The Lakers are the moneymaker for the league. There is a reason anytime the Lakers get eliminated from the playoffs, it's a fukking blowout. It's because you have to blow them out to beat them. Anything close and the Lakers will get one of their patented 25-30 free throw 4th quarters if that's what it takes to keep them ahead.
THIS IS A STUPID LIE.....LAKERS WILL BRING IN THE MOST FANS AND HUGE REVENUE NO MATTER WHAT. ITS THE SMALL MARKET TEAMS THE LEAGUE IS WORRIED ABOUT, WHICH IN TURN CAUSES THEM TO BREAK THEIR BACK TRYIN TO GIVE THEM ANY SEMBLANCE OF A PUSH THAT THEY CAN.
2004 FINALS WAS NOTORIOUSLY REFFED AGAINST US, CUZ THE GENERAL NBA FAN NOT FROM LOS ANGELES WAS TIRED OF THE LAKERS DOMINANCE....2008 FINALS WAS REFFED AGAINST US, AS WELL.
KOBE WAS BY FAR THE LEAST RESPECTED SUPERSTAR BY REFS IN NBA HISTORY.
ITS WELL DOCUMENTED AND THERES REALLY NO WAY TO SPIN YOUR WAY OUT OF THOSE FACTS.