The Bulls are getting hosed

[Donoghus]

Seems like a lot of people are already setting up the refs and the league office as a cop-out if we lose the series.   

[jdpapa3]

There was a ridiculous sequence where Brad Miller was defending Shaq perfectly fine without fouling on 2 back to back plays and they blew the whistle each time. It almost felt like a skit or something the way it played out. Brad Miller got fouled out on completely skewed calls and they suffered with Taj Gibson in crunch time.

Continuation was pretty inexplicable as well.

Might not work out too badly for us. Scared of our old guys' bones stiffening up with too long of a hiatus.

[Mike-Dub]

Seems like a lot of people are already setting up the refs and the league office as a cop-out if we lose the series.   

Quote in agreement.

[Roy Hobbs]

Seems like a lot of people are already setting up the refs and the league office as a cop-out if we lose the series.   

Not at all.  After watching Games 3 and 5 and much of the latter part of Game 4, though, I'm not expecting much from the officiating.  There were some epically bad calls in the Heat series, and I'm not going to be a bit shocked if and when that continues.

[reggie35]

having a serious debate with myself as to whether or not I'll even be able to watch the series with Cleveland

[fairweatherfan]

Lebron won't get those calls against the Celtics. The 2teams are evenly matched. The refs will be forced to be honest since there will be huge ratings. They wouldn't want Tim Donaghy references to surface.

Given Stern's recent stance regarding suspensions of people criticizing his referees, do you really think he cares what the public perception is anymore?

I think Stern cares a lot about the public perception of the referees.  Unfortunately, I think that's all he cares about.  That's why he's more concerned with stopping coaches and players from criticizing refs than actually making some attempt at reform. 

I don't see a conspiracy, but I do think the refs know what the league would prefer to happen.  And I think knowing that will influence most people, even if they intend to be perfectly fair.

But man, if Shaq gets the kinds of calls against us he was getting in the 4th...we are in trouble.

[get_banners]

the refs weren't all that kind to us against miami. no doubt it'll be worse vs. the cavs. the bulls definitely got hosed...i don't think they would have won, but i do think they would have pushed it to 6, or even 7, games.