That was a dirty play by Pietrus at the end, I would not be suprised if he got fined, he should not be suspended because it is the Finals, but definately fined. Although the Lakers should not have tried to score there, no need, bad sportsmanship. But sportsmanship like that comes with experience and Ariza will learn that. But definately a very dirty play by Pietrus. He is not a dirty player, but just a dirty play.

 

I actually just got a Twitter message that said "Mickael Pietrus will not be given further punishment by NBA for Flagrant Foul!!!!"

Edited June 12, 200917 yr by THESportsANIMAL

True. While I don't blame Gasol for the dunk, I don't think we should be shocked at what Pietrus did either.

 

I'm not shocked at what Pietrus did. I expected a hard foul. I expected him to at least jump and at least pretend to be attempting a block, rather than deliver a double forearm shot to the back that Brock Lesnar would be proud of. It is what it is.

 

Gasol is a poor sportsman who showed the poor ol' fragile Magic up with a dunk...and Pietrus punished him for it. It's over. The Lakers won and now Orlando needs to win three straight (two in LA) to become NBA champions.

I actually just got a Twitter message that said "Mickael Pietrus will not give further punishment by NBA for Flagrant Foul!!!!"

 

It was a correctly called a flagrant foul. That is the punishment. Nothing else needs to be done. Thank goodness the NBA didn't overreact again and make something bigger than necessary.

From what I can gather about the play in question, I have zero problem with Gasol going for the dunk. Of course, I also have no problem with Pietrus doing his best to make sure he thinks twice about it next time.

From what I can gather about the play in question, I have zero problem with Gasol going for the dunk. Of course, I also have no problem with Pietrus doing his best to make sure he thinks twice about it next time.

 

:thumb:

 

I agree on both points.

 

Who'd a thunk it? We agree on something. And, it seems unlikely it would be on something like this.

 

Granted, I prefer to see guys at least make an attempt at the ball, even if their true purpose is to committ a hard foul. As it was, Pietrus didn't and he pretty much delivered a double forearm to the back...however, he wasn't trying to hurt Gasol. Had that been his intention, he'd have hit him harder. He just gave him a good shot in the back. And, as you said, I believe it's purpose was to give Gasol (and LA) something to think about there.

 

Look...Gasol knew time was running out, but how do we know if he knew exactly how much time was left. LA was up 5 and he had a dunk. What if he makes a mistake and there's more time left on the clock than he thought? He lets the Magic foul him, then misses two FT's. Orlando rebounds, calls a TO, advances the ball and scores quick. Then LA misses two more and the Magic repeat and tie the game. (Remember, without two Orlando misses at the line, this series is already even.)

 

These guys are playing for an NBA championship here (not some meaningless regular season contest). They had a 5 point lead with time running down and a freebie dunk that would make it a 3 possession game and end any chance of a miracle. It would have takent a miracle for Orlando to tie it, but I've seen some crazy things happen in the NBA (anyone remember Reggie's 8 points in the blink of an eye to beat NY). With what's at stake, do you really expect these guys to pull back so they don't hurt somebody's feelings? No way. Nor should they and nor should anyone expect them to.

 

The stakes are too high. You can't afford to leave any doubt, if you have the opportunity. There's no guarantee Gasol (or LA) will get a shot at a title again...and it's almost certain they won't have as good a shot as they have right now.

 

I'd classify this as a massive overreaction to his dunk by apparently oversensitive people. And, to call him (or someone who supports what he did) classless and/or a poor sportsman is just a little bit ridiculous.

Edited June 12, 200917 yr by 5wide

It's basically the same thing as if a guy hits a home run and walks around the bases or poses to show up the pitcher, he's probably going to get hit next time he's up.

So, were the elbows Howard threw earlier in the playoffs good sportsmanship? Was Lebron walking off without shaking hands good sportsmanship?

 

Gee, I don't know. What was it I said in the Should Lebron catch heat thread? Oh yeah, it was:

 

I don't fault him for his frustration, especially given how his teammates helped cost him the series as much as the Magic. But yes, he should have stayed out there, shook hands, and then talked to the media. Losing is a part of life.

 

So I guess my response is, I don't fault Gasol his frustration, but he should have turned around, and dribbled out the clock. Winning with class is as much a part as losing with it.

 

BTW, Didn't know how much time? Don't give me that crap 5wide. He knew exactly how much time was left. And besides, shouldn't he have been venting all of this when he, oh, I don't know, dunked on the previous possession?

 

You can call me oversensitive. That's fine. I have given this consistent response in this type of situation, every time I've seen it. There's years of my posts on here. I defy you to find one where someone did something like that at the end of the game and I said "LOVED IT!" I think it's classless to do something like that when the game is out of hand, and at that point, it was out of hand. You and I clearly have a different view of sportsmanship. That's fine too.

Edited June 12, 200917 yr by DragonFire
Thought better of last statement.

I wonder if Orlando fans are having flashbacks of Nick Anderson with the FT misses last night, especially at the end of the game.

 

Think about it...Courtney Lee has a shot from about 3 feet and then later the alley-oop layup (not an easy shot). But, if he makes just one of them, the Magic almost certainly win Game 2.

 

Two missed FT's with what, 11 seconds, left in the game last night. Fisher then hits the three to tie. Hit just one of them and they almost certainly win Game 4.

 

Obviously, you can play this what if game to death...if Kobe doesn't uncharacteristically miss 5 FT's and turn the ball over late, LA likely wins Game 3.

 

And, one other thing to consider, other than Game 1 and the first half of Game 3, Kobe Bryant hasn't been that good. That's really opened the door for Orlando, IMO, and they've failed to capitalize.

 

It has to be frustrating to be an Orlando fan right now.

I don't care, I'd have dunked it and after the foul, I'd have laughed in Pietrus face and pointed to the scoreboard, but I am admittedly a poor sport. Granted, if Pietrus doesn't foul me hard after the dunk, I say nothing, but if he fouls me, oh yeah, I'm laughing in his face. I also said in the LeBron thread that it didn't bother me that he didn't shake hands. Unless you are going to act asinine like JR Smith, I don't have too much of a problem with anything whether it be Dikembe's finger wagging, Antoine's shimmy, etc.

 

I saw nothing wrong with Gasol's dunk because the Magic were going to foul him anyways. If they concede, I concede, if they run at me, I going to the basket. IMO, that's what Gasol did. But again, I am not mad at Pietrus either.