I’ve watched that Kobe/Jones play a dozen times, and Jones plays about the best defense you can on a shot like that – stays close to Kobe, cuts off baseline penetration, barely leaves his feet, yet contests the shot, etc. Kobe missed the shot and landed awkwardly. That is all. Even if Jones’ foot was involved, it was completely accidental and not a “dangerous play” on Jones’ part. I'm someone who has torn an ankle ligament landing on a defender's foot after a jump shot. I know the difference between accidental and intentional.
Nothing Jones does shows intent to injure Kobe. It was a split-second play. Jones isn't looking at the ground or Kobe's feet, trying to position his feet under him. As soon as Jones contests the shot, he turns to watch it. His back is to Kobe as Kobe comes down.
There is no intent there. This isn't a Bruce Bowen or Ron Artest move - both of whom used to look at the defenders feet and position their feet directly in their landing zone. That's dirty.
Nothing Jones does is dirty. Watch the play again. Watch it in slow-mo. You'll eventually see it for what it is - Kobe simply lands awkwardly as the result of an awkward shot.
Kobe is pathetic for whining after the game that Jones’ defense was a “dangerous play” (it wasn’t) and that you’re not supposed to get that close to shooters (you have to unless you want them to score 50 points). I’m sure Kobe would have preferred that Jones back up, bow, and allow Kobe to shoot from whichever position he deemed satisfactory. Kobe loves to whine, and loves to stare down officials every time he doesn't get a call. He's a brat. He's so used to getting everything he wants because he's Kobe Bryant.
The most ridiculous part of this story is that it has become a story at all. I heard Kenny Smith (who I believe is a massive idiot) agreeing with Kobe on NBA TV, going as far as calling Jones a dirty player, before quickly retracting that statement. Then, I switched over to ESPN, where the anchors were dissecting the video as if it were the Zapruder film. They, of course, couldn’t make up their minds, but decided nonetheless that Kobe must be right, because, you know, he’s Kobe. Then, I wake up this morning to the radio discussing Kobe’s comments, and I live in NYC (not LA).
I’m sure if Davide Stern could, he would reschedule the final five seconds of last night’s game, award Kobe foul shots (you know, since he missed the jumper), and toss Jones from the game for playing defense. Heck, he already had the officials come out and say they missed the call and poor Kobe should have been gifted free throws. Officials admit mistakes once in a blue moon (and blow about fifty calls per night across the league), so why admit they were wrong on this one?
It's all because it's Kobe Bryant and he whined after the game, and then later on Twitter, and then his wife posted a photo to Instagram.........
Don’t worry, Kobe. I’m sure you’ll never miss another game-tying/game-winning jumper without being awarded free throws. That’s only fair because you’re Kobe, right?
What a freakin’ joke this league is becoming. Let the superstars whine, whine, whine. I'm going to tune out on this league eventually. I'm getting tired of this crap. Kobe's ego makes me sick. Wow, you sprained your ankle on your 33rd shot of the game. Get over it.
Another thing: If this were Rudy Gay or Evan Turner or LaMarcus Aldridge - all stars in their own right, but nowhere near the superstar level of Kobe or Durant or LeBron - taking this shot and hurting their ankle there wouldn't even be a story here. And, if it were Jones shooting it over Kobe and injuring his ankle, no media member would care one bit.
In my opinion, it's more dangerous having the photographers stationed right under the basket. Players trip over them all the time.
p.s. This happens on the same night as Sebastian Telfair getting tossed from a game for getting massively frustrated by Avery Bradley’s fantastic pressure defense. See, defense is a part of basketball.
Topic: this whole kobe and protecting shooters is ridiculous (Read 13340 times)