(1) Lakers VS (5) Rockets - 2ND ROUND SERIES

[shadowgrin]

Great. He doesnt' sound like he has much faith in his own team, or he's just being realistic or an ass, I dunno.

He's an ass that wants to be traded.

[Jackal]

Ron Artest stressing the "playing fair" bit makes it sound as if LA is cheating. Come on now Artest, the elbow thing didnt look intentional to me (well, I could be biased, no?)...so him getting that worked up about it and showing his fist (which he did do) seems like an over-reaction.

The Fisher thing was nastay, but I felt it sent a message at the time. I don't like Scola, he kept mouthing off and again biased here, but given it's against my favorite team, it's only natural I won't like him.

Interesting series this'll be.

[Andrew]

good idea, but how high is Tracy's value right now and what kind of player can be acquired in exchange for T-MAC? Personally, I'd rather keep him than trade him at least until the Rockets can see his form after he recovers. Maybe he recovers well so it's a good idea to keep him, maybe he doesn't recover well and it's a good idea to trade him. Who knows? One thing for sure though, his value right now is not worth the player he's capable of, so I'd rather keep him and see how he progresses with his recovery.

In the normal case his value would be pretty low, but his contract expires after next season which would clear $23 million from a team's payroll just in time for the 2010 free agent frenzy. That's a pretty strong selling point which has to boost his trade value much higher than you'd normally expect given his situation and the Rockets could end up with some useful picks and maybe a player or two who will be worthwhile keeping around, though you've got to wonder about the kinds of contracts they'll need to take on to make it work.

[Lean]

I see that Artest is planning to "do-a-Detroit" here. I'd better see Game 3.

it's quite weird..to actually hate the lakers but like kobe and sport a signature and avatar of just your second favorite player.

What's wrong with that? Why do you keep on trolling on what the members like / dislike?

[Oakrhum]

I see that Artest is planning to "do-a-Detroit" here. I'd better see Game 3.

it's quite weird..to actually hate the lakers but like kobe and sport a signature and avatar of just your second favorite player.

What's wrong with that? Why do you keep on trolling on what the members like / dislike?

I said there's nothing wrong with that. It's just quite weird. Hey, Lean we meet again and you're altering the discussion again. They're talking about T-Mac. Anyway, peace.

[Modifly]

Ron Artest stressing the "playing fair" bit makes it sound as if LA is cheating. Come on now Artest, the elbow thing didnt look intentional to me (well, I could be biased, no?)...so him getting that worked up about it and showing his fist (which he did do) seems like an over-reaction.

The Fisher thing was nastay, but I felt it sent a message at the time. I don't like Scola, he kept mouthing off and again biased here, but given it's against my favorite team, it's only natural I won't like him.

Interesting series this'll be.

I've watched the replay carefully, and that was just a cheap shot by Fisher. Completely unnecessary. That elbow by Kobe is more difficult to judge so I'm not going to make a judgement whether it's intentional or unintentional but I know for a fact is that it does hit Artest. What I thought was a bit pussy about Kobe though, was him putting both hands up and acting as if he's innocent. He knows damn well that he did jacked out his elbow and hit Artest whether it was on purpose or not. And his facial expression just adds to the anger, he put on the "I'm clean, Artest is at it again" face which absolutely deserves a word from Artest. Joe Crawford's decision to eject Artest was also questionable for me. Was it the same referee who assessed Tim Duncan who was on the bench laughing two technical fouls and eventually ejects Duncan? Maybe Artest argued vehemently and has to be ejected for safety purposes.

[Oakrhum]

He's putting his hands up not to show that he's innocent, he's putting his hands up to show that he doesn't want to pick up a fight like what Artest wants. Fisher did that to Scola because he wants to put a statement. You can't trash talk at my teammates at our home court. That's unnecesarry but Fisher is just a plain human being (Tempers flared). Artest was throwned out because he taunted and pointed on Bryant and that's really worth the ejection by league rules.

[Modifly]

How can you not expect a fight when you elbowed someone in the throat? That person wont care if it's intentional or unintentional, especially if that person is called Ron Artest. I dont think Artest wanted a fight there, but he's definitely angry since there was no call. If you look at the replay you can see Artest talking to an official first after he got elbowed, then he went to Kobe after that official didn't buy what Artest said. I didn't watch the entire game so I didn't know that Scola trashed talk at someone (was it Walton?), usually he's very quiet. Nevertheless you dont have to send someone to the ground hard just to send a statement. That's just foolish. He could have broken Scola's jaw if he got him in the right place. I think Artest got thrown out because he kept arguing and wont stop rather than the fact that he taunted and pointed at Kobe.

[Oakrhum]

Ron Artest should play chess.

Yeah, as I have said, Fisher's act was uncalled for. But right before the actual three technical fouls on Scola, Odom and Walton, Scola's already playing dirty against Odom. I've watched the game.

