I’m going to go out on a limb and tell they NBA they are creating huge problems for themselves by not having an
official with a direct line of communication to the ABC broadcasters.
Hubie Brown and Al Michaels are fun, informative and entertaining broadcasters. Hubie knows the game.
Heknows it well. His insights reflect those of a coach who has turned a team around and fought the playoff
wars.Al ads color and continuity and does a good job of it.
Al doesn’t pretend to know the rules.Hubie however, knows some rules , but unfortunatelygets a bunch
of them wrong.
When he does, it hurts the NBA because it gives fans an incorrect understanding of what the rules actually are.
Why is this aproblem? Well if a fan thinks a rule is enforced one way, when in actuality it is enforced
completely the opposite, that fan is going to think the refs aren’t doing their jobs.He or she is going to get
very mad everytime that “missed call” goes against his/her team and that can only hurt the impression the fan has of
the NBA and our officials.
Let me give you the prime example, the block charge rule and the “restricted area” around the basket. For some
reason, Hubie and pretty much everyone else thinks that if a defensive player is inside the circle near the basket,
that no matter what happens, if there is contact, it’s a block – a foul on the defender. Wrongo cupcake.
1. The circle only applies to a 2ndary defender. If Ben Wallace runs over the guy who is actively guarding him, it
doesn’t matter if it’s at midcourt or right under the basket, it’s a charge. On the other hand if Ben gets by his
defender, and Bowen slides over to try to take a charge, and he is in the circle, it doesn’t matter if he is set and
has been waiting there for 10 minutes. It’s a block.
2. UNLESS, and this is a very important exception that NO ANNOUNCER or media person, and most coaches and players
don’t seem to understand:
From NBA.Com – EXCEPTION: Any player may be legally
positioned within the “restricted area” if the offensive player receives the ball within the Lower Defensive Box.
Which means if a player starts his drive near the baseline, and runs over a guy in the restricted area,
whether it’s the primary or 2ndary defender, it’s a charge. The player can point to the floor all he wants, but it’s
a charge.
Them is the rules.
I don’t expect every announcer to have the rulebook and case studies memorized. That’s for geeks like me. I do
expect the NBA to recognize the issue and offer what would be a very simple fix.
It could be handled in 1 of 2 ways. Someone who is watching the game from the NBA office could be available by
phone, or better yet, there is now a backup official at every game in the event one of the officials is injured. (We
had this happen in our Suns series. Steve Javie pulled a hammie and Jess Kersey was there to jump for the 2nd half).
Why not get the backup official a game feed and a telephone. Allow a single ABC producer of the game to call him with
questions and allow him to explain what happened in situations or to correct the announcers if there is a
problem.
I would also offer the media access to the coaches website. This website offers examples of plays for various
rules so that teams can see examples of how various rules will be called. There isn’t anything very proprietary
and it’s very well done and easy to use.
It can only make the broadcast better. So why not do it?
And while I’m on the topic of officials let me add some color to an old truism about refs…They are only human.
Yes they are. They aren’t perfect and some are going to be better at their jobs than others. That’s just the way
it is. But what I think many inside the game, and fans don’t understand, is that they do their jobs in much the same
way we all try to do our jobs. They recognize their strengths and play to them.
No two refs would or could ever call a game exactly the same way. As much as the league really works hard to make
sure that all rules are enforced equally and evenly from game to game, it’s just impossible.
Officials can only call what they see. The reality is that the game moves so fast, officials have to focus on
areas where they can see, digest and react to what is happening. Some are able to see more of the court, some less.
Some are able to see everything that happens on the ball, some have to focus primarily on the defender to look for
contact.
I also think, and this is my opinion, that some refs place more of an emphasis on controlling the game, while
others just try to call the game as it occurs. What I mean by this is that some officials are able to add the context
of the game when making calls. WhatI DON’T mean by that is that they will call the playoffs differently than
they will regular season games.
What I do mean is that they will try to take into account what is going on and try to make sure that the game
doesn’t become overly physical. When Joe Johnson got hurt in that horrific fall, Dick Bavettacalled a flagrant
foul on Jerry Stackhouse. It wasn’t a flagrant foul. I’m sure Dick knew it wasn’t. The extra possession given to the
Suns could have cost the Mavs the game. But, Dick understood as well as anyone that if the Suns felt like it was a
dirty play, the physical contact in the game could have escalated and maybe got out of control. He used context to
make the call and did the right thing.
Across a playoff series, when you have officials geared towards calling strictly by the book. you might get a game
with 40 free throws per team. When you have those geared towards flow, you might get 15 free throws per team.
AlthoughI prefer the by the rule book approach, neither is right or wrong.Each official has their
approach to doing their job,just as all of us do.Once an official gets to the level of doingthe NBA
Finals, it’s been reinforced to them over the many years theyhave officiated, that it’s the correct way for
them to work. That’s why they are in the Finals.
The point of this is twofold:
First, the league needs to do a better job communicating to fans and media about the nature of the job and things
as simple as offering explanations in realtime during the playoffs and especially during the Finals. I think it will
make watching the games all the more enjoyable.
2nd, because of the nature of the game, officiating a playoff series “The right way” may look different game to
game. That some officials abilities may match up better with one team’s style of play than another.
That’s not a problem, it’s just a reality. The more fans and media understand that, the more we can appreciate
what we arewatching inthis great Finals matchup between the Spurs and the Pistons
And to answer the question I keep on getting….
I’m rooting for…the series to go 7 games. For obvious reasons!
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Comment by wow -
Let me start out by saying im not a mavs fan.. but i know what i saw that series. You mavs fans got screwed over of a trophy.
Hey.. why argue about what you think you saw in the game between the Mavs and the Heat. Lets look to video evidence!!
Mavs down by one trying to get a stop.. THey call a block foul on dirk when wade clearly throws a elbow into dirks chest..
=
THere are many others..
=
=
=
Comment by Les -
Funny how after being up 2-0, Mav fans were talking sweep. Then they lost.
Then they said Mavs in 5. Then they lost.
Then they said Mavs in 6. Then they lost.
Now they say Mavs in 7.
I say and have said Heat in 6.
*at least the Spurs/Rockets would have put up a better series.
Comment by Raith -
Well,well,well…. imagine that Mark Cuban upset about a couple of calls that didnt go his way… Mark focus on the fact that Miami has outplayed your team…Thats right you lost 3 straight, not just one or even, but 3 games in a row. If your team is as good as you say then it should never come down to last second calls. The Mavs should have put away the Heat long before the closing seconds, maybe instead of blaming everyone else, you should blame your players and coaches lack of heart. 3 in a row…. Staring down the commish. and refs isnt gonna get you a win or any kind of respect… So, here is a suggestion. Shut the Fuck up and let the players play and the refs ref. You are a spectator and that is all you are ever going to be. So, wear your jersey and wave your flag. Save all your screaming and staring for your players and coaching staff, it seems that they are the ones that it will effect the most. Stern and the refs dont give a shit about your stares and yelling, they just laugh at you…Personaly i could care less about your wealth and status, it doesnt mean shit to a veteran, you need to earn that status you so desperately want. You havent earned mine or anybody elses respect. Honestly the second you sell that team you are memory nobody will remember, so be a real man and shut up!
Comment by James -
This is for all of you Johnny come lately Miami Heat fans. The same ones who didn’t know there was a team in town until the Detroit flew in for game 3 of the ECF (that’s Eastern Conference Finals for all you “Her”icane fans). The only way the Heat were able to beat the Mavericks in game 5 was by having D Wade shoot 25 free throws to make up for all the bricks he put up prior to the charity attempts. D Wade simply looked like a lost soul out there and would have wound up with 22 points and mess of turnovers had the hapless NBA referees not bailed him out time and time again. The shot that tied the game should never have counted. He simply lowered his shoulder and knocked A Griffin into the 3rd row to clear out his space. Hell when Josh Howard pulled up for a jumper earlier and brushed Shaq he was whistled immediately for a charge. The entire game 5 scenario was set up by the league office to help Miami win. The BULLSHIT Stackhouse suspension was supposed to ensure that, but Dallas decided not to go out quietly with a loss. So with Dallas ahead by 8 points coming out of the break and looking like they were going to take control of the game without Stack in the line up, that’s when the officiating crew got involved sending the Heat to the charity stripe 20 times and denying the Mavs even 1 shot at the free throw stripe. How many times have you seen the “big, tough, physical style of Eastern Conference Defense” that Miami plays not send a team to the free throw line in an entire quarter. Bet you could pull all the tape from the last 3 years and not find it more than once or twice and certainly not in the playoffs. Let’s take a look at the free throw story. Miami has taken 170 free throws so far. That is 48 more than the Mavs. D Wade himself has put up 76 or about 3 attempts for the Mavs every 5. Dirk Nowitzki on the other hand, who is one of the most prolific foul shooters in the playoffs and was so for the entire season has only attempted 47 shots (29 fewer than Wade). Sunday he had only 5 attempts. Come on, give me a break, he doesn’t just fall to the floor to make it look good. Simply put, the League has made it clear that if the Mavs are going to walk away with the O’Brien Trophy they are going to have to steal it. And that is what I hope they do in games 6 and 7. Then I hope Mark Cuban, after accepting the trophy and Stern extends his right hand out for a shake, will tell him to stick that hand up where the sun don’t shine. Stern and the entire league office as well as the director of the officials should then resign and allow someone into the office that will add some consistency to the officiating and not try to use it as a means to install the next NBA champions.
As for all you Miami fans…should you pull off game 6 or 7 you will never get out of the shadow of this years controversy and the trophy will be like a lame duck sitting in a case somewhere. Your championship banners will have an asterisk at the bottom which reads *this championship was won due to the team effort of every Heat player, its coaches, and a little (oops a lot) of help from David Stern. Should you win game 6 or 7 you will never be able to claim to have the heart of a real champion, for it will not be earned by the grit of the Heat players, but by the treachery of the league office.
NUFF SAID
Comment by Michael Hough -
Well,well,well…. imagine that Mark Cuban upset about a couple of calls that didnt go his way… Mark focus on the fact that Miami has outplayed your team…Thats right you lost 3 straight, not just one or even, but 3 games in a row. If your team is as good as you say then it should never come down to last second calls. The Mavs should have put away the Heat long before the closing seconds, maybe instead of blaming everyone else, you should blame your players and coaches lack of heart. 3 in a row…. Staring down the commish. and refs isnt gonna get you a win or any kind of respect… So, here is a suggestion. Shut the Fuck up and let the players play and the refs ref. You are a spectator and that is all you are ever going to be. So, wear your jersey and wave your flag. Save all your screaming and staring for your players and coaching staff, it seems that they are the ones that it will effect the most. Stern and the refs dont give a shit about your stares and yelling, they just laugh at you…Personaly i could care less about your wealth and status, it doesnt mean shit to a veteran, you need to earn that status you so desperately want. You havent earned mine or anybody elses respect. Honestly the second you sell that team you are memory nobody will remember, so be a real man and shut up!
Comment by James -
There are numerous Shaq replays that show his shots at the Mavs heads. Stackhouse, Dirk and Devin come to mind. Subjective or objective, it’s obvious. However, the media spins these as “Shaq is so powerful! He’s unstoppable!” If a no name player did the exact same thing people would consider it a cheap shot and expect that player to be suspended. It’s rediculous and it’s the star treatment.
As for my comment. It’s not hatred, it’s the truth. The NBA is a marketing machine and the black demographic is their bread and butter. Also, the NBA is constantly searching for the next Jordan – Kobe, Vince C., Lebron, and now Wade. Hate it as you may, it’s the truth.
Comment by Jared M. -
Dallas – Up 2 – Plans for NBA CHAMPIONS Party on June 20 in the streets of Dallas and heads for Miami.
Miami – Up 1 – Plans the big welcome Home MIAMI HEAT NBA CHAMPIONS Party in streets of Miami!
Before you get giddy, remember you are one missed foul call (Wade on Terry Game 3 – what a shocker) and one bogus foul call (Nowinski on Wade Game 5 – Wade did miss and Dirk was in the vacinity) from having already been eliminated in which case I would be attending the Parade that the “Soon to be replaced, bonehead Dallas City Council” was planning.
So – DON’T EVER PLAN A PARTY BEFORE THE VICTORY – Man Law
Comment by Ken C -
Well,well,well…. imagine that Mark Cuban upset about a couple of calls that didnt go his way… Mark focus on the fact that Miami has outplayed your team…Thats right you lost 3 straight, not just one or even, but 3 games in a row. If your team is as good as you say then it should never come down to last second calls. The Mavs should have put away the Heat long before the closing seconds, maybe instead of blaming everyone else, you should blame your players and coaches lack of heart. 3 in a row…. Staring down the commish. and refs isnt gonna get you a win or any kind of respect… So, here is a suggestion. Shut the Fuck up and let the players play and the refs ref. You are a spectator and that is all you are ever going to be. So, wear your jersey and wave your flag. Save all your screaming and staring for your players and coaching staff, it seems that they are the ones that it will effect the most. Stern and the refs dont give a shit about your stares and yelling, they just laugh at you…Personaly i could care less about your wealth and status, it doesnt mean shit to a veteran, you need to earn that status you so desperately want. You havent earned mine or anybody elses respect. Honestly the second you sell that team you are memory nobody will remember, so be a real man and shut up!
Comment by James -
“By that contention, Shaq should have been suspended every game this series with he consistent and intentional elbows to Mav players’ heads. His elbow against Devin Harris in Game 5 was surely an intentional “blow to the head” as Devin was simply standing there. But of course, none of those will be reviewed due to the star treatment in the NBA.
And yes Wade is far easier to use for marketing the NBA to the black youth, who the NBA thrives on.”
________________________________________
That’s really aweful that you would feel that way, but I suppose there is a place for understanding all the same.
Foul calling can be very subjective to the rabid fan. Only a very good understanding of the game can produce objectivity. Intent is very easy to see for a seasoned and long time paticipant of the game at it’s highest level, normally.
However, the other part of your reaction and comments are very disturbing. Blamming Wade himself and his color as being some incentive for corruption to exploit and sell product to (poor) black youth only serves to reveal your true hatred, and it’s not the refs.
Comment by RC Cole -
“By that contention, Shaq should have been suspended every game this series with he consistent and intentional elbows to Mav players’ heads. His elbow against Devin Harris in Game 5 was surely an intentional “blow to the head” as Devin was simply standing there. But of course, none of those will be reviewed due to the star treatment in the NBA.
And yes Wade is far easier to use for marketing the NBA to the black youth, who the NBA thrives on.”
________________________________________
That’s really aweful that you would feel that way, but I suppose there is a place for understanding all the same.
Foul calling can be very subjective to the rabid fan. Only a very good understanding of the game can produce objectivity. Intent is very easy to see for a seasoned and long time paticipant of the game at it’s highest level, normally.
