Where is Kevin Garnett? Could Pau Gasol's statements be true? So far it is clear, yes. Now don't get me wrong I'm not saying he can't figure whatever he's going through out but one thing everyone is noticing is that Bynum and Gasol are both having their way beneath the basket and Garnett hasn't been able to do anything about it.
Through the first 2 games of the NBA Finals Garnett has only been able to grab 4 rebounds in each game and has a combined 22 points for the series. He's even coming off a poor 6 point/4 rebound performance in a Game 2 victory. Clearly he is battling through some sort of injury problem because he has been unable to physically compete and box out.
Paul Pierce is also going through his own Houdini like disappearing act, although not as easily visible to the eye. I know what you're thinking, come on TED! He scored 24 points in GAME 1!! Right? Well yes, he did get the usual Paul Pierce total, however most of it came when the game was out of reach because Paul Pierce racked up the free-throws down the stretch. Pierce had no points in the second quarter and only 2 points in the third quarter where the Lakers buried the Celtics. Kobe had 14 in the quarter. Pierce then only went on to score 10 points in Game 2.
If it wasn't for Allen shooting lights out and Rondo's second half in Game 2, oh and don't forget a few "phantom fouls" on Kobe Bryant, the Celtics would be looking at a 2-0 deficit on the flight back to Boston.
Once again I am not saying Pierce is finished or that Garnett can't have a good game this series, but they haven't yet. If the Celtics are going to have a shot at this series then both men are going to need to show up. Gasol and Bynum are having their way under the hoop and without Garnett being Garnett, the Celts are looking at a spoiled homecoming party.
Gasol's stats: Game 1- 23 points 14 rebounds Game 2- 25 points 8 rebounds
Bynum's stats: Game 2- 10 points 6 rebounds Game 2- 21 points 6 rebounds.
KG has to be hurting becuase i dont think hes done yet but some one said on the hub that Jackson and Van Gundy said KG was favoring his shoulder but i dont know how true is that.
ReplyDeletethere were no phantom calls on kobe. eveyrones just used to seeing kobe get star treatment that they freak out when he gets called for a foul, it's ridiculous. his fouls were fouls, just like they call them on everyone else.
ReplyDeleteYa I heard the same thing, I saw on TV last night he kept grabbing it on the bench.
ReplyDeleteThere clearly were phantom fouls on Kobe though, Rondo fell out of bounds on his own Kobe never touched him. I agree that he didn't get much different treatment than anyone else because there were phantom fouls for each team, but it definitely hurts the Lakers more because when Kobe isn't playing they're not scoring like they usually are.
ReplyDeletei agree it hurts the lakers more. but i'd suggest you watch that one again when rondo fell out of bounds. rondo goes to save the ball and kobe grabs underneath his right arm. i know its not the reason he fell out of bounds but its also not liek kobe did absolutely nothing
ReplyDeleteto give a fifth foul call though is ridiculous. I'm sure you were screaming at the tv when they called a foul on Big Baby for coming into contact with Bynum's head after his block. Wasn't worthy of a foul but it's not like he did nothing either. The refs have just been bad for each side thus far. Thanks for the comments guys, we appreciate it!
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