2011/2012 NBA Thread: Where Weather Happens

[JaD]

Magic calling Rondo's performance one of the best from a guard he has ever seen.

Seriously, it was unreal. In the end when he hit his last 2 3's I was like

44 pts on 16/24 shooting, 10 reb. and 8 assists. He played all 53 minutes, and scored all 12 points for Boston in overtime.

 

[Matt]

Just watched the recap on SportsCenter, of course there wasn't a single mention of the shoddy officiating. I think I'm just gonna watch the Stanley Cup finals instead of basketball for a little bit. At least those games are determined between two teams, not two teams and the refs.

Well, Dan Patrick is criticizing the refs hardcore. NOW ESPN will start doing it.

 

[Scrandy Randy]

Bill Simmons was *****ing on his twitter last night because he's a Boston homer. Anyone hear him complaining on anything besides twitter yet?

 

[Erzengel]

Doesn't the Heat play an offense where they drive towards the basket while the Celtics are more of a perimeter shooting team? You would think the Heat would get more calls for their style of play? Of course there was one shot at the end against Rondo that wasn't called.

 

[Mister J]

Go, Dan! I wonder if he'll mention that LeBron got popped by KG with no call on the sequence right before Wade's play on Rondo's drive. Or maybe that Rondo practically reached through LeBron from behind to swipe at the ball, proceeded by latching onto his entire lower arm in forcing that late jump ball. Nah, let's make the sure the *****fest ignores anything contrary to the narrative. GMAFB.

 

[TheIncredibleSk]

Man The Heat got two call that truly changed the game. That no call on Rondo in overtime and BS Wade call where he karate kicked dude and didn't get the offensive foul call. Those calls gave the game to the Heat.

 

[JaD]

The Celtics were shooting something like 60% from the field in the first half and didn't need to attack and draw any fouls. People will just look at the FT stats at the end of the game or a missed call or 2 in the end and say the refs are idiots but for Game 2 the Celtics were going off and not really trying to get to the line. They, especially Rondo, were hitting their jumpshots. Heat are all about attack, attack, attack, since they have 2 of the best finishers in the game.

 

[Matt]

Man The Heat got two call that truly changed the game. That no call on Rondo in overtime and BS Wade call where he karate kicked dude and didn't get the offensive foul call. Those calls gave the game to the Heat.

That's my problem with it. If these happened in the middle of the third quarter, I don't think that the backlash would be quite as bad. Bad calls happen, it is part of the game. In the NBA particularly it is easy to overlook as bad calls seldom effect the game in the way that it does a football or baseball game. Basketball is such a high scoring affair that one play or bad call seldom makes a huge difference. However, those bad calls entirely determined the outcome of the game and I think that is why we are seeing the outrage at this level. I don't think it is because it was the Heat. I think you'd see the same backlash if it happened in the Celtics favor or happened in a game between Cleveland and Phoenix. It is being scrutinized because it is a moment that can be pinpointed that really changed the outcome of that particular game.

 

[Darthphere]

Yes, two non free throws decided the game. Lets assume Rondo gets the call and goes to the line. He makes both free throws. The whole basis of your argument is that the Heat what? Never score again? I mean, I know what you're getting at but this game was not lost on that one call. It's just pure hypothetical garbage. I can sit here and say "Well Rondo would've made his two free throws and then Shane Battier would have made a 3 and gotten fouled in the process so there." This *****ing and crying about the refs is just pure unadulterated hate for the Heat and the inability to give them credit for winning a tight game. Not so much on Matt's part but everyone else, stop hating.

 

[Docker2.0]

Tonight is the night peeps! Tonight, Westbrook is going to go all Kobe and cause the Thunder to lose and blow up at either Durant or the coach. Who wants to take that bet?

