Explain this Laker game to me???

[BobHarvey]

I'm still shaking my head over the finish. I'm not surprised the Lakers tanked again in the fourth quarter. I've come to expect that.
but:

Why did Derek Fisher committ a foul with 6 seconds to go and a 12 point lead? He's a veteran guy and it just doesn't make sense. Why not just let him shoot?

Why did Phil Jackson let Milsap go on an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter? And who was supposed to be guarding him?

I'll sleep better if I get some answers. Your help is appreciated.

[InTheHole]

You had the Lakers? Was definetely hard to follow in the fourth

[tullamore]

Why did Phil Jackson let Milsap go on an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter? And who was supposed to be guarding him?

I feel Phil actions or at times lack of action, is in his mind all to prove or make a point for future use. As a gambler I find it frustration to bet on the Lakers becuase Phils lineups and use of Kobe can be unpredictable. He will let the Lakers play through a funk at times so they gain that experience. He will give up some success in the present for greater success in the future. I think it comes back to his Zen philosphies.

[BobHarvey]

I had the Lakers -12. I knew I was toast when the 20 point lead evaporated in the fourth quarter. Like I said that didn't surprise me. I couldn't watch the game so I'm puzzled about what went on the last minute.

[BobHarvey]

I'm more convinced now than ever that a majority of the NBA games are fixed. I know Derek Fisher is a christian guy and above a fix. But I've got to know about the foul with six seconds to go. Was it a delibrate foul? Ticky-Tack? It's just unreal.

I thought Tim Donaghy was out of the league?

[jsmithj88]

price and fisher were arguing b4 that
then price goes up and tries to dunk over fisher

[tullamore]

I'm more convinced now than ever that a majority of the NBA games are fixed. I know Derek Fisher is a christian guy and above a fix. But I've got to know about the foul with six seconds to go. Was it a delibrate foul? Ticky-Tack? It's just unreal.

I thought Tim Donaghy was out of the league?

There were a lot of things in the 4th Q that were shady. But if the refs wanted the Jazz to cover, why were they calling technicals on the Jazz.

[BobHarvey]

Let's say the refs were leaning the Lakers way by calling the T's. But in your opinion, is there any chance they tried to even it up in the last minute. And again I'll go back to Fisher. Why not let the guy get the dunk? What's to be gained at that point?

[jsmithj88]

fisher was guarding him and he ended up under the hoop while price was rising for the dunk
it is wat it is
its not as if fisher was trying to foul him

[Scorpion]

I'm still shaking my head over the finish. I'm not surprised the Lakers tanked again in the fourth quarter. I've come to expect that.
but:

Why did Derek Fisher committ a foul with 6 seconds to go and a 12 point lead? He's a veteran guy and it just doesn't make sense. Why not just let him shoot?

Why did Phil Jackson let Milsap go on an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter? And who was supposed to be guarding him?

I'll sleep better if I get some answers. Your help is appreciated.

simple!!!

Phil Jackson is overrated, a shitty coach.

The lakers now have a historu of simply quiting in the playoffs under Jackson

Lost 4 in a row to Detroit with Shaq and Kobe
A year later quit vs SA and lost by 20+ points at home and lost the series
Up 3 games to 1 lost 3 in a row to Phoenix
Quit last yr vs Boston and lost by 40+

The man is th emost overrated coach in the history of the professional sports

[darkside99]

What about Lamar Odem? After missing a free throw, he doesn't even try for the rebound. Then he makes a block and basically gives the ball back to Utah. How many missed free throws was there in the last 2 minutes? FIXED

[jsmithj88]

its not fixed, get over it

[BobHarvey]

Exactly. Odom and Fisher both missed free throws in the final minute. But Odom has been especially fishy in the fourth quarter. Tonight's ending and especially that final fould by Fisher has got me thinking long and hard about wagering in the future on the NBA. I think it would be harder to fix baseball or hockey. That's the direction I'm headed.

[BobHarvey]

its not fixed, get over it

I'll never be able to prove it. But it's got a smell to it.

[tullamore]

Let's say the refs were leaning the Lakers way by calling the T's. But in your opinion, is there any chance they tried to even it up in the last minute. And again I'll go back to Fisher. Why not let the guy get the dunk? What's to be gained at that point?

Fisher my be trying to send the message to his team that layups should never be giving up. Always make the other to make ft's, give up no easy baskets. Garnett established this message with the Celtics last year and it won them a championship. I feel the Lakers downfall is their toughness and their lack of focus when it comes to delievering a knock out punch.

[The General]

As for refs (NBA), it just takes a whistle here and a whistle there to dictate a game and the flow of a game. ATS

[jsmithj88]

why would they fix this game?
do u kno how many people needed to be paid off to fix this game?

[Chi_archie]

I missed this game

but apparently stung and left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths..... those games are tough, but they even out over time

[BobHarvey]

As for refs (NBA), it just takes a whistle here and a whistle there to dictate a game and the flow of a game. ATS

General, What's your take on the finish tonight?

