Some Guys Just Like To Cry Foul

I’ve been playing ball with boys (I guess I could call them guys now) since I was 10 years old. I grew up watching them cry and complain on the court at the playground. They’d argue a foul, swear at one another and then try to show-up each other will silly Jordan-like (which were anything BUT Jordan-like) moves.

That was the one and only reason I didn’t like playing ball with guys. Of course, I will admit that I definitely became a better ball player by playing with them. I hate to admit it ladies, but guys are just in a different class physically than us. It isn’t as noticeable when we are kids, but you can certainly tell once you hit the late teens and early twenties.

I played in an all-guys basketball league in college. We had a team of all-girls and we played against guys. That league made me a better baller because I had to be quicker and smarter, I had to shoot better, I had to pass hard, and most importantly, I had to learn how to keep my cool.

Guys tend to be a little ill-tempered when it comes to fouls. (Maybe it’s all that testosterone?) They act like spoiled brats and complain to the ref, which is fine by me. I’d always let them whine and concentrate on the next play because I knew they’d still be thinking about it while I drove on them and tossed in a floater.

After watching game two of the NBA finals on Sunday, I realized that some things never change — even when you get to the NBA level.

Now, I will admit that there was a foul disparity. Boston went to the line 38 times to L.A.’s 10. BUT — if you saw the game, you’d understand why. Two words: Leon Powe (who Phil Jackson likes to call, “Pow?”)!

Powe drove the lane numerous times and yes he was contested on most of his shots. The reason the Lakers didn’t get to the foul line is because of the Celtic’s defense. They took away the lane from Kobe and the role players on the rest of the team weren’t nearly aggressive enough.

Kobe complained about not getting the calls — big surprise. He would laugh incredulously at Joe Crawford more than once, even getting a technical for it. He was off his game almost the entire night, albeit the 4th quarter comeback which was amazing. I agree that sometimes, you just don’t get the calls. Sometimes, the refs are blind. Sometimes, things just aren’t going to go your way.

But that doesn’t mean you should throw up your hands and cry about it. Suck it up. Keep driving to the basket and concentrate on the game. There’s nothing worse than throwing a hissy-fit and turning your back while the other team takes advantage of your inability to act like an adult and control your temper.

I think things are going to be different in game three. Kobe may even end up getting some “make-up” calls. But it wasn’t because of the foul disparity that the Lakers lost. It was simply because the Celtics played better. They played with more determination and heart. And they never lost sight of the game.

For another view on the foul issue, read Dan Wetzel’s column from Yahoo! Sports.

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