Game 5: Lakers vs. Suns

[AgentEL]

I'll take "lying flop master" FTW

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: JasonT724

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: torpid
Kobe hasn't been doing anything that other players throughout history haven't done. When you body up someone and they have the ball, they will use their off arm to elbow or push you off. It's more or less "accepted practice".

Stockton was notorious for dirty shots. Also, bell has been bullying kobe a bit too. It's just part of their little game. Suddenly bell feels like he's being molested... sorry chump, but you started it by the way you defended kobe. Artest does the same type of thing. So did dennis rodman. The sad fact is that bell tried to be like those guys, and ended up getting in his OWN head somehow. Maybe largely due to phil jackson. Don't think that phil wasn't trying to egg him on so he'd get himself in trouble either. That guy is devious.

Now that the series is over for the clippers, I don't see any point in suspending evans. It should have happened in game 5 which the clips won anyway.

What Bell or Kobe does is beside the point, both are going to get away with some stuff, who cares? The main point is that a coach should not be able to exact psychological warfare (Phil has a PhD in it) on opposing players, especially laced with epithets. That is unacceptable and the NBA needs to enforce it better or players WILL end up seriously injuring one another because of the coaches. For example, if you were elbowed in the head and knocked to the floor, and Phil Jackson implied that he ordered his player to do it (true or untrue), what are the odds that you're going to retaliate? It's classic psych warfare. Something which a normal player like Raja (maybe took a college course in psychology lol) can't understand in that he's being played like a fiddle by Phil. Being sound mentally in a game is just as important as being physically healthy.

I don't agree with this. I believe psychology has everything to do with basketball. Players talk to get into player's heads all the time. It's part of the game. So what you're saying is that coaches should not use psychological warfare on players? What about player to player? Who determines what is warfare and what is playful banter? Maybe Steve Nash and Jack Nicolson shouldn't be talking during timeouts? Player's talk trash and it's all part of the game. There is a line and players should be smart enough not to cross it.

Do you know for a fact that Phil Jackson started it? After seeing Raja react to Master Jedi Kobe and the phantom elbow, I don't think you can believe everything he says anymore.

A coach shouldn't be able to interact with opposing players, period. It opens up a huge can of worms, and Kobe could have been carried off on a stretcher because of it. Example: What about the fact that John Cheney (Temple) purposely sent one of his players to hurt another? I'm sure you remember that huge media fiasco, because the player had a broken arm because of it. It's no different in this situation, Kobe was fortunate that he was ok.

It's pretty obvious that Bell thought Phil was the antagonist if you saw the interview. And why would someone straight up take a person down for no reason, and then point in the direction of Phil and say what he said? His actions show that he did it b/c of Phil, of course we'll never know b/c it's not like Jackson would ever admit that publically. But it's more than safe to assume he took out Kobe b/c of Phil Jackson getting into his head. He was sending a statement to Jackson that said something along the lines of: "F U Too".

As far as Bell flopping, it doesn't look like Kobe's elbow hit Raja. However, the clip doesn't show the 3 seconds before that where a shoulder could have been thrown into his head and he was reacting to that. Post a clip of the whole possession and we can really tell what happened.

 

[torpid]

I just don't see why phil's words were all that bad. Maybe bell really felt like he was being mauled, but phil's point is right. When you practically wrap yourself around someone, they are going to elbow you, push you off, etc. It's just standard practice. Maybe kobe gets away with crossing the line a bit beyond that, but I'm not sure of that. If you poke someone, put your hands on them, etc. you are going to get mauled when they have the ball and you try it. Artest learned that the hard way too. He deserved the elbow to his chops too.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: torpid
I just don't see why phil's words were all that bad. Maybe bell really felt like he was being mauled, but phil's point is right. When you practically wrap yourself around someone, they are going to elbow you, push you off, etc. It's just standard practice. Maybe kobe gets away with crossing the line a bit beyond that, but I'm not sure of that. If you poke someone, put your hands on them, etc. you are going to get mauled when they have the ball and you try it. Artest learned that the hard way too. He deserved the elbow to his chops too.

We all knew that Kobe/Bell don't particulary care for each other, and Phil was adding fuel to the fire. He knows what makes people tick, that's why he is so successful as a coach. His epithets were not necessary and the refs need to clamp down on this sh^^ before someone gets hurt bad. Phil or any coach that incites a player should be ashamed. Let them play the right way and have their skills do the talking.

