1985 vs 2010

[tenn_smoothie]

i am sitting here watching a replay of the 1985 finals, game 4 vs Lakers. Celts are down 2-1 in the series and, of course, Larry Bird takes this game over in the 4th quarter including the assist to DJ for the gamer at the end.

what i am struck by, however, is the balanced officiating. the refs are protecting Boston's shooters and their drives to the basket in a way you would expect (LA is getting the same protection). you do not see the outrageous, "where did that call come from ?" whistles that we saw so much in last year's finals when, i am still convinced, the title was taken away from the Celtics in the 4th quarter of game 7 when the Lakers shot 21 free throws to Boston's 6 and when we witnessed the entire way the game had been called the first three quarters change in the fourth with the Celts leading the game and driving for the title - the title, i am also convinced, David Stern wanted in LA.

you may say i am dredging up old gripes, which i suppose is true - but i was struck by the obvious difference in the way the officials handled a finals game back in the 80's compared to now. this 1985 series, by the way, is a series the Celts unfortunately lost, so it's not like i'm comparing apples and oranges here.

i know i sure would be feeling a lot better about the world had our Celtics won game 7 last year and there was an additional green & white banner hanging in the Garden right now. i'm not even so sure that our GM would have felt so desperately compelled to have butchered his team this season had they been the defending champs.

[Who]

I think the current hand-checking rules make it very difficult on referees.

[BballTim]

I think the current hand-checking rules make it very difficult on referees.

  So does the block/charge.

[paulcowens]

I've always felt that NBA officiating is rigged.  I'm not saying that game outcomes are predetermined, though I don't doubt that happens.   I think they are heavily massaged and manipulated, and have been for a long time.  It's funny that I've never heard of players complaining about this.  When I watch games, it often seems to me that the players can kindof tell in what direction the game is being officiated, and it seems to affect their motivation.  The refs are sophisticated about knowing when to put their thumbs heavily on the scale and when to back off, but smart players seem to know what is going on.  In the OKC-Memphis series, I thought that who was going to win depended a lot on how much leeway the officials gave to Zach Randolph.  In the first game of the OKC-Dallas series, the officials made it abundantly clear that they were going to let Nowitski go to town during the series.  I think OKC basically gave up on the series then.  And in ensuing games, the officials actually allowed OKC to defense Nowitski, but the message had already been sent and received by then, and at key moments, the officials simply renewed his teflon license.  Everything I'm saying is unproveable.  It's not like WWF, after all.  But when I watch the games, it seems readily apparent to me.    It's entertainment, billions to trillions of dollars are at stake, and you can bet your bucket that the element of chance is allowed in the door, but has beefy 'bodyguards' at all times.

What intrigues me more about the Celtics Lakers's series last year is what happened to the Celtics in game six?  Everyone talks about game 7, and I understand that, but game 6 bothers me a lot more.

[tenn_smoothie]

What intrigues me more about the Celtics Lakers's series last year is what happened to the Celtics in game six?  Everyone talks about game 7, and I understand that, but game 6 bothers me a lot more.

i think all the wind went out of the Celtics when Perk got hurt - they were very focused up until that point of game 6. Simmons even said that he visibly saw them slump as Perk was being carried out of there (wonder why Danny didn't notice the same thing about his own team). they regrouped for game 7 and all through the 2nd half, that game looked for all the world to me like one of those classic clutch Celtic playoff performances that result in another title ........ until the 4th quarter when the normal defense they had been playing the entire game suddenly started drawing whistles.

one other observation about the 80's - it sure was a prettier game then, with the emphasis on movement and passing rather than ball screens and dribbling with possessions nowadays constantly being played on the edge of a foul or a turnover - no wonder there is less scoring.

[paulcowens]

I would say that I too find it incredible that Danny somehow failed to realize how important Perkins was to the team, except that I have never thought that The Trade had to do with anything other than Perkins' contract.  I see it as the first blow struck, by our owner, the ringleader of the hardline owners, against the players, in the CBA contract dispute.  It was, as I see it, a symbolic act that had ONLY to do with the CBA, with 'sending a message'.

Another thing I miss from the eighties is postup basketball.  I'm convinced that a center who worked as hard on his postup game as Mchale did would rule the NBA today.