[Modifly]

Yeah, as I have said, Fisher's act was uncalled for. But right before the actual three technical fouls on Scola, Odom and Walton, Scola's already playing dirty against Odom. I've watched the game.

I didn't disagree with you about Scola playing dirty against Odom. I actually believed you on that matter. I told you I didn't watch the entire game.

[NovU]

The Rockets are a physical team. No doubt about it. Many teams would find it frustrating what Rockets do on defensive end, and same shit applies to the Rockets, when they fail to defend effectively, they'd get frustrated. Both teams were frustrated especially a lot at stake. Incidents like these were bound to happen, but with Scola and Fisher? That was bit surprising. It's obvious Fisher should know better and should have not done something unsportsman like misconduct. Now he's suspended for critical game 3. It could have been more, and stuff like this could cost a series, so he should know. As for Artest, his job is to get into Bryant's head, and I think what Bryant was doing is to show Artest that he won't be pushed around and to let him know that he can also be feisty. Very physical series I presume. Should be fun to watch with emotions boiling up.

Come on now Artest, the elbow thing didnt look intentional to me (well, I could be biased, no?)...so him getting that worked up about it and showing his fist (which he did do) seems like an over-reaction.[/b]

I see that as a bluff. He will try every little things to get into Lakers' head. I don't think he will risk his avaliability by retaliating to something like that.

[Oakrhum]

Ron Artest says that Kobe Bryant elbowed his throat. But this video shows that he was hit in the chest. That supports my claim that he should just play chess or just clown around with his very corny hair.

phpBB [video]

[Patr1ck]

I thought that it happened so fast that Kobe was just fighting for position. When I looked at that angle from under the basket, you see him throwing the elbow pretty high, which is quite blatent looking, imo. Also, if you get hit in the chest above the shoulders it can hit your throat even if the elbow itself was to the chest. His triceps could have bothered Artest throat.

[Modifly]

It doesn't matter where Artest got elbowed, bottom line is Kobe still elbowed him.

[BigGameJames]

Artest got tossed based on his reputation, remember him beating the shit out of fans in the stands in Detroit??? That crap will follow his ass wherever he plays weather it's Houston or freakin Siberia, sorry bro but that one moment defined your entire career, hope he took his meds tonight.

[Modifly]

Well, what would you do if someone threw a beer at your head? Too bad Artest went after the wrong guy in Detriot, I really wish he'd beat the right guy up.

[Oakrhum]

It doesn't matter where Artest got elbowed, bottom line is Kobe still elbowed him.

It does matter because if the elbow was indeed in the throat, Kobe's suspended right now.

I hate the play when Von Wafer initiated the contact while taking the three and then got hit by Vujacic when he leaned on him. That should be an offensive foul. Luckily he got the foul but the worst part was when he's showing his head to the refs claiming that it should be a flagrant foul. That's what you call stupid.

Not a good shooting night for Bryant, a lot of in and outs, but he's making shots that matters the most. I like the buzzer beater at the end of the third period. In front of a defending Artest about 4 steps away from the three point line.

Artest's ejected again. But I do not think that it's indeed a flagrant 2.

Lakers lead series 2 games to 1.

[Lamrock]

Bullshit calls. Fuck David Stern. He used to be a good commish but the pussification of the league has really tainted the playoffs the last few years. That wasn't even a flagrant 1. Artest is trying to clean up his image, but the NBA keeps thwarting his attempts. The Rockets didn't really have a chance to win it when he was ejected, but that was following an epic three.

[Modifly]

That's beside the point I'm trying to make. The point is, Kobe shouldn't be throwing elbows in the first place. It's against the rule, it could hurt someone, and most importantly, it's dirty and fair players dont do it.

I hate the play when Von Wafer initiated the contact while taking the three and then got hit by Vujacic when he leaned on him.

that's completely normal. Everybody in the NBA do it including Kobe. I also dislike the fact that Wafer intentionally jumped towards Vujacic in order to draw a foul, but a contact was made and a foul is indeed a foul.

Luckily he got the foul but the worst part was when he's showing his head to the refs claiming that it should be a flagrant foul. That's what you call stupid.

It's less stupid compared to when Fisher shoved Scola. For your reference, Fisher is also the "president of the National Basketball Players Association". Not a very smart thing to do for a guy in his position. Now they'll keep showing the replay when Fisher intentionally shoved Scola, which will haunt him for quite some times. That's what you call stupid.


Artest went out to the locker room a bit early again, I wonder what that was all about. Yao also look like he hurt his left foot. Hopefully it's not as serious as it seems.

[BigGameJames]

That's beside the point I'm trying to make. The point is, Kobe shouldn't be throwing elbows in the first place. It's against the rule, it could hurt someone, and most importantly, it's dirty and fair players dont do it.

