The Weight of a Season Balances on One Word

The Los Angeles Lakers and their fans may find out how important one word can be to an entire season and perhaps ending this teams dynasty run.  

After all that the Lakers have played for this season, last night Kobe was ejected from a game against the San Antonio Spurs for calling a referee a gay slur. Kobe felt he was fouled on a play in which he was called for a charge. Upset by the call he yelled the slur at the referee and was promptly kicked out. The Lakers won the game, even though Bryant did not finish nor did Andrew Bynum due to a knee injury (hyper extended knee).

What’s so important about Kobe being ejected? Several things. First the Lakers are fighting for the second seed in the NBA West. If the playoffs were to start today they would be matched up against the New Orleans Hornets, whom they have a 4-0 record against this season. A team they can win a series against without Bynum thus allowing him to rest until their next series. Bynum figures to be a key player for the Lakers if they are to defend their title and make a deep push into the playoffs.

Secondly, if Dallas wins their next game and the Lakers lose, the Lakers will get the third seed. Their first round opponent would be the Portland Trailblazers. Portland has been Lakers killers over the past few years and has a 2-2 record against them this season. Simply stated, this is a really tough match up for the Lakers.

Due to NBA rules for being ejected, Kobe may have to set out the Lakers final regular season game for that one word. If Bynum is unable to play due to his knee injury, the Lakers road to the NBA Championship just became that much more difficult as they have a must win game with two starters out. Think every game in the regular season doesn't count anymore?

I understand Kobe’s passion for winning which got the best of him last night, but why call the referee a gay slur? Sports fans know that there are just certain things players can never say to referees, umpires, etc… Did Crash Davis not teach us that lesson in “Bull Durham”? That was 25 years ago, and here we are today. Furthermore, Kobe knows better. He’s been in the league for 14 years. I’m sure he’ll get a hefty fine for that one word but what will be the ultimate outcome for the Lakers after that one word?

Just to clarify, I don’t care if the Lakers get the second or third seed. Dallas has not done much with the talent they have collected over the years thus I don’t see them doing much in the playoffs one way or another with that second seed. When they had the best record in the NBA a few years ago, they squandered it and were swept; fun to watch them play but they seem to lack heart or passion at times. Like them or not, at least the Lakers win and play with passion. All in all this looks like a nice ride for the Spurs into the NBA Championship. They better watch out for fresh legs coming out of Oklahoma and Denver.