Charlie Rosen on Game 5

[Birdbrain]

Yeah, it's crazy how bad the officiating was.

I mean, for perspective, my fiancee' doesn't follow basketball; she doesn't even like it.  Last night, she looked at the TV when Rush called the technical, and said "he got ejected for THAT?"

Both Perk techs and the technical on Rondo were all among the worst ten calls I think I've ever seen in that regard.

The thing about techs is that messing this up is almost completely on the official. Double techs might not since they are usually a result of missing what happened, but techs on players for talking are all on the refs.

I found the Crawford tech on Rondo particularly annoying since there was no need for Crawford to get involved in the discussion.

Even if Perk was unfairly T'd the second time, he needs to understand the situation better and not give the refs a chance to T him up a second time.

See that's what I found ironic about the 2nd T.  He turned and walked (frustrated no doubt and cursing) away from the incident.  That call could happen 50 times during each game.

[misha]

But it's not like Mr. Crawford has been suspended from reffing in the playoffs before due to his behavior -- 

Did he get suspended for ejecting Duncan for laughing on the bench, or for not calling a foul on that Brent Barry shot? I forget.

I think it was for challenging Duncan to a fight in the middle of a game.

Too bad Duncan declined the offer. Could have made a favor to a lot of people.

[Chris]

Both Perk techs and the technical on Rondo were all among the worst ten calls I think I've ever seen in that regard.

I can't believe I am saying this, but I have to defend the Rondo technical.  There was a clear warning right before that, where Crawford said "he's been warned" pointing at Rondo.  Then Rondo had to get one more thing in there, so he was T'ed up.  That I am fine with.  If the refs set the line that clearly, and the player knowingly steps over it, then they deserve a technical.

But the Perk technical on the other hand was probably the worst I have ever seen, given the circumstances.  He was walking away!  If you cannot allow players to get themselves under control by walking away, then there is something very wrong.

[nickagneta]

Both Perk techs and the technical on Rondo were all among the worst ten calls I think I've ever seen in that regard.

I can't believe I am saying this, but I have to defend the Rondo technical.  There was a clear warning right before that, where Crawford said "he's been warned" pointing at Rondo.  Then Rondo had to get one more thing in there, so he was T'ed up.  That I am fine with.  If the refs set the line that clearly, and the player knowingly steps over it, then they deserve a technical.

But the Perk technical on the other hand was probably the worst I have ever seen, given the circumstances.  He was walking away!  If you cannot allow players to get themselves under control by walking away, then there is something very wrong.

Both Mark Jackson, a former player, and Jeff Van Gundy, a former coach, disagree with you, as do I. They both discussed and then with video clearly showed that Rondo was talking to the other referee once time was called. Rondo may not be allowed to calmly talk to the ref during the break but that is clearly the least enforced rule in the NBA handbook. There is, however, no rule that says he has to go and participate in his team's huddle.

Crawford ordered Rondo to stop talking and to go to his bench, which I am pretty sure is beyond his authority. Rondo was calmly discussing the last call with a completely different person when Crawford interjected himself into the situation and forced Rondo to the sideline when Rondo is not obligated to do so. When Rondo said something, he was instantly T'ed up.

It's pretty clear Crawford was on a power trip and had an agenda. It was a pathetic display of officials trying to become the game instead of overseeing the game.

[mmbaby]

TP for Nick. I always enjoy reading your analysis of the games, Nick, and look forward to reading your take on these situations. Totally agree with everything you said here.

[UnionJim]

I agree with Nickagneta. There really was no reason for Crawford to insert himself into Rondo's conversation with someone else. Players can discuss. Besides it's not in the ref's authority to order Rondo to the huddle. Rondo wasn't talking to him. Ugh! I'm so disgusted. Also, I'm not so convinced that all the calls are going to go the C's way. It's just like the refs to do the contrary thing.

[JHTruth]

Everyone knew what went down last night, even the players. The refs controlled the game from the beginning and basically determined the outcome of the game.

This is one of the most perplexing disconnects in sport. The media and fans essentially feel that NBA officiating is easily the worst amongst all major sports, and yet Stern always shrugs it off like it's no big deal. Does this guy even try to look into what is going on? It's just mindboggling at times..

[Bahku]

Both Perk techs and the technical on Rondo were all among the worst ten calls I think I've ever seen in that regard.

I can't believe I am saying this, but I have to defend the Rondo technical.  There was a clear warning right before that, where Crawford said "he's been warned" pointing at Rondo.  Then Rondo had to get one more thing in there, so he was T'ed up.  That I am fine with.  If the refs set the line that clearly, and the player knowingly steps over it, then they deserve a technical.

But the Perk technical on the other hand was probably the worst I have ever seen, given the circumstances.  He was walking away!  If you cannot allow players to get themselves under control by walking away, then there is something very wrong.

Both Mark Jackson, a former player, and Jeff Van Gundy, a former coach, disagree with you, as do I. They both discussed and then with video clearly showed that Rondo was talking to the other referee once time was called. Rondo may not be allowed to calmly talk to the ref during the break but that is clearly the least enforced rule in the NBA handbook. There is, however, no rule that says he has to go and participate in his team's huddle.