 

[morkman100]

Originally posted by: torpid
I just don't see why phil's words were all that bad. Maybe bell really felt like he was being mauled, but phil's point is right. When you practically wrap yourself around someone, they are going to elbow you, push you off, etc. It's just standard practice. Maybe kobe gets away with crossing the line a bit beyond that, but I'm not sure of that. If you poke someone, put your hands on them, etc. you are going to get mauled when they have the ball and you try it. Artest learned that the hard way too. He deserved the elbow to his chops too.

When you are guarding someone that tightly, the offensive player has to be able to move/turn/jump/whatever. If the defender is that close, then an elbow/shoulder hit is going to happen. Jackson (IMO) is not saying he deserved to get an elbow (intentionally) in his face for defending that tightly, but that's what happens (accidently) when you do. That's how I read the situation.

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: morkman100

Originally posted by: torpid
I just don't see why phil's words were all that bad. Maybe bell really felt like he was being mauled, but phil's point is right. When you practically wrap yourself around someone, they are going to elbow you, push you off, etc. It's just standard practice. Maybe kobe gets away with crossing the line a bit beyond that, but I'm not sure of that. If you poke someone, put your hands on them, etc. you are going to get mauled when they have the ball and you try it. Artest learned that the hard way too. He deserved the elbow to his chops too.

When you are guarding someone that tightly, the offensive player has to be able to move/turn/jump/whatever. If the defender is that close, then an elbow/shoulder hit is going to happen. Jackson (IMO) is not saying he deserved to get an elbow (intentionally) in his face for defending that tightly, but that's what happens (accidently) when you do. That's how I read the situation.

Me too, though I do agree it also had an element of egging him on as well. Phil should be fined or something maybe, or should have received a T (did he not receive one? can't recall) but making it totally disallowed would ruin some of the fun moments in the NBA.

 

[morkman100]

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: morkman100

Originally posted by: torpid
I just don't see why phil's words were all that bad. Maybe bell really felt like he was being mauled, but phil's point is right. When you practically wrap yourself around someone, they are going to elbow you, push you off, etc. It's just standard practice. Maybe kobe gets away with crossing the line a bit beyond that, but I'm not sure of that. If you poke someone, put your hands on them, etc. you are going to get mauled when they have the ball and you try it. Artest learned that the hard way too. He deserved the elbow to his chops too.

When you are guarding someone that tightly, the offensive player has to be able to move/turn/jump/whatever. If the defender is that close, then an elbow/shoulder hit is going to happen. Jackson (IMO) is not saying he deserved to get an elbow (intentionally) in his face for defending that tightly, but that's what happens (accidently) when you do. That's how I read the situation.

Me too, though I do agree it also had an element of egging him on as well. Phil should be fined or something maybe, or should have received a T (did he not receive one? can't recall) but making it totally disallowed would ruin some of the fun moments in the NBA.

From the reports, it seems that Phil Jackson was telling the ref that Bell "deserved it", after Bell complained to the ref about the elbows. He did not tell Bell directly, which I think could warrant a fine or T.

 

[dahunan]

I wouldn't believe anything that psycho flopper said

Did you read his comments about his nuts on Kobe's butt?

I will find them

 

[dahunan]

...Every time you stick your butt out and try to hit me in my genitals, you're doing it on purpose. That's something you don't do inadvertently. And it was enough."

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/atoz/article_1129239.php

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: dahunan
I wouldn't believe anything that psycho flopper said

Did you read his comments about his nuts on Kobe's butt?

I will find them

Nuts on butt? :Q :Q

 

[torpid]

Good lord... don't ever put bell on a post player. Especially rasheed wallace. His butt protruding move is insane.

 

[dahunan]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon

Originally posted by: dahunan
I wouldn't believe anything that psycho flopper said

Did you read his comments about his nuts on Kobe's butt?

I will find them

Nuts on butt? :Q :Q

Raja is seriously crazy... He clotheslined Kobe because Phil Jackson said he deserved to get popped with the elbow for leaning on Kobe too much.

Raja doesn't care about the Suns TEAM.. only about little Raja...

