Kobe Bryant and Health Care Reform

[lyonspotter]

Is there an analogy here?

I mean, just last night Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers made a game-winning shot. But he took 4 steps without a dribble before he shot it. Isn't the rule you can only take 2? I hear the argument over and over that an NBA referee would never call a traveling violation against Bryant in that instance, because it would decide the game. Well, doesn't refraining from calling it decide the game as well??? (In the sense that it stops the opposing team, the Milwaukee Bucks, from winning?!)...

Here's the shot (1:08-1:22): http://espn.go.com/blog/TrueHoop/post/_/id/11587/kobe-bryant-in-a-nutshell

Here's what I am getting at... Why have we become a country where...when the chips are on the line...we default to doing what is wrong? We side with corruption. We can't call traveling on Kobe Bryant, and we certainly can't reform health care in the way the people have demanded because that would..."bankrupt the federal government" as Obama recently argued (yet we spend trillions in defense every year). ...and we can't bring the troops home from Iraq and Afghanistan as the people have requested and demanded for years and years...because that would admit that "the terrorists have won." When do we stop defaulting to what is wrong?! How many people will have to die each year (it's about 18,000...or the better part of three 9/11s per year) because they can't afford the health insurance!

Rec if you are absolutely SICK of this shit!

[niyad]

1. k and r--could not imagine from the title--but great piece

[lyonspotter]

2. Thanks! NT

[instantkarma]

3. I disagree

After watching it the video three times, it appears to me he only took two steps. He makes a spin move and does take a couple of quick steps. However, after both hands are touching the ball (having then picked up his dribble), he takes two more steps. His right foot (third step) is headed towards the floor as he releases the shot. Whether a foul was committed or not is another question.

[lyonspotter]

5. My intention with this really wasn't for it to devolve into...

Kobe fans, Lakers' fans, or whoever else coming to the defense of Kobe's use of steps.

I think it should be pretty clear that on the final shot of the game, Kobe took more than 2 steps (my count is 4)...but the referees would never call it because it would 'determine the game.' ...Which is pure excuse-making, because by not blowing the whistle, the referee determines the game just the same, and does not do the job that he's paid to do.

So the analogy in question is: have we assumed a stance that our default is to shy away from doing what is right. Our elected officials are put into office to do the will of the people...the people have demanded an end to the wars, demanded health care reform, and so many other needed things... yet the government just sits there with their whistles in their mouths!

[instantkarma]

4. How about this?

After that play, the Bucks still held a one-point lead. Then Redd missed a jump shot and the Lakers got the ball back with six seconds left.

In that situation, who's the one guy you don't want to get the ball? The one guy you know can beat you? Shouldn't your main goal be to prevent him from being in the position to beat you? The Bucks didn't, the guy guarding Bryant on the ensuing play was three inches shorter and Kobe made an easy turnaround jumper to win the game at the buzzer.

[lyonspotter]

6. How 'bout it? NT

[taught_me_patience]

7. Sorry man... that wasn't traveling. Bad analogy. /nt

[lyonspotter]

8. How many steps can a player have then, 4?

Learn the game.

[taught_me_patience]

9. He landed, took one step back from the pivot foot and shot.

that is not traveling and will never be called traveling in the NBA.

[lyonspotter]

10. Ha ha... no.

He picked up his dribble and proceeded to take 4 steps. Count them. There are 4 distinct steps Bryant takes between "the last time the ball touched the floor to again meet his hand" and "the moment when he shot it."

That is traveling.

But you are right, they will never call that in the NBA. And that is precisely my point and the problem in a nutshell: Our default is to betray the rules, and it certainly isn't only a problem in the NBA.

[lyonspotter]

11. Watch the play...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWePeWoEqGY

Watch the play. What I want you to tell me is how many times does Bryant's feet go into the air after he picks up his final dribble. After Bryant picks up his dribble, he establishes his right foot as his pivot foot (beginning of 0:25), but then his momentum carries him and he takes two additional steps (end of 0:25). Once establishing a pivot, it must remain anchored and the player cannot take additional steps. Bryant does.

[taught_me_patience]

12. I stand corrected. It was a travel. In slow motion, the pivot foot clearly lifts off. n/t.

Good analogy by the OP.