Silent Whistle Sounds a Strident Protest

They are stronger than Karl Malone, craftier than John Stockton. They can end a big game with one non-call. No, they’re not gods, they are the Utah referees. I really don’t think the NBA had this in mind on the subject of the home-court advantage.

GREG KUPKA

South Pasadena

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If that had been John Stockton with the ball, with Elden Campbell guarding him at the end of Game 2, not only would the refs have called a foul as soon as Elden got within five feet of Stockton, it probably would have been called a flagrant foul.

P.J. GENDELL

Beverly Hills

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After watching Shaq’s performance in the first two games of the second round, I’m beginning to understand the reason Orlando had a pleasant attitude about letting him go. He looked more like “The Man of Aluminum” to me. Maybe we should have given Greg Ostertag $121 million. Shaq, stop worrying about your horrible rap albums and commercials and start making people believe you’re worth the money.

As for the rest of the Laker team, they lack what every championship contender needs in this league: heart. The only two players making any impact on this series are the oldest and lowest paid (Kersey and Scott). They are also the only two that know what it takes to play in the NBA finals. If the rest of the Lakers don’t start playing with the heart and desire of these two veterans, they will be on the golf course [soon].

TIM KOSOR

Sherman Oaks

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Of course we knew the Lakers would scream and cry about the last-second uncalled foul on Van Exel, but the fact is this: If Mr. O’Neal would learn to make a shot when he is more than arm’s length from the basket, the Lakers would have been up by six to 12 points and the foul wouldn’t have mattered.

RICHARD VARENCHIK

Valencia

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Has anyone bothered to check how many points are lost to the opposition as a result of the constant bellyaching?

Wake up, Lakers! Stop the crying, button up the lips and get down to the business of the playoffs.

AL MAYFIELD

Los Angeles