One reason Bell committed that flagrant foul was because Bryant's coach, Phil Jackson, had chimed in earlier in the game upon seeing Bell complaining to a referee. Jackson confirmed that he and Bell had "an exchange of words" in which Jackson said Bell was essentially inviting contact by draping himself on Bryant at all times.

That was the reason Bell yelled down toward the Lakers' bench after clotheslining Bryant.

"He came back after that foul they called flagrant," Jackson said, "and ejaculated something down the court similar to 'He (Bryant) deserved that.'"

Jackson said Bell has been leaning on Bryant and then waiting for contact to "flop."

"It has happened in every game," Jackson said. "We see it happening. And we haven't sent any tapes in or asked the league to do anything about it. But it led to this."

 

[dahunan]

Originally posted by: torpid
Good lord... don't ever put bell on a post player. Especially rasheed wallace. His butt protruding move is insane.

Yep.. it is.. :laugh:

I hope he never has to guard Reggie Evans
http://blog.sportscolumn.com/story/2006/5/1/132716/4375

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: dahunan

...Every time you stick your butt out and try to hit me in my genitals, you're doing it on purpose. That's something you don't do inadvertently. And it was enough."

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/sports/atoz/article_1129239.php

I suspect that some of what Bell says is true, while some are false. He was probably flopping as a way to get back at Kobe for XYZ. But cmon, do you really think a rational human being would just throw another to the ground for no reason? Some of what he says has to be true b/c a normal human being doesn't throw another to the ground by their neck for nothing unless they have serious mental problems.

As for the Phil Jackson stuff, the article confirmed my suspicions: "One reason Bell committed that flagrant foul was because Bryant's coach, Phil Jackson, had chimed in earlier in the game upon seeing Bell complaining to a referee. Jackson confirmed that he and Bell had "an exchange of words" in which Jackson said Bell was essentially inviting contact by draping himself on Bryant at all times.

That was the reason Bell yelled down toward the Lakers' bench after clotheslining Bryant.


This is why coaches should not be fraternizing with opposing players. Should D'Antoni yell to Kobe that he f'ing deserved the clothesline just to mess with his head and incite him? Hell no. No rational person attacks another unless incited, and Jackson incited Bell. Refs need to clamp down on this crap. I wonder how Kobe feels, knowing that Jackson escalated the situation and helped put him in harm's way? I'd be slightly annoyed.

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I suspect that some of what Bell says is true, while some are false. He was probably flopping as a way to get back at Kobe for XYZ. But cmon, do you really think a rational human being would just throw another to the ground for no reason? Some of what he says has to be true b/c a normal human being doesn't throw another to the ground by their neck for nothing unless they have serious mental problems.

As for the Phil Jackson stuff, the article confirmed my suspicions: "One reason Bell committed that flagrant foul was because Bryant's coach, Phil Jackson, had chimed in earlier in the game upon seeing Bell complaining to a referee. Jackson confirmed that he and Bell had "an exchange of words" in which Jackson said Bell was essentially inviting contact by draping himself on Bryant at all times.

That was the reason Bell yelled down toward the Lakers' bench after clotheslining Bryant.


This is why coaches should not be fraternizing with opposing players. Should D'Antoni yell to Kobe that he f'ing deserved the clothesline just to mess with his head and incite him? Hell no. No rational person attacks another unless incited, and Jackson incited Bell. Refs need to clamp down on this crap. I wonder how Kobe feels, knowing that Jackson escalated the situation and helped put him in harm's way? I'd be slightly annoyed.

Basketball is not a gentleman's game. Quite the opposite. People who can't handle opposing coaches telling them something bluntly should not be playing basketball. By your reasoning alonzo mourning should have gunned down jeff van gundy in the street for the infamous heat/knicks brawl where he made like a yippy dog and grabbed his ankles.

 

[dahunan]

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I suspect that some of what Bell says is true, while some are false. He was probably flopping as a way to get back at Kobe for XYZ. But cmon, do you really think a rational human being would just throw another to the ground for no reason? Some of what he says has to be true b/c a normal human being doesn't throw another to the ground by their neck for nothing unless they have serious mental problems.