Crawford ordered Rondo to stop talking and to go to his bench, which I am pretty sure is beyond his authority. Rondo was calmly discussing the last call with a completely different person when Crawford interjected himself into the situation and forced Rondo to the sideline when Rondo is not obligated to do so. When Rondo said something, he was instantly T'ed up.

It's pretty clear Crawford was on a power trip and had an agenda. It was a pathetic display of officials trying to become the game instead of overseeing the game.

Absolutely correct, Nick, and nothing new for Joey, nor unexpected, (though he should be relieved of officiating duties once-and-for-all). I was completely flabberghasted when he was allowed to continue in his profession after the Tim Duncan incident, and it's been clear by continued questionable behavior ever since, that he's motivated by his "power-trip", and not remotely the objective and balance-oriented professional he should be trying to emulate.

Great stuff, Nick. (TP)

[nickagneta]

Thanks fellow CBers.

The more video I see of this game the more I am convinced that Donaghy was correct about the league needing these series to go longer and making sure the refs knew that. Sure, the gate revenue isn't a huge motivator and television revenue doesn't increase but they do have a working relationship with ABC/ESPN/TNT and you can be 100% certain that those networks and the people that run them would much rather be selling advertising time for Conference Finals games than for NCAA women's softball, the umpti-ninth rerun of "Saving Private Ryan" or summer re-runs of ABC programming.

Making sure that the average amount of games being broadcast is important for the league so that when they go and negotiate new television deals they can show a high average of playoff games to be broadcast and the networks can make their calculations on advertising revenue according to those numbers which would then boost the value of the overall contract coming the NBA's way.

Hence the need for controlling the length of series and who is in them. An Orlando/Phoenix Finals series or San Antonio/Atlanta Finals series would be deadly for ratings but by the same token, Conference Finals sweeps would be as well. All coincidences that also coincide with strangely inept officiating at convenient times? During multiple post seasons? Make of it what you will. But the NBA did have a crooked ref for years and didn't know it so take that for what it's worth as well.

[Birdbrain]

Thanks fellow CBers.

The more video I see of this game the more I am convinced that Donaghy was correct about the league needing these series to go longer and making sure the refs knew that. Sure, the gate revenue isn't a huge motivator and television revenue doesn't increase but they do have a working relationship with ABC/ESPN/TNT and you can be 100% certain that those networks and the people that run them would much rather be selling advertising time for Conference Finals games than for NCAA women's softball, the umpti-ninth rerun of "Saving Private Ryan" or summer re-runs of ABC programming.

Making sure that the average amount of games being broadcast is important for the league so that when they go and negotiate new television deals they can show a high average of playoff games to be broadcast and the networks can make their calculations on advertising revenue according to those numbers which would then boost the value of the overall contract coming the NBA's way.

Hence the need for controlling the length of series and who is in them. An Orlando/Phoenix Finals series or San Antonio/Atlanta Finals series would be deadly for ratings but by the same token, Conference Finals sweeps would be as well. All coincidences that also coincide with strangely inept officiating at convenient times? During multiple post seasons? Make of it what you will. But the NBA did have a crooked ref for years and didn't know it so take that for what it's worth as well.

It's logical to think the NBA would love for a series to be extended but, I just can't get behind it.  I think we got the short end of stick especially with Flagrants and T's in game 5.  Everyone with a brain could see that but, I just don't think it's an edict handed down from League office.  More so I think it's human nature (home crowd) and just a total lack of quality among the refs.  Add to that athleticism of the players and you can see how they would miss some calls.  My only concern is how they dole out T's and Flagrants.  They are so subjective that it appears they are influencing the game. 

[Dr H]

Thanks fellow CBers.

The more video I see of this game the more I am convinced that Donaghy was correct about the league needing these series to go longer and making sure the refs knew that. Sure, the gate revenue isn't a huge motivator and television revenue doesn't increase but they do have a working relationship with ABC/ESPN/TNT and you can be 100% certain that those networks and the people that run them would much rather be selling advertising time for Conference Finals games than for NCAA women's softball, the umpti-ninth rerun of "Saving Private Ryan" or summer re-runs of ABC programming.

Making sure that the average amount of games being broadcast is important for the league so that when they go and negotiate new television deals they can show a high average of playoff games to be broadcast and the networks can make their calculations on advertising revenue according to those numbers which would then boost the value of the overall contract coming the NBA's way.

Hence the need for controlling the length of series and who is in them. An Orlando/Phoenix Finals series or San Antonio/Atlanta Finals series would be deadly for ratings but by the same token, Conference Finals sweeps would be as well. All coincidences that also coincide with strangely inept officiating at convenient times? During multiple post seasons? Make of it what you will. But the NBA did have a crooked ref for years and didn't know it so take that for what it's worth as well.

It's logical to think the NBA would love for a series to be extended but, I just can't get behind it.  I think we got the short end of stick especially with Flagrants and T's in game 5.  Everyone with a brain could see that but, I just don't think it's an edict handed down from League office.  More so I think it's human nature (home crowd) and just a total lack of quality among the refs.  Add to that athleticism of the players and you can see how they would miss some calls.  My only concern is how they dole out T's and Flagrants.  They are so subjective that it appears they are influencing the game. 

