you know, i lost a lot of respect for Nash tonite ... he's complaining about the officiating saying its unequal and that ppl will focus on raja bells foul because its kobe .... newsflash nash, people will focus on it because HE CLEARLY INTENTIONALLY TRIED TO HARM HIM! and he's doing this right after the most lopsidedly officiated game for the suns. I'm not saying the refs won/loss this game, bu they were extremely inconsistent tonite and that's the reason it got out of hand at the end. And wanna be tough guy Raja Bell needs to stop flopping constantly and faking fouls if he really wants me to believe he's tough
it's a win/win situation for Lakers if Bell plays Game 6. If he plays, then it's on, Kobe will handle him and the crowd will KILL Raja. If he doesn't play, their best Kobe defender will be out and will most likely cost the series. One thing is for certain, the Lakers now have something to play for Game 6 besides a trip to Round 2, this means WAR now, I liked how Lamar went up to Bell after the foul and gave him a few words. Kobe handled the press conference perfectly. As much as I don't like Bell, I think all he is doing is standing up for himself and not letting Kobe push him around. He went waaay overboard on that play though and probably feels really stupid now for costing his team the series. And what do you guys mean Kobe played 15 mins today? I don't get it....
Even though Raja took it a step too far, don't make it look like Kobe is completely innocent here. Are you telling me that Kobe didn't intentionally elbow him earlier in the game? And to those people that say that they lost respect for Nash, what do you honestly think he is going to say? "Yeah, Raja should be suspended." Nash was defending his teammates like any good captain would. Don't tell me that Kobe wouldn't have said exactly the same thing if it was one of his guys in that situation. And if you say that he would have said it differently, than you're only lying to yourself. I'm not defending Raja here because what he did was clearly wrong, but some of you guys are being hypocritical. If the shoe was on the other foot, your reaction would be much different.
Raja's getting suspended. thats my prediction. Kobe got into his head. He reacted when he should have kept his cool. Regardless of the beating you take, your team needs you on the floor. It will cost the Suns dearly. Diaw played a heck of a game. He is the X-factor that put the suns over the top against the Lakers tonight. Kobe will be ready. Its a must win for the Lakers. ITS ON!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not defending Raja here because what he did was clearly wrong, but some of you guys are being hypocritical. If the shoe was on the other foot, your reaction would be much different.</div> Coulda woulda shoulda but Kobe didn't closeline Raja, Raja did that to Kobe. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And to those people that say that they lost respect for Nash, what do you honestly think he is going to say? "Yeah, Raja should be suspended." Nash was defending his teammates like any good captain would.</div> He's a good sport about everything else, saying stuff like "they were the better team", but all of a sudden he is two faced? Thats what loses respect. How can he defend Raja with the obvious foul? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Even though Raja took it a step too far, don't make it look like Kobe is completely innocent here. Are you telling me that Kobe didn't intentionally elbow him earlier in the game?</div> Even if he did, I didn't see the game, it might have been accidental. Is Kobe to fault since he is getting inside Raja's head?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Franchise4Ever:</div><div class="quote_post">Coulda woulda shoulda but Kobe didn't closeline Raja, Raja did that to Kobe. He's a good sport about everything else, saying stuff like "they were the better team", but all of a sudden he is two faced? Thats what loses respect. How can he defend Raja with the obvious foul? </div> Nash never defended Raja's actions. All he said was that there have been other things that have happened in the series (ie. Kwame elbowing Diaw in the head and taunting him afterwards) and if those didn't end up in suspensions, than this shouldn't either. Again, what do you thing Kobe would have said? There's your answer. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Franchise4Ever:</div><div class="quote_post"> Even if he did, I didn't see the game, it might have been accidental. Is Kobe to fault since he is getting inside Raja's head?</div> This is exactly what I'm talking about. You're willing to jump all over Raja for taking Kobe down but you dismiss Kobe's elbow as "might have been accidental". And to top it off, you didn't even actually watch the game.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Eclipse:</div><div class="quote_post">Even though Raja took it a step too far, don't make it look like Kobe is completely innocent here. Are you telling me that Kobe didn't intentionally elbow him earlier in the game? </div> no, clearly it wasn't intentional ... if you watch the replay, bell actually sticks his head under kobe's arm ... what do u think is going to happen? its like in baseball when the hitter leans over the plate... its inevitable that you're gonna get hit sometimes <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">And to those people that say that they lost respect for Nash, what do you honestly think he is going to say? "Yeah, Raja should be suspended." Nash was defending his teammates like any good captain would. Don't tell me that Kobe wouldn't have said exactly the same thing if it was one of his guys in that situation. And if you say that he would have said it differently, than you're only lying to yourself.</div> Defending is one thing, justifying is a whole other issue. Nash is saying the NBA should not suspend Bell because the refs missed some fouls in favor of the lakers. That doesn't even make sense to me, as if the league owes them something. It irritates me even more when he says something like that after a game that was being officiated so one-sided. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not defending Raja here because what he did was clearly wrong, but some of you guys are being hypocritical. If the shoe was on the other foot, your reaction would be much different.</div> no if any laker did that, i would understand a suspension. There's clearly a difference between a hard flagrant foul and just plain taking someone down with malice. Clearly, this fell within the latter
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Eclipse:</div><div class="quote_post">Even though Raja took it a step too far, don't make it look like Kobe is completely innocent here. Are you telling me that Kobe didn't intentionally elbow him earlier in the game? </div> Kobe didn't intentionally elbow him. If you watch the reply closely, it's more of like Kobe trying to get free and his elbow accidently hitted Raja. But then again, if you look even closer, you'll see that Raja did flop a little bit afterward. What a joke! Raja deserves 1 or 2 game suspension. The NBA doesn't tolerate this type of dirty retaliate play.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">no, clearly it wasn't intentional ... if you watch the replay, bell actually sticks his head under kobe's arm ... what do u think is going to happen? its like in baseball when the hitter leans over the plate... its inevitable that you're gonna get hit sometimes </div> So I guess that pitchers don't intentionally hit those guys in that situation? Bell has a right to "stick his head", wherever he wants. Don't be naive, Kobe knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted Bell to back off of him. But I guess you guys can choose to believe whatever you want. Kobe can make all these spectacular/athletic plays but he has no control of his own body when he "accidentally" swings his elbow out at someone's head. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post"> Defending is one thing, justifying is a whole other issue. Nash is saying the NBA should not suspend Bell because the refs missed some fouls in favor of the lakers. That doesn't even make sense to me, as if the league owes them something. It irritates me even more when he says something like that after a game that was being officiated so one-sided. no if any laker did that, i would understand a suspension. There's clearly a difference between a hard flagrant foul and just plain taking someone down with malice. Clearly, this fell within the latter</div> You missed the whole point. He simply said that if Kwame didn't get suspended for intentionally elbowing Diaw in the head and standing over him to taunt him, than why should Bell get suspended for this? Kwame tried to hurt Diaw/send him a message and that was evident when he was standing right over him, taunting him. I don't see any Laker fans calling for Kwame to be suspended. Or am I missing something? The actions might have been different but the intent was the same.
