While I think NBA officiating is terrible, I don't quite subscribe to the conspiracy theory yet. I just think they're bad at what they do. Nevertheless, the Lakers won by 27. I don't think the referees, which included Joey Crawford and Mark Wunderlich, had much to do with it last night.

Jack--You can't complain about a technical against Kobe Bryant one week and then say there's a conspiracy to put him in the finals the next.

It could be Disneyland against DisneyWorld. If Disney World (Orlando) ultimately wins the champ round, will the players say, "I'm going to Disney Land."

There ain't no "surprise, surprise" for the Lakers being in the NBA Finals. Lets break down the Free Throw-Attempt (FT-A) of both LA and Denver:

Game 1: Denver: 23-35; LAL: 20-24
Game 2: Denver: 29-37; LAL: 27-35
Game 3: Denver: 26-31; LAL: 31-45
Game 4: Denver: 37-49; LAL: 24-35
Game 5: Denver: 23-30; LAL: 26-35
Game 6: Denver: 20-25; LAL: 24-24
Total 158-176 (89.8%); 152-198 (76.7%)

Now lets take a look at the Field Goal Percentage in each game:

Game 1: Denver: 36-74 (48.6%); LAL: 37-90(41.1%)
Game 2: Denver: 35-79 (44.3%); LAL: 35-77 (45.5%)
Game 3: Denver: 33-84 (39.3%); LAL: 33-72 (45.8&)
Game 4: Denver: 38-86 (44.2%); LAL: 34-82 (41.5%)
Game 5: Denver: 32-83 (38.6%); LAL: 37-76 (48.7%)
Game 6: Denver: 32-73 (43.8%); LAL: 43-75 (57.3%)
Total 206-479 (43%); 219-472 (46.4%)

Source: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/nba/04/16/playoff.schedule/index.html

You can interpret this and just look at the aggregate totals like a mathematical noob. From the aggregates you can not draw much.

In terms of percentages, Denver had a massive advantage over LAL in free throws made (89.8%>76.4%). Contrary, the Lakers like any winning team of an NBA Playoff series shot better from the field (46.4%>43%)

If you are making the argument that there are calls that SHOULD have been made, then as they say in MMORPGS, provide the video/screen shot or keep quiet.

Game by game, You can make a valid argument that free throws won the game for LA in Game 3. The same argument can be made for Denver in Game 4.

I ain't buying this conspiracy theory bunk of "missed calls" AFTER the fact, when the numbers show that the Lakers made more shots and missed more free throws. Denver lost because of poor shot selections in Games 5 and 6. Likewise, Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups were not as good in the last 2 games as they were in the previous 4 games.

You need your team's leaders to play at peak levels throughout the entire series. Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol were consistent all 6 games with Lamar Odom heating up in the last 2 games. Contrary, Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin were not playing at peak levels consistently and that is the primary reason why they lost the series.

You can interpret this and just look at the aggregate totals like a mathematical noob. From the aggregates you can not draw much.

you mean, like when just below that you quote the aggregate field goal percentage and attempt to "draw much" from it?

and speakin of "noobs" and aggregates again, I'm sure you already know the difference on game impact between fouls called and free throw attempts? no?

c'mon, my man. your using statistics just as creatively as the next guy. me included.

oh, and Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups didn't "play at peak level" in the playoffs? are you serious?:

Carmelo Anthony
Career:24.2ppg/3.1apg/6.1rpg
Lakers series: 27.5ppg/3.7apg/4.8rpg

Chauncey Billups
Career:15.1ppg/5.6apg/2.9rpg
2009 Playoffs: 18.2ppg/6.0apg/3.8rpg

And Kenyon Martin? career about same as Lakers series, minus about 2 buckets per game.

I've watched Phil Jackson for awhile. It's all about peaking and performing at your best when it counts. Ever wonder why he doesn't call time outs when other coaches panic. His teams are so schooled that they can turn it on around a star like Michael Jordan or Kobe. Just listen to Kobe analyze a game. It's science and fundemental execution. They have the talent to execute Jackson's game plan and adjust. When Michael played you could see it. It was as if they just plain turned it up a notch, when they wanted to make a run.

and:

in Game 3, the Lakers received a *huge* foul advantage. two Nuggets starters fouled out, and two more were one foul from hitting the bench. it was entirely possible the *entire Nuggets starting lineup* could've fouled out.

that's never happened in Playoff history. it almost did in that game.

let me get more statistically succinct.

