49 Responses to “Kobe: “Heck of a Play, Designed By A Heck of a Coach””

1. June 8th, 2009 at 8:47 am

   Kobeef says:

   Apparently Lee said after the game that he should have dunked it…which is saying “I should be a bigger and better player because then we would have won the game”

   He’s right, but it wasn’t an option for him.

2. June 8th, 2009 at 9:05 am

   WINDYCITYBULL says:

   GOALTENDING?

3. June 8th, 2009 at 9:20 am

   Dukesman2000 says:

   I know players should have short memories, but if the Magic loses the series, this one is going to sit with Lee for the rest of his career. Sort of like Nick Anderson missing those 4 free throws.

   That was a perfect pass and dude was worring about getting the ball out of his hands before the buzzer sounded, as oppose to ensuring the ball made it through the net.

4. June 8th, 2009 at 9:20 am

   doc says:

   Thats called choking in the clutch.A fucking layup though?

5. June 8th, 2009 at 9:34 am

   mapletown says:

   Courtney is young, he’ll get over it. What is he, still a rookie right?? And no, he didnt choke. Magic shouldnt have been in that position anyway…

6. June 8th, 2009 at 9:43 am

   doc says:

   @mapletown-He CHOKED.When u miss a fucking layup in the chip tied up with 1 second left and somebody say u didnt choke that means its your mom,bitch,or male family members.Which one are u?He’s a rookie?What the fuck that mean he on the court in the Finals that rookie shit out the window and if u didnt know ALL rookies come into the league knowing how to make a layup.So help him get that dam dinner roll out his throat.

7. June 8th, 2009 at 10:14 am

   Bron42 aka Had Springs Before Slamball says:

   He choked but i cut him some slack cuz hes a rookie and you knooooooo he had to be nervous on that. Times like this you wish the magic had someone like gerald green or someone with boosties cuz that should of been a easy dunk. Even peitrus if he hadn’t fouled out on them ghost calls. Still a good call by stan.

8. June 8th, 2009 at 10:18 am

   bobbys says:

   1. it was probably goaltending if this were in the 1st quarter, but definitely not there

   2. you guys act like it was an easy layup. it was contested well, he was moving full speed and had to catch it in mid-air. he also was at a terrible angle, so he couldn’t figure out in time whether to use glass or just put it in.

   3. stan van gundy really is a very good coach. he shoulda won a championship if he weren’t pushed out. also, he completely outshined mike brown, who is and always will be an awful awful coach with a good team, kinda like doc rivers.

9. June 8th, 2009 at 10:22 am

   Josh Tha roc says:

   That was a tougher than u think layup. Great play though

10. June 8th, 2009 at 10:24 am

    moneybags says:

    Stan Van Gundy us the king of inbounding plays, his corner baseline play for a Rashard Lewis three is money.

11. June 8th, 2009 at 10:34 am

    Simon says:

    I think doc might be trying to get everyone all worked up. Yes it is a layup, but this is what makes if difficult.
    - NBA finals
    - On the road
    - At the buzzer
    - Tie game
    - Alley-oop
    - He’s a rookie
    - Got stuck in one of those “do I use the glass or not” moments that usually results in a miss
    - He took off from his right foot and had to finish with his right hand
    - He’s wearing a mask

12. June 8th, 2009 at 10:46 am

    Guitar Hero says:

    came on, Gasol read the play well and made it difficult for Lee to finish. A 7 foot guy is always intimidating in the paint.

13. June 8th, 2009 at 10:55 am

    jzsmoove says:

    Lee was lost in those last two plays he had. On his previous play he could have easily taken one extra step/dribble step when nobody wanted the damn ball and it was tied 88-88. The lane was clear it was there but settle for the teardrop and missed. The last inbounds play was just plain botched. It was one of those moments you decide before the play you are gonna catch and shoot. Not maybe i will dunk if i get closer. There is no time to get confused with 0.6 left. No excuses Magic lost. It aint over. Magic in 7. If Hollywood flourishes in drama, they’ll get drama.

    Go Magic.

14. June 8th, 2009 at 11:05 am

    doc says:

    Yall can make all the excuses u want.A PRO player can make a layup off the wrong foot,on the road,and shit like that 9 out of 10.So when the 10th time comes in that moment.Its a CHOKEJOB.No way the Fuck around it.Go ask Courtney ass did he choke.

15. June 8th, 2009 at 11:30 am

    K Dizzle (2 more then nuthin left to say) says:

    I gotta go with doc. They showed that replay 20 times. Gasol had ZERO chance to block that shot. I love CL Smooth and he’s only gonna get better, but that ball was perfectly placed where he coulda just dropped it thru the hoop. Dude had enough hops to crush on Lebron, he coulda dropped it thru. That kinda play changes a series. Orl goin home 1-1 would be trouble.

    You think with how his Western Kentucky Hilltoppers lost to Gonzaga in the tourny on Goodson’s buzzerbeater, he’d have seen this before lol…..Too soon?

16. June 8th, 2009 at 11:33 am

    Ekstor says:

    Originally thought the same… that Lee just missed… but this picture shows just how fast Courtney was moving and how out-of-position he was to make a clean layup.

    http://i.cdn.turner .com/si/2009/writers /ian_thomsen/06/08/l akers.magic.game2/nb a-finals.tx.si.jpg

17. June 8th, 2009 at 11:34 am

    Ekstor says:

    Sorry… here it is again… http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/06/08/lakers.magic.game2/nb a-finals.tx.si.jpg

18. June 8th, 2009 at 11:35 am

    Ekstor says:

    http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/06/08/lakers.magic.game2/nba-finals.tx.si.jpg

19. June 8th, 2009 at 12:00 pm

    Simon says:

    Nice pic Ekstor, I think that truly depicts how difficult of a play it was. I know he is a pro player and gets paid millions, but if pro players cannot even be perfect on free throws, how can we expect them to connect on that type of a play all the time?

    If he made it, everyone would talk about how sick the play was and it would go down in NBA playoff history, but isn’t it JUST another layup?

20. June 8th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    dmitry of jersey says:

    you mofo’s are insane if you think that was an “easy layup”
    dude was going full speed and had to catch a ball from damn near half court.

21. June 8th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

    parker says:

    can we talk about the pass being subpar? How did he end up at that angle?He had to change his route because he was make a 45 degree cut off the elbow and had to adjust to a fade.

22. June 8th, 2009 at 12:26 pm

    mapletown says:

    @Simon

    Agreed with everything you wrote. Shot was ALOT difficult than it looked. Damn sure wasnt a basic lay-up like people are suggesting.

23. June 8th, 2009 at 12:31 pm

    Spliff 2 My Lou says:

    He blew it. This doesn’t fit into my idea of a “choke” but he definitely blew it. He knows he did. That’s why he put his hands on his head afterwards. That’s the true sign of somebody knowing they blew a big opportunity.

    In sports nothing is a given. Should a professional be able to make that shot? Hell yes. Can a professional easily screw up that shot. Hell yes. I’m not going to get on the rook for missing that shot because the Magic could’ve still went out and won if OT but they just didn’t do it. Had they gotten the job done in OT this play wouldn’t have even been an issue.

24. June 8th, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    Spliff 2 My Lou says:

    I also think the same people saying that this was NOT an easy shot would have been the first people to say it IS an easy shot if somebody like Lebron had missed it. No doubt people’s bias has a way of affecting their opinions.

25. June 8th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    QQ says:

    Yall talking bout how he is wide open..

    But have you fools considered HE HAS 0.6 LEFT TO SHOOT THAT?

    0.6

    0.6

    0.6

    0.6

    Damn.

26. June 8th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    SoulOnIce says:

    Come on, y’all. Doc is right. Him being a rookie doesn’t mean shit, because he’s played over 100 games this season (including playoffs), which makes you a grown man.

    That play was PERFECT, and the youngster simply missed it. No excuses should be made for ol buddy.

