Food for thought

Was Kobe poisoned? Maybe, maybe not

It’s the latest NBA conspiracy theory.

Was Kobe Bryant’s food-poisoning experience before Game 2 of the Western Conference finals an inside job? Did somebody at the local Sacramento hotel room service deliberately "spike" his cheeseburger? That’s what several readers in this week’s mailbag wondered.

Michael from L.A. says the NBA should investigate. Jeff from Indiana wonders if this sort of thing could become a trend. Even Lakers forward Robert Horry said before Game 2 he wouldn’t be shocked to learn of such an act.

Keep in mind that it would take a really crazy person -- let alone a crazed fan -- to risk his job and possible criminal charge by tainting somebody’s food. Still, the NBA apparently recognizes the possibility. A league source involved in security told me that an inquiry was made to the hotel, but wouldn’t comment further.

In the meantime Bryant might want to consider adding a food-taster to his retinue of private security guards. Or, as he said after the game, "Next time I want a cheeseburger, I’ll go to McDonald’s."

Back in the Rick Pitino days in Boston, they used to say he was a good coach but a bad general manager (see Travis Knight, Ron Mercer, Vitaly Potapenko, etc.) … Now I think we need to give credit where credit is due. After all, wasn’t he responsible for the Celtics acquiring Antoine Walker, Paul Pierce, Kenny Anderson, and Eric Williams … In this case, it seems, time has been the better judge. How do you rate him as a GM? -- Jamie, Arlington, Va.

Sorry, Jamie, but Pitino the GM gets little or no credit for the Celtics’ rise. Walker was drafted by the previous regime, and Pierce was an obvious selection after falling all the way to No. 10 in the ’98 draft. Yes, Pitino traded for Anderson and Williams, but Anderson never worked out until Jim O’Brien took over as coach and Williams was acquired only to get Danny Fortson and only after Pitino had dumped him two years earlier. Meanwhile, he gave up a first-round pick to the Cavs for Potapenko, a selection that turned out to be Andre Miller. Despite the team’s current success, Pitino was for the most part a Beantown bust -- as coach and GM.

With Charlotte moving to New Orleans, what are the chances of the Hornets moving to the Western Conference and Minnesota moving to the East? This would greatly help the T'wolves, who will have trouble with the big four in the West but could contend for the East title. -- Ross Scherer, Osseo, Minn.

Sorry, Ross, but a league spokesman said Monday there were no plans for the Hornets to shift to the Western Conference. Besides, even if they did move, wouldn’t the Grizzlies seem a more likely candidate to switch places? After all, Memphis is located east of Minneapolis.

Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant each recently received first-team All-NBA honors. When was the last time two players from the same team made All-NBA first team? -- Andrew Dowthwaite, Simi Calley, Cal.

The last duo to accomplish the feat were Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of the 1995-96 Bulls. Others to accomplish it since 1980 include: Utah’s John Stockton and Karl Malone ('93-94 and '94-95); Boston’s Larry Bird and Kevin McHale ('86-87); Los Angeles’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson ('83-84 and '85-86); and Philadelphia’s Julius Erving and Moses Malone ('82-83).

As a longtime NBA fan, I am getting turned off by all the touch fouls being called. More and more, it seems officials are blowing the whistle at the slightest physical contact. I hate seeing basketball games being decided by referees sending players to the free-throw line on "cheap" fouls. What are your thoughts on the situtation? -- Nelson Powell, Buffalo

I prefer a tightly called game, Nelson, so long as the refs don’t go overboard. Basketball is supposed to be a game of skill and finesse, not a wrestling match. Though some physical play is to be expected, especially down close to the basket, where real estate is so precious, the NBA let it get out of hand in the late 1980s and early '90s with the Bad Boys and Pat Riley’s Knicks. Who wants to see the world’s greatest athletes being grabbed and held and prevented from moving around the court?

If the Lakers win the NBA championship again this season, would Phil Jackson become the first coach in the NBA or any major sports history to three-peat three different times? I don't even think Boston's Red Auerbach can lay claim to this accomplishment. Please clear this up for us. -- Roderick Story, Detroit

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Jackson would be the first coach in any major pro sport to pull off the triple three-peat. Not even Auerbach could lay claim to the accomplishment, though Red’s Celtics did win eight straight titles from 1959 to ’66. That’s an NBA record the Zen Master won’t ever touch, though he might have had a chance if Michael Jordan hadn’t retired for those two years between Chicago’s three-peats.

I notice that you, like most other basketball commentators, use the term "downtown" to describe the 3-point area behind the arc. Who started this? Wouldn't it be more accurate to use "downtown" to describe the lane, where things are crowded and bustling with activity, and where all the towers are standing? From where I stand, Steve Kerr is a marksman who makes his living shooting from "the farm." Please do something about this before I go completely insane. -- Scott, Colorado Springs

Maybe you’re onto something, Scott. After all, players also are more likely to get their "pockets picked" in the lane (i.e., downtown) as opposed to standing out by "the farm." I have no idea who first coined the term "downtown" for the area beyond the 3-point arc, but I’m pretty sure it’s here to stay.

Were the Lakers entitled to any compensation, like a draft pick or a player, because Jerry West went to the Grizzlies? And if not, why did Memphis ask the Lakers for permission to speak with him? -- Paul, San Francisco

West was under contract with the Lakers as a "consultant" before leaving for Memphis, and L.A. could have demanded compensation or refused to let him leave. However, Lakers PR director John Black said team owner Dr. Jerry Buss never asked for compensation out of respect for West. "He didn’t want to do anything to stand in Jerry’s way," Black said.

What is the per diem for NBA players when they are on the road? I know it is considered a business trip, but it seems kind of funny that guys making $3 to $15 million a year would need money for meals. By the way, is your per diem as much as theirs? -- Byron Jordan, Longview, Tex.

NBA players received a $93 per diem on the road during the 2001-02 season, according to the league. It’s part of the labor agreement and covers all players, not just those with million-dollar salaries. Lakers guard Lindsey Hunter, by the way, became slightly annoyed when I asked him about the per diem recently. He wondered why the media and public felt it had the right to know how much money players earned. Besides, as Hunter knows, room service at the Ritz can be pricey. As for my own per diem, let’s just say I’ll be joining Kobe at McDonald’s.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

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