When the Fix is In 101

Read More: Kobe Bryant , Los Angeles Lakers

OK, I'll admit I'm a die-hard Laker fan, and I hate to sound like a Sacto fan on this, but you know something's up when guys like Bill Simmons--perennial Laker haters--are conceding that the Finals officiating was "curiously one-sided," and echoing the H-Log's sentiment--"have you ever seen a team set more moving picks in a single series?"

Simmons' also submits his own conspiracy theory as to why the NBA would instruct the refs to call such a lopsided series--it's got nothing on our Presidential/NBA Finalsgate 2004, but in the ongoing search for the truth, it's worth noting:

With Kobe's trial looming, the NBA wanted the Lakers to make the Finals (for ratings), but didn't want them to actually win the title. And why? Because if Kobe ends up being convicted for whatever reason ... well, wouldn't that be a little awkward? The best player on your league's defending champion now playing for a prison All-Star team? Think about it.

[from Bill Simmons on ESPN.com]

Posted by blogadmin at 03:05 PM

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