The choice: game six of the 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Sacramento Kings and L.A. Lakers or this game tonight, game six of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs; which is the bigger conspiracy theory contest? Discuss…
Now, I’m not taking a side either way. I’ll let the “NBA is fixed” people make their case, but I’m not going to agree or disagree. You got to remember these people are called “conspiracy theorists” not “conspiracy scientists.” Because this is what Lebron James does, he inspires so much hate and backlash. (ESPN certainly doesn’t help things). When you have such a polarizing figure, and social media so readily available, the conspiracy theorists are angrier and louder.
The night after LeBron James and ESPN partnered for “The Decision,” one of the worst crimes ever perpetrated against humanity, James, Dwyane Wade and James’ pet dinosaur Chris Bosh starred in a ludicrous pep-rally spectacle at the home of the Miami Heat. Akron native Lebron James infamously put his foot in his mouth again.
At this beyond stupid self-referential cheerleading competition Lebron boldly proclaimed: ‘Not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, not 6, not 7’ titles..”
To his credit, James has apologized for The Decision, and said he regretted doing it. However, what about this asinine comment?
And that’s why people hate James so much.
But he wasn’t the hero for the Miami Heat tonight, Jesus Shuttlesworth or as he’s known in real life, Ray Allen was. Allen made the three to tie it when he was just a smidge behind the line. Lebron bricked a couple of threes in crunch time. Although he still had his best 4th quarter ever in a NBA Finals game. He played ok through 3, then was dominant in the final 12 minutes. It was very non Lebron James like.
So will tonight live up to the gold standard of supposedly fixed NBA playoffs games- game six ’02 Western Finals? That contest, which the league allegedly gave to the L.A. Lakers when the Sacramento Kings allegedly should have won, is like the second gunman on the grassy knowle of sports. It’s the “fake moon landing” or “9/11 was an inside job” of basketball history. Game six of the 2013 NBA Finals has a way to go to reach that level.
Although judging by my Twitter feed, many think it’s there already. Why no foul called on Manu at the end?
Should the foul on Tony Parker in overtime have been a flagrant? Why did so many Spurs uncharacteristically miss free throws at the most crucial junctures?
And all the Lebron James haters were out tonight in full force. So the conspiracy theorist camp and the LBJ hate camp have a little bit of overlap now.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net. (“Quasi-endorsed” by Philadelphia Eagles Coach Chip Kelly) He’s also an author who also contributes regularly to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, Walter Football.com and Yardbarker
Banks has appeared on the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world. President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks), like him on Facebook