At what point does the NBA have to do something about this horrible officiating?

[jpotter33]

Once again, a controversial no-call/call happened in the defining moments of the game that ultimately played a  role in the outcome of the game. The Spurs were OBVIOUSLY trying to foul there - there's no other way to win the game. Yet, the ref blatantly swallowed the whistle after Kawhi clearly wrapped his arms around Westbrook right in front of him, and then even less contact was called for a foul for Westbrook at the rim..

Virtually every series this playoffs has a game that has been ultimately been influenced by incompetent officiating in the final moments of the game - Hawks/Celtics game 1, Spurs/Thunder games 2 and 5 are the more notable ones.

When does the NBA do something about this? Virtually all the basketball commentators on Twitter are saying this is going to be yet another INC in the last two-minutes report tomorrow. And there's no excuse for this one. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO FOUL IN THAT SITUATION. This isn't something they can see that they didn't see or that isn't familiar to them, because it happens almost every single close game in the NBA. Further, in those situations, refs even know the intent and call those fouls quicker due to that.

No longer is just admitting fault enough. There has to be some sort of coach's challenges to stop this incompetence by the refs. It's absolutely terrible to watch these games with these incompetent refs influencing the outcomes in such substantial ways.

[Roy H.]

The NBA wants the Warriors in the Finals. San Antonio is the only team that can prevent that, so...

[jpotter33]

The NBA wants the Warriors in the Finals. San Antonio is the only team that can prevent that, so...

Really? I see it the other way - the Thunder seem to be much more capable of beating the Warriors than the Spurs, especially at this point with how terrible they've played. The Spurs were easily handled by the Warriors in three out of the four games this year, especially the later games.

But it's getting to the point that you have to claim conspiracy. I remember bad officiating before, but this is by far the worst playoff officiating that I've ever seen.

[Vox_Populi]

The NBA wants the Warriors in the Finals. San Antonio is the only team that can prevent that, so...

I think OKC have a better chance of stopping Golden State then San Antonio. They can defend just enough and score against anyone. San Antonio's offense has looked miserable at times against a 11th rank defense. Not that it matters much, Golden State will probably finish either in 5 or 6.

[jpotter33]

But answer this - in a sport so influenced and controlled by fallible officials, why hasn't the NBA instituted some sort of coach's challenge yet? In fact, it seems that they've trended the opposite direction in the absolute protection of the referees to the point where you can't even talk about them without getting fined.

I believe both football and hockey utilize coach's challenges, so it's not like it's an unprecedented concept. Even just one a game could be very influential in the outcome of the game, and it's not like it would be that difficult of a concept to implement.

[LooseCannon]

Any sport that uses coach's challenges limits when they can be used.  In practice, it probably won't ever be allowed to use to challenge a non-call unless there is a natural stoppage in play, like challenging whether a team was offsides when a goal is scored in hockey.

[jpotter33]

Any sport that uses coach's challenges limits when they can be used.  In practice, it probably won't ever be allowed to use to challenge a non-call unless there is a natural stoppage in play, like challenging whether a team was offsides when a goal is scored in hockey.

Well, no, I wouldn't expect that, but there are many other instances of bad calls that are made where a coaching challenge would be useful. For example, the Green foul on Durant tonight where Green got tripped by Adams, which forced him to fall on Durant. That would've been overturned in a coach's challenge.

[loco_91]

The situation is incredibly bad. I feel like there are certain refs that are notoriously bad, but they've been around a long time and the NBA won't fire them. Players and coaches need to lobby aggressively for some of these losers to get sacked.

[TheSundanceKid]

Maybe the conspiracy is to bring a first championship to Cleveland? Weaken the Western teams so much that they have nothing left for the finals?

[Celtics4ever]

Long history of incompetence of NBA refs.   At least, they admit how bad they are, I wish they would get rid of the worst offender and grade out the bad and biased ones but they would lose their ability to affect who gets where.

[pearljammer10]

1. The officiating gets more and more frustrating every game, especially when it changes the potential outcomes of games.

2. Regardless of if the Thunder win this series, the Spurs are still by far the better team and have a much better chance at beating the Warriors then the Thunder.

[MBunge]

The problem is that it was Kawhi Leonard trying to foul.  Leonard is a star and known as a great defensive player.  In NBA officiating culture, that means you DON'T call that foul in the open court.  If that had been a different player, the foul would have been automatic.


Mike

[Donoghus]

The league won't do anything. 

This has been going on for decades (cough....2002 WCF), I don't expect anything to change now.

That being said, that was a horrendous no-call at the end of last night's game.

[jpotter33]

The problem is that it was Kawhi Leonard trying to foul.  Leonard is a star and known as a great defensive player.  In NBA officiating culture, that means you DON'T call that foul in the open court.  If that had been a different player, the foul would have been automatic.


Mike

But you have to think that the ref knows that in that situation they have to foul for any chance to win the game. You see that all the time - in late-game situations when fouling has to occur to stop the clock, refs are quick to blow the whistle to avoid any unnecessary or extra fouling. It's pretty ridiculous if the ref isn't aware of the game situation like that.

[MBunge]

The problem is that it was Kawhi Leonard trying to foul.  Leonard is a star and known as a great defensive player.  In NBA officiating culture, that means you DON'T call that foul in the open court.  If that had been a different player, the foul would have been automatic.


Mike

But you have to think that the ref knows that in that situation they have to foul for any chance to win the game. You see that all the time - in late-game situations when fouling has to occur to stop the clock, refs are quick to blow the whistle to avoid any unnecessary or extra fouling. It's pretty ridiculous if the ref isn't aware of the game situation like that.

But that's what happens when refs have all these arbitrary, subjective things going on in their heads.

That guy's a star so I don't call that foul.  That guy's a rookie so I do call that non-foul.  It's the first quarter, so I'll call that moving screen.  It's the last minute of the fourth, so I won't call that moving screen.  James Harden is allowed to flop like he got fouled on offense.  Marcus Smart is not allowed to flop on defense.  And on and on and on.

Mike