As for the Phil Jackson stuff, the article confirmed my suspicions: "One reason Bell committed that flagrant foul was because Bryant's coach, Phil Jackson, had chimed in earlier in the game upon seeing Bell complaining to a referee. Jackson confirmed that he and Bell had "an exchange of words" in which Jackson said Bell was essentially inviting contact by draping himself on Bryant at all times.

That was the reason Bell yelled down toward the Lakers' bench after clotheslining Bryant.


This is why coaches should not be fraternizing with opposing players. Should D'Antoni yell to Kobe that he f'ing deserved the clothesline just to mess with his head and incite him? Hell no. No rational person attacks another unless incited, and Jackson incited Bell. Refs need to clamp down on this crap. I wonder how Kobe feels, knowing that Jackson escalated the situation and helped put him in harm's way? I'd be slightly annoyed.

Basketball is not a gentleman's game. Quite the opposite. People who can't handle opposing coaches telling them something bluntly should not be playing basketball. By your reasoning alonzo mourning should have gunned down jeff van gundy in the street for the infamous heat/knicks brawl where he made like a yippy dog and grabbed his ankles.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A...=dw-rajabell050406&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

 

[JasonT724]

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I suspect that some of what Bell says is true, while some are false. He was probably flopping as a way to get back at Kobe for XYZ. But cmon, do you really think a rational human being would just throw another to the ground for no reason? Some of what he says has to be true b/c a normal human being doesn't throw another to the ground by their neck for nothing unless they have serious mental problems.

As for the Phil Jackson stuff, the article confirmed my suspicions: "One reason Bell committed that flagrant foul was because Bryant's coach, Phil Jackson, had chimed in earlier in the game upon seeing Bell complaining to a referee. Jackson confirmed that he and Bell had "an exchange of words" in which Jackson said Bell was essentially inviting contact by draping himself on Bryant at all times.

That was the reason Bell yelled down toward the Lakers' bench after clotheslining Bryant.


This is why coaches should not be fraternizing with opposing players. Should D'Antoni yell to Kobe that he f'ing deserved the clothesline just to mess with his head and incite him? Hell no. No rational person attacks another unless incited, and Jackson incited Bell. Refs need to clamp down on this crap. I wonder how Kobe feels, knowing that Jackson escalated the situation and helped put him in harm's way? I'd be slightly annoyed.

Basketball is not a gentleman's game. Quite the opposite. People who can't handle opposing coaches telling them something bluntly should not be playing basketball. By your reasoning alonzo mourning should have gunned down jeff van gundy in the street for the infamous heat/knicks brawl where he made like a yippy dog and grabbed his ankles.

LOL. I can't believe you brought that up. That moment was classic. Van Gundy was being dragged across the court too haha.

Speeddemon, just because Jackson may have escalated the situation does NOT give Bell the right to take it out on Kobe like that. You're implying that Jackson's action justified what Raja did. Players especially professional ones need more self control than that. As David Stern put it, it was an unmanly act.

 

[dahunan]

MINDGAMES

TinkerBell FLUNKED OUT ... He is sitting at home while his team prepares to go fishing

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: dahunan

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I suspect that some of what Bell says is true, while some are false. He was probably flopping as a way to get back at Kobe for XYZ. But cmon, do you really think a rational human being would just throw another to the ground for no reason? Some of what he says has to be true b/c a normal human being doesn't throw another to the ground by their neck for nothing unless they have serious mental problems.

As for the Phil Jackson stuff, the article confirmed my suspicions: "One reason Bell committed that flagrant foul was because Bryant's coach, Phil Jackson, had chimed in earlier in the game upon seeing Bell complaining to a referee. Jackson confirmed that he and Bell had "an exchange of words" in which Jackson said Bell was essentially inviting contact by draping himself on Bryant at all times.

That was the reason Bell yelled down toward the Lakers' bench after clotheslining Bryant.


This is why coaches should not be fraternizing with opposing players. Should D'Antoni yell to Kobe that he f'ing deserved the clothesline just to mess with his head and incite him? Hell no. No rational person attacks another unless incited, and Jackson incited Bell. Refs need to clamp down on this crap. I wonder how Kobe feels, knowing that Jackson escalated the situation and helped put him in harm's way? I'd be slightly annoyed.

