That Detroit announcer sounds like a thug. He says DETROIT BALL! like he was going to kill someone if anybody contested him on it. I’ve decided that watching a meaningless game when you’re out of the playoffs is much more fun than watching one where you’re just resting players. Something about not trying on purpose that really bugs me, that’s what this game was. AP and Bosh out of the lineup and Skywalker in the starting five, I don’t dig but Uros Slokar does. We got to rest our big guns for the New Jersey series, I’m resigned to this now. Washington’s in a free fall and the sad part is that it might be Mo Pete’s buzzer-beating miracle shot that’s the cause of this uneasiness. If he hadn’t made that three, we’d probably be playing the Wiz. Poor Mo can’t do anything right. The beloved Wiz lost to Orlando so Chicago has to beat NJ and Washington must beat Indiana for us to play the Wiz – tough luck.
So Joey Crawford T’d up Tim Duncan for laughing on the bench for what Crawford believed was Tim Duncan showing him up after Crawford seemingly called a ridiculous foul against the Spurs, one of many on the night. So now Joey Crawford’s making subjective calls about player behavior while they’re not in the game? What’s next, calling fouls before they happen? Wait, that actually does happen. It was awesome to see David Stern take some action and suspend Crawford indefinitely showing that the refs are not above the law.The NBA refs are probably the worst of any sports league. The game is called differently in the first and fourth quarters, make-up calls happen way too often, player protection is ridiculous and refs get influenced by coaches and players too easily. In some cases, there’s even a history between a ref and player to the point that a player is actually paranoid when that ref is calling the game (Iverson and Steve Javie). The refs are heavily protected by the NBA and have the ability to affect the outcome of a game or playoff series to a much higher degree than in any other sport. The worst part about this is that they’re rarely held accountable for bad calls and can get away with it. They know this and relish the power.
If you look at the Tim Duncan video you’ll see three absolutely horrible calls in a span of a couple minutes which is mind-boggling. There are other instances of clear ref bias, Kobe Bryant being robbed against Cleveland going all the way back to Scottie Pippen’s phantom foul called by Hue Hollins against the Knicks. Some NBA refs have a serious inferiority complex towards the players, they see these multi-million dollar athletes and they don’t want to take any shit from them so once in a while they go out of their way to show their distaste for them. Joey Crawford wants to quit because his decision to eject Duncan is being questioned. From ESPN Insider:
Crawford made it clear to NBA executive vice president Stu Jackson on Tuesday that he would eject Duncan again if the circumstances were the same. Crawford likewise informed superiors (including NBA commissioner David Stern) and fellow referees via e-mail Tuesday that “if my employer does not think that was acceptable, I have a problem” reffing in the future. Crawford has maintained from the start that Duncan deserved two technicals for what he deemed to be disrespecting the game by “laughing [at] and mocking the officials.”
Crawford, meanwhile, seemed to be saying goodbye in his message to bosses and colleagues, writing: “Please do not be sad for me [as] I have had a great run and a great career and NOBODY will ever take that from me.” He also likened his situation to longtime ref Jake O’Donnell, who was barred by the league from working the 1995 NBA Finals after refusing to shake hands with Houston’s Clyde Drexler before a ’95 playoff game and later ejecting Drexler. O’Donnell never refereed in the league again.
Nice knowing you Joey. I’m sure the NBA will have real trouble finding a replacement for you.
So I got Game 2 tickets off a season ticket holder for $120, actual price of the ticket? $54. These guys are making a killing! I’m thinking of actually lining up somewhere to try to get as many Game 5 tickets and selling them off at a 250% markup, it’s hard to argue with the mathematics here. Game 1 and 2 tickets were gone in less than five minutes after coming out so I don’t know how much success my plan might meet. Either way, it’s worth a shot.
Did I mention Uros Slokar had a career night? Well, he did, albeit against the Pistons bench but it’d be interesting to see what he can do if he’s matched up against Collins, Moore or Kristic in the NJ series. Should be fun but I doubt he’ll see the light of day. Mo Pete hyperextended his knee, apparently it doesn’t look too serious, not that he’s getting any meaningful playing time. Highlights here.
Update: More terrible calls by NBA refs from Suns/Spurs Game 3.
