Im used to getting emails from fans claiming the NBA is this or that. The NBA wants a team to win based on market size. The NBA doesnt want me to win because the league doesnt like me. So and so has money on the game. The NBA makes more money when the series goes 7 games.
Its all nonsense. Any prudent, rational person can easily see it. The games are not rigged. Thats a complete insult to the players on the court and the incredible amount of effort they put into preparing for and playing the games. All 82 regular season and post season games. The NBA couldnt rig the games if it wanted to. And it doesnt want to. Its that simple
Do i like that i have gotten more than 12,000 emails in the last week and probably 80pct have questioned some level of honesty. No, I hate it. I hate it more than you will ever know because these are my customers, NBA customers, who are questioning our enterprise. Thats never a good thing and each one is a business hole I have to work harder to dig us out of.
Do I wish there was better communication from the league ? Yes. I dont like when my email box fills up with nonsense. Yes. I wish the league would just come out and explain events that occur in a game to the public. I think it would help the perception of our game. I think it would help fans better understand not only the rules of the NBA, but also the nuances, strategies and challenges of the game. I have suggested it. Many others have suggested it.
Getting an explanation pretty much eliminates everyones ability to question what just occured. Some media people have suggested that the same approach that MLB takes would work well. Simply allow reporters to ask officials questions after a game. Why not ?
Count me as a person who thinks transparency is a good thing in business. But this isnt my business. Im simply one of 30 shareholders.
Two other things. Apparently the Miami Herald is reporting i screamed at the NBA comissioner after the game the other night. Didnt happen. Didnt say a word to the man. Not a single word. And that was absolutely by intention.
Apparently this “reporter” has written he has several “sources”. Well they must be the same sources the tabloids use to find two headed babys and aliens, because it didnt happen.
Ive already blogged about and been fined for the source of my displeasure in these playoffs and there was absolutely no reason for me to say another word about it and i wont.
Back to the same “reporter”. He references the play call that led to Wades 2 free throws. Well there is a picture being sent around showing Devin Harris’s arm on DWades shooting arm. Well beyond not knowing if the contact was more than incidental, there is one thing we do know. It occured AFTER the whistle blew. Notice DWade up in the air, more importantly notice his eyes closed and Dirks hand no where near his back, and no real chance to get placed on his back, which is what triggered the whistle. This was at the end of the play. After the whistle blew.
Chalk up some more great reporting to the Miami Herald. The source of phantom comments. The source where I first learned that I owned a boat and had it docked in Miami
(BTW, the story referenced above still isnt corrected. Way to stand for accuracy folks)
To the executives of the Miami Herald.
Dear Mr, Mrs or Ms Publisher.
I am the easiest person in the world to get a hold of. My email is everywhere. If you want to know if i have a boat BEFORE you write that I do. Just ask.
If you want to know if or what I said to someone. Just ask.
Going to a source. Isnt that Journalism 101 ?
You are also the reason Im thankful for this blog. In the old days I would have had to make the rounds of media, doing my best to discredit your efforts. Now I can just write this blog, link and let your work discredit itself. Which is a whole lot more fun.
One Last Last Note:
Im a competitive person. My blog is an outlet for that intensity. I dont blog about the normal things in my life that make up 99pct of my day. I like to blog about things that get me fired up in the Sport of Business. The things i get fired up about. Ive been accussed more than once of having HID (Hyper Intensity Disorder….ok, i just made that up, but if it were truly a disease, I would claim that I had it). Not everyone likes that
Mr. Cuban, if the NBA isn\’t rigged, why is LeBron in the finals already with a garbage supporting cast? And why was the free throw comparison in Game 6 41-19 with 5 minutes left in the game? It\’s obvious that Mr. Stern is controlling the market and his refs are his \”pawns.\” I admire your team and coach Mr. Johnson. Both Detroit and Dallas are the way a basketball team should be manufactured, you put them both in street ball and I guarantee you they take every championship out there! I have lost all faith in the NBA, but I it is always good to have hope, but I think at this rate is going under. And I TOTALLY agree with Bill Simmons article after last year\’s Game 5, you guys got screwed, and Bill Simmons called the next decade as the LeBron and Wade decade, where superstars are worshipped and real TEAM basketball isn\’t.
Comment by Austin Siegel -
Man, where are all these Spurs fans coming from? Ha! Didn’t we send you bastards home already? You’d think you guys would just be all too excited to see the NBA season extended another game or two so you can cast more appreciative support to the only professional sporting league in America to put you on the map. The league grants you a team, the team brings national recognition and vast amounts of dollars to your city, and you want to bitch about the Mavs (and their owner) because they are still playing and you’re not??? How many banners do you have now? Shut up, grab a seat and a beer, and enjoy the show from the sidelines for once.
Comment by Randall -
HID’s ok, we like you like that.
See my comments on the DMN Blog, they can’t comment because the rules are not applied consistantly, and that is the problem, rules are not rules anymore…..Stern better fix this soon, but I doubt he can or will.
Larry
Comment by Larry -
Cuban used a reference from one of his coaches in his blog not long ago, and it said…”One of our coaches, if we win walks in the locker room with a cookie and shakes all the guys hands and says the same thing “on the left”. The Win column is on the left. It doesnt matter how you got there. You got there”
“It doesnt matter how you got there” is what it says.
Does Cuban believe in that? or just type it for the hell of it?
1st, superb talent on the Maverick team.
I’ve been watching NBA for 26 years, ever since Magic Johnson came to be a Laker. I am and will always be a Laker fan thru good and bad.
I’ve seen many bad calls in my time, and have criticized many officials as a fan over the years.
Now that I’m older I understand things I didnt back then. And one of them is that they arent perfect. The officiating is not any worse today than it was back then, or any better for that matter. As an official you have to nmake a split second decision,….with NO REPLAY like everyone gets to see. Once that call is made, it’s made. Roll with it. Quit complaining about the officiating. It’s senseless. And if the Mavericks were that good, the calls would not be a factor.
Finally someone agreed with what I was telling my Maverick friend and that is…..”Both teams have 48 minutes to make the best of their play, to put the other team away. You do not put yourself into position where one bad call can make a huge difference in a game”. The Mavericks dropped a big lead, Dirk Blowitzki missed another cruicial free throw, as did Howard. The Mavericks did not do what they needed to do, just like in game 3. Blew a 13 point lead in Q4. Blew and 8 point lead in last 2 minutes of game 5. They had their chances, and they didnt execute the kill.
Dont be mad at the Refs, be mad at your team for not sticking the dagger in the throat of the heat when they had that chance.
A fan sits on the sidelines and cheers his team on, the owner should be in the owners box out of site. The very reason I will not be a Maverick fan= Mark Cuban
Cuban to the Maverick fans/the NBA is like your boss trying to be your friend at the same time…it doesnt work.
Best wishes on tonights game.
Comment by Rick C -
1st off: Mark, ignore the ‘Cuban-Haters’ and just keep doing what you do and just be yourself. If I owned my own team and was worth $1.3B, I would probably do some of the same things you do. I do disagree , however, that the NBA is not rigged. It is rigged: whether this be a conscious or uncounscious choice by the league office, or the referees. The league is rigged to let offensive stars rule and other players just have to suck it up. Also, not to say that they rig it to where a particular team wins a particular game or series, but it is rigged where all the excellent young players (Devon Harris, who really is quicker than D Wade) gets all the calls against him, because he isn’t a 30-pt a game scorer. Tim Duncan is the king of the “Star-protected call”. The Mavs/Spurs series further proved that. Damp and Diop would play perfect position defense, Duncan would dribble to the middle, shoot a little jump-hook, and run into the defense just a little, then the foul would go on the defender. Total bull!! On another note:
Dallas made a big mistake by assuming the Championship after the first two games. Miami is making the same mistake, or at least the fans on the blogs are, after winning their home games. Honestly, when
you get down to the finals and noone is left but the best, either team
can win on any given night. That’s why it isn’t a 1-game finals;
Instead, they play best of 7. Dirk and Josh will get a chewing-out and may get 80 between them in game 5. Shaq and Wade may score the same. You never know what’s going to happen. You never know which crappy calls are going to go against who. (Yes, 1,2,3,4,5,6,or 7 bad calls over the course of 48+ minutes can make the difference in a win or loss. For all we know, J. Williams or D Harris may bust out for a 40+ game (not likely, but who knows?). All of you Heat fans can boast all you want, all your team has done is win its home games so far, just as Dallas has. But don’t forget, Miami has to win in Dallas. Dallas didn’t have to win in Miami. The chances of Miami actually winning in Dallas are not as good as the Heat fans think they are; and certainly not as good as Dallas’ chance of winning game 5 in Miami!! It took an overtime, an awesome free-throw performance from Wade, and 3 missed calls (all on the last play) for Miami to beat Dallas IN YOUR ARENA. All the Mavs have to do is what each team has done so far: win at home, but then again, it all depends on which players and referees show up.
