them to win game 4, lost game 5, then win game 6 to win the finals though.

Agreed, he had a bad 4th quarter last game, but not this bad. He cost them the game tonight, IMO. Everyone came through in the 4th quarter but him tonight.:cry::madman::irked::cry:

 

I hate when people say that. He is the 2nd best player in the league, so he didn't cost them the game. Without him in the first half they are blown out of the gym. That's JMO, but sure he made bad plays down the stretch, but without him tonight theres no stretch.

 

You guys act like it's a travesty the Lakers lost the game and Kobe is so overrated. Orlando didn't get to the Finals by luck, they are a good team.

 

No travesty, it's just funny. Once again, when things happen to other players it's terrible, when it happens to Kobe it's a once in a lifetime thing. I'm just saying that maybe he doesn't turn the ball over or miss freethrows like this, but when the Lakeshow is trailing he sometimes doesn't play his best. That has always been my argument against him as a player.

:thumb: I did not expect the Lakers to sweep, I do expect them to win game 4, lost game 5, then win game 6 to win the finals though.

 

Odom will be the key. If he plays well I don't know if the Magic have an answer.

I hate when people say that. He is the 2nd best player in the league, so he didn't cost them the game. Without him in the first half they are blown out of the gym. That's JMO, but sure he made bad plays down the stretch, but without him tonight theres no stretch.

 

 

 

No travesty, it's just funny. Once again, when things happen to other players it's terrible, when it happens to Kobe it's a once in a lifetime thing. I'm just saying that maybe he doesn't turn the ball over or miss freethrows like this, but when the Lakeshow is trailing he sometimes doesn't play his best. That has always been my argument against him as a player.

 

Kobe has a long history of being clutch. Your a hater and it's just that simple.

Kobe has a long history of being clutch. Your a hater and it's just that simple.

 

Long history of hitting daggers, I cannot disagree. He isn't as good when the chips are down and that is just what I've watched. If I had to have one player seal a game it would be Kobe. If I didn't know how the 4th would wind down I would possibly go in another direction. I don't see how telling the truth is hating, since I have given him credit for what he does. For the final time I've never said he wasn't clutch, I just think it's a little overhyped.

I look for Kobe to get off and the Lakers to get all over them in Orl this next game. Orl shot lights out and LA still had their chances.

Kobe is clutch! End of argument, one game won't change my mind about that. Haters need to remember this one because it doesn't happen often.

 

Thoughts from the Sports Guy on Kobe's "clutch" reputation.

 

Important note: Kobe's reputation as a "killer" at the end of games remains overblown. The site http://www.82games.com just posted a study of game-winning shots from the last five-plus seasons (regular seasons and playoffs since the 2003-04 season) that revealed Kobe was shooting 14-for-56 (25 percent) with one assist and five turnovers, and made 12 of 15 free throws. So let's say that was 70 possessions total, including Sunday night. ... He only had one assist in nearly six years??? That's why Orlando quadruple-teamed him in that spot. Kobe is a phenomenal streak shooter, and he has a real talent for catching fire with a lead and closing games out ... but you can stop him in one-shot situations simply because he's his own worst enemy. He wants to be a hero, he's shooting it, and that's that.

It's almost Mamba Time.

 

I think Mamba time is when LA is clinging to a lead late in the game.

 

I'm beginning to believe he's the NBA version of Tiger Woods. If he's got a lead on you late, you can't catch him, but he's not quite as deadly if he's playing from behind.

 

That's twice in the past 8 games Kobe has tried to dribble through a 2-inch space off a Gasol pick and turned the ball over when the Lakers had a chance to tie a game.

 

Very disappointed in Kobe last night. Five missed FT's and a huge turnover with a chance to tie the game or take the lead.

 

The only good thing to take from that game is that Orlando was insanely hot and still barely held off the Lakers. LA had no business being in that game.

I don't understand why LA doesn't get Odom in the post more. Lewis and Turkoglu cannot guard him there...he abuses them. They're not taking advantage of that mismatch on the offensive end.

 

I didn't think the Lakers played that bad last night, other than Kobe down the stretch. Orlando was just out of their minds. I'm amazed that a team could shoot 75% and shoot more FT's and only be ahead by 5 at the half (and didn't take the lead until late in the half). I'm still trying to figure out how that happens. LA got enough second chance points to stay close...Orlando didn't get any second chance points because they never missed a shot.

 

And, seriously, is anyone going to try to tell me that Kobe gets more calls than Dwight Howard?:ohbrother:

Good bounce back game by the Magic. I fully expect LA to take either Game 4 or 5 in Orlando. Kobe struggled down the stretch, something I haven't seen in a long time.

 

How about the missed Pietrus double dribble :scared: It should have been a foul on LA just before that, but wow, you gotta call something.

Good bounce back game by the Magic. I fully expect LA to take either Game 4 or 5 in Orlando. Kobe struggled down the stretch, something I haven't seen in a long time.

 

How about the missed Pietrus double dribble :scared: It should have been a foul on LA just before that, but wow, you gotta call something.

 

The refs were bad last night...as usual. There's not much point in complaining about it anymore. It is what it is.

 

There's no rhyme or reason to how they officiate. They go from calling any contact whatsoever to a football game in the same quarter. Tony Battie knocks Kobe into the photographers, no call....then he bumps into Farmar 70 feet from the basket and gets a foul called on him.

 

I'm stopping there before I go on a rant about the NBA officials. I understand it's a difficult job and calls will be missed. Consistency is all I've ever asked for and it's something I rarely see.

Kobe is clutch! End of argument, one game won't change my mind about that. Haters need to remember this one because it doesn't happen often.

 

He's 3-2 in finals appearances. And he's been bad in the two series they lost. Really bad. If they lose this series, and that's a big if, he's not very clutch.

 

And, seriously, is anyone going to try to tell me that Kobe gets more calls than Dwight Howard?:ohbrother:

 

Yes. I will. LA tries to fould Howard. Orlando tries not to foul Kobe. The call on Howard against Kobe when Kobe dove into him as hard as he could, and then had his shot blocked w/ both hands was one of the worst I've ever seen. It was either a charge, a jump ball, or a no call. Instead Kobe goes to the line for 2. I'm so glad he missed the first shot.

Yes. I will. LA tries to fould Howard. Orlando tries not to foul Kobe. The call on Howard against Kobe when Kobe dove into him as hard as he could, and then had his shot blocked w/ both hands was one of the worst I've ever seen. It was either a charge, a jump ball, or a no call. Instead Kobe goes to the line for 2. I'm so glad he missed the first shot.

 

:laugh::laugh::laugh:

 

Believe me the Lakers aren't trying, nor do they, foul Howard every time he goes to the line. I think there were times last night when they got whistled for breathing on Superman.

 

As for the last foul, you're right. That was a terrible call. But, I'd hardly say it offset the 86 hip and cross checks that went uncalled when LA attacked the paint last night. Not to mention the freebie Dwight got when he botched the dunk attempt and the stripes bailed him out with a phantom foul on Odom.

 

Howard gets just as many calls. I'm fine with that. What irritates me is the constant crying about Kobe getting calls, when the man of steel is apparently too fragile to be touched.

 

I'm giving Dwight Howard a new nickname.

I will be referring to Dwight Howard as Elijah Price for the remainder of the playoffs.

 

If he is to be treated like a man who can't be touched (I assume for his own safety due to his fragile nature), I feel an appropriate alias is warranted.

 

So, Elijah Price had 21 and 14 last night. And, most amazingly, he outshot Kobe from the stripe. :clap: