On Sunday, the Dallas Mavericks swept the Lakers out of the playoffs and they didn't take it too well. Lamar Odom took a shot at Dirk Nowitzki to earn an ejection while Dirk was trying to set a screen. I don't have a problem with a hard foul at the beginning or in the middle of the game to attempt to set the tone. However, late in the game, after it has been decided is classless. Odom's foul came with 9:06 to play in the 4th quarter and his team down 26. Less than a minute later, Andrew Bynum (7'0", 285 pounds) hammered J.J. Barea (6'0", 175 pounds) in the ribs with an elbow as Barea drove to the basket. He was ejected as well and to show how classy he is, took off his jersey as he left the court. What Bynum did was disgusting and has no business in the NBA. This is the same Laker team that is (was) the defending champion! The true essence of a team is defined by how they handle winning AND losing. The Lakers handled winning quite well but when faced with adversity, they folded up like a tent and resorted to violence on the court. The end of an era is upon them and both Odom and Bynum should be suspended for games next year.
I know that many people will compare Kobe to Jordan by the amount of games and rings each has won but a Michael Jordan team would never, ever act like the Lakers did. Jordan had control over his guys and they would never waiver. To Kobe's credit, he acted like an adult and took to the beating the Mavericks were putting on them like a man, as did many other Lakers. Some times the other team is just better than you and rather than cry about it, he showed class. Are the Clippers now the best show in town? Time will tell.
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