Comment by prae -
I am the reporter of the phantom Mark Cuban boat story. I received inaccurate information on a very tight deadline. My apologies to everyone involved.
Here is the link to the correction. Good luck in the series.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/corrections/14831000.htm
Comment by Madeleine Marr -
People may say the NBA is rigged becasue of the inconsistency of calls and the fact that “supstars” get calls to go their way simply because they are who they are, but this is pure emotion; no more and no less. 24 hours later no one in their right mind believes the game is rigged or fixed.
What is apparant to everyone is that while you are the savior of Mavs Basketball, you are equally its destruction. The game is not rigged, but there is an anti-Cuban sentiment at the league office, which in turn translates to an anti-Maverick sentiment on the court with the officiating.
Your actions, though well intentioned, are hurting your team. I challenge you to find anybody who would argue that if the time out fiasco at the of the game involved Pat Riley, that time out is never assesed. Pat Riley would get the benefit of the doubt, end of story. But when you help to create a bias at the head office by cursing and losing your head, you cause these calls to go against your team. In baseball the tie goes to the runner, in this case and in this series, the tie will go to the Heat… everytime.
Cursing is never a good idea. (I’m sure your wife would agree, listen to her… please)
I think you are a terrific person and business man and simply a passionate Mavs fan. It has taken me until today to get over it and that is only because there is a game tonight. I wrote The Ticket in response to their trashing of Avery Johnson after his, masterful response, to Eddie Sefco (SP?). Eddie deserved that, stupid question and at the wrong time.
But you have to step and start taking responsibility for the negative feelings that surround your team within the media, the fans and the league. You are not simply a fan anymore, you are now the owner and business man and you have to find a way to constructively play the PR game. You will decide how to do that, it’s not my place to tell you how to conduct your business, but know that you are responsible for this bias.
You and you alone.
Comment by Jay -
Excellent, clear-headed post, sir.
Comment by Dan -
They still don’t get it.
The Heat fans just don’t get it.
The NBA just doen’t get it.
Basketball is a great sport, it is a team sport.
A T E A M S P O R T.
Why does the NBA keep pursing the superstars.
Why is the NFL such a big hit, it is becuase they keep trying to improve the game and take the refs out of the picture.
If the NBA had anything close to the NFL, then I might be interested in attending the games again.
Even the NHL has put things in place to take the Refs out of the game.
I will continue my protest of the NBA until they get things cleaned up.
Thank you Mark, keep trying to get them to move forward.
Comment by Jim -
I agree with you Mark.
The refs let Wade get away with dipping his shoulder into players and driving directly into them. I can think of three questionable calls from Sunday night…..one where two mavs players had Wade trapped in the corner, one where Wade tried to spin and his back hit Howard in the chest causing him to fall and ofcourse it was called a blocking foul, and the three point play where Wade banked the shot and Devin was called for a foul which didnt seem right. The last call was no doubt a bad call. I think any unbiased person who reviewed the tapes could see that. Wade was out of control driving into people on the court and he got the foul call, its a travesty to the NBA. The Mavs didnt blow this game, they were ahead with two seconds left to play, the refs did!!!!!!!!
Comment by Clint -
Man, where are all these Spurs fans coming from? Ha! Didn’t we send you bastards home already? You’d think you guys would just be all too excited to see the NBA season extended another game or two so you can cast more appreciative support to the only professional sporting league in America to put you on the map. The league grants you a team, the team brings national recognition and vast amounts of dollars to your city, and you want to bitch about the Mavs (and their owner) because they are still playing and you’re not??? How many banners do you have now? Shut up, grab a seat and a beer, and enjoy the show from the sidelines for once.
Comment by Randall -
Hey I just wanted to say that I think the mavs should have won the last game because the officiating was bad. However dont complain about it Mark or other mavs fans because those type of calls is what got you there against the Spurs. Remember the foul on Duncan with Dirk and the foul on Bruce Bowen in two different games with less than a minute left that gave you the game. And dont forget that the spurs had to play like 6 games back to back with no rest and then Stern finally said hey the spurs deserve some rest. Yall would have not won game two if we werent tired and I dont want to hear that we should have won quicker. No, we should of had some rest that we were suppose to get. Besides when it all comes down to it the mavs will win both at home. And for the record, Cuban you are a billionare, adult, and a person that many people look up to. Stop cursing, acting immature and what you said about San Antonio was just wrong. People live there and try their best to enjoy their life there. Cmon bro, I think your passion for the game is awesome and keep it up but just think about what you say before you say it.
Comment by Jason Cochrum -
All these Heat fans that are berating Mark for trying to correct the disgrace that is the NBA, are you really happy knowing that your team did not win the game fair and square? You should be furious that your team is being made into a wossy team by winning with 8 people on the court instead of 5 only. The entire NBA organization needs to be revamped anyway. Why would you have one person running an organization for 23 years?
Comment by Nipa -
I agree with you Mark…but Aaron Stampler (comment 9) made some fine ass points.
That said…Avery Johnson need to be accountable for two things;
1. He didn’t Hack a Shaq enough. He clearly seemed to hate doing this, but that’s HIS problem. The series is tied 2-2. We need to WIN. Thus, Hack the shit out of Shaq!
2. Control D Wade. This was a joke! You have got to double team this guy and take your chances with some outside shooting. Wade was a hot butter knife carving at will. His defender looked like John Starks against MJ when MJ lit up 55!
Keep rockin’ Cuban!
Comment by Joe Ventura -
I noticed in the first 2 games of the finals Shaq was sweating profusely, yet he was not sweating as much in Miami.
Perhaps you could set the thermostat in the AAC up a few degrees for tonight’s game Mark.
Comment by Roger Johnson -
TIM you sound like a jackass Miami fan. Are you sure your not working for Miami Herlad? If Mark didn’t own the Mavericks they wouldn’t be in finals, so stop acting like your embarassed. Mark can’t go to the refs and argue when a bad call is made against the other team. The other teams should what Mark is doing, trying to fix the mistakes. If players decided most of the game it would look like a street fight. We all want NBA to be fair not on the Mavericks side. Now stop your crying paint your face with blue and white and get ready for the game tonight, because its gonna be a good show.
Comment by JOHN -
NBA referees spend their first 5 seasons UN-learning everything they know about officiating at previous levels. High school, college and foreign ball have similarities the odd-ball NBA does not.
Comment by KJZebra -
The Miami Herald has always been a joke – and I have lived down here a long time. It’s almost like you’re complaining that The Enquirer got the facts wrong.
I wish Pat Reilly had a blog – what a great way to reach the fans –
And as a former member of the media – I LOVED the way you put those IDIOT reporters in their place. Every time you drop an “F-bomb” you can almost here their hearts drop – because you just made the act of using your sound bite a MAJOR pain in the ass – because beeping your expletive takes work – it doesn’t just happen in real time with some dude working the “bleep” button.
I am not a Mavs fan – been in Miami too long. But I find the Cuban approach refreshing. Say your piece – pay the fine – but do not change. Good luck tonight.
But 6 point favorites? Too many – Vegas are you listening?
Comment by david -
Guy’s,
It dosen’t matter what any of the Mavs do. They can all paly great and they will still lose. Stop all the bullshit.
You have to stop Wade Period or it’s over.
Comment by Gary -
You go Mark!!!!
Comment by Liz -
You know, normally I am right there with you, Mark. People complaining about officials costing them the game and that it was intentional, it’s just sillyness, really. Teams have every chance to win a game on their own by putting the ball inthe hole. I know refs are human and they miss calls all the time. I also know that if every game were called to the letter of the rule book, there would be 50 fouls called per team every night. You have to give the players room to play and just keep it between it between the lines.
However, this series is different for two reasons. Number 1, game 3. Did we blow that game? Oh yeah we did. 11 point lead with 5:50 to play? Yep, we blew it. However, Wade shouldn’t have been around to bring his teamback for that full 5:50. He should have fouled out after that reach in that nearly knocked Jason Terry to the floor (somewhere between 2-3min to play). When a guy stumbles after a reach in like that, you don’t have to have read a rule book to know that was too much contact. The problem is fouling out Wade on a reach in. That’s a tough call for a ref to make, but it is still the right call and should have been whistled. I doubt the contact was any less than the foul call at the end of game 5.
The other reason is inconsistency. You should have read my blog in response to all the Spurs fans citing officials for handing us the game. It was filled with numbers that dispute their claims, and as we all know the numbers only lie when you back them with half truths. I just let the numbers speak for themselves, so here they are:
38 fouls committed by Dallas, the most fouls committed by any team against one team in the post season.
14 fouls committed on Wade, 13 shooting fouls.
11 of 28 from the field for Wade. why exactly are we fouling him?
Wade averages 3 fouls per 38min (his average time played), but somehow managed just 1 in 50 minutes.
No charges drawn by Devin Harris in game 5, all blocking fouls. The same Harris is lauded for being faster than Tony Parker, who is also considered faster than Wade.
I’m sorry, but the math here doesn’t add up to Dallas just losing a game, a game in which they dominated the rebounds, and out shot their opponents in field goal makes and misses, and field goal percentage. Every foul against Wade, until OT, was a shooting foul. Our previous high for fouls against the Heat was 29, most of which came against Shaq. Could Dallas had won by making free throws or knocking down open jumpers? Sure, but by that rationale Miami could have run away with the game as well, since they missed more shots than we did. I consider myself to be a very rational person. Show me the error of my ways and thought process and I will change them accordingly. I still have not heard anything that disputes the refs were allowing Wade to play any way he wanted to play. And if you truly believed officiating was fair and objectionable, you wouldn’t have been fined over a million dollars by a league that refuses to embrace any kind of change that would better the consistency of the game. Don’t cry for more fouls for Dirk because he is a star, call for less fouls to made whisteld because someone is a star. It is unfair to players, it is riotous to fans, and it just makes the game BAD. Every player deserves the same calls being made every time, regardless of stature in the league. The same is true in the rest of the world. The fact you are a billionaire does not entitle you to act however you want. You should remain subject to the exact same rules and regulations as the guy sleeping on the corner. When we give people preferred treatment, you get desparate people trying to become like those at the top by any means necessary. You can’t look me in the eye and tell me Miami deserved game 3 or 5. You also can’t look me in the eye and tell me Dallas lost the games on their own. Maybe it’s because you’re a Mavs fan. I think it’s because you do see what’s going on here, and you don’t like it one little bit.
Comment by Daniel -
I don’t care what you say Mark!! I understand you are bound by the NBA and can’t say what you really want to say. The NBA is all about image. Cities like Miami, Chicago, and LA are an attraction for celebs. When celebs are in the seats that makes the NBA look good. Since LeBron, Melo, and D.Wade were drafted they knew these guys would be the future of the league. It behooves the league to make these guys champs ASAP. Anytime you have “rookie”, “veteran”, and “make up” calls should tell you something. No other pro league has that terminology.
No other pro league has these accusations!!! The ref lied about J Howard “asking” him twice for a timeout when the ESPN replay of the situation clearly showed Howard looking at the bench conferring with the coaches.
NBA is full of garbage and I’m outraged that more people haven’t voiced their opinions
Comment by Leonard -
I’m not sure that I’d be any different than you if our positions were switched. I, too, think that the suggestion that the games are rigged is beyond the pale. The quality of play in the NBA represents the game at its highest level. That doesn’t just make it difficult to play, it also makes it difficult to officiate. Viewers at home have the benefit of instant replay from multiple angles delivered at super slo-mo. NBA officials don’t have that luxury. Even with three guys, it’s a tough job and unless you’ve officiated, you won’t likely understand that.
Relative to the answer given to that reporter, I don’t honestly know why he asked Mark the question. To me, Cuban didn’t play the game, so while it’s his team, I think it does a disservice to the Mavs players and staff to characterize it as his loss — with all respect to Mark. I understand his investment, but I don’t think he should be a post-game “interview-ee”
Comment by Ralph Petermann -
Much that happened in Miami to frustrate, especially for a team that had been so good on the road, silencing the crowd.
http://gunny93.blogspot.com/2006/06/this-crowd-has-gone-deadly-silent.html
Top has to be Stack’s suspension. That was unstable, especially in the NBA Finals.
Missed free throws have stung as well, but that’s our bad. I’d like to see more trips to the hoop instead of pull up jumpers by the Mavs, especially on the fastbreak.
I hope being at the AAC for Game Six will be huge, and that Stack comes back with a vengeance. If so, I like our chances in Game Seven.
Dirk should have found his A-Game by then and we’ll make Stern eat it … Reno-Style!
Comment by GUNNY HARTMAN -
Wade Controls Destiny.
If he can be stopped, Dallas will win. If he can’t be stopped (and that means assist too), then it’s all over.
Comment by RC Cole -
Mark, you say that no one asked you whether or not you cursed at the commissioner, but I heard on espn radio that the Miami Herald writer emailed you yesterday about the incident and you didn’t respond. There are some inconsistencies with this story.
Comment by John Newhouse -
Mark I think you forgot to post all the evidence as usual.. Here is the picture you were lacking in your comments with the push to the back…
http://i6.tinypic.com/14vo5n7.jpg
As Quoted above “Dirks hand no where near his back, and no real chance to get placed on his back, which is what triggered the whistle.”
Comment by Can't take the HEAT get out of the kitchen -
Mark,
I have been a reader of your blog for quite some time now, but I enjoy reading and usually not responding until this issue came up. I first heard this “reporter” on Mike and Mike this morning on ESPN Radio and he flat out says he heard it from someone else who heard it from someone else. It was a game operations person who told it to a source who the reporter found “impecable.”
Last time I checked, you talked to the media after the game, if this guy was sitting on this, why in the world not come to you and ask you about it? Instead, he runs it 10 paragraphs into his story because he knows it was TRASH. This guy needs to be brought down on this. I am an aspiring broadcaster and I have done plenty of work with the media and this is truly a case of not knowing Journalism at all! If this incident really did happen, every freaking newspaper in the country would have had it front page, not just some stiff from Miami.
Keep it up Mark, not that you need me to tell you that, but you are a GREAT owner and I really hope being a Cavalier fan, Dan Gilbert continues to take the approach you have with the Mavs. Maybe we’ll see ya in the finals down the road…
Comment by Brandon -
Let’s see what happens; Game 6 is tonight on your home floor, IF the calls don’t go the Mavs way, then you can go crazy. The first two games were not close, so there were no issues. 2 of the last 3 were close and no doubt the home team got the close calls. Enjoy tonight’s game !!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Stewpidity -
Was reading your other recent posts and sawy this line…….”Sorry for the lack of posts recently. Laptop died in Miami and sitting in an internet cafe didnt appeal to me….”
You’re Mark freaking Cuban surely you can buy a new laptop anytime you want……
Comment by scott -
Mark,
There’s only one thing stopping the Mavs from winning a championship.
“Dwyane Wade”. You have to stop him period. Or the Mavs are done.