However, the other part of your reaction and comments are very disturbing. Blamming Wade himself and his color as being some incentive for corruption to exploit and sell product to (poor) black youth only serves to reveal your true hatred, and it’s not the refs.
Comment by RC Cole -
Great Idea! I know the rules of the game very well. It is so frustrating when the guy announcing a professional game on TV is not familiar with the rules. I would do alot less yelling at the TV if the announcers were more informed.
Comment by Steve -
As for post #179, how can you thow stats up there like that? Talk about free-throw differentail? That can’t be vaild point when you employ intential fouls knowing that there’s a high percentage that Shaq will miss one or both free throws. That’s why you have a 3 man rotation at center… It equates to 18+ fouls. For example, Game 5… Shaq in the post, gets the ball and VanHorn (Where has he been all series?) wraps up Shaq in a bear hug motion… Not even going for the ball? The refs aren’t the greatest! Sometimes they defy logic… but don’t try to back things up here with stats that are questionable at best!
Comment by Bigdog -
Wonder what Miami has planned for game 7?
Wont be there to busy with the big welcome Home MIAMI HEAT NBA CHAMPIONS Party in streets of Miami!
Comment by Can't take the HEAT get out of the kitchen -
“I do however agree with the suspension of Stack because of the head blow I saw on film. I do apologize in that offends anyone, but as a player, I think a blow to the head deserves that sort of call.”
By that contention, Shaq should have been suspended every game this series with he consistent and intentional elbows to Mav players’ heads. His elbow against Devin Harris in Game 5 was surely an intentional “blow to the head” as Devin was simply standing there. But of course, none of those will be reviewed due to the star treatment in the NBA.
And yes Wade is far easier to use for marketing the NBA to the black youth, who the NBA thrives on.
Comment by Jared M. -
Mark,
It was a very tough loss and I was really pulling for the Mavs. It’s easy to play “monday morning QB” and rehash the events in the final minute of overtime.
I agree, the foul on Wade was a joke, not to mention the refs should understand the situation and the intent of the time-out. Many people blame Howard’s missed FTs, but sadly, that it part of the game and no strategy, coaching, planning can account for player error.
As for the last night’s loss, I think Avery Johnson deserves as much accountability as anyone for the events in the final minute of O.T. In fact, in this series, he has looked like anything BUT the coach of the year. Let me explain….
It’s no secret that basketball is a tough game and as a former member of a NBA basketball staff, I understand the hard work and preparation that goes into managing a NBA team. With 4 coaches on the bench, the one thing that is inexcusable is game management. In 2 occasions last night, Avery showed poor game management.
First, he shouldn’t be signalling a time-out. It is common practice to simply call over a player and instruct him to call a time-out following the FT. In the NBA, it’s a no-brainer that the Mavs wanted a time-out following the FT, but when Avery puts his players in a situation where he’s signalling for a time-out, there is a risk that the ref might make a mistake and that is exactly what happened. It’s like throwing a hail mary in football. As an offensive coach, you roll the dice in the event that an official might throw a penalty for pass interference.
Second, everyone is talking about the time-out, but NO ONE has mentioned the critical tactical error that Avery made following Miami’s time-out with 9.1 seconds in O.T. and the Mavs with a 1 point lead. Miami inbounded the ball and Avery chose to extend pressure on Dwayne Wade. Before the play developed, my first thought was…what is Avery thinking? By extending pressure, he allowed Wade more room to manuver, thus increasing the chances for a bucket or a foul…albeit a phantom foul was called.
In that situation, the textbook strategy is to fall back and allow Wade to run the clock down and either hurry a shot and force him into passing off to someone less likely of scoring. In my opinion, that was a very poor decision to extend pressure and it obviously cost the Mavs.
Finally, on a different note…in game 3, having Dirk inbound the ball on the final play of the game was a very puzzeling move. Dirk is one of the top players in the world and to have him inbound the ball took any element of surprise out of the final play. If you are not going to give Dirk the ball, at least put him on the floor as a decoy, so you increase your chances of running a better play.
Again, it’s easy play monday am QB and it’s to 2nd guess the coach, but these mistake are one that defy elementary circumstances of game management. If the Mavs go on to lose the series (I certainly hope they don’t), you can look to these coaching subtlties as a legitimate reason why.
Having said all this, I believe the Mavs wiull bounce back and win in 7, but it’s because of the coach of the year, but because the Mavs are simply a better team.
All the best,
Kevin Yurkus
Comment by Kevin Yurkus -
Mr. Cuban
You are doing an excellent job running the Mavs and I admire you for standing up in what u beleive. I love the NBA but the officiating is so Biased, superstar players get speacil treatment all the time game after game. There is no way there was a foul on D.Wade in game 5 and I cannot beleive fuking refs called it. Anyway I hate fat SHACK and I hate Pat Fuking Riley with a passion, I hope Dirk’s is pissed and scores 50 a game the mavs the last two games.
keep up the good work.
Comment by Manan Butt -
Although I am a “real” Texan (born in Texas) and loved the Mavs growing up, I never-the-less am a Heat fan. I played for Don Haskins at UTEP (Texas Western of Movie Glory Days) and had a team mate named Tim Hardaway who, eventually came down to Miami in 1995 (the year I came here) and played for the Heat, which should explain my liking the team.
With that said I am a true basketball lover from day one. I started playing at the age of 4 and have scored 72 points in a single game in high school and 47 in college. My father was a coach, I have coached, and have been coach by some of the most legendary men in the business, yet I must agree that the foul calling in this series has been just terrible.
However, I wanted to say that the calls have been horrible for both sides from my very close observation of every play since the series began. I’ve seen the players have a real hard time as well. Not because they don’t understand how the new rules apply, but because they don’t see the new rules being enforced on a “consistant” basis.
Consistancy seems to be lacking during the game calling. One moment the payers can be tough with each other. But then, the very next moment they can’t touch each other. It’s been bizarre to say the least.
I do however agree with the suspension of Stack because of the head blow I saw on film. I do apologize in that offends anyone, but as a player, I think a blow to the head deserves that sort of call. It does seem to be intentional, which makes it worse. I, as a player would want to be protected from such a blow, but then again I am older these days, and think about it more, lol.
In the end I only have one contention, and that is that I truly hope that the refs can simply become consistant, so the players can get on with playing the game in that same manner, consistantly. It is then that we will see who does indeed, have the best team.
I wish all of you Mavs fans the best of luck, but retain my hopes for our team.
Together, I hope we can see a fare game for both sides, once and for all.
Comment by RC Cole -
Miami strategic planning session following game 4…..”Our spies tell us that all we have to do is get their leading bench player suspended then get the referees to call a foul everytime Wade misses and never call fouls when when Howard gets mauled and we can win by as much as 1 point! So tell the ref’s that it would be best if they called the fouls on players that had actually touched Wade recently and maybe no one will notice”
Remember what Terry did after his suspension?
Wonder what Miami has planned for game 7?
Comment by Ken C -
All I keep reading about is how bad the HEAT fans and officiating are BLA BLA BLA.. Seems to me I seen a new Dallas resident at a finials game in Miami wearing a HEAT Jersey and cheering for the HEAT… Mr. T.O. of the Dallas Cowboys… And keep talking about HACKY SHAQ and see if the officials don’t just call the games a little closer to stop the potential intentional fouls. Not sure who came up with that brilliant strategy but I am sure it has had and effect on how the officiating. HEAT in 6 and TEARS in Dallas.
Comment by Can't take the HEAT get out of the kitchen -
First off, I am not a Mavs fan. Any objective look at this series surely shows that the Heat are getting the BIG benefit of the whistle. Conspiracy? Wade IS easier to market than Dirk…
Comment by Mark -
Do you know what a bandwagon fan is? I root for the Suns and after the Mavs beat us, I thought it would be appropriate to yell for the Mavs. I think you are the better team but you certainly are not playing like it. For all of you wondering about the Howard timeout, did you not see him put his head down and start walking toward the bench? That was as clear as it gets.
Comment by randy -
Futhermore to all you Miami fans talking Smack remember three games ago when we were up 2-0??? Remember that feeling!!! Cause it coming back and way worse losing a game Seven is trully gut wrenching. ASK THE SPURS ABOUT THAT. They were the NBA CHAMPS and we beat them in 7. And your little HEAT Team is NOT as good as the Spurs and certainly not as good as The Mavericks!!! You ever heard of a false sense of security?!?! WADE is GREAT!!! But caring Shaq’s fat ass is for two more games is just to much!!! Just watch what happens tonite!!!
Comment by Jamey Haws -
“I will be rooting for the Heat. My comments were deleted as well. What a pussy.”
Good we don’t need bandwagon fans.
Comment by Jared M. -
OK!!! Ours boys are coming home finally and yes with a 3-2 deficit on their backs. SO WHAT!!! We haven’t lost at home either. But, this format gave a huge advantage to the Heat. The way I see it is the team with the most games at home in a row has the larger advantage. The BIG German fella has been somewhat quiet. Don’t Expect that tonite. The Mavs should be highly pissed with the way all the games in Miami went, I know I am, Mark Cuban is and the whole Mavericks Fan Base. The officiating HAS NOT COST THE MAVS ONE SINGLE GAME!!! BUT it has most certainly kept Miami in games that they would not have had a chance to pull out. Take a look at this stat alone people. Even if you ignore the rest of the terrible calls/no calls this is is ridiculous PERIOD!!!
Dallas Mavericks Free Throws 21-25
Miami Heat Free Throws 32-49
That’s entirely out of wack!!!
Double the amount of free throws?!?!?
That WILL NOT HAPPEN TONITE!!!
Mavs Roll in Game 6!!!
YOU GOTTA BELIEVE!!!
Comment by Jamey Haws -
I would like to agree with post #166. I was rooting for the Mavs but after watching Cuban and his club act like children, I will be rooting for the Heat. My comments were deleted as well. What a pussy.
Comment by randy -
To All Mavericks Fans!
Karma: “The total effect of a person’s actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person’s existence, regarded as determining the person’s destiny.” –www.answers.com —
Let’s face it, Mark Cuban has been bitching and crying for the right and wrong reasons, foul calls mostly, ever since he purchased the Mavericks. Challenging David Stern and every single NBA official his team plays, com’on man, do you really think you have that much push? Do you really think that sitting courtside is going to influence the referees to your advantage? Shut the fuck up, get in a starbox, and enjoy the game, or sit courside and keep your mouth shut!
Mark, congratulations for having some much team spirit and a desire to win, sometime more than your own palyers, but stop whining and complaining, this shit is all coming back to bite you in the ass. As sadly as it is, I really think David Stern and some NBA officials are really out to get Mark Cuban and the Mavericks. Write your blog, do your thing, but stop publicly calling out the commissioner and the referees. It’s Mark Cuban’s fault for all this! Mark, “The fish dies because of his mouth,” remember that.
Avery, revoke the right of Josh Howard to call a timeout until he removes his head from his ass and pays attention to the game, he caused Wake Forest the tournament in 2004 by calling a timeot when his team didn’t have one, allowing Meryland to shoot a technical foul, final score: Terps 90, Wake 89.
To all crybabies in Dallas doing pull-ups on Cuban’s dick, your “best owner in all of sports” is ultimately hurting ya’ll.
Holla
Comment by Its Cuban's fault!! -
you mavs fans are the biggest freakin babies i’ve seen. it starts from that moron mark cuban and twinkles down to all you bunch of pussies. Stop crying and grow some balls in the 4rth quater. stop crying and hit some clutch free throws. mavs are a bunch of chokers. josh howard has yet to hit a field goal in the 4rth quarter.
Comment by andre -
I would like to agree with post #166. I was rooting for the Mavs but after watching Cuban and his club act like children, I will be rooting for the Heat. My comments were deleted as well. What a pussy.
Comment by randy -
“He still made the signal infront of 2 refs and they had no choice but to call it.”
They had the choice and they chose to call it in favor of Miami, as with the rest of the game. Players signal to coaches all the time and the refs know they are not calling time outs. It happens all of the time.
If Howard was in dded calling a time out, he would have looked directly at the ref not Avery.
Comment by Jared M. -
Shaq is the dirtiest player in these finals with every intentional elbow he throws. Yet no one says anything, no calls are ever made, and lord knows he would never be suspended. During game 5 Shaq threw an obvious and intentional elbow at Devin Harris’ head AFTER THE FOUL. He should be suspended for that but we all know he won’t since the NBA protects it’s “stars”.
Also, to Jerry Jones and Go Heat, “an unbranded range animal” is also known as a wild horse.
Comment by Jared M. -
Money definitely has not bought you much class. I feel sorry for the Maverick coaches and players, they must be so embarrassed by your temper tantrums and your antics. I am a Heat fan, but I would feel the same way if it was Mickey Arison that was acting this way. Just because your pockets are full doesn’t automatically entitle you to anything. I would venture to guess that you were a pretty intelligent guy, so I am not telling you anything you probably don’t already know. However, the general conventions of mechanics, usage, and spelling are taught as early as the 2nd and 3rd grade and you should at the very least use your computer’s spell check. You are only making yourself part of the problem with this country. We are raising children that lack the proper respect for other people and have an extreme feeling of entitlement without hardwork. Sometimes, no most times, it is more noble to keep your mouth shut and be humble. Acts of humility, as ironic as it might be purely by definition, don’t go unnoticed and are more likely to be remembered in the long run. We all know that young children simply don’t have the coping mechanisms to deal with disappointments such as losing. Knowing how to handle these situations calmly and gracefully comes with experience. Don’t worry Mark, I have a feeling that you will have plenty of experience with losing (especially in the next 24-72 hours)in order gain these coping mechanisms.
GO HEAT!
Comment by Amy -
the nba rif. must have seen that last call in game 5 and thay had to think that makes us all look bad
Comment by kenneth fishback -
Mark,
Kudos on bringing to light the fact that the refs have been horrible this year, especially in the playoffs. The only consistant thing has been the inconsistanty of the refs!! These old men have been around since the rookie days of Magic and Bird. The game has evolved, and so should the officiating. The NBA is the only sport where the officials often time have more of an infulence on the outcome of the game than the players do. With that said… I am a Miami Heat season ticket holder and a big basketball fan! I clearly saw Howard make the signal for a time-out, now whether that was intended for Coach Johnson, or the officals? He still made the signal infront of 2 refs and they had no choice but to call it. I also witnessed you shout to Stern that this this is F’n rigged! Classic!! Although some people may call your actions crazy and obserd, I find them highly entertaining. Keep it up, the old suits of the NBA are set in their ways and we need some radical changes to make this game the best it can be. Look at the NFL and how they’ve evolved… They accepted change, and have bettered themselves as a result. Don’t shun hip hop and replace it with Tom Petty… Embrace the hip hop, it makes your sport unique! With that said, I am really looking forward to tonight’s game! Dallas officals planned the victory parade too early! Wade is too much, Shaq is always a threat, and complimentary players have been stepping up!
