I very much want to see the Lakers lose because:
1. I very much dislike the style of basketball that involves tossing
the ball into somebody built like a cement truck, and then watching
while he backs over somebody and then throws in a layup. Basketball is
a game of style, grace and speed; if I want to see the triumph of
brute force I'll go watch a weightlifting contest, or maybe a rugby match.
2. Apropos of the above, I get tired of seeing Shaqipoo commit twenty
or thirty offensive fouls every game and never get called for them.
His "superstar" status protects him.
3. The Lakers are afforded preferential treatment in everything from
commissioner's decisions to referees' calls BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE #1
MEDIA MARKET. The NBA has a VESTED INTEREST in keeping the Lakers
alive in the playoffs as long as possible. This ultimately translates
to higher ticket prices as teams desperately engage in bidding wars to
attract high-priced talent to offset the media team's unfair advantages.
4. Speaking of preferential treatment, can you believe that Kobe Beef
is being allowed to play during his trial for RAPE? And can you
believe the horrible treatment being afforded his victim (she has been
hounded away from her home and her job, has received death threats,
etc.)? Or, for that matter, can you believe the number of people who
believe he's innocent just BECAUSE he's a famous NBA superstar?
I'd like to see the Kings win tonight, as they would provide a much
better opponent for the Lakers than the Timberwolves (who the Lakers
would crush flat). However, since the game's in Minnesota, and both
Sacto and Minneapolis are secondary media markets (thus no referee
bias), I don't think that's likely. Ecch.