Comment by Gary -
I think there is conspiracy in the NBA, David Stern wants another Michael Jordanesqe player in the leauge due to the revenue it generates. Yeah there has been Kobe Bryants and Tracy McGradys, but nothing like Jordan. That is why the NBA office wants the Miami Heat to win, so Dwayne Wade can be that player. However if David Stern was smart enough, he should influence the game with his overseeing power and help the Mavs win. Due to the Fact if and International player, like Dirk, wins it would create more international intrest and he can fufuill his world domination plans.( Having an overseas franchise in ten years)
Comment by Andy -
Not rigged. But it does seem that there is a definte desire by the NBA to have a certain few “Stars” win. Kind of makes you wonder if the NFL isn’t looking at the NFL in the 70’s and 80’s, when the breaks always went for the Cowboys and wishing to emulate this. If this isn’t the case, then the NBA needs to 1) get on the ref’s cases to call the same for each player and each team during the same game; 2) to require the ref’s to be available and accountable to the press for their calls; and 3) get rid of Stu (Mr Inconsistant) Jackson. The guy has no idea how to be fair, going back over a number of years and many playoff games!
Comment by Mo -
NBA as a whole is a microcosm of a typical government administration, it WILL NOT and CANNOT correct any wrong or errors done, much less acknowledge them. So rigged or not is irrelevant. What is only relevant is money.
Comment by Edgar -
Can we please focus on game 6 guys? These refs can’t get all the calls right. That’s just a fact. These people are human. Yes there are at least 10 bad calls during any NBA game. I emailed Mark during our series with the Spurs and voiced my displeasure in regards to some calls. I came to the conclusion that bad calls rarely impact the outcome of games. We need to come together and believe in the our team. The same team that got us through the Suns and Spurs. We have accomplished so much this year. Let’s be proud hold our heads up high and put the Heat away tonight. I also don’t think NBA games are rigged. It’s not in the best interest of basketball.
Let’s trust our general. Let’s trust our players. Let’s put on a beating tonight. Points win games not bad calls.
Go Mavs!
p.s. Mark – We don’t need another Tom Hicks in Dallas. Please do not consider selling.
Comment by Neal Behgooy -
I wish you owned my New York Knicks Marc because I do not have a problem with your style of ownership. Hell, I believe I would be the same way if I owned the Miami Dolphins because I hate to lose and LOVE football sooooo much. Keep your head up because you are doing the right thing and you have a fan from New York pulling for you and your MAVS!
Comment by Alex Whitfield -
Mark
Thank You for all you do and for coming out and correcting the so-called truth. I wish you would leave Texas though, come to The Nations Capital and buy all teams that don’t have Redskins on their stationary. Rid us of these frauds we have in this town and you’ll be the #1 sports fan and best owner in the business (which you already are).
Comment by Caphcky -
Mark,
You are right on. The media is too quick to write things without checking them out. I took journalism 101 and before you write anything you should have AT LEAST two sources saying the same thing.
I can’t wait to watch David Stern had you the Larry O’Brian Trophy and then everyone waiting on you to rip into him, only to hear you say, “Thank you Mr. Stern.”
Comment by Bill Smith -
The reality is the NBA officiating is awful, but it is awful both ways. Shaq has been called for traveling more than Wade, yet Wade travels on almost every play. Like many of us on here, have played basketball one form on another most of my life and can’t figure out what will or won’t be a foul in the NBA. It must be really frustrating for the players.
All that aside, the Mavs just need to go play and not let the Heat back in during the 4th quarter like games 3 and 5.
Comment by scott -
I am sick and tired of hearing MAvs fans/and owner whinning about the referees. Hey Cuban, you say above that those reporters whom you used swear words with were “wasting your time”?..interesting…how about kids watching the tv..that shows you how to act like a baby that got his rattle taken away?…seriously you are so freaking temperamental, you would think with all your $$ you would invest in some anger management…
i still cant understand how people think you are a great owner…yah…great choke job once again..
p.s. loved watching Kobe rip you a new one through three quarters….63 points…
Comment by Lakerfan in Dallas -
My prediction:
The Dallas Mavericks will NEVER win an NBA Championship while Marc Cuban is the owner. Book it!
Comment by Robert Stevens -
Thanks for the run Mavericks. As a former Dallas and Texas resident, I followed the Mavs from infancy to this year and am very happy the team was able to make it to the Finals.
That being said, I am finally done with the NBA. All of the BS with the officiating in this series finally did it. After numerous discussions with friends across the country, (some Mavs fans, most not) all pretty much agree on the BS quality of the NBA “star system”. Of course basketball officiating is subjective, but, wow. All you can really say is “wow”. Yes the Mavs committed some boneheaded blunders down the stretch of a couple of games. Had they been up double-figures without the Wade-worship, it may or may not have mattered.
So, thank you, Mark, for being the passionate type of owner that the NBA needs. I hope the Mavericks can get the title in the coming years, but I most likely will not be there to watch.
Comment by Don B -
Thanks for an amazing year. Thanks for an amazing series.
Thanks for being the best owner in any sport. Period.
Can I talk you into buying a piece of the Marlins? Florida needs more of you here.
Comment by Robert B. -
All I have to say is that that serious was rediculous in games 4 & 5. I’m not a big Mavs fan (sorry Mark, you’re the best owner though man). Being from Indiana I know a thing or two about basketball, and the way the refs controled the games were unfair toward the end. Not to mention the difference in foul shots (Dallas was attacking the basket). It’s just a crying shame that the league plays favorites, and condemns those that speak out on they’re foul play. Also, what about the physical aspect of the game? The punishments were not dealt out fair enough. David Stern is a coward and I have honestly lost all respect for him. Nice job building your franchise Mark, but sorry it had to end unfairly like it did.
Comment by Jarrod H. -
It is time for all of us to accept the fact that the Super Bowl and the NBA championship is controlled by big money and the outcome is pre-determined. If one had any doubts after the Super Bowl they were all removed tonight as the world watched David Stern give his girlfriend Diane Wade an NBA Championship. Never again!
Comment by Tim Walker -
God I am so sick of you dallas bitches whining. Mark is the biggest baby of you all. YOUR TEAM BLEW FOUR IN A ROW! Give Dwade and Miami SOME credit. They played great and Dwade hit some shots reminiscent of MJ. No it couldnt of been Dallas’s HORRIBLE shooting percentage, it was david stern’s fault…the refs…the finals is rigged…etc. NO excuses. Miami is the better team and they won. Now get over it and wait for next season. God, what sore losers.
Comment by Jonny Cash -
This is coming from a die hard mavs fan. This game screwed around with my stomach so much I couldn’t even stand it. But in the end it came down to the same classic concept, time and time again. The Mav’s are usually very good starting teams, they like to sprint out to good first quarters like they showed tonight. But then they keep “forgetting”? what got them those leads in the first place. BY ATTACKING THE RIM. There was no more obvious proof of this statement when you have missed 10+ jumpers on several occasions down the floor, and you have miami in the penalty with 6-7 mins left in the 4th. That is really really early. You should maybe try to take advantage of driving to the rack and getting a call. But instead they kept settling for jumpers that hadn’t been falling all night, and that’s what cost them this game, and the 2 others they gave away. We can argue to no end about how the fouls are called, but regardless you have to go out and play through all that bullshit. It doesnt matter if you FEEL you are playing 5 others and the 3 refs, “fuck em” as you would say. Either way I hope this was a lesson that you can’t hand deliver some games to an opponent in the NBA finals. It doesn’t matter how good you are compared on paper, it matters on what you do. They did not make the adjustments late in games to win it. The old mavs wouldn’t care if one player kept taking them to the hole. They would just come right back and score. They would force you to miss, similar to the suns attack now. These mavs, with most of the same players (driving to the bucket doesn’t require steve nash, but it does help…) seem lost and helpess in the late stretches of the game. They keep passing around and taking the so called “good look” shots, but what’s the fucking point if you haven’t made any of them? I know conventional wisdom states that if you keep firing, eventually some gotta go in, right? Well tonight the law of averages worked against us. But we could have changed all of that, wich a tie game late in the fourth, by driving to the rim. That’s all, nothing more nothing less. Fuck it if you can’t hit a jumpshot tonight. Make an easy basket to get your game on track. I always thought that if you opened up the inside game, the outside game would catch up. Well they failed in attempting that tonight. Bar none Mark, some of this also has to fall on Avery. He needs to be harping to drive the basket and get to the line. He should know that they can’t always choke on the line late in the game (right?) But instead they kept getting one shot possessions. I love Terry, and you gotta resign him, regardless of how much it costs (for the most part). He single handedly kept us in the series when other guys were coming up short. I think if we woulda won tonight, and game 7 Terry woulda been finals mvp. But that didn’t happen because he failed to attack when his jumper isn’t there. Or at least get closer, he was hitting those earlier in the game. I don’t know, just a heartbreaking loss to go through, but I guess this is sports. But I hope you don’t fuck with the roster. Sign terry, probably could afford to let van horn go, unless he’s super cheap, and get them a bit more focused, and we can do this again next year but win! Though I think Phoenix will the the nightmare in the west, for any of the top teams. Assuming Amare can come back. But we’ll see…..I guess now I get to look forward to the best thing until football season…..NBA offseason!! Always weird shit happening there.
