It seems like everyone accepts that it is a foregone conclusion that the refs will greatly favor the Lakers in this game. But, isn't there a chance that the refs make an extra effort to call an even game for the following reasons:
- Phil Jackson has whined and moaned about horrible officiating, thereby calling the officials integrity out on a national stage.
- The national media has jumped on the bandwagon
- Fans trust in the integrity of officiating is seriously in jeapordy
- Bennett Salvatore is officiating ... before you jump on me for this one bear with me. I firmly believe as someone posted on this site after game 6 vs. Detroit that Salvatore's bogus offensive foul call on Pierce was likely his reaction to all the negativity about the blown Brent Barry call. He was trying to make a point that this phony flopping and drawing fouls won't be tolerated. I could see Salvatore taking it upon himself to rectify this other "perception" that the refs are biased towards the home teams.
- Finally, I don't buy the conspiracy theory that the league wants 6 or 7 games. As much as that seems true at times, I think trying to cover that up would be an impossible task ... and we've never once heard anything from any ex official or NBA exec that has ever suggested that.
This is not to say that the C's will win, but doesn't anybody agree that it's possible that the officiating is very impartial tonight?