(originally posted 4/25/2003)
I’m not some crazy conspiracy theorist but after watching the Lakers – Timberwolves game, you have to wonder how much interest the league has in LA moving on to the second round. Let’s see, LA is one of the biggest markets out there with two superstars while Minnesota is in a small market has one superstar. Smells fishy, doesn’t it? The WWE has better disguised fixes.
Let me just list the terrible calls I saw last night, all meant to give LA a chance at winning game 3 even though they were outplayed:
·Kobe Bryant gets “fouled” on a three point shot and completes the four point play. All replays show that Wally Sczerksibahsdabiak does nothing more than graze him.
·On a crucial out of bound throw in, Mr. Vanessa Williams pushes Sczerssasdbiahbiak out of bounds. Ball goes back to the Lakers.
·KG fouls out of the game on a tremendous flop by Robert Horry. Did Horry used to play soccer? That was world class.
·Pargo is fouled by Sczueasdasdbiak on a fast break. Replays show that Wally never touches him. Not even close to touching him. Might have breathed on him.
·Anthony Kiedis looking very confused behind the bench after the game is over. (Has nothing to do with the game or any calls. Just thought I’d point this out.)
Come on Stern, what kind of crap was that? I don’t fault the referees for making mistakes but how can you make that many and all going against one team? If the refs didn’t have someone nudging them towards an LA victory, then they are by far the most incompetent crew in the league. They should be suspended for what happened last night and the league should issue an apology to the Timberwolves and the fans.
Thankfully, the Timberwolves still won the game in overtime. I just had to laugh as all the calls went against them. I imagined a tiny transmitter in the ref’s ear with a feed from David Stern.
Stern: Ok, guys, time running out in the fourth, time to get the Lakers back into this.
Stern: Nice call on the 4 pt play. Glad Kobe made the shot.
Stern: Tell Horry, “nice acting” for me.
Stern: WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING? IT’S TOO OBVIOUS NOW! PARGO? PARGO ISN’T A STAR! HE DOESN’T GET THE CALL!
Stern: Ok guys, this is out of control, you blew it, better give Minnesota some calls here to make it look legit. When their big guys get the ball, call the fouls. We can make the audience buy the fact that Trent and Jackson don’t make free throws and that’s what caused the T’Wolves the game.
Stern: Can we call another 4 pt play?
Stern: Well, don’t worry about it, we did the best we could. We have to make sure LA wins game 4 though. Then we’ll try to stretch it out to seven games.
But justice was served and Minnesota took a one game lead in the series (2-1). I have a few questions though: Is LA the most hated team in the league? Does Mark Madsen pick up Kobe’s dry cleaning too? After Kobe made the 4 point play, I thought Madsen was going to do something to Kobe I can’t print.