Comment by Robert -
why would you expect the press to do any actual, you know, work?
all they do is tabloid journalism, including being mouthpieces for the white house. A source says what? The moon is made of cheese? RUN WITH IT! What? Call NASA to verify? No way, just RUN WITH IT!
Comment by Our Lapdog press -
the last four games of this years finals were the worst officated games of the playoffs my opinion is that the league had it in all a long for the mavs to lose how can the nba allow the way the games were officated change from the rules set before the seasons it seems like they want certain times to win and leave certain players untouchable
GO MAVS good run this year
Comment by jmc -
The Mavericks are clearly the better team when not having to beat both Miami and the referees. If the NBA doesn’t clean up its act, I will boycott the league. And note to refs, since when is breathing on Wade a foul,but grabbing a player by the jersey is not?
Comment by Donna Louise -
I’m so whipped by what the NBA has become. Where are the players with skill? Why is success achieved by thugging your way to the basket where you initiate contact and get to shoot free throws?
One of the reasons I really liked the Mavs was their style of play that demonstrated more skill and less getting to the foul line because your a star and you just go to the hole with reckless abandon because you’re not that great of a shooter.
Comment by GUNNY HARTMAN -
the last four games of this years finals were the worst officated games of the playoffs my opinion is that the league had it in all a long for the mavs to lose how can the nba allow the way the games were officated change from the rules set before the seasons it seems like they want certain times to win and leave certain players untouchable
GO MAVS good run this year
Comment by jmc -
That’s why you don’t plan parades until you win the series…The refs don’t like that.
P.S. Before tonights game, my favorite foul call was the one when Shaq drew a charge on Josh Howard. It has now been replaced by the foul that sent Wade to the line for his first free throws. Classic! Absolutely Classic!
Comment by David Stern -
David Kitchens, This blog was linked to the
Drudge report or I would have never heard of it. Once I found it and started reading all the comments, I wanted to play. That’s all. It was fun David. Sorry you are running away with the ball. I just wanted to play. It was fun while it lasted, but please come back and play. Oh wait, the Mavs still havn’t won anything. There’s allways next year. Bu bye!
Comment by Bobby -
If the NBA were rigged based on market share, then the Lakers would win every year. This is just another example of Dallas fans making excuses. Mark, I guess your money can’t buy you everything!
Comment by Mike -
now first of all… i need to mention that I’m a PISTONS fan through and through. I’m not here to talk about them right now though. I check your website out occassionally from time and after what just transpired, I decided to say something. But I actually want to commend you on being a fan of the game. you’ve put yourself in a position to own an organization which you’ve been able (along with a lot of help from the people you hired of course) to bring the Mavericks out of obscurity. this NBA FINALS appearance is the result of many years of work. I wish more owners would be more passionate about the game… (see Donald Sterling to catch my drift) I feel bad that the “league” suspended Stackhouse (former Piston… sorry had to throw that in there). I feel bad that you were charged 250 big. (I hope you can appeal). now i don’t know what you said while you were shown on video all over national tv… so that would be my question.. but to a man if you say you didn’t say those things… then you didn’t say those things. plain and simple. but that won’t get you your money back. but anyway… as i am currently watching your mavs in game 6 (who have come back from 11pts )… i see that they have heart. i see that they are driven and i see that they are a team. i hope no one is able to take that away. Here’s to you and here’s to a hopeful Game 7 victory on your Dallas homecourt.
Comment by slighdogg -
Game 6 — Halftime
NBA Championship — 6 Qtrs to go…
It’s time for the Mavs to take the gloves off…
Look ’em in the eye and smack ’em the mouth…
With much respect to Pat Riley, Shaq, DWade, GP, Zo and company…
It’s time to put a stranglehold on these mother fuckers…
It’s now or never…
Destiny awaits.
Jim Parham
Yuba City, CA
Comment by NoBallsNoBabies -
Mr. Cuban.
I’ve become a part-time fan (When they are not playing the Bobcats/Cavaliers) of your team since you purchased them in 2000. The continued success of your franchise is the model that every sports owner should try to attain.
However, lately, I have been completely confused. You have made billions running a business, and while that business was not a sports league, you have great ideas. Instant replay will never work, but it would be nice if the NBA corrected itself once in a while. Also, you pointed out the picture circulating showing that Devin Harris did not intentionally (or otherwise) foul Dwyane Wade, and that Dirk Nowitzki was also innocent. When will the NBA confirm that? You make note of the fact that MLB allows reporters to question the umpires, which is a great money-saving idea for their business. You, as a major shareholder in the world’s most profitable basketball association, should have a voice in the way that business entity is operated, including on-court incidents.
Good luck to you and your squad this season, it’s halftime right now Game Six.
http://www.psofa.com/~tarheelsmurf/
Comment by CarolinaFan -
Mark,
Chill out. You look like a fool. These Mavs fans may enjoy your antics, but that’s about it. Funny how no-one called a time-out but your coach made the signal, as did two of your players and both of them also walked toward the bench. Are the refs supposed to be able to read their mind now too?
Hope your Mavs win tonight. Looking forward to a Game 7.
BTW, right is it’s own defense? Yeah, sure, as long as you’re deciding what is and isn’t right? Sure you want the officiating to get better. The problem is that it’s through your eyes only, as the earlier blog entry showing how the refs managed to miss 50 calls against the Mavs and only 5 calls against the Spurs shows. Save your self-righteousnous. You want “right” only if it benefits YOU!
Comment by Robert Stevens -
Hi Mark,
Well, looking at the photo and reveiwing the game on Tivo seems pretty clear to me that his hand was there for several seconds before this shot was taken and hit him with his body before that. Even if they did blow the whistle early…ultimatley, they got the call right. He was fouled in the act of shooting.
As for wheter or not Dirk fowled him some times the officials have to go by the mothion of the ball carrier. Certainly Dallas has benefited from more than one “Flop” in this series.
Ultimatley I agree that I would like see more accountability from the refs in the NBA (We’re Sonics Season Ticket Holders). While it wouldn’t change an outcome it would remove the Aristocratic aspect of the officials.
Comment by Ray Feighery -
Mark, I figured you’d like to see this:
Google Cache of Original Article
“Team owners Micky Arison (Heat) and Mark Cuban (Mavs) didn’t arrive by limo, helicopter or Range Rover. The millionaires both came by boat and docked on opposite sides of the arena. Cuban’s Utopia II is nice enough — if a bit modest, at 60 feet. Arison’s Sirona III is a Shaq-sized monster, well more than 100 feet long.
‘I think there’s a little bit of boat envy goin’ on,” said Brad Morris, director of operations at the arena. ”I mean, compared to Arison’s, Cuban’s boat is pretty piddly.” Morris said he heard Cuban had draped a ”Go Mavs” banner across the boat earlier in the day and caused such a stir that the police were summoned. Oops. It wasn’t there at game time.”
New Improved Article
“Team owners Micky Arison (Heat) and Mark Cuban (Mavs) found an ingenious way to beat Miami traffic. The gazillionaires both came by boat and docked on opposite sides of the arena. Arison’s Sirona III is a Shaq-sized monster, well more than 100 feet long. Guess that’s to be expected from the CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines.
