By BRENDAN HALL
Down 0-3 against the Dallas Mavericks in the western conference semifinals, the Los Angeles Lakers had the opportunity to redeem themselves and prove that they still had some fight left in them. However, they showed the wrong kind of fight and instead embarrassed themselves in front of the entire nation.
Down 30 points with eight minutes remaining in the game, Lakers center Andrew Bynum flagrantly threw an elbow into the ribs of Mavericks guard Jose Juan Barea while he was in mid-air, sending him hard to the ground in pain. Then, without showing any emotion or apologizing for the dirty play, Bynum took off his jersey mid-court in a petty act of defiance and was ejected from the game.
Bynum’s foul was one of the most disgraceful, childish and mean-spirited plays the National Basketball Association has ever seen. In front of millions of viewers, Bynum embarrassed himself, his coach and an entire franchise.
The Lakers had so much to prove; it was head coach Phil Jackson’s final game if they were to lose, and everyone expected them to come out and show why they were the two-time defending champions. Instead the team closed their eyes on defense and played dead, proving that they were more quitters than champions.
And Bynum’s play made a team that appeared to be at rock bottom plummet lower. Just as bad as the foul was Bynum’s complete and utter lack of respect for the game and for the players. He knew what he did was thuggish and unnecessary, but instead of helping Barea or showing any sign of remorse, he simply took off his shirt and left.
So, the next time the Lakers are backed in a corner and want to come out swinging, they shouldn’t take it so literally.
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