Worse than going into the stands to beat up fans???? I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree on that one my friend, BTW he was tossed AGAIN tonight by a different ref, coincidence? Dude has the worst rep in the league. Also his "defense," is borderline dirty play in my book, he's just a thug who can shoot three's.

[AMenace]

Shit!!!!! What a game!!!!!!!!!!!

Just watched it on ESPN

[BigGameJames]

Bullshit calls. Fuck David Stern. He used to be a good commish but the pussification of the league has really tainted the playoffs the last few years. That wasn't even a flagrant 1. Artest is trying to clean up his image, but the NBA keeps thwarting his attempts. The Rockets didn't really have a chance to win it when he was ejected, but that was following an epic three.

I'd say Ron is thwarting his own attempts,http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2788871 sorry to say but it's only a matter of time before he fucks up the Rockets like the other teams he's screwed up.

[NovU]

No matter what happened in the past, he's still a great player and has been a huge part of success for Houston. Too bad how people and league judge him, and I think definitely that is affecting the officiatings in the game.

[Modifly]

Worse than going into the stands to beat up fans???? I'm afraid we'll have to agree to disagree on that one my friend

Did I say that Artest going into the stands to beat up fans was better than Kobe threwing elbows? No I didn't. I didn't said that Artest is a clean player, but I did asked you on what would you do if some idiots threw a beer at your head. You wouldn't stand there still would you? The least you could expect is some reaction, but Artest went after the guy and I'm not saying that it was a wise decision.

BTW he was tossed AGAIN tonight by a different ref, coincidence?

So he got tossed. So what? If he was indeed guilty of whatever the referee thought Artest was guilty of then the ejection was well deserving. I can accept reality my friend, if the ejection was a good and correct decision then it is.

Dude has the worst rep in the league.

Now that's unfair. Calls should be make upon the respective plays and not reputation. So if your reputation is bad you're the first one the refs are looking to make a call against? You have to agree that Artest is a different person and player compared to what he used to be. He's trying hard to behave and clean up his reputation but the NBA just keeps denying it, just like what Lamrock just said above. He had 4 technicals in the entire season and you can hardly see him complaining/arguing before the playoffs. The Rockets had a few brawls this season and in those brawls where Artest was there, he was splitting up players and trying to stop the fight and was not one of those players fighting. He had changed. Decisions and judgement should not be based on reputation.

Also his "defense," is borderline dirty play in my book, he's just a thug who can shoot three's.

Elaborate. How is his defense dirty? To be all over your man and harass him doesn't mean it's dirty. Artest's just a thug who can shoot threes? You're just against him. Admit that. You're making judgement based on "your" playbook. Kobe's reputation isn't too good himself, so that makes him a thug who can score 81 points and take over a game whenever he wants to? No it doesn't. Same thing goes for Artest.

I'd say Ron is thwarting his own attempts,http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2788871

You see, you're digging the past again. We're talking about the present mate, Artest is a different person now compared to what he used to be. Read this : http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/v ... index.html

sorry to say but it's only a matter of time before he fucks up the Rockets like the other teams he's screwed up.

how will he fuck up the Rockets? You're making unreasonable predictions that doesn't even explain itselves. Artest took all the blame everytime shit went down. That Piston-Pacers brawl started with a "hard foul" by Artest on Ben Wallace right? Wallace even overreacted on that foul. True, it was unnecessary with the game already decided but it wasn't like Artest squeezed the blood out of Ben or something. And you cant help it if a guy was going to fight because he got hit with a glass of beer. The reason to fight sounds reasonable enough to me.


By the way, your man Kobe said this himself.

Game 3 had no signs of the rough play that turned testy in Game 2 until the final minute, when Houston's Ron Artest was ejected for a hard foul on Pau Gasol. Artest was ejected from Game 2 for a verbal altercation with Bryant following Bryant's elbow to Artest's upper chest.

"I don't think that was a flagrant, maybe a flagrant one,'' Bryant said of Artest's ejection. "That rule is so all over the place, it's hard to judge. I'm an '80s baby, so that's just two shots and let's go.''

Source : http://www.nba.com/games/20090508/LALHOU/recap.html

[Oakrhum]

Yes of course, ideally, elbowing somebody is wrong, regardless of what activity it is. But it usually happens on a contact sport like basketball. If we can see a second rate player punch a paying patron, what's an incidental elbow during box out after somebody holds your nape down?

Anyhow, The stupid thing that I'm talking about about Von Wafer is not the complaining, yeah that's normal. What I'm saying is when he stoop in front of the refs and he's showing blood or something coming from his head, that's childish. That's more stupid than a cool bang by a cool player against a not so cool player like Luis Scola. Yeah, look how Fisher shoved Scola, that's more manly than Ron Artest's and Von Wafer's ugly hairstyles combined.

Anyway, let's just wait if Artest can have a fluky night again just like game one or if he could even play on Sunday.