 

[Matt]

Yes, two non free throws decided the game. Lets assume Rondo gets the call and goes to the line. He makes both free throws. The whole basis of your argument is that the Heat what? Never score again? I mean, I know what you're getting at but this game was not lost on that one call. It's just pure hypothetical garbage. I can sit here and say "Well Rondo would've made his two free throws and then Shane Battier would have made a 3 and gotten fouled in the process so there." This *****ing and crying about the refs is just pure unadulterated hate for the Heat and the inability to give them credit for winning a tight game. Not so much on Matt's part but everyone else, stop hating.

You're right, victory wasn't assured for the Celtics had Rondo drawn the foul but there is no denying that by not giving the foul and then by giving the questionable three point play on the next possession, with such little time left, the refs all but sealed the deal for the Heat. Those two plays entirely changed the flow of the game, gave one team all but certain victory and gave another all but certain defeat.

Just for the record, I am not calling for an offensive foul on the drive after the head shot either. I think the refs should've left well enough alone as both player's contact was at best incidental but because it was a star, Wade, they were way too whistle happy. That's how they were all night. LeBron had 24 free throws. At least ten of those should not have drawn whistles. NBA refs need to take a page from the book of NHL refs and sometimes just let the game be played.

 

[SentinelMind]

The Rondo/Wade call...I can see....but I think the referees were right on the Wade, Garnett call, Garnett was trying to shove Wade down.

Awesome game....I was worried when Heat were down in first half...but man that overtime was sweet.

Anyway, Go Miami!!

 

[Matt]

But Wade clearly made contact first and that makes it an offensive foul. None the less, I think it is a wash. Both were making contact. Even if Wade did a mil-second before, the kick did not force Garnett to make contact with Wade. But keep in mind, that offensive break and sequence of events does not happen if play is stopped because Rondo is fouled.

 

[Docker2.0]

Matt, I'm going to be real, until Miami is on the other end of bad called games, the Heat "fans" won't see it. It's like telling a deer not to walk in a forest during deer season or it's like telling Shawn Kemp that he should really think about birth control but..........well you see how that worked out. 30 kids later and darn near broke, it was falling on def ears.

 

[Darthphere]

Matt, I'm going to be real, until Miami is on the other end of bad called games, the Heat "fans" won't see it. It's like telling Shawn Kemp that he should really think about birth control but..........well you see how that worked out. 30 kids later and darn near broke, it was falling on def ears.

Um, the Pacers series? You're going to tell me the Heat got all the calls in that series? Docker, seriously. Quit while you're ahead.

 

[Docker2.0]

Um, the Pacers series? You're going to tell me the Heat got all the calls in that series? Docker, seriously. Quit while you're ahead.

My gawd Darth. I really haven't been complaining about the refs that much. And I said "fans" meaning bandwagon, not including you because I don't think you are. Most people who watch basketball admit there is a ref problem. It's just that...........I have no idea where I'm going with this.

 

[Darthphere]

I mean, officiating has been a problem in the NBA for a while now. I think the NBA needs to infuse some younger "talent" into their ranks. It's pretty sad that we know Danny Crawford by name for example. These guys hold too much power and like to go on power trips all the time.

 

[Mister J]

Um, the Pacers series? You're going to tell me the Heat got all the calls in that series? Docker, seriously. Quit while you're ahead.

Or that horse**** call that went against Battier on the Carmelo 3 late in Game 4. Maybe Paul Millsap going over UD's damn back all damn night, including pretty much shoving him out of the way for an offensive rebound and putback to send it to OT in that godawful home game against Utah last year. Then again, maybe we need to get old school with it. I can recall Daquean Cook practically being mugged by Derek Fisher on an last second 3 to tie the game in LA back in the 08-09 season. I wonder if that would suffice or if I need a running transcript of every sorry ass crybaby effort that could come to mind over the course of a particular session of 48 game minutes.

Yeah, the Heat have never, ever had a call go against them. Ever. Always good to have the refs looking out. Just like they protected Miami all throughout the Finals last year. Oh wait, they ****ing didn't.

 

[Matt]

Crawford more or less taunts the players. It is disgusting how juvenile some of the NBA refs act. It is like watching the Stanford Prison Experiment.