Go HEAT!!
Comment by Bigdog -
BTW, Stackhouse has no history as a dirty player?? He’s no Ron Artest, but he has some history. I know a few examples, but I’m sick of giving you guys all the answers. Figure it out for yourself.
Comment by Go Heat -
Angie, why are you still talking about the supposed backcourt violation?? Try reading a rulebook. The NBA already reviewed the play and said there was no violation. Mavs, you can’t use fouling as a primary method of defense, then complain when the other team shoots foul shots. Shaq drew 16-20 fouls by himself. This in turn, put the Mavericks in the penalty quicker, leading to the huge free throw disparity. Use a little logic, and things become pretty clear.
Comment by Go Heat -
Mark is right, i am a die hard mavs fan and i know it sounds like we are complaining but the cameras do not lie.We all know stern has it out for cuban and he is taking it out on the mavs.Wade is getting jordan phanton fouls called to decide a game in the finals( the camera does not lie dirk did not foul him)like he has earned some clout in the nba. This is how it always is when any team from dallas plays in a big time game the east coast bullshit starts.These are the worst officials ever in the history of the nba and not just in this series but in all of the playoff games tis season. It is rigged so the nba can make more money not the mavs but david stern and the nba. Stern pays the refs and the refs call the phantom fouls.All we ask is for a fair game and if we lose on that we will be okay but i doubt we will lose.N E WAYS GO MAVS BE THE SHIT OUT OF THE HEAT AND WE ARE HAVING THE PARADE THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by DA TRUTH -
how about, FUCK YOU MR. Mark Whine Cuban
you write a blog and then block all comments, all you want is for ppl to hear your opinion only even though it is the crappiest, worst, most inhumane ideas..so fuck yourself, and your mavericks, and I hope the refs call 100 fouls on your team today, and dont give us any credit, who gives a fuck, only you will be crying and thats wut matters more to us than a gold trophy..bitch
Comment by haha, aint writing it .. GO HEAT -
Mark, dude, you have lost it. I thought you were pretty cool for a while, now you are just being a dick! You lost the game, your guy called time out, he screwed up, face it an move on! Did the Michigan coach cry after Chris Webber called time out? No, he took it like a man, you should too. IF that would have happened to the Heat you would have said, “well, that’s just the game”..and you F’N know it! Your act is getting old….we understand you are a rebel, and that is fine, good for you, a rich guy that can do whatever he wants….but we are all getting tired of the same crap over and over. People would kill to have what you do so maybe you should at least try to be a better role model. I have a 10 year old son who loves the Heat and the NBA…but when you come on he asks me what your problem is? Being a billionaire has it’s privilages, but it also has it’s responsibilities. And the Stack thing, stupid thug foul, shows what kind of character your guys have, try teaching your players to stay on their feet and defend instead of flopping ever time D Wade of G Payton touch them. It’s a mans game and real men and men of character will win in the end. Heat in 6.
Comment by Dave -
Joeb,
You need to grow up! Your mouth is pathetic and trashy! Watch the game closer and you’ll see the onesided officiating. I’m NOT a Dallas fan so I’m not being bias. It’s VERY obvious that Dallas can’t breath on Wade without getting a wistle. Look at the contact on Dirk. Their all over him, grabbing, pulling holding and still No call. Hey, I like Shaq but the foul on Stackhouse was just a hard foul. The guys over 7ft tall. You would have to go up strong or he would score and it would be a three point play. He wasn’t ejected for the play and then the NBA takes action. Stackhouse has NO history of being a dirty player. Also, the last nine seconds in game 5. Come on we are all intellegent people. Wade had a backcourt violation (right in front of the refs) NO call, They replay CLEARLY shows NO foul on Wade. To Jobe who clearly didn’t see want happened….here is what happened. Josh look at Avery and was asking him when he wants the time out. This is done ALL the time between coaches and players. I’ve seen the Heat do it. This is especially done when there is 1.4 seconds in the NBA finals. He wasn’t looking at the officials at all. This official has reffed plenty of games and knows that this happens. I know plays that haven’t gotten time outs because they weren’t motioning the official. Fact of the matter is, the officiatting was terrible. Had this happened to the Heat, Jobe, you would of been mad too. I agree with Elaina 100%, you’re an idiot!!
Comment by Angie -
Go Mavs
Websters
mav·er·ick (mvr-k, mvrk)
n.
1. An unbranded range animal, especially a calf that has become separated from its mother, traditionally considered the property of the first person who brands it.
Comment by Jerry Jones -
when a player does something wrong he will be find. If a rif. does something wrong what does he get? It was like in game 5 the rif. was going to give this game to the heat and he did with little tine left.
Comment by kenneth fishback -
when a player does something wrong he will be find. If a rif. does something wrong what does he get? It was like in game 5 the rif. was going to give this game to the heat and he did with little tine left.
Comment by kenneth fishback -
when a player does something wrong he will be find. If a rif. does something wrong what does he get? It was like in game 5 the rif. was going to give this game to the heat and he did with little tine left.
Comment by kenneth fishback -
Jared M. :
From Webster:
maverick
an unbranded range animal; especially : a motherless calf
I never said that a maverick is not a rebel, but Glass said that a maverick is not a cow or a calf, which is just wrong. and stupid.
Comment by Go Heat -
@Roy,SP,Oscar and all you other socalled Heat Fans and Mav Haters,YES there will be a game 7!!!and btw The Heat DIDNOT win game 5,it was given to them to make the series interesting and so all of us fans in Dallas can sit back and watch Miami get beat at the AAC in Dallas..like i stated before we will see whos crying Thursday nite!!
LMAO!!!!!!!!
GO MAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by renea -
Living in Stamford Ct. the home of Salvatore Bennett– seeing the nice ambiance of Bennett’s steak house -the wonderful family atmosphere — and meeting his pretty neice and daughter at church no less conflicts with the thoughts I have watching him basically throwing the games to Miami. If I didn’t know better I would think he was being paid to fix the games.(ok I am joking) I know the league itself treats Shaq like Princess Daddy but the inconsistencies in these playoffs are really sickening.
Hopefully Dallas will just overcome the very bad calls by the officiating and the better team will win.
I like Dallas and Miami(although I want Dallas to win) so referees let them play– oh and Mr. Bennett “What the Hell?”
Vinnie Vin
Comment by Vinnie Vin -
The Heat and ever other team in the NBA wish they had an owner like Mark Cuban that gets his team and their fans involved like they are.
Did you see the first two games in Dallas? The fans were pumped, roudy, loud and proud of their team.
All Miami provides are sticks with Hasselhoffs pictures on them and ask their fans to wear all white shirts. That’s an owner getting into their NBA team for yah.
Comment by MFFL -
Mavs fan remember this: there is no Game 7… until you win Game 6. It’s a ONE game series now until you guys can find a way to beat the Heat and extend it to Game 7.
Because of this I say Miami wins tomorrow night.
Comment by Roy -
Mavs fan remember this: there is no Game 7… until you win Game 6. It’s a ONE game series now until you guys can find a way to beat the Heat and extend it to Game 7.
Because of this I say Miami wins tomorrow night.
Comment by Roy -
I laugh at all the Heat “fans” coming on this blog and complaing about Dallas fans and they’re whining. You know for a fact that if all this crap had gone againts Miami, half of Cuba…I mean Miami, would be saying the same exact things.
The Heat need to get over themselves and they’re deplorable city.
Comment by Jared M. -
I went to game 5 in San Antonio when Dallas lost by one point on a rebound that Dirk didn’t put back in the basket.
I remember after that game when we were exiting the ATT Center, Spurs fans were yelling in my ear so loud that Dallas Sucks, they were literally spitting on my neck.
I think it happens in all NBA arenas with different fans.
Comment by MFFL -
SP,
I’m not crying or whinning. I’m just telling the facts as we see them on TV. You seem to be the one getting upset and crying about the Mavs fans. This isn’t a Heat thing, it’s an offical thing. So why don’t you eat some of our cowshit and shut your face.
Are you rooting for either team in the finals or are you an offials fan. I that case, I can see why you are Mavs Hater.
Comment by MFFL -
All of the Miami “fans” needs to get off this blog and go back to Cuba.
Comment by Jared M. -
“Every time out is filled with videos and songs insulting the other teams players, cities and fans. The crowd is rude, abusive and profane.”
You apparently haven’t been to many games either. They maybe have 1 or 2 videos every couple of games, and they’re rare at that. And everywhere you go in any sports venue you will have some “rude, abusive and profane” fans. Do you generalize those cities as well? Take a look at San Antonio. Hardly a classy city by any means.
Care to elaborate on “who they are and what the represent”?. That should be interesting.
Comment by Jared M. -
Might we suggest to have banners out with the signs “Miami Cheats”! Anyone with eyes can see thay do especially with the refs on their side.
Go Mav’s
Comment by Linda & Gerald Goff -
MFFL,
According to your logic, and that of the cow fans here, even though Ginobili may have hit Dirk’s hand, by your logic, it should have never been called. There are pictures all over the internet showing Cow players grabbing Wade on the way to the basket when the foul was called. I know you’ve seen them. But you dorks say that was a bad call and a mistake. Stuff like that, according to you and your like minded cow fans, should never be called at the end of a game…well, only if it’s against the other team, right?? You are all full of cowshit, and hopefully tomorrow, the world won’t have to listen to your crying and whining anymore.
Comment by SP -
Sandra,
These Maverick fans will never admit to feeling the sting of Karma coming back to slap them in the face.
It’s all been adding up. Have you ever been to a game at their American Airlines Center? Every time out is filled with videos and songs insulting the other teams players, cities and fans. The crowd is rude, abusive and profane. In the middle of it all is their leader, the owner of the team.
I am a fan of another team, but i thought about cheering for the Mavs because they are a Texas team. But that organization exhibits nothing of the class and good sportsmanship that i identify with other Texas professional sports teams.
These fans are delusional. They refuse to see themselves for who they are and what they represent. It appears though, that they nasty dream is coming to an end. A very large mirror is being held up by the Miami Heat, and like it or not, the Maverick owner, team and fans are going to have to take a good long look at themselves. Soon they will see themsleves for the classless bunch they are.
Comment by Edgar Soliz -
“Dirk broke his record even before the fifth game, and he didn’t have to earn it. He flops all day begging for a call, and mostly getting it. Haslem stands still, Nowitzki crashes into him, and yet Haslem gets called for the foul.”
You kidding? In game 4 Dirk spent the entire first half on his ass every shot and never got a call from the refs. If you watch the games, you’ll know Dirk rarely complains and when he does it’s because of an obvious miss call.
The NBA is turning away many casual fans because of their inconsistent foul calling and rigging of series’. They want a game 7, that means more money. The worst thing the NBA could have is a sweep in the finals, so they hand deliver 3 games to Miami to make the series “interesting”. Anyone with half a brain can see how obvious it is.
This is just some of the worst officiating I have ever seen.
Comment by Jared M. -
“Dirk broke his record even before the fifth game, and he didn’t have to earn it. He flops all day begging for a call, and mostly getting it. Haslem stands still, Nowitzki crashes into him, and yet Haslem gets called for the foul.”
You kidding? In game 4 Dirk spent the entire first half on his ass every shot and never got a call from the refs. If you watch the games, you’ll know Dirk rarely complains and when he does it’s because of an obvious miss call.
The NBA is turning away many casual fans because of their inconsistent foul calling and rigging of series’. They want a game 7, that means more money. The worst thing the NBA could have is a sweep in the finals, so they hand deliver 3 games to Miami to make the series “interesting”. Anyone with half a brain can see how obvious it is.
This is just some of the worst officiating I have ever seen.
Comment by Jared M. -
I hope you’re not calling the foul on Dirk by Ginobli at the end of game 6 or 7 a bad call. He clearly hit his hand to try and deflect the ball from going in the basket. That was Ginobli’s mistake not the refs.
Comment by MFFL -
I am not rooting for Miami to win, however, now Dallas knows how the Spurs felt in their series with the Mavs. Same bad calls, but now they are going against the Mavs.
Comment by Sandra Brand -
I still believe the mavs can pull it together and win 2 at home!!
Comment by Grace Brock -
Your owner does not help the situation and neither does Howard missing fould shots down the stretch. You had a chance to win (Terry missing at the end of regulation) but could not finish. How about we call you the Dallas Mickelsons! You barely got by the Spurs and then beat a team that was missing Amare, Thomas and Bell. Quit whinnning and play!
Comment by scott machen -
We can blame others all day but really isn’t it partly the Heats defensive scheme that has done a number on Dirk and the Mavs??
Comment by Grace Brock -
Howard has done this before:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=220550120
He needs some education
Comment by wtf -
Oscar, are you a banned wagon fan? Have you watched the entire series? Didn’t you see Dallas win the first two games of this series.
Oh yeah, the Heat has not won in Dallas in the past four years…
Comment by MFFL -
The mavs did not lose because of a couple free throws by wade. They lost because Howard inexplicably called a time out too soon. I feel sorry for the poor guy, but the refs have to give the time out to him. They can’t deny them the timeout just because it wasn’t a smart move. It was a player mistake just like traveling. The refs aren’t going to give you the ball back just because you didn’t want to travel. As neither a mavs or heat fan, I have to say that it looks like Johnson is being outcoached up and down the floor. He may have gotten the COTY because his team earned it for him. His lack of experience is showing right now, but luckily for him they have two chances at home to take the title where his TEAM plays better. A coach doesn’t win 60+ games in the regular season, the skills of his team do. When a coach really matters is in the playoffs when everything is on the line and talent alone won’t win the game. Just look at Larry Brown. Took the Pistons to the finals but barely took the Knicks into a double digit record.
Comment by phatman -
Talk about classness, how can anybody call themselves a Heat fan when they come to another teams Web blog site and call the real fans whiners?
Are yall really Heat fans???
Coming to another teams website so you can have something interesting to read would say you’re that teams fan. So all you Heat fans are really Mavs fans!!
GO MAVS!!!
Comment by MFFL -
With Shaq going to the basket for a dunk, how can anybody not foul him hard so he doesn’t get the two points. Even he says it was a hard foul not a flagrant.
Another NAB offials call to eleminate the MAVS.
Comment by MFFL -
I love that phone call I recieved at my office, telling me I was an asshole..haha..the classless mavericks fans
Comment by Oscar Cordova Jr -
unfucking believable…
1 – stackhouse suspension, so it was a hard foul, is that worth taking out one of the best 6th men in theleague out of a pivitol finals game?
2 – backcourt violation by wade, he catches it top half, goes back court, comes back and gets his fts
3 – that last whistle, was that a foul??? was there enough contact that altered the shot by hitting him on the arm, hand, back?
