What you can't see about this clip, unless you are a Hornets fan, is that Darth Vader is just off camera, wearing a Spurs jersey and using the force to compel David West to run backwards without looking, and then jump into the air and stretch out his arms at the very instant he was about to bump into Robert Horry, who was standing well outside the no-charge circle with his feet set.
And why was Horry standing there in the first place with his wrists crossed at his belt line? Just prior to tipoff, Horry called Miss Cleo, his psychic, and was told to cut to the basket with 10:12 left in the game, and stand outside the key, because if he did, David West would leap backwards into the air and crash in to him and would have to leave the game. How else could Horry know how to make this dirty play look like an innocent back pick?
And of course this play had a critical impact on the game. When West went down, the Spurs were desperate because they were only leading by 21 points. But with West out of the way, the Spurs were able to give back some of that lead and win by just 19. Wahahaha!
Oh good grief!
West was grimacing all game about his back. It just happened this was the contact that set it off. West was in such distress that if it wasn't this play, it would have been another.
The Hornets and the Jazz are the two most physical teams in the NBA, Hornets fans can't HONESTLY think THIS is a dirty play.
Hoffman
Once Big Shot Bob gets at least one or two long range jumpers in. There's not much else that one can expect him to do now is there ? Other than act like a tree !
You've either got to love him or hate him. It can't be both.
I've posted my own piece with regard to last night's game titled High Hopes We Got High Hopes.... !
Let me know what you think as to the merits of the piece ? I'll look forward to reading your comments.
I am rewatching the game right now and am in the 3rd quarter.
My theory is that West already had 4 fouls and a technical foul, and didn't want to disqualify him for the contact, so they gave it to the non-all star, Robert Horry.
Tom 7
Horry is doing what he sometimes does best ......act like a tree Bob.
The only difference between Horry and a tree is that Horry can hit a long range jumper and he doesn't shed any leaves. Other than that the similarities aren't all that unique.
Horry appears to be set at the 40 second mark of the video.
West then takes one more step before leaving his feet. Since he was moving, does that one step mean Horry gave him an opportunity to “stop and/or change direction?”
Regardless, Horry did not “jump in front of a moving opponent at the last second.”
I have love for Horry from his Lakers days, so I may be a little biased here...
but, I don't see anything malicious about it.
West just came down akwardly.
It's unfortunate, but part of the game.
Buddy.... The clip without a doubt demonstrates the bona fide intent of Horry and we aficionados can simply articulate skepticism in this most recent exploit of his.
What everyone SHOULD be talking about is Hornets' Coach Byron Scott.
David West was too injured to be playing, especially at a time in a game when the Hornets had virtually no chance of winning.
Byron Scott put his all star forward in harm's way on the outside chance that the Hornets could overcome a hopeless 21 point deficit, on the road, with 10 minutes left, with a disabled all star, who had 4 fouls, a technical foul and was shooting 28% (4/14), rather than concede game 6 and save his players for game 7 in New Orleans.
If Hornets fans want to gripe, they should be griping about their greedy coach, not about a legal pick.
CLEAN PICK, Hoff. But I bet Horry wouldn't be dumb enough to try anything dirty against his former team, the Lakers.
Horry knows Mamba is poisonous.
And TOM7, if I'm Byron and I have the chance to close out the defending champs, I'm not so sure I'm thinking ahead to Game 7 and resting David West instead. I'm expecting West to play unless he specifically tells me he can't go any further. Especially with 10 minutes left and knwoing that a 21 point deficit is not insurmountable with guys like CP3 and Peja on the floor.
A championship coach will never a concede a game unless it is over. What I mean by that is, 21-point deficit and two minutes left.
hoff...legal. West was hurt. Horry took advantage of it. West shouldn't have been playing....maybe that's the reason why some players sit out for not very serious injuries? The coaches know they are targets. All is fair in basketball. I remember pass rushers going after Palmer's knee when he came back from rehab. It's part of the game.
I love basketball. While many basketball fans enjoy the month of March, I prefer the months of April, May, and June. My favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers. However, my loyalty to the Lakers will not prevent me from giving my unbiased opinion on each and every team and player in the league. I look forward to productive chats, heated debates, and honest opinions.