The NBA and David Stern would like to act as if getting rid of Tim Donaghy completely fixed their ref problem, but it didn't by a long shot. The NBA has the worst refs in all of professional sports and there is no real way for coaches and players to hold them accountable. This is in large part due to Stern not allowing for any serious oversight as he does not want it tainting the league. The NBA is desperately in need of referee reform.

If I were to rank the big four US pro sports refs it would be the following:

1) NHL
2) MLB
3) NFL
4) NBA

Interestingly enough, I'd probably rank the four commissioners in the same fashion. Eh, Goodell may surpass Selig. I'd have to think that one over.

 

[Darthphere]

Crawford more or less taunts the players. It is disgusting how juvenile some of the NBA refs act. It is like watching the Stanford Prison Experiment.

The NBA and David Stern would like to act as if getting rid of Tim Donaghy completely fixed their ref problem, but it didn't by a long shot. The NBA has the worst refs in all of professional sports and there is no real way for coaches and players to hold them accountable. This is in large part due to Stern not allowing for any serious oversight as he does not want it tainting the league. The NBA is desperately in need of referee reform.

If I were to rank the big four US pro sports refs it would be the following:

1) NHL
2) MLB
3) NFL
4) NBA

Interestingly enough, I'd probably rank the four commissioners in the same fashion. Eh, Goodell may surpass Selig. I'd have to think that one over.

117) MLS refs.

 

[runawayboulder]

If I were to rank the big four US pro sports refs it would be the following:

1) NHL
2) MLB
3) NFL
4) NBA

I'd probably flip the MLB and NFL. I think football officials have gotten better with replay while the MLB umps have got worse.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

A no call on a foul on a layup that could have tied the game had no effect?

No. That had no effect on The Heat playing D and O in the following series. All I hear are excuses, to be honest. There been several obvious fouls that Miami did not get from the refs (including a few questionable calls that went against them) when they were playing The Pacers.

Yet, did I come into these boards and *****? No. That's the game. Sometimes a ref misses the foul or calls a bad one. Tough ****. You move on as a professional.

I remember a few years ago, I was watching the Charger-Bronco game, and it was a really tight contest right down to the very last second, but apparently the game has forever been associated with Ed Hochuli's botched call. It shouldn't have. The Chargers still had opportunities to close the game out, but they didn't. I blamed that loss on the Chargers D, not the officiating (I'm a Charger fan, BTW).

Now, understandably, fans were upset, however, the call wasn't as horrendous or on the same level/magnitude as the pass interference call that the Hurricanes endured at the National Title game against the Buckeyes.

My point is Boston had two opportunities to win the game last night, yet it came down to The Heat wanting it more than The Celtics. No missed call would have changed the outcome. It's like me saying: 'Wow, The Heat should have beaten The Celtics by 12 points if it wasn't for all those missed free throws by Wade and LeBron!'

 

[Matt]

I'd probably flip the MLB and NFL. I think football officials have gotten better with replay while the MLB umps have got worse.

Eh, there is a reason that game changing big calls in baseball stay on the news cycle for three or four days. It is because they are rare. For every Jim Joyce and Jerry Meals there are 15 other games going on that day with near flawless calling. Umpires are easy to hate but they really aren't as bad as the myth indicates.

The NFL has gotten better with replay, but their refs are too unaccountable. Until it becomes a full time position, the bad calls will keep happening.

As for commissioners, I'd say Goodell probably edges out Selig but Goodell is trying too hard to control the game which is what started David Stern's descent into madness.

Ya know, basketball fans should almost be upset that the season wasn't cancelled. A canceled season would've surely ended David Stern's tenure. Real reform of the NBA won't happen until that ass is forced out.

 

[runawayboulder]

I doubt he's gonna get forced out, I think he's retiring on his own after this year.

 

[Matt]

I doubt he's gonna get forced out, I think he's retiring on his own after this year.

He "plans to retire," in 2014. Not soon enough, IMO.