Stephen A. Smith "NBA Needs to Fall Back"

[esel1000]

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7981986

ESPN deleted the video haha (conspiracy theory?)- heres an article of what the video was about.

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/05/29/espns-stephen-a-smith-suggests-nba-wanted-technical-fouls-called-on-celtics/

and here is the original video on youtube (props to Mr. October for finding this video after it was deleted off ESPN)- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GqmoQPfISQ&feature=player_embedded

Look I know the celtics had their issues tonight. I know that with or without the techs, they probably would have lost tonight. I also know there are mixed opinions out there about Stephen A. Smith. But in this case he is absolutely right.

I was disgusted at the officiating tonight. Downright disgusting. I'm so sick of the joke the league is turning into with these whistle happy refs. The tech on Rondo, since he shoved Battier (I think it was) makes a little bit of sense. You could potentially argue the one against KG though it seems iffy. The ones on Ray Allen and Doc were awful. No excuse.

I think it's honestly time that the NBA does something about this. It's sad and it seems to be getting worse by the year. I give a guy like Ray a lot of credit. If a tech had been thrown on me in that situation I probably would have gotten myself ejected in rage. The loss tonight sucked. But the officiating is what left the bad taste in my mouth.

[indeedproceed]

I think Stephen A Smith has tea parties with Teddy bears he calls Lebron, D-Wade, Melo, and Kobe, who all constantly tell him that he's super cool and they think he should hangout more.

[esel1000]

I think Stephen A Smith has tea parties with Teddy bears he calls Lebron, D-Wade, Melo, and Kobe, who all constantly tell him that he's super cool and they think he should hangout more.

haha that literally made me laugh and it could quite possibly be the case. However I do agree with him in this particular instance

[InfiniteMH]

I agree with JVG that if the calls are controversial enough(and tonight's calls were just blatantly corrupted), they need to be switched out for the alternatives. Do what they were trying to do to us. Bench them. Kick them out of the game. My only worry would be if the alternates are just as bad.

I can accept the Celtics losing. What infuriates me is the refs punishing the Celtics for playing hard and being emotionally invested, and pouring cold water on them whenever they start to get hot. You can only try to be on fire so much until the firewood is just soaking wet.

[wiley]

I agree with JVG that if the calls are controversial enough(and tonight's calls were just blatantly corrupted), they need to be switched out for the alternatives. Do what they were trying to do to us. Bench them. Kick them out of the game. My only worry would be if the alternates are just as bad.

I can accept the Celtics losing. What infuriates me is the refs punishing the Celtics for playing hard and being emotionally invested, and pouring cold water on them whenever they start to get hot. You can only try to be on fire so much until the firewood is just soaking wet.

Very well said. 

And Stephen A. Smith's summary was quite nice too...

[greg683x]

lol @ Stephen A. Smith saying he hasnt called the league office yet, but he probably will tomorrow.

hes that kid when you were in 4th grade, whos dad knows Cal Ripken, plays paintball with Wayne Gretzky, and has a car just like the one from Back to the Future.

[Renee2]

you got it

[Yoki_IsTheName]

SAS is on point here.

I hope this gets brought up on First Take. Someone really needs to call out the horrid officiating in the NBA. And I'm glad it's Screaming A. Smith, in the house ya'll.

[mctyson]

It wasn't just the techs though.  I thought the biggest BS call of the night was the foul on Pietrus, when he played solid D on Lebron, forced a fadeaway shot with on chance of going in as the clock expired.  The ref blew the whistle after the ball went past the hoop.  Pietrus may have put a finger tip on James wrist as he was coming down from the shot, but that was it.

It was a momentum-killing kind of a call when we could least afford it.

If we are going to be hit for those kind of fouls on Lebron, the series is over.

[SHAQATTACK]

LeBron gets the same VIP treatment in officiating as  MJ did during his heyday.

If you are choosen to be the NBA's showpiece or MVP , then you can not foul out. Or else the show ratings fail, Stern fails, NBA doesn't make money and the crowd boos.  

If you are one of the top 5 players in the NBA , its like having a goverment job,  you can't get fired .   That person MUST stay in the game or fans leave.. turn the TV off

The refs WILL NOT foul out a NBA money making top NBA Celeb.

Our older once elite players are no longer given the special treatment of "FOUL IMMUNITY".  Maybe KG warrents a couple special calls.....but thats about it.

WHat bothers me Lebron is gvien all the breaks you would give a CHAMPION , like in boxing you have to literally knock the CHAMP out to take his crown.  Well excuse me ... LEBRON isn't a champion of ANYTHING yet , he is not king and has no banners .  Why is STERN protecting his play.  

And insult me and tell me  STERN is not controling how games play out ...STERN controls the refs and the refs control the game. The game will be the HEAT in the finals . That is the "WAY" it is suppose to be.

He got his result last night.

AS I said in opening remarks in another thread ... IF the Celtics are to have any sucess , the refs must let them play defense on Wade and Lebron...if not , the series isn't worth playing, the outcome is decided.

[Celtics4ever]

Good to see someone in the media call it for what it was a travesty.

[Rondo2287]

I don't think that the game was officiated unfairly, I think poorly is the right term. 

After the doc BS tech call and one of the other tech calls I remember such obvious make-up calls that it made me sick to my stomach.  I think the make up calls evened out the bad calls against the celtics but it was just not any fun to watch.

[Potapenko Boxout]

SAS is on point here.

I hope this gets brought up on First Take. Someone really needs to call out the horrid officiating in the NBA. And I'm glad it's Screaming A. Smith, in the house ya'll.

especially since Stephen A hates us that says a lot

[Moranis]

It wasn't just the techs though.  I thought the biggest BS call of the night was the foul on Pietrus, when he played solid D on Lebron, forced a fadeaway shot with on chance of going in as the clock expired.  The ref blew the whistle after the ball went past the hoop.  Pietrus may have put a finger tip on James wrist as he was coming down from the shot, but that was it.

It was a momentum-killing kind of a call when we could least afford it.

If we are going to be hit for those kind of fouls on Lebron, the series is over.

Pietrus bumped him with his body and then reached in and swiped.  Pretty easy call for the official to make when you reach out of front you and swipe your arm and aren't even close to the ball.  It was pretty weak contact, but a very easy call to make and one that will be called all day long.  You should never reach in and swipe.  Ever.

[pearljammer10]

lol @ Stephen A. Smith saying he hasnt called the league office yet, but he probably will tomorrow.

hes that kid when you were in 4th grade, whos dad knows Cal Ripken, plays paintball with Wayne Gretzky, and has a car just like the one from Back to the Future.

Hahaha this statement is beyond beautiful. TP from me dude.



However, I think Steven A killed it on ESPN last night, hes absolutely right.