Put all the statistical and probablistic posturing aside, and consider this:

except for the possible botched last-minute inbounds passes by the Nuggests in Games 1 and 3, and the *massive* foul imbalance in 3, the Nuggets would have likely SWEPT the Lakers, 4-0. you don't even need a box score to tell you that.

Field goal and free throw stats can be very misleading. A team that's far behind, as Denver was last night, has to shoot low percentage threes to try to catch up. That means fewer free throw attempts, since they're not driving toward the basket and they tend to foul late to extend the game.

What I find interesting is that, a few games ago, Denver was widely regarded as the hotter, deeper, more talented and motivated team. The Lakers were too Kobe-oriented and analysts noted that they were wearing down. Suddenly, it all turned on a dime.

The narrative all year has been Kobe versus LeBron. Of course the Cavs are going to win Games 6 and 7. Look for the style of officiating or some weird calls to swing Game 6 in Cleveland's favor. Unless the Cavs are truly incompetent tonight, the refs are smart enough to find ways to get them to a Game 7--where they will be the favorites.

At least they've waited a long time for their opportunity. The Lakers are in the finals for the 30th time in about 60 years. Doesn't that seem a little suspicious in a league that's had at least some form of salary cap for decades?

Good question: "Is the Pope Catholic?"

Perhaps this question can be submitted to the state referendum process?

Its show biz folks. You can bet on it.

Ecohuman,

I meant "aggregate" as just looking at the raw numbers and concluding that "because LAL got 20 more free throws that is why they won!" I made myself look like a "mathematical noob" because I did not include every player's stats in every game to satisfy you.

As for games 1 and 3, that is history. C'mon my man, you surely know that the team who makes better decisions in the closing minutes of the game win regardless of statistics right? George Karl allowing Kenyon Martin to make the inbound pass in Games 1 and 3 was a horrid coaching mistake that should get him fired.

Past is past, Denver like Portland and the rest of the West are now fishing. Denver will not be back competing next year because I surmise that a lot of their bench players including J.R. Smith may cash out next year on their performance in these playoffs.

Where you and I agree completely on is the absolute atrociousness in officiating. You are right, basketball is too quick a game for referees to call fairly.

Instant replay with 3 flags just like the NFL needs to be introduced in NBA games. Give each coach 3 flags to dispute a foul call and if the videotape does not provide evidence to overturn, then the team loses the timeout.

Also, lets clear up what is traveling. Ever since LeBron has come into the league, he has been able to get away with taking 3 to 4 steps to the basket with his "crab dribble." Everyone knows that traveling is taking more than two steps.

You can't complain about a technical against Kobe Bryant one week and then say there's a conspiracy to put him in the finals the next.

I have attributed the officiating mistakes I have observed in this year's playoffs to either of two things: incompetence or bias. They are not mutually exclusive.

Moonbat, do you think Kobe's habit of carry-the-ball is called enough? His so-called "quick step" and "cross-overs" so many times are enhanced with his carrys. Refs seemed to call it on Roy more frequently. When he's a super star I guess they won't-and that's what is ruining Pro ball.

You knw, I thought you were crazy with this conspiracy stuf, but if it ever looked like anyone tanked a game, it was Denver last night. THat was the absolute worse they been in any game in the playoffs.

They disappeared the last two games, including one at home. Pretty mysterious.

Game 5 last two minutes. ticky-tack offensive foul on Nene. Next a defensive foul on Nene when Gasol put his arm in his gut and knocked Nene down. Possible 4 point swing and the Nuggets center is fouled out. Maybe it is the timing if these atrocious calls and not the number of overall fouls.

Magic eliminate King James team 103-90. Anybody still think there's a conspiracy?

Geroge Karl--why is this blubbering psychological wreck still managing in the NBA? Before the series started, he was down on his team's chances. Last night, while the Lakers were building a 19-point lead early in the 4th quarter, Karl decides he's Phil Jackson and doesn't call a time out to set up a play, when the Nuggets clearly were struggling offensively.

The reason Denver made it this far is that Chauncy Billups came in and essentially coached from the floor. Also, Billups and Carter formed a very good point-guard tandem, but Karl hardly played Carter in this series and Billups probably got tired.

Love those NBA miked sequences. Saw one today in the pregame. Karl allegedly delivering a highly motivational speech to his team. Billups on the front row yawning, eyes barely open. Where amazing happens!