[randytsuch]

Did you guys see Jones trip Kobe last night?

I admit I am biased, but I am surprised that it was only a flagrant 1, and that Jones was not suspended.

Then I saw a comment from George Karl that this was setting a bad precedent, and that he did not thing the officials would have called it flagrant if they had seen it.  I also find that hard to believe, but a coach has to stand up for his players.

Wondering what others thought of the play?

Randy

[rydenfan]

Yes, it was a bit over the line. However, Laker fans seem to ignore how physical they have been and all the little cheap shots Derek Fisher loves to throw. Kobe and Lebron are both able to get away with lowering their shoulder far more than other players in the league so the officiating in this playoffs seems very erratic.

[launche]

Did somebody actually touch Kobe Bryant, my goodness.  That's the first time he's hit the floor in 2 yrs.
That was a textbook trip, Derek Fisher couldn't have done it any better (though he may just try, look out for a fisher dropkick.)

Lebron "Freight Train" James - Simple, the shortest distance from point "A" to point "B" is a straight line. 

[randytsuch]

One more question for you guys then

Are you neutral, or do you dislike the Lakers?

I know I am biased for the Lakers, but am a bit surprised by the two responses so far.

And, it is kind of funny reading these responses, after just reading a story at espn.com talking about how soft the Lakers were in game 4 (which I agree with)

Randy

[launche]

I respect the Lakers, Kobe is a great player and I really enjoy watching him.  On the court facing my team I fear no player more than him.  When he got tripped I said oh no they've made him mad and that's not good.  But since that Gasol back door deal I don't want them to win, that was a robbery (up until that point I had respect for Jerry West.)  Kobe cries foul too much when people make good defensive plays.  The replay comes up and he has no case but he acts animated as if he was done wrong and disrespected as Kobe Bryant.  When Fisher played Ed Reed in the Houston game I really didn't want them to win after that.  They've got all the talent and coaching in the world, they really should not lose but I hope they do.  You've got to either not like a team from New York, California or the New England area it's in the fan handbook.  I choose the Lakers.

[hmen]

It was a cheap shot, plain and simple. 

[JerryM]

It's the officiating. It's just so dead shitty that the players themselves don't know how to adjust.

I'm having a hard time myself.

[randytsuch]

I respect the Lakers, Kobe is a great player and I really enjoy watching him.  On the court facing my team I fear no player more than him.  When he got tripped I said oh no they've made him mad and that's not good.  But since that Gasol back door deal I don't want them to win, that was a robbery (up until that point I had respect for Jerry West.)  Kobe cries foul too much when people make good defensive plays.  The replay comes up and he has no case but he acts animated as if he was done wrong and disrespected as Kobe Bryant.  When Fisher played Ed Reed in the Houston game I really didn't want them to win after that.  They've got all the talent and coaching in the world, they really should not lose but I hope they do.  You've got to either not like a team from New York, California or the New England area it's in the fan handbook.  I choose the Lakers.

Thanks for being honest.  The Lakers are one of the most successful franchises around, so it is easy for people to dislike them. 
BTW, it wasn't our fault that West decided to give us Gasol 
And is Kobe the only one to complain about calls?  I think all of the superstars think the calls are going to go their way, and are surprised when they don't, because they normally do.

It's the officiating. It's just so dead shitty that the players themselves don't know how to adjust.

I'm having a hard time myself.

I think most people agree with that.  They have been very inconsistent, different every game, and even different from the beginning to the end of a game.

Randy

[rydenfan]

I cant stand Kobe or the Lakers but that has no bearing on my view of the officiating.

[mozvz]

I've never really been a big Laker's fan, but I live on the East Coast, so that's probably not unusual. The Laker's team I really liked though was the Grey Hound team of Worthy, Kareem, Magic, Scott, Cooper, etc. when they were a really fun, balanced team to watch. They were a real treat with their skill sets and team chemistry.

The officiating has been all over the map, but NBA basketball has to be a difficult job to officiate. NO way I would want that job. These guys are so big and there is so much contact you could probably call a foul on every play.

I have tremendous respect for Bryant as he is arguably the best player on the planet. He just comes off as an arrogant player who makes 21 million a year for his gifted skills!! I do think he does charity work for kids, which is admirable. Personally, I'd prefer Lebron James as I like his skill sets and demeanor. This kid is only 24 years old and is a polished, classy, likable person. Kobe.. hmmmmm.. 

We see these guys from the outside looking in and really have no idea what their personalities are like if you are close to them. Being a celebrity as they are, it would seem everyone you meet probably wants a piece of you in some manner. It would be easy to become less personable in public after you get burned a few times by your personal comments or the paparazzi. Remember the sexual assault case where the prosecutors dropped the case, but the issue was settled in civil suit with I assume some large sum cash settlement.