4 – the TO, joe crawford says to deRosa, no no there was not a TO called, he goes no, it was, calls it, bullshitt, he knows better than that, why would we call it at that point?
5 – i dont see any fines for the fans who threw shit at our players, how does the nba let that go, but if benga goes to help out his coaches wife along with cuban hes suspended 4 games?
fuck this nba, this isnt the nba the other teams have, this is more than just bias, this is just wrong, unjust
and why the fuck does everyone play keep away with dirk?
Comment by E -
The NBA is pathetic.
So many rules to enforce, and they do so when they choose.
Comment by Jim -
As a NBA fan.
If you watched the plaoyoffs at all, then you would know that it is a proven fact that when a team gets a big lead, the refs starts calling fouls for the team that is tralling so they can get back in the game.
It’s happened in the Spurs/Mavs series where the Spurs got the fouls and even happened where the Mavs were behind and they got the calls so they could get back in the game.
It even happened in the Lakers/Suns, Miami/Pistons, Suns/Mavs series.
The NBA wants good finishes at the end of the games, not blowouts. So the calls go to the team that is needing the help to get more games televised.
So at this point it would be the Heat that needs help staying with the Mavs.
GO MAVS!!! Rock the house in Dallas on Thursday night.
Comment by MFFL -
Your owner does not help the situation and neither does Howard missing fould shots down the stretch. You had a chance to win (Terry missing at the end of regulation) but could not finish. How about we call you the Dallas Mickelsons! You barely got by the Spurs and then beat a team that was missing Amare, Thomas and Bell. Quit whinnning and play!
Comment by scott machen -
Renea – I am a bit confused, I am unsure how I will be able to see Thursday if Tuesday is the end to a dallas misery. I dont quite get it. You actually think you can come back and win 2 games? Seriously, do you actually in your right human mind think you can win 2 games. There is no foul disparity, take away the 14 fouls committed on Shaq alone and its all tied. Its not my fault or the refs that you foul Shaq intentionally…Stop whinning , all of you, just a bunch of SORE LOSERS who cant admit to being beat by a better team, nor can you give anyone thats superior than you credit. If it wasnt for that bouce in San Antonio, you wouldnt have even been here, So shut up and thank God you actually made it this far.
Comment by Oscar Cordova Jr -
OK, Mavs fans, you can’t have it both ways. If memory serves me correctly, Dirk had one game against the Spurs in which he only made 3 field goals, but he scored 27 points. He made 21 free throws in that game. The Spurs complained, but all we heard was what a great job Dirk did going to the basket. Was Wade fouled more in Game 5 than he was in Game 1 with the same officiating crew? Heck yes!! Because in Game 1, all he did was shoot bricks from the outside. In Miami, he has attacked the lane. If Dirk attacks the lane in game 6, guess what will happen………….a free throw parade for the Mavs.
As for the superstar treatment in the NBA, why does everyone always seem so stunned by this. Magic, Bird, Kareem, MJ, Shaq, LeBron, Wade, Dirk, etc. Those types of players have always gotten better treatment, and they always will. Look at baseball. Have you ever noticed how Clemens, Maddux, Glavine and those other great pitchers get borderline calls that pitchers with ERA above 5.00 don’t. It’s the same concept, just more noticeable in the NBA.
By the way, neither of these are truly great teams. If you want to see really great teams with guys who could play the game, watch ESPN Classic. As a Laker fan who had to watch Shaq brick all those free throws years ago, I say that they should put something in his contract where he should be docked pay at the end of the season for every percentage point below 60% he shoots. The Hack-a-Shaq is not entertaining basketball to watch, but he should be embarrassed that he can’t do better than 2-12. I am right handed, and I could hit 2-12 left handed with 20,000 fans screaming at me!! It’s ridiculous.
Comment by Eugene Rowlett -
GO MAVS!!!
What did ESPN say last night.
The Heat has not won a game in Dallas in four years.
GO MAVS!!!
Comment by MFFL -
But Shaq, on the other hand is just a behemoth that throws his elbows around and then the foul gets called on the other team. Or better yet, no foul. Shaq needs to learn how to play basketball rather than standing under the basket to get points by throwing his elbows..
AMEN TO THAT!!!!
LOL,
FROM ONE MFFL TO ANOTHER THANKS FOR KEEPING IT REAL!!!!
GO MAVS!!!!!
Comment by renea -
LMAO@SP
NO ONES CRYING AT ALL,I KNOW WHO THE BETTER TEAM IS AND SO WILL YOU ON THURSDAY NITE!!!!
SO SP,U WILL BE THE ONE CRYING!!!!
GO MAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by renea -
GO MAVS!!!!
I’m a MFFL.
Wade is an awesome player. I’ll give that to the Heat and the free throw disadvantage because Miami needs them to even stay close to Dallas.
But Shaq, on the other hand is just a behemoth that throws his elbows around and then the foul gets called on the other team. Or better yet, no foul. Shaq needs to learn how to play basketball rather than standing under the basket to get points by throwing his elbows.
Wade should have never got that foul. First, he went to the backcourt to catch the ball. Second, he knocks Terry down and out of bounds on his drive (foul), then, Harris stops him from going right and Wade pulls on his shorts to get back around him (foul), last he cuts between two Mavs and gets the foul with no made bucket. The officials didn’t even know who fouled him. How can it be a foul without knowing who fouled the player.
I saw at least two fouls Wade made on his last drive that should have given then Mavs the foul shots, the LEAD and the WIN. How can TV viewers see the fouls committed by Wade and the refs can’t see them 5 feet away from the play.
Can I say Stern is involved trying not to let the MAVS win a championship.
Stern just can’t see the MAVS winning a championship so he gives the game to the Heat.
MAVS against the Heat and Stern. (PRICELESS)
GO MAVS!!!!
Comment by MFFL -
To all those who claim they are losing interest in a corruption-ridden NBA: I would love it if the Dallas Mavericks went and formed their own league. One where every single call goes the Mavs’ way, the Mavs win every single game, and the rest of the teams are called the Washington Generals.
Comment by Mike Beyer -
The NBA is pathetic.
So many rules to enforce, and they do so when they choose.
Comment by Jim -
Mark/Avery, get focused on the task at hand!!! you are losing it right now. Long time Laker fan relocated to DFW in 78 and also a Mavs fan. Magic loved being in this position with home court advantage in Game 6/7. You should as well. It is pretty simple. We have had three legitimate chances to drive a stake in thier heart and failed with no excuses. Up by 13 with six minutes to go (#1) and Dirk’s missed f/t (#2) in game 3. josh’s and dirk’s missed f/t’s in final minutes last night(#3). Even with the 0 for 3 to date on the road, not many teams would still have a terrific shot to still win. So go out, stay focused and do what Dallas teams do in Championship play, WIN…….
Comment by Dan Norman -
I am loosing interest in the NBA. When you invest the emotional energy we do in our teams then have games decided by outrageous officiating, you go elsewhere. I want the players to play.
There is just too much money involved. The ratings for Game 6 will be sky high. What do you think they would be if the Mavs won game 5?
Comment by Ken C -
Well said Grace.
Comment by David Stern -
Cow Fans? Is that the best you can come up with? I shudder to thing what SP stands for. Several things come to mind.
BTW, Mavs fan yes but I live in Miami–OOOO beware we are amongst you, soon you will come over to the path of Mark.
Comment by David Stern -
This is all BS to get us all to a game 7 so that the networks and the NBA can make more money. I am fed up with the NBA and if game 6 is decided by the refs again I am calling a boycott to the all fans nationwide. One thing I will say is Wade made his free throws and Dirk didn’t and neither did Howard during the clutch part of the game. Mavs could have won if those 3 points were scored. Sure is hard to win one in Miami when you have 2 teams to play against the Heat and the Grey Shirts!!
Comment by Grace Brock -
That’s too damn funny….A Mavs fan calling out someone for spewing ‘HATE’ !!???
You cow fans are pathetic!
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend!”
GO HEAT!
Comment by SP -
Classless Stackhouse: Don’t you have something better to do than to sit on line all day and throw out hate—I wouldn’t exactly call Miami 3-0 on a neutral court. By the way I did use my real name, I guess Classless would be yours, and I sure as hell don’t want to be the OTHER David Stern.
Comment by David Stern -
A david stern wannabe says TWICE ”
Attention Miami Heat fans. Your 3 Wins were bought and paid for.”
Yeah right. The NBA pays all the salaries, not the Miami Heat.
“We know you don’t like Mark–you fine him 10 times what you do anyone else that does the same thing.”
I didn’t see Micky Arison running on the court every timeout threatening the refs and ripping into them each time a call didn’t go his way. He gets fined 10 times as much because he does 100 times the abusing of the refs.
Pay less effort in worrying about a “conspriacy” and a little more teaching Howard when to hit free throws and when to call timeouts, and teaching Steakhouse not to flagrant foul someone (like he did to Johnson in the suns series to injure him, and tried to do to Shaq), and your team will win games 6 and 7 with the home court refs advantage back in your pockets.
Heat 3-0 on a neutral court, 0-2 on the “refs love the Mavs” court.
Comment by Classless Stackhouse. -
Shake says “This is the first game I’ve had a problem with the refs.”
Of course. As long as Dirk was going 2-14 and getting another 11 on the line, setting an NBA record fr free throws, Dallas fans loved the refs just fine.
“Its actually been a pretty well ref’d series until tonight’s game.”
Yeah right, the eat have been treated like an away team even on their own floor. How many 3 second calls do Dallas get when they are camping out under the basket to keep Shaq from scoring? 1 all series? Miami is at 10 and counting. real fair.
“The NBA is on a quest to find their next Jordan and I think they’ve found him.” Even Wade says he is not the next Jordan. Stop the comparisons until he wins six titles.
“Of course even Jordan never attempted 25 free throws in any single finals game. He had to earn it.”
Dirk broke his record even before the fifth game, and he didn’t have to earn it. He flops all day begging for a call, and mostly getting it. Haslem stands still, Nowitzki crashes into him, and yet Haslem gets called for the foul.
Dirk kicked the ball into the stands and hit a little girl, and is not suspended? Looks like the NBA loves the Mavs.
Comment by Classless Stackhouse. -
Attention Miami Heat fans. Your 3 Wins were bought and paid for. Dwayne Wade is the “next” Jordan according to the media and Shaq is the “NBA Ambassador”. The League doesn’t want that ruined by the better team winning. After all of this, I am embarrased to have the name David Stern. The head of the NBA is killing me here. We know you don’t like Mark–you fine him 10 times what you do anyone else that does the same thing. We heard your comments about possibly having to give Mark the trophy. Of course you will do whatever it takes not to give Mark any Love. Do us a favor and get over it. Us Sterns have to live with this name.
Comment by David Stern (no not that David thank god) -
Attention Miami Heat fans. Your 3 Wins were bought and paid for. Dwayne Wade is the “next” Jordan according to the media and Shaq is the “NBA Ambassador”. The League doesn’t want that ruined by the better team winning. After all of this, I am embarrased to have the name David Stern. The head of the NBA is killing me here. We know you don’t like Mark–you fine him 10 times what you do anyone else that does the same thing. We heard your comments about possibly having to give Mark the trophy. Of course you will do whatever it takes not to give Mark any Love. Do us a favor and get over it. Us Sterns have to live with this name.
Comment by David Stern (no not that David thank god) -
NBA Sucks.
Mark, good luck in trying to clean it up.
Comment by Jim -
OH DEAR ME!!!OH POOR ME!!!! WAAAAAAA-WAAAAAA!
You and your team and its lameass fans are pathetic. Quit your crying and quit blaming some world wide conspiracy. You all are getting just what you all deserve.
You all are full of hate and yet you call it “Rowdy”. You verbally assault fans of other teams in your AAC or on the other teams home court (Remember Mrs. “Meltdown” AJ in Phoenix??)and yet when people come on here to throw it back in your faces you call them HATERS?? I hope the Heat take your pathertic team, its crybaby owner and coach and all you two faced cow lovers and put you out of misery tomorrow nite!!
GO HEAT!
Comment by SP -
Mavs 25 Free Throws
Heat 49 Free Throws
Yeah, the refs are fair. Whatever!!!
They sent Wade to the line everytime someone looked at him the wrong way. “don’t touch the Chosen One”.
The Heat getting all the calls, no Stackhouse, Dirk dissapears, and the Heat still only win by one. Maybe the refs should try a little harder Thursday. They wouldn’t want to slip up and have the Mavs win.
Comment by GL -
Mark,
Here’s the problem with the NBA, it’s the basis for your comments. There are way too many esoteric rules in the game. It’s a game, not rocket science. Sorry to make comparissons, and disclosing that i’m a soccer fan, but I read recently that there are 17 rules in soccer. Don’t know if that’s exactly true, but you get the point. If it looks like a foul it’s a foul, basically. One shouldn’t need to see 50 different angles to stop fuming at the refs and get on with enjoying the game, because after all it’s supposed to be entertainment. America has become prosperous due to inventiveness and the desire to be different, but trying to be perfect is probably not one of it’s attributes. The same nonsense is demonstrated in America’s quadrennial games known as the presidential elections. I believe you see the analogy. However, after my long preamble, I must say that I believe in the conspiracy theory making the rounds in Dallas, that the NBA wanted Wade and Shack to win. Shack is the darling of the press because he makes all these inane comments that provide fodder for the endless shows on ESPN. While I think Shack is a genuinely good person, I believe he has benefitted from un-needed protection from the refs. It also doesn’t hurt that he is still not over his fued with Kobe Bryant, who can’t seem to do anything right. Anyway Mark, you are great for the NBA and keep pissing off Stern and the other fogeys who stay up late at night worrying about you changing the NBA. It needs changing. Take care and good luck.
Comment by austin mccook -
Anyone with a brain should be able to see that refs dictated who won this series! Game 5 was won at the free-throw line! Dwayne Wade had more free-throw attempts than the entire Mavericks team and that is because officials blow the wistle when anyone breathes on Wade! IF THEY DID THE SAME THING FOR DIRK, HE WOULD HAVE SCORED AS MUCH AS WADE!!! I AM NOT A HUGE MAVS FAN, BUT THE CROOKED ASS NBA ROBBED THE MAVERICKS, IT IS THAT SIMPLE!!!!
Comment by Allan -
Hey, Joeb.
You’re an idiot.
Oh yeah, BTW, see ya in game seven.
Comment by Elaina -
So let me understand, your bitching about refs making no calls, so when they do make a call that Howard clearly fucked up on, your mad because they made the call?
