As a vocal complainer about the officiating in the NBA, and this series most recently, I want to say I agree: the series was NOT fixed. That is going too far. The only "fixing" of the series was only loosely reality.
However, I did see in this series a large disparity when it came to superstar calls. More than is typical I am afraid. The facts just are unavoidable. Did the better team win? Perhaps. Perhaps the Heat were better than the Celtics. I certainly expected them to win the series and said so before it even began. I was fine with that because I did believe the Celtics were outmatched. All I wanted - all many of us wanted - was a chance for the Celtics to win or lose with fair officiating.
The treatment Lebron got for the majority of the series was disgusting. It was blatant. It was wrong. One could make a case in earlier games this series that the Celtics simply were not driving to the hoop enough to get fouls. One could not say that tonight. Lebron had more foul shots than the Celtics team combined. That is not because Lebron is the greatest player of all time (he isn't) - it is clearly because the refs were intentionally helping Lebron. Zero fouls? Again? Sure, he fouled out in one game, ok. Does that then excuse the incredible benefits he got in every other game?
And note, I have only mentioned Lebron here. He is not the only Heat player that got benefits of calls/non-calls. Did the Celtics get any help? Maybe they did, it sure looked like it in game four. I am against ANY help like this beyond "normal human nature."
Refs are not machines - they are going to make mistakes, bad calls, missed calls...of course they are. In any sport that is the case and it is stupid to consider human nature some sort of conspiracy. What happens in the NBA regularly - and again, in this series most recently - is not just "human nature" and mistakes. I see no other conclusion but intentional interference with the game and disregard for the rules.
I want to repeat: I agree saying this series was fixed is a bit over the top. That is unless you consider the help of Lebron and other Heat players a "fix." I look at it more as the refs want to help the Heat, not guarantee their victory.
Boston showed great heart in this series, except for game 6. They could have won the series and, perhaps, should have even with the refs. But as far as I am concerned, it cannot be denied the refs assisted the Heat and that fact cannot be dismissed. The NBA is a terribly run league and this is the main reason for it. Fans across the country are complaining about it. When Lakers fans say the Celtics are getting jobbed it is alarming enough, but when Heat fans agree...that is incredible.
(Obviously I am generalizing, but I have had conversations with three different Heat fans tonight and all three of them said they were disappointed in winning like this. They wanted dearly to beat our "old men" on their own terms, not with corrupt reffing).
It is a shame, nothing less. The NBA is a sham and only the love for our teams allows us to try to rationalize otherwise. That is my opinion.
I would have happily lost this series watching my boys bring what they could. I am proud of what they accomplished, but I am depressed by the unfairness on the floor. I would rather have been swept in an honest series of games than this.