Brad Morris, director of operations at the arena, heard that earlier in the day Cuban had draped a ”Go Mavs” banner across his friend’s boat, the Utopia II, and caused such a stir that the police were summoned. Oops. It wasn’t there at game time. ”
Hows that for journalistic integrity? I’ve cached the Google copy locally just in case it updates and the blatant change gets overwritten.
I’m a huge fan of your style. Keep it up.
Comment by David Dellanave -
Hi Mark! Did you get a chance to catch PTI this afternoon? They had David Stern as their guest, and aside from the fact that he wouldn’t discuss the fine, when asked if you had yelled at him that the game was rigged, he said no. Interesting.
Also, I loved your appearance on Letterman, especially the story about Trump. That, and the fact that you match each fine with a donation to charity. That speaks volumes about your character. If you’re looking for a charity for this latest one, consider the Parkinson’s Foundation. Good luck tonight…can’t wait to see Stern hand you the trophy! 🙂
Comment by mara -
I feel badly for the city of Dallas, having to tolerate an owner like you. Your ‘product’ has become little more than a circus, with the game
itself relegated to little more than sideshow status. And you, of course, are the ultimate circus clown.
It’s sad, really, that just because you have money and a sports team, you assumme that it
gives you a bully pulpit to spew your immature and ridiculous ‘values’.
I’m not a fan of the Heat, but after seeing
your actions after Game 5, I’m convinced that you need help. You can’t justify your behavior by simply by claiming emotional intensity. And,
you bring so much bad press and negative
publicity to your team. Congratulations. You
are little more than a spoiled rich kid that never grew up.
But, hey! It’s not all bad. All least the world also knows that you feel cursing in public is completely appropriate, not to mention, you apparently enjoy hearing (and encouraging) children to curse. Darn nice family values, you have there. No, this isn’t sad, it’s downright pathetic.
Comment by NBA fan -
Wow, video of you needing to be restrained, and cussing out everyone in reach. Real classy.
You wanna know why folks send you emails saying the league is rigged? Because you got caught saying it first! You and Avery can attack reporters doing their job all you want, this is a free country, but there were plenty of people there watching you rip the refs, the fans, the players, all because you can afford to do it.
Lucky to be a billionaire, because if you had a boss he would fire you for that behavior.
Comment by Classless Stackhouse -
Wow, video of you needing to be restrained, and cussing out everyone in reach. Real classy.
You wanna know why folks send you emails saying the league is rigged? Because you got caught saying it first! You and Avery can attack reporters doing their job all you want, this is a free country, but there were plenty of people there watching you rip the refs, the fans, the players, all because you can afford to do it.
Lucky to be a billionaire, because if you had a boss he would fire you for that behavior.
Comment by Classless Stackhouse -
Wow, video of you needing to be restrained, and cussing out everyone in reach. Real classy.
You wanna know why folks send you emails saying the league is rigged? Because you got caught saying it first! You and Avery can attack reporters doing their job all you want, this is a free country, but there were plenty of people there watching you rip the refs, the fans, the players, all because you can afford to do it.
Lucky to be a billionaire, because if you had a boss he would fire you for that behavior.
Comment by Classless Stackhouse -
Mark,
I know that you get tons of email so I’ll be brief. First of all, I’m East coast basketball all the way….I’m rooting for the Heat. More importantly however, I’m an NBA basketball fan of over 35 years. I remember when Willis Reed limped on to the court and scored the first 4 points to lead the Knicks over the Lakers for the championship. I’ve played(college all-american) and watched an awful lot of basketball and I have to say that the officiating in game 5 was absolutely terrible. Good or even decent refs would never make a call like that(the Dirk/Wade foul), at a time like that, in a game like that!! Then to make matters worse, in a dead ball situation, the refs refuse to work with your coaching staff to resolve a disputed time out. Unbelievable!!
Basketball is played by humans. Humans make mistakes…even NBA officails. The league missed an enormous opportunity to let common sense prevail….to let the players on the floor determine who wins and who loses.
I hate to see a team lose the way your team lost. It weakens the entire sport and I’m sorry that the Mav’s had to lose a game five like that.
Tony
PS- Just as players and coaches are required to meet with the press after each game, I recommend that officials are too.
Comment by Tony Silva -
You’re awesome. I’m so glad you’re one of the 30 “shareholders” of this league. I’ll be honest, I’m not a fan of the NBA anymore. I don’t like how the league is run and I don’t like the attitudes of a lot of the players. I’ve been watching the Playoffs this year, and I hadn’t watched NBA basketball before then for a few years. But there’s a few players and a guy named Mark Cuban that spark my interest in the NBA again. I love that you have this blog too, what other sports owner would do this?
Comment by Payman -
Hey Bitter Bobby…
I’m sorry, I assumed you could read and comprehend. My bad. You know what they say about assuming. My point was very simple. You claim you are neither a Mav or Heat fan. You have spent all day on this blog arguing ridiculous points ad nauseum. How many entries have you made today? How many said basically the same thing? We get your point. You don’t like Cuban. But, is it really worth spending the whole day on his blog? Get over it and move on. You seem kinda sad and pathetic to me. I would call you a nerd or a moron but now I just feel sorry for you. Go outside and take a walk. Get some fresh air. Call up a friend(if you have any) and converse to a living being. In other words, get a life! Good luck with all that. I’m moving to the next thread. Go Mavs!
Comment by David Kitchens -
Mark,
Referees are human beeings and they will make mistakes, typically in favor of the home team.
The real problem are not the refereees, but rather poor management of the Mavericks during the game by their coach Avery> Don’t misunderstand me, I like him as a person and as a coach. But he made trivial mistakes during games 3 and 5 and they cost the Mavericks the games. It was not the players or the referees that caused the errors.
In game 3 in the last 6 minutes when the hjeat made their moove, any beginner coach would have called a time out after 2-3 minutes, in order to stop the flood. Avery did not do it (he prefered to keep the timeout for the last few seconds, which in general is the correct thing to do, but not in this case. What is frastreting is that he made exactly the same mistake in one of the games against the Sun’s he should have learned!!!
The second error was in game 5. Avery used the hack the Shaq policy which was correct, but using your STAR players to foul him was stuppid. I was asking myself wy he did not put in one of the secondary bench players to do the fouls (Van Horn for example). This woulod have kept his stars active and aggresive during the final 2 minutes and things would have looked differently/
There are other points too, but I prefer to use them directly with Mark.
I like the Mavericks and hope they overcome and win the final 2 games.
Comment by Ben -
Just think, the Mavs have been playing like crap and won the first two games, gave away the third game, took a nap during the fourth game, let the refs give away the fifth game, and the Heat still haven’t really beaten the Mavs. The Mavs have lost to the Heat, but the Heat still haven’t beaten the Mavs.
That just shows how much better the Mavs are than the Heat. They were in one of those funks that every team gets in, yet they’ve still won two games and barely, and I mean barely, lost two others.
If the Mavs hadn’t hit their funk when they did, we would all be watching Wifeswap reruns or something, because this series would have been over a long time ago.
Now that the Mavs are back home their funk should be over.
And for those of you who don’t understand, there’s a big difference between winning a game because you beat your opponent and winning a game because your opponent lost to you.
P.S. Did you know that Miami is the Dumbest City in the U.S. and that 47% of it’s population didn’t even graduate high school. Damn! http://www.bizjournals.com/specials/pages/10.html06/06/seattle_the_smartest.php
Comment by Kobe Bryant -
I can’t believe that fouls have created so much drama in the series. I am a Miami fan, and we have seen our share of “phantom” calls, mostly with the Knicks. But as Riley once said, a team needs to win despite the referees. STOP WHINING. I don’t understand how a foul call can be criticized so much, when Dirk missed one freebie and Howard missed both. Wade still had to make the free throws. STOP WHINING. And if every fan wants to complain about officiating, then lets also mention the floppers who defend Shag…they get bumped and oops!, offensive foul on the Diesel. Mavs fans say, “let the players decide the game, not officials”. If this were the case, O’Neal would have put up monstrous numbers in the first 3 playoff rounds. STOP WHINING. I give the Mavs credit for taking Shaq out of the game. Good job. We’ll see what happens in G6 tonight. Remember, G1 was close until the last 2 minutes. It’s your turn for some “home cookin”.