Basketball is not a gentleman's game. Quite the opposite. People who can't handle opposing coaches telling them something bluntly should not be playing basketball. By your reasoning alonzo mourning should have gunned down jeff van gundy in the street for the infamous heat/knicks brawl where he made like a yippy dog and grabbed his ankles.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A...=dw-rajabell050406&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

I agreed with everything he said until he insinuated that Kobe and Phil thought of this together to get Bell out of the game and are "smiling" about it. Nobody was smiling when Kobe could have been seriously injured, and if risking your star player to bodily harm is something Phil advocates, then he should resign as a coach. While they may have been messing with Raja's head, nobody could have predicted the clothesline. That's why coaches shouldn't be talking to opposing players, period. If your team isn't good enough to beat the guy physically, resorting to lowly mind games is a loser's game. Phil should be ashamed of himself for resorting to such tactics and be thankful that Bryant didn't get a concussion and go off on a stretcher.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: JasonT724

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I suspect that some of what Bell says is true, while some are false. He was probably flopping as a way to get back at Kobe for XYZ. But cmon, do you really think a rational human being would just throw another to the ground for no reason? Some of what he says has to be true b/c a normal human being doesn't throw another to the ground by their neck for nothing unless they have serious mental problems.

As for the Phil Jackson stuff, the article confirmed my suspicions: "One reason Bell committed that flagrant foul was because Bryant's coach, Phil Jackson, had chimed in earlier in the game upon seeing Bell complaining to a referee. Jackson confirmed that he and Bell had "an exchange of words" in which Jackson said Bell was essentially inviting contact by draping himself on Bryant at all times.

That was the reason Bell yelled down toward the Lakers' bench after clotheslining Bryant.


This is why coaches should not be fraternizing with opposing players. Should D'Antoni yell to Kobe that he f'ing deserved the clothesline just to mess with his head and incite him? Hell no. No rational person attacks another unless incited, and Jackson incited Bell. Refs need to clamp down on this crap. I wonder how Kobe feels, knowing that Jackson escalated the situation and helped put him in harm's way? I'd be slightly annoyed.

Basketball is not a gentleman's game. Quite the opposite. People who can't handle opposing coaches telling them something bluntly should not be playing basketball. By your reasoning alonzo mourning should have gunned down jeff van gundy in the street for the infamous heat/knicks brawl where he made like a yippy dog and grabbed his ankles.

LOL. I can't believe you brought that up. That moment was classic. Van Gundy was being dragged across the court too haha.

Speeddemon, just because Jackson may have escalated the situation does NOT give Bell the right to take it out on Kobe like that. You're implying that Jackson's action justified what Raja did. Players especially professional ones need more self control than that. As David Stern put it, it was an unmanly act.

I agree that Bell should have kept his cool, but he's dealing with a guy with a PhD in psych. Who's going to lose that battle? It's like me going up against a black belt. That's why Phil should be muted and let the players play.

Furthermore, what would people have said if Kobe went off in a stretcher? Would Phil and NBA fans be smiling then? Hell no, I would be just as mad at Phil for fueling the fire as Raja for seriously injuring someone. For every action there's a reaction, normal rational people don't clothesline others for no reason. Phil would be just as much to blame IMO.

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I agreed with everything he said until he insinuated that Kobe and Phil thought of this together to get Bell out of the game and are "smiling" about it. Nobody was smiling when Kobe could have been seriously injured, and if risking your star player to bodily harm is something Phil advocates, then he should resign as a coach. While they may have been messing with Raja's head, nobody could have predicted the clothesline. That's why coaches shouldn't be talking to opposing players, period. If your team isn't good enough to beat the guy physically, resorting to lowly mind games is a loser's game. Phil should be ashamed of himself for resorting to such tactics and be thankful that Bryant didn't get a concussion and go off on a stretcher.

I also disagree with a few other points. One, raja bell is not all that inexperienced. Didn't he play in the finals against kobe when he was with philly? The guy is not some dumb rook. He might be an emotional guy, but it isn't because he's never played in playoff games.

It would be nice if the game were a gentleman's game, maybe.

I don't think that mind games are normally thought to put someone in harm's way. I doubt there are many players in the league who in that situation would have done anything to injure bryant. Even bell's move did not look like it was intended to harm all that much. Certainly it could have if kobe had hit his head or something. But it's not like it was a punch or a takedown in mid-air.