27. June 8th, 2009 at 12:49 pm

    Spliff 2 My Lou says:

    @QQ

    Remember, 0.6 is still enough time to catch and shoot. It’s not like he only had time to tip it. There have been many difficult shots with 0.6 or fewer seconds left that have went in. It just wasn’t in the cards for the Magic last night. That’s just the way it goes.

28. June 8th, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    Simon says:

    @Spliff 2 My Lou, why must Lebron be brought up? I have no bias whatsoever as I am Raptors fan and just a fan of exciting basketball. Whether it is the MVP, a rookie, or a guy on the playground, it is a difficult shot to make. Judging by where Lee’s head is (under the backboard), the shot may have actually been even more difficult for a player such as Lebron due to their heigh and elevation.

29. June 8th, 2009 at 1:17 pm

    E$ says:

    I guess nobody saw lee jersey getting grabbed by Kobe…..

30. June 8th, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    dk says:

    Like I said, HEROs make that shot, role players dont…

31. June 8th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    Spliff 2 My Lou says:

    @Simon

    I just threw Lebrons name out there for arguments sake because of all the Lebron bashing by Magic fans in the recent weeks on this site.

    As I said earlier I’m not getting on Lee for missing the shot because Orlando still could’ve handled business in OT but didn’t. But I’m tired of people excusing him by saying it was a difficult shot. No shit. I think it’s safe to say that every shot in the NBA is a difficult shot. If it was easy then people like you and I would be playing in the NBA and getting paid millions.

32. June 8th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    dk says:

    Heres some more : Cleavland wants R. Wallace for a short term deal, the Knick will be making a bid at Gortat, and the Lakers won the chip last night thanks to Lee, Courtney Lee….

33. June 8th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    Ian says:

    dk
    i wouldnt mind seeing gortat with the spurs.

    doc
    he kinda fucked up but i dont consider that a choke to much stuff going for me to call it that.

34. June 8th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    jmg says:

    Lakers won, Magic lost! Lee missed the lay-up, that simple…it happens all the time in the NBA by rookies or seasoned vets. It still went into OT and the Lakers pulled it out.
    On to Game 3! hoping the Lakers come out like they did in Game 6 in Denver and put a strangle-hold on this series

35. June 8th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

    meathead says:

    The lakers won because the whole overtime was a lopsided free-throw parade. It was a goaltend, but not in front of the Laker bandwagon. None of the officials had the BAlls to call it.

36. June 8th, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    John says:

    The Magic needs to go Miami Heat 2006 to win it all ,,, The problem is that they dont have D-Wade and the Lakers superstar is Kobe, not Dirk ,,, The series is over, Lee could be a hero, but he choke. Lakers will win 1 in Orlando and finish in 6.

37. June 8th, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    hdfkh says:

    wasn’t a goaltend. they explained the rule right after the shot during the replays.

    the rule basically says that it isn’t a goaltend if it doesnt affect the shot.

38. June 8th, 2009 at 3:35 pm

    MJAX says:

    He missed the shot, it was a tough shot to make and an incredible angle, great inbound play, and you have to attack Kobe, like he’s attacking you. With that said, there is no point during any game anywhere on this earth where you will play, watch, coach, referee, announce, or glance at where you can hit the rim while the ball is near it and that be legal. We all had to sit there and watch the numerous replays of Rashard’s toe to see if it was on the line on that three in the corner. But for the game we don’t review Gasol pushing his hand through the rim, baffling.. Somebody on the Magic’s staff, like Patrick Ewing should have went nuts on that play to prove a point, this is for the big marbles, they let that slide and the end result was a loss.

39. June 8th, 2009 at 3:58 pm

    Ian says:

    john
    you think it was wade that won that series and dirk that lost it? pleaseeeeeee it was all on the refs

40. June 8th, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    knock knock says:

    ey Mjax, have you played basketball before?? because you obviously don’t know the rules of a goaltend. It’s if it affects the trajectory of the shot or whatnot. Gasol touching the rim with his pinkie did not affect lee’s shot whatsoever so get that outta your head.