[Sin City Sharp]

One thing that you guys seem to be conveniently forgetting are the late Utah possessions where the Jazz players were mugged going in for layups. If "the fix" was in, why were there no fouls called?

[The General]

I didn't see it, Bob. Sorry, but I have long been in agreement that the refs in the NBA help determine many games ATS. Pretty easy to do right in front of our eyes in most any game.

[tullamore]

I missed this game

but apparently stung and left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths..... those games are tough, but they even out over time

Chi, the problem is there is only a couple of basketball games on a night now. If this was back in January with a full college and pro slate it wouldn't be getting that much attention. Was the ending shady, yes but I am not going to so far as a fix. And I had the over the 2nd half so the Lakers missing all those ft's and the Jazz not getting any calls hurt me.

[The General]

One thing that you guys seem to be conveniently forgetting are the late Utah possessions where the Jazz players were mugged going in for layups. If "the fix" was in, why were there no fouls called?

I am in agreement that if a game is rigged then why wait till the last minutes. Get it rolling earlier. Esp if it happens in NFL or bases.

[Chi_archie]

good point tully

[The HG]

I missed this game but it sure has spawned some interesting threads.

Bob, what exactly happened that you felt was overly suspect?

Looking back at the play by play, LA was up by 20 with 8:30 to go, then it was a 6 point game by 3:40, 7-point game at 2:00. You think LA would let Utah pull that close on purpose just for a fix? Knowing that they would win anyway even of they let Utah get that close? But then, extend the lead back out to 12 again with 11 seconds left?

I'm not saying anyone who claims a game is fixed is paranoid, obviously it has happened in the recent past. I'm just curious as to what you saw that was so suspect that it had you thinking along these lines?

[madmaxx]

simple!!!

Phil Jackson is overrated, a shitty coach.

The lakers now have a historu of simply quiting in the playoffs under Jackson

The man is th emost overrated coach in the history of the professional sports

I could understand this argument if they tank against their next opponent but is this really relevant tonight because they missed covering the spread by half a point? Just asking because you say the lakers NOW have a history of quitting after they handled the jazz with ease in 5 games..

[MonkeyF0cker]

I actually thought the refs favored the Lakers throughout the 4th quarter. There were quite a few no-calls on the Jazz end of the floor.

[jsmithj88]

exactly, the refs kept sending the lakers to the line
so how can it be fixed?

[BobHarvey]

I missed this game but it sure has spawned some interesting threads.

Bob, what exactly happened that you felt was overly suspect?

Looking back at the play by play, LA was up by 20 with 8:30 to go, then it was a 6 point game by 3:40, 7-point game at 2:00. You think LA would let Utah pull that close on purpose just for a fix? Knowing that they would win anyway even of they let Utah get that close? But then, extend the lead back out to 12 again with 11 seconds left?

I'm not saying anyone who claims a game is fixed is paranoid, obviously it has happened in the recent past. I'm just curious as to what you saw that was so suspect that it had you thinking along these lines?

Good questions all. Your probably right I'm a bit paranoid and pissed after tonight. However I don't understand this pattern of missed free throws ands senseless fouls in the last 60-90 seconds in a recent handfull of NBA games, not just tonight. A lot of money has been changing hands this year and especially in these playoffs. Take Boston v. Chicago or Houston v. Portland. Is it poor handicapping on my part or is it something out of my control?

If it were any other player than Derek Fisher, I'd have a stronger argument for a fix. I can't imagine he even KNEW about the spread.

[MonkeyF0cker]

I really don't see your point about Fisher. If the game were fixed for Utah to cover, why wouldn't he just let him dunk the ball uncontested? Instead, he put him to the line for two shots...

[BobHarvey]

I actually thought the refs favored the Lakers throughout the 4th quarter. There were quite a few no-calls on the Jazz end of the floor.

In the words of Billy Joel "You may be right, I may be crazy".

But aren't you a little curious about what goes on in the final minute of some of these games?

[MonkeyF0cker]

Not really. That's why I don't watch most games because it will drive you absolutely nuts. I hate the feeling of sweating out games.

[BobHarvey]

I really don't see your point about Fisher. If the game were fixed for Utah to cover, why wouldn't he just let him dunk the ball uncontested? Instead, he put him to the line for two shots...

My point about 'Fish is why bother with the foul in the first place? We'll never know if Price would have made the dunk. That's something that we can't assume.

[BobHarvey]

Not really. That's why I don't watch most games because it will drive you absolutely nuts. I hate the feeling of sweating out games.

You and me both. The Lakers have given me the double whammy this series. Build up the big lead and in your head your already cashing the check. Then toy with you and the other team down the stretch.

I guess these guys who set the numbers have got my number.

[MonkeyF0cker]

My point about 'Fish is why bother with the foul in the first place? We'll never know if Price would have made the dunk. That's something that we can't assume.

Which is the more high percentage scenario to get two points? A dunk attempt or two free throws? I just don't see how your argument holds any water. His being sportsmanlike would assume that he would just let him dunk it uncontested, but as an argument that it facilitated some fix, I'm not buying it.