What are you the poster child for being a freaking idiot/hypocrit? Your like the parents at a little league game, you just can’t keep your fucking mouth shut. Don’t act like the Mavs haven’t gotten any breaks either. The no call charge that was a blocking foul on Shaq in game 4. (Which BTW, the Meltdown in game 3 is no ones fault but yours). Look, you melted down in game 3 and sucked horribly in 4. Every team in the NBA finals should be prepated for what can happen with officials. Stackhouse deserved what he got, and Howard fucked a Pit Bull the other night with that timout that was a complete disaster.
BTW, tell Jason Terry to get off his back, he’s on it more then Paris HIlton. Quit fucking flopping.
God I hope you lose by 30 in game 6.
Comment by Joeb -
Go Heat:
From Websters —
Main Entry: 1mav·er·ick
Pronunciation: ‘mav-rik, ‘ma-v&-
Function: noun
An independent individual who does not go along with a group or party
Synonyms: nonconformist, eccentric, rebel, one of a kind, individualist.
Comment by Jared M. -
Glass, please read a fucking dictionary before you make an ass of yourself.
Comment by Go Heat -
Do they have school in Miami? The sun (or all those X tabs)in Florida has fried your brains, a Maverick is a rebel DUMBASS. Use some damn sense or go ask your two bit hoe wife for the answer.
Comment by Glass the MidEast -
1946 Baby Boomers and the 2006 Cry Baby Mavs
Comment by Jerry Jones -
Dont be scared. orchestated?? i think what u meant was “orchestrated.” I guess those 60 games that our “manly team” won(2 against the heat) this season were orchestrated. Wait did ur team beat the Spurs, the World Champs……or the suns? O so u did beat the Spurs………in preseason. Your team sounds real manly to me. I see, since you only have 2 players worth talkin about, u spend the rest of time on mavs sites or watchin girlie cartoons, hell probably playing butt darts.
PS Im sure Mark doesnt want to touch you, u might touch back.
Comment by Glass the MidEast -
Kleenix is making a killing the DFW area, with all the crybabies….hahaha.
I call the mavs cows because that is what a maverick is you dumbasses! Look it up. It’s not a horse, its a cow! And the level of your bawling ang blubbering is of the same quality as cow shyt!
The whole world can now see your team and your fans for what they are…jackasses. Karma is coming right back and slapping you around like a two-bit ‘ho.
Here’s hoping that tonite, it will all be over.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend!”
Go HEAT!
Comment by SP -
We should wear blue tonight in honor of the refs and the league – they blew it.
Comment by Nita -
1919 Black soxs and the 2006 NBA Final Ref’s
Comment by Bradley -
In response to post #127 that asks why Dallas had two timeouts while the Heat had Three…. The rules allow only two timeouts in the last two minutes of play. Dallas did not use any overtime timeouts until the last 30 seconds of OT. GO MAVS!!
Comment by Laura -
The fact that officials should never be a issue. The are human they make mistakes. Do you not make mistakes? Why are all the officials we see in the playoffs like 100 years old? maybe they cannot get in the right position to make a call, because they are not able to do it anymore. I do believe the NBA need to take a hard look into the current crop of playoff officials they select and the process. There has been alot of contact in the NBA in the last few years, but this game is not what it was when Bob Cousy played. I seen your boy Dirk knock SHAQ to the floor above the circle under the basket and it is called a block more than once. I don’t see the HEAT comlaining about that after game 1 and 2. You guys are coming home for 6 and 7 there should be no problem the HEAT cannot win on the road
Comment by lnichols -
“I’ll bet my ass heat fans wont come to Dallas talkin that trash”
Ok, but you’re gonna look funny walking around without an ass
“hard to talk with your mouth wired shut. No bitchin here about the so called refs,(LOL, now that’s funny) just tell Shaq to replace his icy-hot patch cause he is going to need it tonight. We came for a WAR and now we have one!”
See, now you went and scared us.
Now I’m afraid your tough (like powder puff) team is going to actually play manly basketball instead of that girly ball we’ve seen from your team so far. So all the orchestated flops by your players are going to stop?
All the whining (he pwaying too wuff wif me) by your players, owner, fans is going to stop?
Cool! Now we can settle down and play real NBA ball instead of those WNBA/NBA games we’ve been forced to watch up to this point.
IT’S ON !!!!
PS I have the world’s biggest ego Mark Cuban cannot touch me!
Respectully yours,
Jerry Jones
Comment by Jerry Jones -
Here’s an idea: Why doesn’t the league put together a four man refereeing crew? Have one in the back, two on the sides, and one in the front. They say the reason referees miss so many calls is because they spend so much time chasing the plays. This would eliminate the problem. You will have someone watching the game at a different angle, and as whole, should be able to see more of what is going on. You ask me, NBA has to have the worst set-up and batch of referees than any other sport. Never have I seen officiating dictate a game like it does in basketball. When you start to see on a run, little no fouls are called on them. It is as if the rules no longer apply and they only get called for hard fouls. The team that is usually being on a scoring drought, gets called for every minor infraction. Then when they start to pick up the pace or start a little run of their own, the refs stop their momentum with a wishy washy foul call. It’s absurd. I don’t agree with the referees should put their whistles away at the end of the game either. Fouls and free throws happen all game, and there is no diffence between one getting called early in the game, as opposed to later in the game. The problem is with the inconsistency with the foul calls. There is no reason, one player should have as many free throw attempts as the other team. Fouls are like holding penalties in football, they happen every play. It clearly shows bias and inconsistency. I’m also sick and tired of certain players getting preferred treatment, based on their superstar status. I remember in the finals, when the Bulls were playing the Jazz, Karl Malone was trailing Dennis Rodman and was trying to pants him and it later turned into Malone tackling Rodman, and the referees called Rodman for the foul. Malone is the dirtiest player I have ever seen, only one close is Bill Laimbeer, and he never got called for anything. He was worse with the refs than Rasheed Wallace and he hardly ever got “T’d” up! How do the Mavs expect to win, when the Heat have two preferred players and Dallas has none? It’s like handicapping a team with no superstars, whenever they go up against a team with superstars. It’s bullshit, and it’s a huge hurdle for any team to overcome. I’m a fan of the Heat, but Dallas is the much better team, and they should have swept the Heat. Also, I think Mark is the best owner in the league. Fuck the NBA for fining him for his comments on here. Everyone knows he is right, and it is his freedom of speech. Every owner should be as proactive as him, and as far as I know, he’s pretty good turning things around. You don’t become a self made billionaire by not knowing what you are doing. Not only that, but the Mavericks sucked before he took over. Mark Cuban has the Midas Touch, and the NBA should take everything suggestion he makes with some serious thought!
Comment by Chad Josselyn -
The only thing I want to see is when David Stern presents the NBA Championship Trophy to the Mavericks after game 7, Mark Cuban say as he lifts the trophy with a smartassed grin, “Wow, with all those “donations” I’ve made to the NBA, you’d think this thing would be heavier.”
Dribblers and Dribblets, THAT would make my day.
Comment by Lance -
Cow lovers? Damn those cuban vegetarians! I can tell you have never been to the DF DUB. When I see a cow all I see $$$. Do u eat at Burger King? nuff said. Game 5 is over and everyone in Dallas knows what happened. We sure as hell dont need heat fans telling us what we watched. I’ll bet my ass heat fans wont come to Dallas talkin that trash, hard to talk with your mouth wired shut. No bitchin here about the so called refs, just tell Shaq to replace his icy-hot patch cause he is going to need it tonight. We came for a WAR and now we have one!
GO MAVS!!!
Comment by Glass the MidEast -
Mark…
Times like these are the most frustrating. The officiating does need addressing. It is appalling that ONE player is allowed to shoot more FreeThrows than a whole team, and especially late in the game after what had been up til then an average performance.
The suspension of Stack had been enough of a slap in the face.
For the referees to rob us of a game in such a blatant manner is outside of enough. It is a travesty. If a foul can be reviewed AFTER the game has ended, and its severity changed, then why is there no redress for us? Why not play the game over? Especially since so much of the game, not only those last few minutes, is suspect?
I know that there is nothing to be done. We must look to Game 6.
If the players only knew how their fans have been supporting them against the idiocies of Heat fans, not to mention the disgruntled Spurs and Suns fans. If they could only read the message boards, and various blogs, they would understand how much they are loved.
Speaking for myself, I want the Mavericks to destroy the Heat. I want to see Mr. Stern turn green as he hands you the trophy. And childish as it may seem, I want to thumb my nose at some very abnoxious and classless Heat fans.
I only wish that I were not in Memphis, but in Dallas to see it first hand.
Go Mavericks!
Comment by elizabeth weimer -
Okay, a little time has passed so maybe cooler heads are prevailing. Maybe not. Here’s my semi-educated take on the matter:
At the start of the NBA Finals nobody was giving the Miami Heat a snowball’s chance.
They are too old, they are comprised of Riley’s hand-picked has beens the papers lamented.
Pat Riley put his reputation on the line and went out and got players he thought were needed to take the Heat to the championship level.
Believe me, in Miami they were calling for his head for letting Stan Van Gundy unceremoniously go.
What has happened since Game 2 is shocking basketball fans around the globe, but could it just be possible that Riley is still at the top of his game, and that as President and General Manager of the Miami Heat he actually knew what he was doing when he made wholesale changes for Mickey Arison’s team?
Remember what D. Wayne (No relations to DWade) Huizenga did to “buy” his baseball title in 1997? Remember how two weeks after the Marlins’ World Championship he disassembled the entire team?
Well, what Riley did was the opposite.
His initiatives were bold and now they are paying off.
He hand-picked the players he thought would compliment his two superstars in Shaq and Wade and, and here’s the kicker…he has COACHED THEM into a cohesive unit that simply will not recognize the word QUIT!
Claiming poor officiating is a typical crutch for visiting teams to lean on.
Funny, though…you didn’t read in the Sun-Sentinel or the Miami Herald that the two blowouts in Dallas were anybody’s fault other than the ballers on the Heat.
You did, however, hear all the talk show pundits lambasting Riley, naming him the cause for the blowouts on the Mavs’ home turf.
No matter who wins the Championship, and smart money has to go on the Miami camp now, there’s sure to be one TRUE winner in all of this.
AMERICAN AIRLINES – For heaven’s sake, their name is on the roofs of both team’s arenas.
Mark Cuban’s antics and angst are understandable and even refreshing. And if I had the chance, man…I’d be a player on his corporate team, sign a short term deal and work my ass off to prove my worth.
Here’s a man that hasn’t let his inner child take the typical lifelong hiatus after 30, and, a dude who probably has more savvy on more levels in his pinky than most of the “experts” in the NBA or in the business arena.
To you, Mark…I say Bravo and I wish your Mavericks a competitive Game 6 and, “if necessary” Game 7.
I speak with a cooler head now, since the Heat eliminated my Pistons last month; but I implore every sports fan to sit back, relax, take a chill pill and enjoy “The Greatest Show on Hardwood, the NBA FINALS!”
Comment by Benn Perry -
For all of you complaining about the backcourt violation that upset Cuban and all of the Mavs fans, ESPN just clarified the rule and it is not a backcourt violation in the last two minutes and flat out said Cuban was wrong! Second, I didn’t read anyone complaining when Dirk went to the line 24 times against the Spurs in the playoffs! If you can’t admit Wade was fouled on the last play by harris, and Dirk, you’re just lying to yourselves. To the mother of two, that e-mailed Stern, ROFLMAO. Shaq never intentionally fouled anyone the way Stack did. The intentional fouls on Shaq is the difference between the two teams! Quit crying, learn the rules and better luck next year!
Comment by MiamiWins -
personally, all u guyz who blame the refs and the league need 2 get a clue. they r human and will make a mistake.
but blame Dirk who has sucked, howard who went stupid and the inability to stop D.Wayne.
you guyz need 2 just shut up and get over yourselves
GO HEAT!!!!
Comment by frontlinefire -
Hey Mark,
If you happen to read this, which i doubt you will, you should dress like an NBA official during the next game. I think that you would at least get everyone’s attention. I’ll get a kick out of it, and I think most people will as well.
Comment by Mr. T -
Hey Mark,
If you happen to read this, which i doubt you will, you should dress like an NBA official during the next game. I think that you would at least get everyone’s attention. I’ll get a kick out of it, and I think most people will as well.
Comment by Mr. T -
I am so tired of the crybaby mavs fans whinin about the refs and the socalled freethrow disparity. The mavs got 25 attempts and the heat got 49 attempts. Ok. but 12 of 49 fta were from shaq, whom the mavs deliberately fouled in order to make him earn his points. Subtract shaq fta’s and the difference is 25 to 37. And dwayne going to the line should be no surprise. In the first two games of the series it was just wade and shaq at the line for miami, but nobody was crying about his calls then. The mavs got nobody to blame for their woes but themselves. deliberately fouling shaq early means everyone else is going to the line after. That was your great game plan on defending shaq so live with the consequences.
Comment by white hot ...# 1 heat fan -
Yeah, let’s make it about race and ethnic background. Good call. Your sparkling intellect is simply breathtaking. Too bad not everyone thinks like you. This world would certainly be a better place.
Idiot.
Comment by theblake -
People make mistakes, just like Dallas did in asking a panzy like Dirk to “man up.”
The refs are not perfect, they are not robots. They make errors.
Dallas needs less guys that listen to David fucking Hassalhoff (why did he even say that pussy shit) music and more that listen to some Tupac.
I have been saying this since Tarp left.
There will not be a game 7, and all you crybabies will blame the refs, and turn your back on Avery, instead of calling out DIRK.
It’s ok to call the brothas out (Avery, Damp, Howard, Harris, and the former Michael Finely) out, but when it comes to Dirk, people want to point at the refs, and give him passes for his lack of heart and toughness.
Dwade is going to go for 60 points, because the refs are going to try to not blow the whistle so much on Wade, which in turn will make him upset, and he is going to go off
unlike Crybaby Dirk, who just cowers at adversity, and kicks balls like a lil three year old
then again he is German, and he has never played on concrete, so what do u expect
Comment by SouthOakCliff -
I know the refs sucked in game 5. Everyone over here in Kuwait saw how lousy they called the game at the end. How would you make a call like that in a time such as this. I can see if this was the regular season, but in the NBA Finals? The refs have to know how to call the game. I agree with Mark 120% First Stackhouse suspension, and now the late calls in the game. I just think the NBA and David Stern do not want to present the Finals Trophy to the most outspoken owner in the league. Someone who wants the game to better. Someone who really cares about the game and his players. Not someone who sit up in the box office and not pay attention to the game. The best defense to play against Wade is to attack him on offense. Make him play defense and use some of that energy that he has to play defense. Use pick and roll with Dirk and have Wade pick up Dirk and play him. That is how i was always taught how to defend a superstar. Attack him and make him too tired to perform on the other end of the court. Dirk has to take over and carry this team on his back and show that he is the best player in the NBA. We need to contineu attacking the basket and make them play. We are the better team!