I just think bell is weak. What about all those times jackson and shaq ribbed mutombo and other people guarding him. Saying they flopped and don't play like "real men" when they would fall down from a shaq elbow? No one retalliates against shaq usually, and it's nearly identical. Although I guess brad miller did.

Let's wait to see what van gundy does when it happens. He might have worked on his dog-fu.

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I suspect that some of what Bell says is true, while some are false. He was probably flopping as a way to get back at Kobe for XYZ. But cmon, do you really think a rational human being would just throw another to the ground for no reason? Some of what he says has to be true b/c a normal human being doesn't throw another to the ground by their neck for nothing unless they have serious mental problems.

As for the Phil Jackson stuff, the article confirmed my suspicions: "One reason Bell committed that flagrant foul was because Bryant's coach, Phil Jackson, had chimed in earlier in the game upon seeing Bell complaining to a referee. Jackson confirmed that he and Bell had "an exchange of words" in which Jackson said Bell was essentially inviting contact by draping himself on Bryant at all times.

That was the reason Bell yelled down toward the Lakers' bench after clotheslining Bryant.


This is why coaches should not be fraternizing with opposing players. Should D'Antoni yell to Kobe that he f'ing deserved the clothesline just to mess with his head and incite him? Hell no. No rational person attacks another unless incited, and Jackson incited Bell. Refs need to clamp down on this crap. I wonder how Kobe feels, knowing that Jackson escalated the situation and helped put him in harm's way? I'd be slightly annoyed.

Basketball is not a gentleman's game. Quite the opposite. People who can't handle opposing coaches telling them something bluntly should not be playing basketball. By your reasoning alonzo mourning should have gunned down jeff van gundy in the street for the infamous heat/knicks brawl where he made like a yippy dog and grabbed his ankles.

Normally any coach would get a T for what Jackson said. Jackson is among the best at getting into players' heads, you seem to sidestep that fact. Nothing that Kobe primarily did or said would make Raja clothesline the guy.

You bring up a situation where a coach lost his cool and went after a player, that isn't the same.

 

[dahunan]

Raja is not a puppet / HE and only HE is responsible for his actions.. He is supposedly a man -------------------- who think about his penis touching Kobe's butt.. He obviously could not be a quarterback or center in football :laugh:

 

[dahunan]

Mind games are on the Highest Order ... not "lowly" ... if a player cannot deal with head games at the professional level then he should retire or should have never joined

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: SP33Demon
I agreed with everything he said until he insinuated that Kobe and Phil thought of this together to get Bell out of the game and are "smiling" about it. Nobody was smiling when Kobe could have been seriously injured, and if risking your star player to bodily harm is something Phil advocates, then he should resign as a coach. While they may have been messing with Raja's head, nobody could have predicted the clothesline. That's why coaches shouldn't be talking to opposing players, period. If your team isn't good enough to beat the guy physically, resorting to lowly mind games is a loser's game. Phil should be ashamed of himself for resorting to such tactics and be thankful that Bryant didn't get a concussion and go off on a stretcher.

I also disagree with a few other points. One, raja bell is not all that inexperienced. Didn't he play in the finals against kobe when he was with philly? The guy is not some dumb rook. He might be an emotional guy, but it isn't because he's never played in playoff games.

It would be nice if the game were a gentleman's game, maybe.

I don't think that mind games are normally thought to put someone in harm's way. I doubt there are many players in the league who in that situation would have done anything to injure bryant. Even bell's move did not look like it was intended to harm all that much. Certainly it could have if kobe had hit his head or something. But it's not like it was a punch or a takedown in mid-air.

I just think bell is weak. What about all those times jackson and shaq ribbed mutombo and other people guarding him. Saying they flopped and don't play like "real men" when they would fall down from a shaq elbow? No one retalliates against shaq usually, and it's nearly identical. Although I guess brad miller did.

Let's wait to see what van gundy does when it happens. He might have worked on his dog-fu.

Whether Bell has finals experience, is/isn't mentally tough, it doesn't matter. You don't know what someone will do when they snap. Coaches should not be trying to make players snap, that's not cool.

Yeah it's hard to say whether Bell wanted to injure the guy, but nobody wants to see that kind of crap happen. Just play the game the way it was meant to be played, give it 100%, and hope you come out on top. 😉