I dont know how many elbows I've seen over the years. Elbows are used. Even I use them. They teach you to use them properly. Why is everyone making a big deal out of Kobe's? wtf. Jordan used elbows all the time!!!!! BOTTOMLINE: Kobe got into Bells head. Bell lost control and retaliated in the wrong way. SUSPENSION.
In most situations, I would say Bell deserves a one-game suspension. But given the circumstances (Phoenix is facing elimination), I hope that doesn't happen. Phoenix is already missing Amare and Kurt Thomas. Just let em play!
well, i didnt know what everyone else expected, but after the first half, i knew we werent going to win the game if we didnt adjust, and we didnt. the team didnt do anything they did in the first four games, they just let the suns play their style of ball, which ultimately gave us the loss. there were some stupid phantom calls on the refs, but we basically lost this game on our own. in order to win, we must slow down the pace and not alow them to run. anyways, lakers have a 3-2 game lead. we still lead and lets hope we close it out in the staples center on thursday. also, i hope the nba suspends raja bell's ***
our turnovers killed us, we couldn't execute in the third. Hopefully Bell will be suspended so kobe can explode in Game 6 lol.
Suspended it or not, Raja Bell just raised the stakes for the Phoenix Suns when they come to the Staples Center. The Lakers are going to be fired up, the fans will be hostile for the game and very focused on ending the series in Los Angeles. This isn't the first time Raja Bell has resorted to cheap shots because he can't maintain his composure. I'm not surprised at the clothesline and then slap to the face. What was really stupid was the fact Phoenix had the game won and the Lakers confidence took a hit. Then he goes and reignites the Lakers with a flagrant 2. I was waiting for the Suns to have the one game where they don't miss. It happened last night and they took back momentum in the series. The Suns shot with more confidence and Boris Diaw played an amazing game for Phoenix. Luke Walton and Smush really struggled all game long. The Lakers were getting great looks at the basket, but they weren't finishing the play. The Phoenix defense played a lot better, and it probably was a result of their shots falling. The Suns key adjustment has been sending hard double teams to Odom and forcing him to give up the basketball deep into the shot clock. It's up to Walton, Kwame, and Smush to step up in Game 6 because the Suns will probably continue to double both Odom and Kobe to force the other 3 players to beat them.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Eclipse:</div><div class="quote_post">So I guess that pitchers don't intentionally hit those guys in that situation? Bell has a right to "stick his head", wherever he wants. Don't be naive, Kobe knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted Bell to back off of him. But I guess you guys can choose to believe whatever you want. Kobe can make all these spectacular/athletic plays but he has no control of his own body when he "accidentally" swings his elbow out at someone's head. You missed the whole point. He simply said that if Kwame didn't get suspended for intentionally elbowing Diaw in the head and standing over him to taunt him, than why should Bell get suspended for this? Kwame tried to hurt Diaw/send him a message and that was evident when he was standing right over him, taunting him. I don't see any Laker fans calling for Kwame to be suspended. Or am I missing something? The actions might have been different but the intent was the same.</div> Kwame didn't elbow Diaw in the head. He shoved him down and then taunted him by standing over him. Kwame would have been suspended if he hit Diaw above the shoulders. All these type of plays are reviewed by Stu Jackson, any time a player goes after someone above the shoulders it's an immediate 1 game suspension. I don't think Raja Bell is going to be playing the rest of this series because of his clothesline and the way reacted afterwards. Even if it goes to Game 7 he's getting at least 2 games and probably a 25K fine.
I don't think Nash or Diaw approved of Raja Bell's moronic foul. Look at the glare Nash is giving Raja. "Are you kidding me?"
If your going to hit someone do it when your team doesn't need you. Bad move on Bell's part. I loved Kobes reaction to it, does anyone have a video of it . I would love to see it.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting kobe4life:</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe didn't intentionally elbow him. If you watch the reply closely, it's more of like Kobe trying to get free and his elbow accidently hitted Raja. But then again, if you look even closer, you'll see that Raja did flop a little bit afterward. What a joke! Raja deserves 1 or 2 game suspension. The NBA doesn't tolerate this type of dirty retaliate play.</div> When they replayed the video, I don't even think Kobe's elbow made contact and Bell flopped anticipating it. If anyone has a video clip I'd like to take another look.