Comment by Derrick -
OK seriously, you guyz r a shame 2 the league.
the legue and refs kno what they are doing. Its the job of the league and refs to do what they do and its your job to play the game. my view is the refs and league are fine. all because your team is losing doesnt mean you go ballistic on them. And b4 u question whos side im on im a Spurs fan so zip it.
Go HEAT!! beat the whining babies
Comment by frontlinefire -
ok, you guyz gotta get over yourselves
the refs and the league know what they are doing so just leave them the heck alone. all because ur mad that the mavs r losing doesnt mean you flip out on the refs and/r league.
GO HEAT!!!!!
Comment by frontlinefire -
Cuban needs to grow up & stop setting bad examples of sportsmanship to kids. Dirk should be suspended for his antics kicking the ball & tearing stuff up in the hall & locker room. Poor Baby, cut you mop & maybe you could see more.
Comment by Pat Wells -
“Fuck em.”
That is precisely the attitude that the Dallas Mavericks have to have if they want to have any chance of pulling out a victory in this series. While I agree with many of the complaints and frustrations felt by the Mavericks, getting angry and whining (not using the work negatively here) after the fact will get you nowhere.
It’s apparent that the officiating has been very inconsistent throughout this series. I think both teams could lodge some complaints, though I do believe the final moments of Game 5 went against the Mavericks. Game 3 should have been in the bag, and Game 4 was an obvious blowout. The suspension of Stackhouse followed by the conclusion of Game 5 has been the first team this Playoff that I as a fan have been angered by the NBA. I have seen some tough calls go against a team (like the technical on Raja Bell in the Suns series), but none have been as paramount as what happened at the end of Game 5. Whether Wade was fouled or not, and whether there was an offensive foul or not, is pretty irrelevant. The backcourt violation should have stopped the entire action. Credit to Wade, though. He’s an extremely talented player, and he has the refs in the palm of his hands, and he knows it. He gets the benefit of the doubt (because he is a superstar… it shouldn’t be that way, but apparently that’s how it goes) when it comes to close calls, and he utilizes that to his advantage.
So, the Mavs have found themselves in a sticky situation. They can make one of two decisions. They can decide to rollover and blame the NBA nad the officiating (which no doubt deserves some of the credit when any great team loses), or they can accept it and do something about it. They can come out with the same frustration and anger they left Game 5 with. Bad officiating aside, the fate of the game ultimately resides in the hands’ of the players. The team that, as a whole, hustles the most will win, especially in a series like this where two great teams are squaring off.
Remember Game 5 of the Suns/Mavs series when Dirk put up 50? What did he say at the end of the game? “I looked up at the scoreboard and saw our season slipping away. All of our hardwork. I decided I wasn’t going to let that happen…” And, he went on to carry the Mavs past a very tough and resilient Phoenix Suns team. Where is that man now? You think Udonis Haslem really deserves all the credit? You think he’s a tougher defender than Shawn Marion? Tim Thomas? Certainly he deserves some, but Dirk can out play him and get whatever shot he wants, and everyone knows that. Dirk just has to decide to. He’s got to take the fate of the team, and the fate of his career and how he will be remembered, into his own hands. He’s got to step up HUGE in Game 6. If he doesn’t, the Mavs lose. Simple as that. He doesn’t even have to be the top scorer. He just has to bring the intensity. Good news is, if you’re a Mavs fan, that is, Dirk began showing signs of the old guy we’ve all Nowitnessed before. He began sticking his tongue out after huge shots and yelling at the roughs when a call, he felt, didn’t go his way. He hit some extremely tough shots down the stretch. He began showing some mental, and physical toughness.
I’m looking forward to a great showdown in Dallas. May the best team win!
Comment by theblake -
Another thing on charges: the announcers seems to call charge when the player has his feet set, etc. What ever happened to giving a player 1 1/2 steps or something like that? You can’t jump in, get set while the guy is cruising in the air, and call that a charge!
Mavs – I’m rooting big-time. Bring one home for us fans who watched back in the 11/13 win seasons.
Another point – if we feel that Stern or whoever is exerting too much influence over the way the ball game is handled (i.e., suspending key players, etc.), maybe there ought to be some hard negotiating for the next collective bargaining agreement. Just a thought…
Comment by Preston -
I find it funny that when Dallas won the first 2 games everything was fine and now all hell has broken loose. Dallas went to Miami where Miami was 9-1 in the playoffs at home. Miami is the same team where the Pistons could not even win and I still think the Pistons were the best team in the league. Miami came home and did what should have been done win all 3 games. If you want to blame someone blame your own players who choke, Blame Dirk for only having 11pts into the 4thQ. What happend to this great player Dallas had in Dirk well he has been shut down and guess what Dallas great players are never shut down talk to Wade about that, he is just a player who finds ways to score and all great players find a way to score just ask every person who ever tried to stop Jordan. I have never in my life heard so many people complain beside the time I spent in Iraq. Blame your players dont blame the world cause its not the Refs fault your so called great player cant be clutch and make a FT
Comment by Chris -
I’m an avid NBA fan. Prior to this series starting I wasn’t sure who I wanted to win the series. I do have ties to the Eastern Conference but also like how Mark Cuban has stirred things up in the past few years. And how can any fan of the NBA not love to watch DWade in action.
I have watched these games with an open mind. There have been some bad calls, but the bad calls have gone both ways. People are complaining that all the calls are against the Mavs. However, Dirk set a record for most free throws in a post season.
People are complaining about the foul against Dirk on Wade to seal the game. However, there are photos all over the place that clearly show this is a legitimate foul.
Bottem line the Mavs are probably the best team out of these two but they havn’t show the heart of a champion. People can blame the refs all they want but the Mavs should not be in the situation for it to come down to the last play.
Come on your up by 13 with 6 minutes to go and you let the team come back. That is nobody’s fault but the players.
Miami and more specifically Wade has really been the only one to show the heart of a champion in every game which is the real reason Miami is up 3 to 2 games.
The refs had nothing to do with Dirk being off the past 3 games and his horrible 2-14 shooting in game 4. And nothing to do with him not shooting over 50% any of the past 3 games.
Miami’s star has just out played Dallas’s star.
As far as Stackhouse getting the one game suspension. I agree this is crap. The NBA needs to get back to where it let the players play. If this was the case 15 years ago the Pistons in the early 90’s would have never one a game let alone a couple championships. Their entire team would have always been suspended.
However, I think it is also crap for Mavs fans to state his suspension was due to him being a Mavrick and some conspiracy theory that the league wants the Heat to win. Remember Artest also received a one game suspension for a much lessor foul in these same playoffs. So while it is crap in my mind that the league is taking this stance they are atleast being consistant with it.
All in all as a fan of the game I have to say the Mavs fans and owner and the city of Dallas for that matter have really made a bad name for them selves during the playoffs. They have done nothing but show them selves to consistently be bad sports. While I like Cuban for comic releif he really needs to understand the basics of sportsmanship. As the leader of the team he really needs to set a better example. This is like my running out onto the field after my son’s T-ball game to berrate the umpire in front of everybody after a game.
While there does need to be some shake up with the officiating there is a time and a place to do it. And it is a consistancy issue with the officials not just a Mavs thing.
Mark does a great job in supporting the team and you cannot argue with his love of the game but he also needs to show he can be a professional.
And one last note on this conspiracy theory with the league being agains the Mavricks. I think the league would be crazy not to want the Mavs to win. Are you kidding with Mark Cuban already making a stir and getting people that never watched basketball intereseted in the game. Do you know how much money there would be made with all of the new fans of the NBA with a story like Cuban coming in and winning a championship in only a couple years in the league. Especially with the team having their star player being a forigner with the recent push the NBA has made to cross more into other countries.
While I’m not a huge fan of David Stern he is a smart guy and a business man at that. He deffinatly understands the bottem line and what a Mavs victory would meen for the league.
That and Mark’s fines alone help support the league quite a bit. 🙂
Comment by Brandon -
you’re such a disgruntled looser Paul….get over it….Stop whining already. Conspiracy my ass. We have a team full of veterans which is why our team didnt crumble after being down 0-2. It wasnt the league that put us back in this series….it wasnt the league that forced Dirk to choke (twice), it wasnt the league that forced Howard to choke (twice; free throw line and calling a time out….what an idiot), the league didnt force Jason terry to choke on that last shot (which by the way that dumbass should have passed to a wide open Dempier). the league did none of that.
Dallas did.
go Heat.
Comment by #1 Heat Fan -
Mavs should have wrapped up this series long time ago. Its thanks to b.s. by refs who want Miami to win why this series has gone the way it has. I personally think theres a conspiracy within the league on who the champ should be. and they surely dont want Dallas winning it. Old players like Payton and Zo should not get rewarded in this fashion for their service to the league. You couldnt beat M.J. back in the day, your time is up, go home. Hopefully Dallas will win game 6 and take it all in game seven. GO MAVS!!!
Comment by Paul -
I am a newbie to the NBA but even I can spot some horrendous problems with the officiating in the NBA. Here is an email I sent to David Stern:
This email is for David Stern,
This year’s playoff series is the first playoff series that I have ever watched from start to finish. The reason is because my 15 year -old son started watching the games. He is a football/baseball player and has never been a basketball fan. When he started watching the Mavericks play on TV in May, I started watching the games with him. It brought us closer. I was even invited to an adult party one time to watch one of the Spurs’ games but I told my friends that if my son was not welcome, then I would not be there.
My son has even convinced my 13 year-old daughter to watch the games. As a single mom of two teenagers, it is difficult to find something that we all enjoy doing together. They have both spent their money to buy Mavericks jerseys and t-shirts. We were even very lucky to get some tickets to the game against the Suns where Nowitski scored 50 points. This playoff season has brought my family closer. And for that I thank you and the entire NBA.
Unfortunately the game last night has lead me to believe that no matter how well the MAVS play, they are destined to lose. The MAVS can play and win a game against five of any of the HEAT’S players but it is very difficult to play and win a game against the five players and the three officials on the floor. Last night’s game was so incredibly lopsided! In fact, from the beginning of this series, the calls have always been in favor of the HEAT. An example, Stackhouse’s nose is busted open during game one by Shaq but Shaq was not suspended from a game. Stackhouse is suspended from a game for pushing Shaq’s face. How is that fair?
We all know the despise that you must feel for Mark Cuban and his sometimes loud remarks but punishing him and his team is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. My son and daughter are very disillusioned by what they saw last night during the game. I am sure that budding young fans all over the DFW area (and maybe the country) are feeling the same way.
Do you really want to risk losing all of those potential future bucks just so you can go, “Na na na na boo-boo” to Mark Cuban?
Please ask your officials to call a FAIR game on Tuesday and Thursday and let us see who is truly the best team in the US instead of who you want to be the best team. I am sure everyone in the entire country would like to see a good and fair basketball game instead of a fixed game.
Thank you for your help with this matter!
-Amy Dorries
I hope someone does something about the officiating tomorrow!
Comment by Amy Dorries -
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playbyplay?gameId=260618014&period=5
Why did Miami get 3 timeouts in the overtime and Dallas only 2 ?
Comment by Shake -
The main problem I have with the officiating in the NBA is that the officials don’t call the game consistently throughout the same game. A foul in the 1st quarter may not be a foul in the 4th. A charging call 90% of the time is being called a blocking foul, just because the team is behind by 4 points with a minute to go, and the game will be more dramatic to make this a 2-point game? A foul is no longer a foul if a superstar is carrying 5 fouls?
Case in point: Gm#1 Mavs. vs Suns. Mavs up by about 8, when Nash basically charged into a Mavs player. The refs made a blocking call, because the Suns were losing all the momentum and a charging call then would basically seal the deal for the Mavs. But no, the officials need to keep the viewers interested, so a blocking call was made. Nash made 2 FT’s, and they stayed in the game, and wrested momentum away from the Mavs. Guess what, not too many people remember this little play! What about the offensive foul called on Howard on the drive with about 40seconds left, when the Mavs were up by 1? That’s an offensive foul that happened once every 2 years in the league!! But it had to be called at that point so that the Suns would have a chance to get the lead. Little calls like that, the momentum changers. People wouldn’t even remember that. All people can remember from that game is that Diaw made a big shot to win the game, of course, in a dramatic fashion.
Come on, is the league that desperate to create all these drama so that it can get higher TV ratings?
Maybe we should keep the scoreboard away from the officials, and we can keep the foul information away from the officials? I bet, then, they will do a better job.
If you think about it from a statistical sense, how often would a game be decided by the last possession? A lot of it is really controlled, or I should say, manipulated, by human.
So, it’s trade-off. Either we get better (more consistent) officiating without granting them much information, or we get a lot more of these 1-2 pts last possession thrillers, or should I say, all these artificially created pseudo-drama.
Comment by Alvin Cham -
The NBA and it’s refs are crooked! They control who wins, and if you don’t believe it, just look at game 5. Dwayne Wade got to the foul line more times that anyone in NBA history, and that is because refs called fouls against Dallas everytime someone breathed on Wade. The suspension of Jerry Stackhouse is also another thing the NBA did in order to ensure the Heat’s victory in game 5. EVERYONE KNOWS THE NBA IS A BUNCH OF CROOKED BASTARDS AND THE FACT IS, THEY CONTROLL THE OUTCOME OF THESE GAMES SO THEY CAN STRETH THE FINALS AS FAR AS IT WILL GO! FACE IT, KNOW ONE, ESPECIALLY THE NETWORKS WANTS TO SEE ONE TEAM GETTING BLEW OUT BY THE OTHER AND SWEPT IN 4. GAME 7’S MAKE A LOT OF MONEY FOR EVERYONE, BUT CHEATING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN IS NOT RIGHT AND I KNOW THAT ONE DAY, ALL THESE CROOKED BASTARDS ARE GOING TO ANSWER FOR IT!!!
Comment by Allan -
Im new to this blog but just wanted all you HATERS here to know im a MFFL!!!
and Miami aint going nowhere,yes they won at home because they had help from the refs but they wont win in Dallas…Its over and the Mavs will finally get a ring!!!!
GO MAVS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by renea -
NBA Basketball kicked into the stands=$100.00
Exercise Bike pushed over in a hissy-fit=$250.00
ABC Light stand broken by same hissy-fit=$300.00
Watch Avery Johnson melt down in front of international media, and Mark Cuban chase the NBA Commish around like a crying Sissyboy= PRICELESS!!!
Maybe there are some things money CAN’T buy, like an NBA CHAMPIONSHIP, or having some CLASS as an owner and a team.
For everything else, just have a hissy fit!
hahahahahahahaHAHAHAHAHAHA!
GO HEAT!!
Comment by SP -
JUSTICE!!!