I'm not to get behind it either, but it's really hard to NOT get suspicious about it now. This is the last chance for the series to be extended, unless you want to count the finals. EVERYONE all along has said these playoffs have been extremely boring. Maybe they thought both series going on right now would naturally be extended, until the Celts went up 3-0 and LA went up 2-0 in dominating fashion...why not do something now? It's a lot easier for ref's to call T's and flagrants on players than to call phantom calls all game long. Of course questionable calls help too with firing up the players and baiting them to T's. The ref's know Perk has a rep for complaining a lot, it's easy for them to T him up as they did in G5. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying the league/refs 100% fix the games. I'm saying the proof is in the pudding, it would just be a really, REALLY huge coincidence for all this stuff to be happening during all these scandals/allegations and everything.

[nickagneta]

Thanks fellow CBers.

The more video I see of this game the more I am convinced that Donaghy was correct about the league needing these series to go longer and making sure the refs knew that. Sure, the gate revenue isn't a huge motivator and television revenue doesn't increase but they do have a working relationship with ABC/ESPN/TNT and you can be 100% certain that those networks and the people that run them would much rather be selling advertising time for Conference Finals games than for NCAA women's softball, the umpti-ninth rerun of "Saving Private Ryan" or summer re-runs of ABC programming.

Making sure that the average amount of games being broadcast is important for the league so that when they go and negotiate new television deals they can show a high average of playoff games to be broadcast and the networks can make their calculations on advertising revenue according to those numbers which would then boost the value of the overall contract coming the NBA's way.

Hence the need for controlling the length of series and who is in them. An Orlando/Phoenix Finals series or San Antonio/Atlanta Finals series would be deadly for ratings but by the same token, Conference Finals sweeps would be as well. All coincidences that also coincide with strangely inept officiating at convenient times? During multiple post seasons? Make of it what you will. But the NBA did have a crooked ref for years and didn't know it so take that for what it's worth as well.

It's logical to think the NBA would love for a series to be extended but, I just can't get behind it.  I think we got the short end of stick especially with Flagrants and T's in game 5.  Everyone with a brain could see that but, I just don't think it's an edict handed down from League office.  More so I think it's human nature (home crowd) and just a total lack of quality among the refs.  Add to that athleticism of the players and you can see how they would miss some calls.  My only concern is how they dole out T's and Flagrants.  They are so subjective that it appears they are influencing the game. 

I'm not to get behind it either, but it's really hard to NOT get suspicious about it now. This is the last chance for the series to be extended, unless you want to count the finals. EVERYONE all along has said these playoffs have been extremely boring. Maybe they thought both series going on right now would naturally be extended, until the Celts went up 3-0 and LA went up 2-0 in dominating fashion...why not do something now? It's a lot easier for ref's to call T's and flagrants on players than to call phantom calls all game long. Of course questionable calls help too with firing up the players and baiting them to T's. The ref's know Perk has a rep for complaining a lot, it's easy for them to T him up as they did in G5. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying the league/refs 100% fix the games. I'm saying the proof is in the pudding, it would just be a really, REALLY huge coincidence for all this stuff to be happening during all these scandals/allegations and everything.

That's the way I look at it. Ever since that 2002 Lakers/Kings series the coincidences of poor/inept/strangely favoritism like officiating during the playoffs for teams that happen to have major NBA marketed players on them in large television markets or just for very marketable teams in large markets makes one wonder.

I never used to think the refs were "fixing" games. Especially when you consider how fast the game is getting and just how old some of these officials are(I think a year or so ago I look and saw almost half the NBA officials over the age of 55 or something like that). I just thought the game was getting to athletic and fast for older refs to keep up with and that they didn't have the benefit that we do at home of different angles to see the plays.

But then I go to games and from the balcony seats I usually buy I can see fouls and calls that are being called improperly by the refs so maybe that has nothing to do with it. I don't know.

[Bahku]

But it's not like Mr. Crawford has been suspended from reffing in the playoffs before due to his behavior -- 

Did he get suspended for ejecting Duncan for laughing on the bench, or for not calling a foul on that Brent Barry shot? I forget.

I think it was for challenging Duncan to a fight in the middle of a game.

Yeah ... Tim was sitting on the bench laughing ... Joey thought it was about him, so he challenged Duncan to a fist-fight after the game. Not quite within the bounds of expected behavior for a professional referee.

[FatKidsDad]

Stern and his refs are like Howard and his elbows.

Did Howard premeditate hitting BBD in the face and concussing him? I doubt it.  But he has a pattern of coming down hard with elbows recklessly flying as an intimidating way to clear out space.  The INTENT is not to injure or to target any specific player, but the result is inevitable.  What else would you expect?

Stern may not be running a flat-out conspiracy by telling anyone what to do or how to call a game.  But he doesn't need to. He knows who and what Crawford and Rush are, and he condones it.  All he has to do is assign them to the right game, and the result is inevitable.  What else would you expect?