Rivers Fined for "Verbal Abuse" of officials

[NBAJ2K]

I had a feeling this was going to happen.  When Doc usually says something about the refs, he normally isn't as direct as he was after the Lakers game.  Right when he was talking during his press conference I figured Stu Jackson would fine him.  Not that I don't agree with anything Doc said...... Although the way games are officiated these I would highly doubt refs would call a foul on that last play even if it was one, it would have to be a lot bigger shove by Fisher than that.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/02/rivers_fined_fo.html

~J

[xmuscularghandix]

it's worth it, him voicing disaproval will bring attention to it.

[NoraG1]

I had a feeling this was going to happen.  When Doc usually says something about the refs, he normally isn't as direct as he was after the Lakers game.  Right when he was talking during his press conference I figured Stu Jackson would fine him.  Not that I don't agree with anything Doc said...... Although the way games are officiated these I would highly doubt refs would call a foul on that last play even if it was one, it would have to be a lot bigger shove by Fisher than that.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/02/rivers_fined_fo.html

~J

They need to fine refs who are the real problem in all of this. Won't happen though.

[housecall]

Maybe the NBA should consider going to a replay  like the NFL,where the coaches from each team has a couple times each half to have a play reviewed,especially in the final minutes of games.They should use those small monitors at the scorer's table where they can do a quick instant replay when needed.Or if a ref dispute's another refs call,they can call them on it.

[butterbeanlove]

In the old Soviet Union, they didn't have freedom of speech because Gorbachev/Stern were terrified that somebody would expose how hollow they were.

Thank God there are no Internets, iPhones, etc. so anybody who is not employed by the NBA can point out that NBA officiating is a laughingstock. Well played, commissar Stern. There is no way your evil empire will fall apart like a cheap suit.

[banner17]

if there is replay, there would be a foul called on everyplay

[RockinRyA]

i dunno if it is applicable in the nba, or if it would make things better, but in pro ball here in our country, they recently made a rule- you can issue a challenge at certain calls. how many times a game? i dunno. but all i know is, they can issue a challenge at the refs, and the coaches and refs review the play and make the proper call

[dark_lord]

i support doc on this one.  i think he knew this would happen while he was saying those things.  he should have REALLY verbally abused them and get his moneys worth. 

[illantari]

This is just going to make the refs feel more legit about picking on the Cs later.

But paranoia aside, "abuse"?  Seriously?  I mean, it wasn't even that much of an insult.  I am really curious to know if other teams' fans are gloating about this or laughing because they too think it's ridiculous.

[zerophase]

The NBA should stop limiting free speech in order to improve their PR.

[Brickowski]

They ought to fine the refs for gross incompetence.

The state of the officiating in the NBA is an ongoing source of deep shame for those who respect the game.

[tb727]

Did Phil Jackson get fined in Game 2 of the Finals when he complained to everyone about the discrepancy in free throws with his team and Leon "Pow" as he so eloquently put it?

If he didn't then no way Doc should've.

[housecall]

They ought to fine the refs for gross incompetence.

The state of the officiating in the NBA is an ongoing source of deep shame for those who respect the game.

i agree tp

[RebusRankin]

They should fine the refs. I'm proud of Doc.

[TrueGreen]

I had a feeling this was going to happen.  When Doc usually says something about the refs, he normally isn't as direct as he was after the Lakers game.  Right when he was talking during his press conference I figured Stu Jackson would fine him.  Not that I don't agree with anything Doc said...... Although the way games are officiated these I would highly doubt refs would call a foul on that last play even if it was one, it would have to be a lot bigger shove by Fisher than that.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/02/rivers_fined_fo.html

~J

They need to fine refs who are the real problem in all of this. Won't happen though.

I'm with you. They need to fine or fire officials that don't do the job. The problem really wasn't on just the last play. KG should have been in there at the end. And even two calls weren't the problem. The whole game was poorly and inconsistently officiated. The problem is the NBA. If they can't get enough good officials, they should at least send their best crews to a game like this, if only for the image of the NBA. I'm surprised KG wasn't fined also. He had some comments post-game. The players were so confused by the calls it didn't allow them to play. The Lakers didn't complain so I guess the bad calls seemed to go towards the East.