I want to extend the same comments made to me by a dumbass Mavs fan after the terrible foul call on Ginobili that gave the Mavs the tie and eventual OT win in game seven…”Too bad…that’s the way it goes..maybe refs shouldn’t call chickenshit calls like that at the end of a game but hey, oh well, too bad, life sucks…haha”
Turnabout is fair play for you and your crybaby team. I hope you all choke on it!
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend!”
GO HEAT!!!!!!!!
Comment by SP -
Good point from #1 HEat Fan. The Heat shoot a lot of FTS because Shaq is fouled on purpose. That gets the Mavs closer to the penalty.
And by the way, when a player gets fouled in the act of shooting and MISSES, it does not count as a FGA. Therefore, the comment that the refs let Wade play until he misses and then they call a foul is ubsurd. Wade shot horribly in the first 30 minutes of the game. Good players know that when they don’t have “it” they need to get to the line. Dirk knows. MJ knew. Wade is not dumb.
Style of play is the biggest factor in this FT controversty. Stop complaining. You got your asses handed to you for three games. Go back home and regain your swagger.
Comment by JW -
WHERE HAS MARK CUBAN GONE???….Almost a whole entire week and no blog, nothing…isnt it nice for once to have some peace and tranquility??…Everyone took the Heat out before the series even started..I picked the Heat in 6, and to my surprise so did Mr Stephen A Smith…After being down 2-0, he said ” Im sticking to Heat in 6, and Ill go down with the ship if I must”…Yesterday, everyone picked the Heat..Bandwagon fans, just like Dallas fans…And prepare to pump up the volume on the mics tuesday, because with all the whinning I doubt us on ABC would be able to hear the commentary…Ohh Mark, hows a $250,000 fine looking like right now? lol…Mavericks dont have what it takes to beat the Beast from the East, Pat Riley has outcoached everyone, Wade, well, he is just Flashful…Mark, ive waited all weekend to read what you had to write, now I am no longer interested, because all your going to write is, The Refs this the Refs that, the Fans this, Cheats, Fouls, Steriods, David Stern, and no where and at no time will you give any credit to the Heat…so SHOVE IT.
Comment by Oscar Cordova Jr -
I only watch the Mavs to support them in their playoff run.
Otherwise I stopped watching the NBA becuase they promote the superstar to much.
Where did the team sport of basketball go?
Gotta have that superstar that can get away with anything they want.
I hope that one day that Mark can get the NBA cleaned up and it is a team spot.
The NFL has superstars, but the NFL plays a team sport.
Comment by Jim -
By the way, I complained about the refs during the 1st 2 games. Superstar Shack should have been suspended for the elbow to Dirk.
Opps, forgot the NBA unwritten rule, superstars never get fouls or suspended.
Comment by Jim -
Id like to add the following regarding the discrepancy of FT’s
Dallas: 26
Miami: 49
If you were to subtract 13 fouls (which were most if not all intentional on Shaq)and the one Avery J. Technical foul you get – 36 foul shots – Thats a 10 ft discrepancy.
You guys are really going to cry over 10 FT’s? Is there really a discrepancy here? I dont think so.
Comment by #1 Heat Fan -
By the way, I complained about the refs during the 1st 2 games. Superstar Shack should have been suspended for the elbow to Dirk.
Opps, forgot the NBA unwritten rule, superstars never get fouls or suspended.
Comment by Jim -
Damn josh howard is a DUMB F***ER!!!!
Way to go big cuban, your actions last night made you look like an idiot!!!! oh boy you can scream and stare!!!!
Comment by Randy -
My wife made me watch the game Sunday Night (6/18/06) becuase I didn’t want to watch the refs with their double standards.
When it was all over, she agreed.
Let them play as long as Wade is fouling, but when he shots the ball and misses, it had to be a fould. Didn’t anybody see Wade grab the shorts of the Mav player to get around him. Oh, never mind, he is the upcoming superstar for the NBA. Superstars never make a mistake.
Comment by Jim -
From a Heat fan:
OK, I feel for you guys. My mom is from Dallas and if it weren’t the fact that my hometown team was in the Finals, I’d be wearing my Josh Howard jersey in front of my TV at every game.
Some of those calls have gone against you, but all of them are legit calls. You could call a foul on almost every play in the NBA, but it’s the no-calls that people really want to see.
For instance: on Wade’s drive, did he get bumped? Yes. Did Nowitzki have his hand on his hip? Yes. Would it have been a good spot for a no call? Yes.
Here is where I think you are guys are really hurting. You have no star, marquee players. I know about Dirk. He deserves it. He is the best power forward in the game. However, he will always be a lower marquee guy next to Kobe, Shaq, Wade, Iverson, LeBron, Duncan, Vince, and even guys like Carmelo and Ray Allen. Throughout history, the marquee guys get calls on rep. Shaq and Wade are too up there to not get the calls.
One final thing on the free throws discrepancy. The final count on fouls was 38-26. Free throws do not necessarily mean foul shots. Consider: 1) the Heat do two things that get you to the line that the Mavs do not. First, they take it to the basket. The Mavs are more of jump shooting team with the exception of Terry and occasionally Howard, and even then those two almost always shoots from outside. Second, the Heat have an inside game. Even though Dirk has improved his down low repertoire more than any big in the league in the last two years, he is still a jump shooter.
Additionally, a lot of fouls called on the Heat are charges. Charges never get you to the line even if you are in the penalty.
So…..I know FTAs seem out of whack. But a 12 foul margin called on the Mavs compared to the Heat with the major differences in style of play is not out of proportion.
Face it, Dallas lost because it didn’t make all the plays down the stretch. Nowitzki missed on FT, Howard two. Obviously Howard’s timeout was big, but not paramount. Meanwhile, Wade was unconscious the entire fourth quarter. There were even some plays that he got fouled and it wasn’t called (i.e. the bump by Griffin that put him off balance, but he still made the bank that put it into OT).
Wade was awesome. There is one other person I can remember that has done what he did at the end of the game…..
Comment by JW -
Eric – each blog’s entry is limited to 500 comments.Thats why I started posting on this one since this is only #61
Comment by Shake -
By the way for those of you that don’t know the rules of basketball, the final play on Wade was a backcourt violation. He jumps from the frontcourt into the backcourt as he catches the ball without first establishing position in the backcourt. This is why Cuban was so irate after the game.
Comment by Shake -
can anyone tell me how to read the posts on other threads that have over 500 posts? I can see the first 500, but people keep posting on the same threads and I’m curious how can I read what they have to say.
Comment by Eric Schweigert -
I am biting my tong …… the conspiracy that is going on to get the Heat the win is beyond imagination.
Salvatore… that name sounds like Mafia. You believe you are watching the Sopranos instead of the NBA finals.
I hope that the fans in Dallas give the Heat some fun the night before the game. Don’t let them sleep….. put a band in front of the hotel
Don’t serve them dinner, or let them wait 3 hours or so (sounds familiar?)
Who likes to pull the fire alarm in the hotel?
Hey, let’s go down to the level of the Heat fans…… Same playing field.
Go Mavs. You are the best. Let’s show them we can win on our home court even against 8 players.
Comment by JoZ -
I can understand a missed call or two affecting the game. Its hard to explain a 2 to 1 FT attempt discrepancy though. Out of the 2500 or so NBA games this season so far, there probably has been that large a discrepancy a few times. For it to statistically show up in the NBA Finals after the first 4 games have been called pretty evenly in terms of free throw attempts, it would have to be deliberate especially considering its the same referee crew that called Game 1 in Dallas.
Comment by Shake -
a little ditty about shak and dwiane…still no foul trouble for shack babie, even though he is like a bull in a china shop. and wade wasn’t fouled at the end, he cut right between the mavs and threw up a wild shot then was bailed out by the refs. while the mavs may have considered the extra fouls they had to use against shaq, they also knew that they needed them because sheak doesn’t get called for any fouls and everyone who touches the sissy boy is called for a foul.
more on game 3…terry is fouled on at drive to the basket, the ball hits the rim and it looks like the heat touch the ball (but its clear the mavs don’t touch it) and it goes in. no explanation given, terry goes to the line for two free throws and the basket doesn’t count. terry makes the first, so it should have been a three-point play, instead he only makes one of two and the mavs lose. don’t tell me the striped shirts don’t affect the game, they do it all the time.
Comment by Eric Schweigert -
Wade threw up garbarge and the refs bail him out. This is the first game I’ve had a problem with the refs. The Stackhouse suspension was a bang-bang play. Its actually been a pretty well ref’d series until tonight’s game. The NBA is on a quest to find their next Jordan and I think they’ve found him. Of course even Jordan never attempted 25 free throws in any single finals game. He had to earn it.
Comment by Shake -
Wow dave, you’re an idiot. Do you really think that it is possible that Wade was fouled the same number of times that the Mavs were fouled by the entire Heat team?
Comment by Kevin -
This is why the league should use one referee crew for the entire finals series. When you keep changing referees from game to game it doesn’t make for any consistency. This was the same crew that ref’d game 1. Its hard to believe Dallas could commit so many more fouls in Miami than they did in game 1. Each time the referees change, each team has to adjust to the way the game is called.
Comment by Shake -
and did anyone in the league office see shaq put his forearm directly into harris face when harris went to foul him? it was clear that it connected, harris’ head snapped back. so you should have two suspensions for next game, wade and oneal.
Comment by Eric Schweigert -
Shakey says “Nice Free Throw Discepancy in Game 5.
Miami 32-49
Dallas 21-25
Wade was 21-25 by himself. Hello can you say..rigged.”
Can you say Hack a Shaq? Can you say defense late when Wade drives the lane? Can you say Avery Johnson considered MBega “6 more fouls” before THE GAME EVEN STARTED? Can you say home team has won all the games but when Miami wins you whine about the refs? Can you say that parade of yours was a little premature?
Nah, you would rather make excuses. Face Reality. Two eat teams got together, and tonight Miami was a couple of smart play better and a couple of dumb plays (Howard?) fewer.
Comment by Classless Stackhouse -
FYI…There wasn’t this much a discrepancy in any of the first 4 games. This is why the NBA has the lowest credibility of all major sports.
Comment by Shake -
Nice Free Throw Discepancy in Game 5.
Miami 32-49
Dallas 21-25
Wade was 21-25 by himself. Hello can you say..rigged.
Comment by Shake -
LOVE LOVE LOVE how it’s not that the Mavs lost, but how the Mavs were cheated.
EXCELLENT!!! Good work!!!
The Mavs killed the Heat the first two games, and were Heat fames whining about the refs?? HELL NO.
BUT NOW YOU ALLLLL WHINE ABOUT THE REFS.
Enjoy it. Maybe they will give out a trophy for whining.
Maybe JOSH HOWARD will remember how to not call a time out? Maybe the Mavs will learn not to foul when down by two within the last 5 seconds?
MAYBE.
BUT NOW WE GOT A SERIES!!!
It might be tough to hear the audio in Dallas WITH ALL THE WHINING!!!!
Comment by Dave -
I can not wait till you crush them with 2 games at home now!!! Hang in there Champs~it has proven to be a tough road, but the better team prevails on their own turf!
Comment by Martha & Jimmy -
In the first half, Wade threw a punch to the face of a maverick, will he be suspended for game 6? Odds are the league won’t even acknowledge it.
Comment by SteveK -
This should be the Dallas Mavericks vs. NBA or Dallas Mavericks vs Miami Heat & the NBA! It is a disgrace!
Comment by Suzanne Patton -
It’s been apparent that the refs are helping the Heat. In Game 4, Miami beat up on the Mavericks, but the Mavericks had the fouls called against them. It’s obvious the same thing is occurring in Game 5. With officiating like this, no one will be watching the NBA soon. Get some unbiased refs that aren’t blind.
Comment by Michele Englebert -
very good!!
Comment by 11nong -
I know teams get home court advantage but what in the Detroit/Miami game on Sunday,17th was incredible. The refs did every thing they could to keep Miami in the game. Shaq was plowing people out of the way as usual. Mr. Snarl(Mourning) aka walking hack machine plays with the sole intent to injure other players. The refs turned a blind eye to the flagrant shoves by Mourning and Oneal on Ben and Rasheed Wallace. Not to mention ABC for never showing any replies that would confirm this. I love basketball and the NBA but some many times one word comes to mind. TAINTED
Comment by Tony Roberts -
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Comment by Injury Lawyer -
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Comment by Phentermine -
One network already gets it right when it comes to explaining the rules. NBC telecasts United States Golf Association events — U.S. Open, U.S. Women’s Open, etc. — and they have USGA execuive director David Fay as part of the annoucing team.
Fay explains all of the complicated rules scenarios that come up regularly during the course of play.
The NBA’s back-up ref should be doing something more valuable than sitting around waiting for one of his partners to pull a hamstring!
Comment by Ken Carpenter -
I find it pretty ironic that Mark is now pleading the nba referees’ case after all those hundreds of thousands of dollars he has paid to the league for blasting them. I’m also astounded that nobody has mentioned that fact. What i find most ridiculous though is that he does it now, when the level of refereeing has dropped to an embarassing all-time low. I have followed the NBA for 20 years now and i have never EVER seen worst refereeing in the NBA. Mark, instead of burying your head in the sand it would be better to try and find solutions to this huge problem that is undermining the credibility of the league and compromising the integrity of the game. Fining Van Gundy or Rasheed Wallace for saying what knowledgable fans see for themselves is not going to solve the problem.
Comment by John -
Hough, your an idiot plain an simple. There will be no astrick after Miami wins tonight. Unless there is an astrick that marks DWade’s rise to stardome. Plain and simple DWade has out played Dirk. Wade has shown more heart and more desire to take over the game when needed. Dirk has the ability to do this as well he just hasn’t done it. He has consistantly choked. What happened to the Dirk that scored 50 points due to seeing his team start to loose it. We have yet to see that Dirk in this series. He has been settling for more jump shots and less driving to the hole and his jump shot has been suspect the last few games.
Unlike DWade, Dirk hasn’t found a way to still contribute and be a champion when his shot isn’t falling.
The Mavs have not shown the heart of true champions plain and simple. And I was actually hoping the Mavs would win the series but if they don’t start showing some heart and quit whinning it’s over for them and all of their whinny fans.
Comment by Brandon -
You guys are fags
Comment by Kekker -
Mark,
Thanks for the clarification of the rules regarding the block/charge rules and the restricted area around the basket. I am one of those fans you describe. I hear Hubie making his statement with the conviction of a seasoned pro and I think “Hell, he must know what he’s talking about.” But now that I read what you posted regarding the actual NBA rules, I’ll be interested to see how many refs make those calls according to the actual rules or according to the “Hubie Rules.”