    * Watch the damn vid and you would see he CLEARLY threw the ball too hard off the board as he saw pau was right there.

    - IF you wanna see a real goaltend, rewind to the 1st where dwight puts his whole hand through the rim to block pau’s shot. THAT was hilarious

41. June 8th, 2009 at 4:47 pm

    MJAX says:

    I definitely play basketball better than you spell, ey..
    It’s basket interference: basket interference is the violation of (a) touching the ball or any part of the basket while the ball is on the rim of the basket or within the cylinder extending upwards from the rim, (b) reaching up through the basket from below and touching the ball, be it inside or outside the cylinder, or (c) pulling down on the rim of the basket so that it contacts the ball before returning to its original position. It is important to note that how the ball gets into the cylinder or onto the basket is irrelevant; e.g., a throw-in touched within the cylinder is basket interference, even though such a play could not score a goal.
    I’ve seen the video, and too hard or not, you can’t interfere with the rim – BOTTOM LINE. Had you ever touched a rim or hung on one, that wasn’t Nerf, you’d know that your weight affects the ball going through..

    They were both goal tended/interfered with. If the first one wasn’t called, why should I expect the second I guess. Everyone is talking about professionalism, what about the professional refs blowing calls?!

42. June 8th, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    the cynic says:

    Courtney Lee will have a good long NBA career, no doubt. That doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be ripped on for what has to be one of the most crushing losses in an NBA finals game i’ve ever seen.

43. June 8th, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    the cynic says:

    also, Courtney Lee never even saw gasol, he was all alone and he knew it

44. June 8th, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    POPPI GEE says:

    I usually don’t go from post to post giving the same message but. This behind the seems from the game last night is worth it.

    CHECK THIS OUT! Great behind the scenes stuff of game 2.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hldcway6Vu0&feature=channel_page

45. June 8th, 2009 at 5:39 pm

    POPPI GEE says:

    What is crazy is that most if not all of the dudes clowning Lee couldn’t even make that shot either. That looks like a very easy shot in slow-motion but forget about all the pressure that went with that shot, but in real time that is just a very hard shot.

    I promise most of the players on the court of that game couldn’t make that shot either. Dude was in the air, going foward fast, pratically under the backboard, caught it where he has to hoist it up and then try to, while his body is in motion, softly lay it up off the glass.

    I don’t even matter, that was a hard shot and props to the young man for making it that close.

    Can’t put that all on him. Dwight get ripped all those times , JJ missing wide open 3’s, Hedo fouling and the whole team losing defensive assignments from time to time.

    If anything Lee should be mad at the squad and himself (cause he missed a layup before that one too) for him having to be at that point.

46. June 8th, 2009 at 8:57 pm

    WTF says:

    It’s like nobody saw the play. Kobe threw the timing of this play off big time. Not saying they should have called a foul but that’s why this play failed. If Kobe doesn’t lay a hand on Lee he dunks the ball or at the very least has a easy layup. That shot was not easy at all!! I’m tripping on how only a few people are mentioning the hold. It knocked him off by a second maybe and that’s all that was needed. Good basketball play by Kobe, no call by officials (tough call at that time), OT, gametime.

47. June 9th, 2009 at 1:44 am

    Jerry says:

    What about the turnovers and missed free throws, this was a great chance for Lee to make history, but he didn’t get it done. It’s not the only reason the Magic lost

48. June 9th, 2009 at 2:20 am

    QQ says:

    @ 46:

    Seeing this comments, I believe these assholes did not watch the fucking game, went to SI.com, read the story about Lee missing a game winning layup, assumed that if it’s a ‘layup’, it should be easy as hell, went here to post their ‘reaction’ and smiled at home thinking ‘I am a genius’.

49. June 9th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    verb says:

    perfect pass? maybe u need to watch it again…good pass maybe, but not perfect, he had to pull it from under the backboard and back up onto the glass, not to say he should have missed, but perfect pass? come on now

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