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The NBA Must Award West Crown to Spurs
I hope a break from the usual political conversation to talk about the NBA’s Western Conference finals is OK. The Lakers beat the Spurs 4 games to 1 to become Conference Champions. However, this injustice must not be allowed to stand. The NBA needs to award the Western Conference title to the Spurs because they have the best chance of beating the Eastern Conference Champs. Furthermore, if David Stern and the NBA do not let the Spurs represent the West I will not watch the finals.
1. The Spurs have more experience in the finals - The Spurs have been in the finals in 3 of the last 5 years. They know what it takes to win. The Lakers will have to learn how to win.
2. The Lakers rely on a running game - The running game is a fickle style which is usually not successful in the playoffs. The Spurs have a better half court game. ESPN acknowledged this in picking the Spurs to beat the Lakers 4 games to 2 http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2008/columns/story?page=ScoutingSpursLakers
2. All fouls should count - At the end of Game 4, Brett Barry of the Spurs was bumped by the Lakers Derrek Fisher and no foul was called. After the game the NBA apologized for the non-foul. The Spurs lost the game 93-91, but if the foul had been called Barry is an 82% free throw shooter. He would have made the shots and the Spurs would have won. This game must be awarded to the Spurs.
3. Spur fans will not support the Lakers - Los Angeles is a team with fans all over the country. These fans love basketball and will watch the finals no matter who is in it. The Spurs are from a smaller city in Texas, if the Spurs are eliminated their fans will not watch the finals.
In the interest of fairness, the Spurs must be crowned Western Champs. I hope David Stern will act before things get ugly. Anyway, that’s my sport rant. Now I can get back to discussing politics.
Comments (20)
Not only that, but Kobe's pastor's brother's cousin's uncle said the Spurs suck.
And Derek Fisher had to apologize.
And so did the Machine.
Only he sounds like Borat, so we now have Borat-gate.
Count ALL the baskets, and go SPURS '08!
May 31, 2008 12:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Spurs team is headed to the Staples Center as we speak to commence game 6.
Count all the baskets!
May 31, 2008 12:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
Brent. His name is Brent Barry.
May 31, 2008 12:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
For an analogous set of reasons, the Detroit Pistons should be representing the Eastern Conference against the Spurs, even though Detroit lost its Conference Championship Series (2-4) tonight in game 6 against the Boston Celtics.
(I feel that way because I'm a partisan. Seriously, though, the Pistons fell apart when they needed to stay together, so I'm sorry to say that the Celtics earned it.)
May 31, 2008 1:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
As a Celtics fan, I understand that it is hard to let go.
But don't we all agree that it is time to end the domination of the NBA finals by the same teams. 8 of the last 9 Championships have been won by the Spurs, Lakers, or Pistons. The interests of basketball would be well served to break up the monopoly of control by the same teams and bring in some "fresh faces" (ignoring the fact that the Celtics big 3 aren't exactly youngsters).
May 31, 2008 4:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Incidentally, I supported Lakers from the beginning this season. Tired and sick of Spurs domination and their feeling of entitlement. They did look inevitble when the season started, didn't they?
There was time way back when I rooted for the Spurs, not anymore.
By the way Eva Langoria overshadows Tony Parker and sucks the oxygen out of the room. She's hot but dumb.
May 31, 2008 2:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Spurs have drawn huge Nielsen ratings in Puerto Rico all season, too. And I recently heard something about June being a really dangerous month in L.A. Even as a Southland native and long-time Lakers supporter, I must begrudgingly agree with Nate's point. Besides, as Ferraro will tell you, Lakers-Celtics series are sexist.
May 31, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
YES -- Spurs must stay in it to win it -- On to Game 6. "You know", there are people associated with the Lakers who have died in the month of June.
May 31, 2008 1:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Brilliant, Nate.
I respect your position, I do, but as a Lakers supporter I must appeal for sport unity here. No use quibbling about how we got here - not now. The West needs to come together to support their team. Maybe later we look at how the semis are structured, but today we should all look to unity.
May 31, 2008 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
If the NBA doesn't step in, these baskets and fouls will be disenfranchised. We cannot allow this to happen! Call your teams general manager to complain and let's organize a placard-wielding protest in new York!
btw, great post!!!
May 31, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
These are sports teams you're talking about, right?
May 31, 2008 3:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is hilarious. And so very very apropos.
May 31, 2008 5:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
In 1984
May 31, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not to mention that the Spurs have more working, hard-working white players than the Lakers.
May 31, 2008 8:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Best. Blog. Ever.
May 31, 2008 9:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
They already did this last year when David Stern, the NBA and a cohort of corrupt referees stole the championship from the Phoenix Suns.
"Not to mention that the Spurs have more working, hard-working white players than the Lakers."
Uh....no.
May 31, 2008 10:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've seen a lot of crazy stuff in my life, but That. Was. AWESOME!
May 31, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've seen a lot of crazy stuff in my life, but That. Was. AWESOME!
May 31, 2008 10:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a Spurs fan and San Antonio resident, you have spoken for me.
Therefore, I MUST support your conclusion and boycott the Finals, even though I'll be missing out on watching history in the making, I'm too bitter to care.
(sarcasm)
June 1, 2008 12:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
All violations must be seated as a full foul.
June 1, 2008 12:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
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