Greg
Comment by Greg Rempel -
if only all the play-offs were on TNT….it’s such a let down for me as a viewer to watch ABC muck it up after enjoying TNT’s production
Comment by Bryan Sharp -
Its not all about ratings but ratings are indicative of a problem with the product. Game 2 was a blowout. Not good for the overall product. For those purists out there that don’t want to take the fact that you are watching a packaged product which is a business, denial is not just a river in Egypt. This is why you will see advertising on the NBA jerseys soon. In my opinion, the NBA needs to move to a balanced scheduled and do away with division titles. They need to seed the teams so that the two best teams get to the Finals regardless of which division or conference they are from. Right now the competitive balance in the Western Conference is much better than the East and it shows.
Comment by Shake -
let’s not even talk about the nba stretching the playoffs out to around 2 months? anyway,
VIVA LOS SPURS
Comment by lee majors -
First, Al Michaels might be the worst basketball announcer I’ve heard. You can see a HUGE difference between him and any of the TNT or ESPN announcers. It’s really embarrassing.
Second, in regards to ratings. Perhaps the Finals would get better ratings if they started promptly at 9:00 instead of after some Will Smith garbage that no one wants to see anyway.
Comment by Michael McDermott -
Just wondering… You’re always getting on sportswriters’ cases for not calling you when they write “what YOU are thinking or doing”.
Did you call Dick Bavetta to confirm that he KNEW it wasn’t a flagrant but called it that way anyway to assuage the Suns’ feelings?
I doubt it.
Comment by EC -
If I remember correctly, Fox did this during the baseball playoffs last year. I believe it was during the Red Sox/Yankees series when ARod slapped the ball out of Bronson Aroyo’s glove. During the comotion following the play, they were able to interview Steve Palermo (former MLB umpire) about the play and had him give the correct ruling for all of the fans. (I might have the wrong play but I know for sure they did this at least once during the playoffs).
At the time, I thought it really added to the broadcast from a fans perspective because you can’t expect the announcers to know every single rule in the book and to be able to explain them. Umpires/Referee’s are expected to know all the rules and explain them.
I think it would behove the NBA to do this at time when there is so much controversy concerning they way games are officiated, especially during the playoffs. At least it would take some heat off of them, when they actually do make a correct call.
Comment by Matt Barry -
The only problem with this approach is when the officials on the floor get it wrong… It is not good business for the NBA to have one official commenting on the incorrect call of another official in a public forum. That will create tons of problems.
Comment by George Bothwell -
Hi Mark!
First time responding to your site and I have to agree with you. I am an avid Miami Heat fan and I was horrified at the rule calling during the series with the Pistons. And I would like to add that it seems like the refs in the NBA need some coaching and proper instruction too. There was one call during the Heat/Pistons series where there was a foul that the refs didn’t know whether it was a flagrant, personal or Van Gundy Foul (A little Houston humor)…
Well Mark, thanks again for your insights.
Comment by Jimmy Gonzalez -
Is this little write up part of some “community” service to the NBA instead of getting fined for your own complaining about the officials.
The Refs need to be consistent across the board the way the game as called. In the Det-Mia series there were 22 free-throws in game one and 97 is game three. Did the series change that much or did the NBA send in the 3-man crew of inconsistency yet again?
Why should the style of the officiating change from game to game? The rules haven’t change?
The only constant is the Fans are sick of it.
Comment by Gary Meyers -
What’s all this about ratings and Spurs/Pistons being boring? I personally loved the parts of both games I saw. (only reason I didn’t watch all of them is they are too late on the East Coast)
Since when is basketball ALL about ratings? If it is, we should just televise the Heat/Lakers games and forget about the rest.
My two cents. Sports has become too enamored with the **STAR** player (SHAQ) who is controversial and forgets about the fundamentals player (Tim D) who actually knows how to play.
BTW, I like Mark’s idea, but I agree that the announcer’s SHOULD know the rules. I am sure they get paid enough to know them.
Comment by Josh -
All I know is that the officials have had an undue influence on the outcome of too many games. I’ve watched basketball for a long time and with the exception of the crappy calls in the lakers/kings series a few years back this is the first time that i have seen several games and started to wonder if the ref’s don’t officiate for ratings. Fining rasheed wallace for saying what everybody was already thinking won’t change that.
Frankly i’m amazed that the pistons are even in the finals. Aren’t they like 10th in jersey sales?
Comment by Jimmy Hawfa -
Just looking at tonight’s Game 2 1st quarter, it’s obvious that the NBA needs better officiating. The number of phantom fouls in tonight’s game has been amazing, against both teams. Your idea is pretty good, but I don’t like the idea of NBA officials correcting their own. They’ll just back themselves up. You need an outside opinion, like some have suggested here.
Comment by Ravi Grover -
Good job Mark, you are exactly right about Hubie and Al. I was thinking “why is he saying that about Wallace’s charge?” Way to speak up!
Comment by Nate Combs -
It doesn’t matter who is doing the broadcasting. The NBA has a ratings problems on their hands if Manu Ginobli is the finals superstar. Thursday’s Spurs/Pistons matchup was the second lowest rated Game 1 ever for an NBA finals primetime game, with a 7.2% national rating. You know its bad when they are resorting to Will Smith pre-game shows and Phil Jackson interviews to reel viewers in. We can talk about rules and explanations of the rules until we are blue it the face but it doesn’t matter. Most of America isn’t watching. Is there anyone else that thinks watching two teams who can’t even get close to a 100 points is boring ? Mark please do something !
Comment by Shake -
Thank you for clarification, quite insightful post…! By the way, I need to agree to Geoff: They /should/ memorize the rulebook.
Comment by Jens Meiert -
I completely agree. The NFL and PGA do a very nice job of making officials available to clarify or correct rulings. More should follow those examples.
Comment by Tom Campbell -
Geoff: Mark says its might not be reasonable for every announcer to memorize the rulebook, because most of the play by play announcers seem to handle several different sports for the networks. Basketball specific color-men should probably have a better handle on the rules, but the rulebook’s pretty big…
Bruce: Cuban on occasion does have an editor go back and correct misspellings, I believe. I would wager he doesn’t think it is worth his time to go back and correct his grammar. His time he spends on his blog is limited as it is.
I wager you spent more time on your reply than he spent on his entire message.
Comment by Nick Reed -
Mark,
Good stuff. I disagree, though, when you say, “I don’t expect every announcer to have the rulebook and case studies memorized.” They should memorize the rulebook. That’s their job. It should not be considered exceptional for an announcer to know all of the rules associated with the game he is working.
And an announcer explaining variations of complicated rules would be a much more valuable service to me as a fan than saying, “Great move” whenever a player dunks.
Thanks,
Geoff
Comment by Geoff -
This goes out to the person who replied as “A Better Reality”
I suppose you are the type of person that believes that our Social Security system doesn’t need to be fixed. The fact is, that if there is something that can be done to improve the game, then why not do it. Mark’s idea would provide a greater insight into the game for the fans that truly love it. So stop “Cuban Bashing” and realize this man has a lot of insight and the fortitude to voice it.
As far as incorporating that backup referee into the commentating, how about giving him a seat up there with Al and Hubie? You wouldn’t need to impletement anything such as direct feeds. In the event that he’s needed he leaves his seat and enters the game. Sometimes, the obvious answer is the simplest.
Comment by An Unruly Fan -
Clever last comment.
Comment by Alex -
Very informative article Mark. I didn’t know about the exception of the “Lower Defensive Block.”
In my opinion, I think correcting the announcers during the game is not the right way to handle this. I think the league could get their message across if they just helped the announcers understand the rules better between games. That would be the time to address the confusing situations that happened in the previous game.
Comment by mr. burrito -
Giving the media access to the same resources seems only logical, especially since the media represents it’s voice to the nation. As a former coach, it seems clear to me that the intricacies of the rules are something that can turn a game or at least change it’s direction. If you’re going to shell out the kind of money ABC / ESPN has for the rights to the broadcast, wouldn’t it make sense to ask for the resources to do it right?
Darin
Comment by Darin M. Wood -
Mark: Interesting solution. Never happen. The key phrase in your posting is “correct the announcers”. We’re talking Al Michaels here, and even worse, Bill Walton. “Correct me?? Surely you jest.” And the net execs are paying these analysts/color guys big bucks to know this stuff. But you’re on the right track. Why can’t the networks do it on their own? Have an assistant/junior/associate/gofer geek with online access to the rulebook and let him do the search for the appropriate rule in much the same way you found it. The game producer gives him the question and whispers in the announcers’s ears that a simple explanation will be IMed to their screen in a minute. They sound smart (which is all they care about) and the fans get the straight scoop.
Comment by KT -
Great ideas and great post, Mark!
The more “real” info we get, the more interesting a basketball game is, EVEN if it doesn’t matter much to us who wins, or even if it’s “just” the first half that everyone thinks isn’t worth watching in the NBA anyway.
And why not make the coaches website available to all fans so those of us that are more fanatical about the NBA can get all the more excited about the game and become more educated?
The in-game referee input to the coverage would be excellent, and using the backup ref seems like a nice implementation. I think the NFL already has a media center run by NFL current (or ex?) officials, and they keep up with each ongoing game to look at and comment on each controversial play. They get directly in touch with the broadcasters to clarify the rule and the interpretation, usually in the first ensuing break I believe. (Football commentators seem to know the rules even less than basketball commentators do!)
Thanks for another great article. Keep up the good work with the Mavs. You’ve made the NBA much more fun!
Comment by BobR -
I’m suprised you missed this idea. This is the perfect situation for interactive/HD TV. With he wide big screen, this type of info could be shown/brought up in the margin of the screen somewhere. Wouldn’t that be nice!
Comment by Andy -
Mark, when you sumbit these ideas to the league for consideration, could you include getting rid of Bill Walton in there somewhere? He reminds me of one of those robot vacuum cleaners, roaming back and forth aimlessly, sucking off everything that comes across his path.
Comment by Paco -
Glad to see this post from you. I officiate games all the time (soccer) and one of the biggest problems is the fact that nobody knows the rules, and everyone thinks they do. The play where the charge was called in the circle is the perfect example of that. It is obviously impossible for the official to explain why the call he made was correct to the tens of thousands of fans in attendance, not to mention the millions watching on TV. Yet as an official one of my favorite things is when someone asks a genuine question about a call and listens to an explanation. Allowing an official to take that experience and multiply it by even 100,000 would be amazing, I’m guessing that the referees would be more than happy to do it, the stupid public (me included) would learn something and everyone wins.
Comment by Chris -
the only announcer i ever heard explain the charge rule correctly was when jeff van gundy was doing it inbetween working for the knicks and rockets
Comment by joe -
Very interesting thought. I have an ignorant question … what is the definition of the “Lower Defensive Box” in that context?
Comment by bskeels -
It’s a game, dude.
I wondered how long it would take for you to find a way to try and involve yourself in the Finals even though you have nothing to do with them, cupcake.
The funniest part of your entry is that you’re talking nonsense about what it was like watching it on television!
The true fans know what’s right and what’s wrong and will always appreciate the game, no matter what the announcers are saying.
Stop trying to change things, man. Guys like you only change things by winning championships, not moaning about the meaningless details of what announcers are babbling about. Most knowledgeable people turn down the volume, or are watching at a bar where the room is too loud to hear old Al and Hubie.
All this entry is you stroking your own ego, like someone gave you the rule book and you’re so proud of knowing it you have to say something to let everyone know you’re an “expert”.
Maybe you should pay ABC to let you commentate, then make a reality show about it… Oh, slam dunk!
You’re a piss, Mark.
Go Mavs! HA HA!!!
P.S. Do you ever have anything positive to say about the NBA on your blog or is it just a place for you to complain? How about giving props to the leagues newest superstar MANU? Anything other than whining would be an improvement…
Comment by A Better Reality -
I agree too, and think the above post is certainly a good idea. If the broadcast team could only have some assistance with understanding officiating by a standby official it would clear things up for the casual fan (in the playoffs). Not to the point where that assistance becomes a dominant figure in the broadcast but just to correct or explain a call that might be difficult to understand. In fact, I think it would be a great idea but it should really play the smallest possible role. You wouldn’t want someone over their (The commentators) shoulder making a comment about every single possession.
Comment by Keith -
Sometimes during broadcasts over the years, the announcers (or someone from the broadcast network) will speak to the refs during a commercial break when a call is made that the announcers don’t understand; although I guess you don’t see it as much now since the refs are miked up now.
I’m actually surprised that Mark didn’t suggest this in the blog; it’s obviously time for some referee/umpire reality shows! It takes years for those guys to get to the professional level. I’m surprised ESPN hasn’t done it. It would have been better tv than that one they did on the Clippers!
Comment by Corey Riley -
Great suggestion, Mark! One of the things I’ve found most interesting over the past two years has been a “you make the call” segment on NBA TV where different plays are highlighted to illustrate the rules. Ronnie Nunn is the lead guy, presenting the accepted interpretation of the rules for the plays highlighted. What you are suggesting would provide more immediate feedback. There’s nothing worse for a fan than thinking your team “got whistle whipped” instead of honestly beaten.
That was also a great characterization of officiating styles. I guess I’m a basketball geek, because I watch a lot of other league pass games, in addition to Mav’s games. What you pointed out is consistent with my experience, as I’ve come to expect certain styles of play based on the officiating crew.
Now, if someone could just explain the NBA blackout rules to me….
Lance Barnette
Austin, TX
Comment by Lance Barnette -
Excellent Mark. Well written.
I agree. I like it.
Give the broadcasters access in real time to the backup official and vice versa. Wire him up. Let him jump in / buzz in / whatever to make a point.
The only trickiness is when a call could go either way or the official just gets it wrong – the danger is adding fuel to the fire.
It wouldn’t be good to turn that person into the noodge. 😉
I think it could all be managed to add depth to the coverage. As you said, we’re all human and even broadcasters make mistakes from time to time.
Comment by Daniel Farfan -
I’d like to say that I am in 100% agreement. This comes from watching lots of NBA tv (the cable show) this past year. I became a truely informed fan when the hosts would have Ronnie Nunn (head of NBA officials) on to discuss certain rules and calls from real games. Their show lacks the shock-jock and controversy of Steven A. Smith (just what does that A stand for…ends with an s?) and Jim Rome (bully) that is soaked up by the masses. But for true insight, nothing can be better than the ‘dry’ NBA TV network. I’d rather be informed with dryness than entertained by morons.
I especially enjoyed the show a few days after the game I drove out to in Phoenix (thanks for saying ‘hi’ before the game, Mark!) from San Diego (what a victory! worth the trip!). This was the game where Stackhouse fouled Joe Johnson (broke the bone around his eye socket) and then the refs decided to call it a flagrant. Ronnie Nunn went over the play quite a few times on the show, and informed everyone that the refs made the right call (foul) on Stackhouse, but the wrong in calling it a flagrant.
Now the real question: How can this be incorporated into the live nationwide broadcast?
Comment by greg -