Comment by Milton -
The only people with a real financial interest in the games being fixed are the bookmakers. Let’s say you fix 10% of the games and you are a bookmaker. You take home an extra 10% (on top of the vig) of everything bet. 10% of many billions is actually some real money.
The refs make $300k per year. Don’t you see a Tony Soprano type putting down 500k to bribe one of them to shave/add a few points? These are the same guys who got busted in the first-class ticket trade-in scam a few years back. Throw in a couple of quick fouls to Dirk and you’ve impacted a game.
Plus, does Steve Jaffe look like he’s in the mafia or what? Come on.
These guys aren’t dumb. It’s not obvious. It’s subtle. But, listen to the “boos” from the crowd. They know the real scoop.. if you hear the crowd booing, then better hope you bet the other way.
Comment by booyah master sargeant -
I should add that close to 100% of the officiating problem is David Stern’s fault!
He is the commissioner.
If he really wanted the home officiating bias and special treatment for elite players to go away, he would order it and it would go away immediately.
Everyone knows it. It’s just that most significant basketball people (coaches, owners, players, announcers etc…) have political considerations because of their relationship to the game, league, etc… and can’t say anything without jeapordizing their position/job etc…
If the term “home cooking” doesn’t say what people know to be true, then what does!
It’s Stern’s fault.
Let’s at least put the blame where it belongs!
Comment by W.C. -
$250,000. Ouch. Well, I know you can handle it with those deep pockets. The fact that you match your fines with charitable contributions shows that you are a stand-up guy. I just hope whatever happens tonight and Thursday, if necessary, is 100% devoid of controversy. I ain’t betting on it, although I did wager a co-worker a week’s worth of lunch on the outcome of this series, and I have a rather large appetite. So, GO MIAMI!!
Comment by Secret Journey -
Randall, that’s not fair! You can’t make me defend Jerry Jones. Crap. I’ll try to show the differences. Actually Jerry has improved as an owner. The letting go of Laundry was horrible and it did test my allegiance. We were spoiled by the class of Laundry and Clint Murchison, and Jerry rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, including myself. Laundry’s time was up, but it should have been handled better. Jerry’s ego was not the main reason Jimmy Johnson left. Both their egos were too big, and Jimmy was tired of Dallas anyway. He had worn out his welcome much the same way Larry Brown does in the NBA.
Next, do you think that the Mavericks and Mark Cuban are the only team to ever have a bad call go against them, in the NBA’s history, or any professional sport for that matter? Whining in public has never been, and will never be the way a championship organization handles such matters. What champions do is not let the game be decided by human officials who make mistakes. Can’t you see the difference?
He obviously knows the dot com business, and his success there is unquestioned, although we don’t know how he acts in that endeavor. The ends never have and never will justify the means. His current act IS childish and only tarnishes the team, not the NBA. Fans who condone it and buy into it only tarnishes their city. This is not how champions act.
Comment by Bobby -
Anyone that doesn’t think basketball is fixed should define the word “fixed”.
When a 24 year old former Olympic gold medalist boxer gets a decision over a 38 year old washed up former champion that 90% of the crowd and press corp knows was bad, was the fight fixed?
Well literally “NO”.
He had to make sure he didn’t get knocked out and he had to at least be competitive enough to avoid causing a riot when they raised his hand.
However, everyone knows what happened.
There is big money in keeping that prospect undefeated heading into future pay per view bouts etc… Everyone stands to make more money.
Well that’s approximately what’s happening in the NBA.
If you don’t see that some elite players get calls that other players don’t get and that the home team tends to get favorable treatment from the officials, you can’t be watching the games or have much grey matter upstairs.
Is that fixing the games?
Well “NO” it isn’t, but it isn’t much different than giving the close decision to the “name or home fighter” because the economics are better or because you want to please the home crowd and generate more money in the future.
Let’s face it, in the playoffs the teams are often very close in ability. If the game is close, it only takes a few extra marginal calls in favor of a key player, the home team (or whoever) to swing a game one way or the other.
It isn’t fixed, but it’s close enough to upset about. It’s just like that bogus boxing decision we see a few times every year. It’s not fixed, but it might as well be.
Comment by W.C. -
Which team is show respect out there?
Watch the pre-game during the National Anthem.
Which team is standing there waiting for it to get over and which team shows their respect.
Typical about the NBA, it’s all about the individual and money.
What ever happened to the team sport and respect!
If the NBA is about appearance, then maybe they should talk to the players about respect during the National Anthem.
Comment by Jim -
I think in the middle of all these discusions, we are overlooking a couple of things.
first of all, we are forgetting that even with all the bad officiating and in Miami’s home, we took them to the last seconds of the game….twice. That’s pretty huge.
secondly, those of us who have been a mavs fan when they could’t give their tickets away, like Mark….let me reword that, we LOVE Mark. obviously, he knows what he’s doing. for him to turn this franchise into an NBA finalist, he must know what he’s doing. If he complains, there is a reason. We all saw how much Tim Duncan got away with during the SA series, and he still whined. he can see, just like many of us fans can, that if the games were called correctly, Shaq would foul out in the first quarter and Walker would have 200 travel calls per game. let alone 3 second violation caused by Shaq camping out under the basket. I think I can safely say, on behalf of all mav fans, we are behind Mark all the way.
Go Mavs, and make history.
Comment by John A. -
Dittos. Cuban, unlike most of the other stodgy owners, stands up for his team and his fans especially when he perceives they have been wronged – as is the case in the playoffs.
He is a candid refreshing voice that has earned him the respect of his fans and the ire of the league.
Sandy McDonough
Comment by Sandy McDonough -
Dittos. Cuban, unlike most of the other stodgy owners, stands up for his team and his fans especially when he perceives they have been wronged – as is the case in the playoffs.
He is a candid refreshing voice that has earned him the respect of his fans and the ire of the league.
Sandy McDonough
Comment by Sandy McDonough -
i think there is a conspiracy in the nba, and David Stern is making the nba into what he wants it to be, he wants the michael jordan era back and tryin to relive it through wade, the best 2 teams are not in the finals ,and that would be DETROIT and san antonio. But im going for DALLAS ~~~IN LOVE WITH DEVIN HARRIS~~~ but when the season start it’s all RIP HAMILTON
Comment by amber -
Post # 416 is exactly how I feel. Would not mind getting beaten fairly by a better team. It’s happened in the playoffs every year before now. Dallas losing to the Spurs is an example.
It’s common for the winner (after they win mind you) to say, “Quit whining, be a good loser, your sportsmanship sucks.” But the truth is Dallas fans have something legitimate to whine about. The same way Wade whines during games when calls don’t go his way. He reminds me a lot of a shorter Kobe.
Comment by El Stone -
My name is Erick and I am a huge fan of the NBA Champions (Miami Heat). Mr. Cuban I believe you are the richest sore loser I have ever seen. You keep on complaining about the fouls, and referees blah blah blah. Stop being a big kid, and just admit the Mavericks were beat by a BETTER team.
Is it hard for you to admit that? Apparently, the truth hurts. It’s ok though, you can keep on talking all the crap you want, but we still beat your Mavericks 4 games in a row. What makes it ever sweeter is that we won the championship on your home court! Ha, it was truly a moment to cherish when they showed your face on tv after the game 6 win!
Well Mr. Cuban I hope you have a good season next year even though I doubt you will make it to the finals.
