Let’s get something straight, if the media has an opportunity to be over-the-top, and blow an action out of proportion (depending, of course, on the network and program…), nine times out of ten, they will! On top of flops, on top of absolute overreaction, we have another on-court incident between the Lakers and Warriors jumping the shark. Kevon Looney, when reaching for a free throw, had his forearm inadvertently swipe the side of Anthony Davis’s face and may have bumped his temple. I’ve watched the replay of this action a dozen times, and I cannot truly equate the reaction that unfolded following the incidental contact. Full disclosure, having done a previous piece on ‘an inconvenient truth’ regarding the NFL and their lack of actions relating to CTE, I do not take the risk of concussions lightly. There’s been no mention or follow up statements made by the Lakers team doctor, or Unibrow about possible concussion, or needing to continue concussion protocol; although, it’s been mentioned ad nauseum every time it’s highlighted on a sports update. Inadvertent contact is going to happen. Although basketball is supposedly a non-contact sport… Uh-hum, some may beg to differ.
Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith on TNT’s broadcast NBA playoffs coverage, could not resist chuckling. They may be receiving some backlash regarding their reaction. They may be giggling, due to the fact, where this forearm swipe did not deserve the over-exaggerated reaction by Anthony Davis. Let me do everyone a solid, and give a link of some ‘intense’ head bashing contact Charles and Kenny survived when they graced the hardwood in the late 1980’s and 1990’s:
The added fuel to an already intense playoff series is irresponsible, and feeding a narrative that should be squashed. AD may have a little tenderness, or possible bruise; that’s it! End of discussion! Done! Donezo! Capiche?!
Let’s move on to the upcoming game six between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. We travel back down I-5 to Lala Land to what should be another physical and grueling 48 minutes. There are two takes on this Friday night lights special depending, of course, your regional allegiance. If you’re pumping the purple and gold, you do not want to take the 75 minute flight back to San Francisco for a Mother’s Day game seven. If you’re repping the ‘We Believe’ squad, you’re expecting the most aggressive and physical game of the series, and need to leave it all on the hardwood in hopes of hosting a Mother’s Day classic finale. We definitely have a must-watch California rivalry and we’re here for it! There’s nothing greater for sports fans than a hope-and-a-prayer possibility of a seven-game series!
No comments:
Post a Comment