🙂
Comment by Erick M. -
FINAL ENTRY HERE:
I posted some encouraging and “fair” comments here yesterday, cuz i wanted to cheer my fellow texans and landsman up. The i spent a lot of my precious time last night watching a re-broadcast of game 6. Thgis time with all the complaints about bad officiating on my mind and trying to understand where the Mavs frustration could come from. I did not see anything! The Mavs came out on fire and everything went well for a while. Rhe were up by double digits. Then they started to tirn the ball over (Harris had 4 TOs @ a very crucial time), missing shots, getting blocked (Wade missed a dunk and ran down the floor to block Howard!) This is simply how they lost the game> Inability to put it away. The heat made their run late in the 2nd and early in the 3rd with JUMPERS,and no “and-ones”! Wade got is jumper back and kille dthem from this point from outside. I tried to see the phantom calls, i couldn’t. Mr Josh Howard: you can play layups fading away from the basket in the finals! Result? Shot blocled. Mr. Nowitzki: There is no reason to shoot fadding away in the NBA finals! Result: You are not committing any defensive playere and therefore u can’t get a call. When Mourning blocks 5 shots in a strech, he denies the Mavs 10 points, and they end up loosing. The Mavs got their “and-ons”. Wade got a foul on a Terry 3-pointer. Wade got a “push-off” call against Harris. Dirk didn’t get called for pushing off Haslem on a back door move. Look at the faces of the Mavs players during the game. As they were running and scoring, the world was fine, Terry was more focused on animating the crowd. This game was lost by the players on the floor and the coach. Avery got aitcoached by Riley. Just count the 18-20 foot jumpers Wade made. Dallas had no answer to that. Count the bricks the Mavs threw down the strech. Why don’t you blame the ball or the rims, or the air in the Arena? Or the weather in TX? Or the President? Mr. Cuban just gave the guys an excuse, just in case they loose. And it sems to work. It is all virtual. Now, we are here talking about rigged league etc…It is the same thing they use, when the war goes bad: They distract us from seing what went wrong by throwing phony issues, and it works. What is the real Dallas problem? Letting Nash go after all theses years. They don’t want you to talk about that. Dampier in the middle is the Joke of the decade. They don’t want you to talk about that. The loss of Finley. They don’t want you to talk about that. These are the issues the fans should be talking about after a fabulous year. Instead, they go after the officials, the league, and why not God?
Is the league or the refs perfect? NO. I love the game of basketball without really loving the league itself. Some rules must be revised. Such as the restricted circle. This rules often takes 7footer out of the game because smaller guys without any offensive concept just jump into them. I have learned my fundamentals overseas and i know, the vertical space belongs to you. It shouldn’t matter, where u stands or if you are moving. This is how all the Kobes, Wades, Arenas get trillions of ppgs. And it is not called so internationally. By removing this stupid rule, guys will be forced to be more honest in the offense and work on a solid jumper, rather than to “look for contact” in the paints. Big men deserve to play too. And for all Mavs fans: remember Dirk stepping on Duncan’s foot, later trying to get out of the way but being called for a foul. Remember Harris jumping into Manu etc…Another thing is, the the league should allow criticism. It doesn’t make any sense, that you could pretty much speak your mind out anywhere in this big country, but not in the NBA. Players, coaches, GMs are citizen with the freedom to express their minds. The “NBA Cares” campaign doen’t mean a thing, if the NBA is a bunch of “yes-men”. It would logically mean, that players are forced to pose for all those commercials. I don’t mean to be disrespectful. Just the right to voice opinions after a game should be allowed and even encouraged. It is the only way to improve. The NBA as any other organization needs improvement. These are my two major suggestions.
This being said: Congrats to the Heats for being competitive. Congrats to Wade for extending his game. I loved his Defense (What a block on Howard!), his jumper (sweet and smooth, reliable, get it patented man!). Congrats to Shaq for not forcing the issue, not complaining on the floor (he got fouled by Howard on the block cuz he took im from the wrist up). Congrats to Zo for his effort (a true hero for many pple with kidney conditions). Congrats to all the role players for accepting their roles (Why would Harris take the last shot in the 1st half?). Congrats to coach Riley for putting an expericend team around talent and adjusting. Congrats to”15 strong”! Congrats to a team, that cut down turnovers in the second half of game 6 (remember a turnover means the team didn’t shoot).
To Mavs fans, get over it and show sportsmanship and calls in defeat. Don’t let Dallas become the city of conspiracy in US history (No disrespect to the events of 1963 intended). Sport is a medal with 2 sides, W/L. Both sides are part of the game (yes, GAME!). All these conspiracies just darken the effort your team put together this season. How do you want to be rembered?
To Mr. Cuban: As i said, free opinions should be allowed. But with freedom comes responsibility. You must be responsible to your ewmployees, fans, city. You lost (to my opinion) because of bad off-season moves. Not b/c of the refs of conspiracies. Rather work on getting your team better, by showing your roaster their own limits. You pay them top $ for playing and THEY lose or win. If you take the blame and put it on the refs, you also take the need to improve from them. After the semis, Manu Ginobili knows, HE cost his team the game, not the refs. This is something that will allow him to grow and get better. The game on the floor is a player’s game!And if you still don’t like it, you can seel the team, or move it to Europe (I bet u can make a lot of money with the Mavs playing over there).
For know: ACCEPT THE DEFEAT! This is my last post here and also my last visit. Have fun, if you guys wanna keep on whinning and posting crab here. It is your right!
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
The game is not fixed by the refs. They are too ignorant to realize they can dictate the game.
However, the officiating is horrid. It is too inconsistent. I believe I fall into the category of most fans when I say: If my team loses a good game, a close game, or a complete blow out, I can live with that. But when my team lost because of the inconsistent officiating, that makes fan angry.
And thank you Mark Cuban for saying what many of us fans can’t because we are not in the public view: The officiating IS terrible, it IS inconsistent, it does show favortism to the “superstar” players, and it IS what makes the NBA one of the worst sports in the world.
Comment by Frank -
Mav’s win!!! The most players suspended from play off games contest. Like owner, like players, such fine sportsmanship.
Comment by Jan Smithson -
Congratulations to both the Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat for a really exciting final!
It’s good to see a change in how the games are now being played, with less reliance on big money stars and more on a total team effort both from starters and benches.
On the down side, we do need to see less crap from overly zealous owners like Mark Cuban. A bit of humility would suit you better, Mark. It was tough luck that some of the calls went against your Mavs but that’s how it works in pro sports. You have to take the good with the bad and both should come with a healthy helping of humility and grace.
Just because you get a bad call is no reason to act like a classless piece of shit. Smarten up and play the game like a professional.
Thank you very much and good luck to the Mavs next year.
Charlie Parisek
Tokyo, Japan
Comment by Charlie Parisek -
hey Mark i will say this … The NBA may not be “rigged” but it is manipulated … not alwyas but ive seen it happen so many times … well ive seen the perception and not just this year … but years past .. especially with JORDAN .. is Jordan the greatest .. well maybe but still he was allowed to get away with so much and i dont believe in or agree with the so call “veteran call” and no where does it say that once you have put in so many years in the league that you get breaks… no where does it say that if your the best you get a break here and there and i hate when it happens … i figure if your the best then you should not get the break … I mean Jordan was even allowed to change the game and not for the better … he was allowed to Palm the Ball, take the extra step and so many others have done this and it seems like its part of the new way of playing ball ….. so again i do believe the NBA is manipulated here and there and thats what i think happened ….. now but the game is super lob-sided there is no way (or it would be harder) for the officials to manipulated but if its a close game HELL YEAH i believe it can and will be … not always but im so convinced it happens … Yes the NBA is now part of your empire but its not just the NBA its all sports that i see this happen… Sad but true …. Keep on Rocking dude
Comment by j2 -
CJ above has nailed it.
Cuban permeates the league with his whining and accusations of not getting a fair call on fouls. Then when his team collapses in one of the biggest choke-jobs on record, anyone is supposed to be surprised??
When Stackhouse busted up Joe Johnson’s face in the playoffs last year, forcing Johnson to miss games and wear protective headgear the rest of the way, no suspension occurred, and you never heard Coach D’Antoni whining and crying like Cuban and Avary Johnson.
When Raja was getting his Bell rung by Kobe’s elbow every five minutes, he helped Kobe do the limbo, and when he was suspended for a game you never heard the Suns crying and blubbering like little babies.
The Mavs are no longer the courageous team that knocked off the Spurs. They’re the whining little crybabies who moan the world is against them and that there are one set of rules for them and another for everyone else.
The Mavs have become a laughing stock. They blow a 13-point lead in Game 3. They blow two double digit leads in the final game. Dirk turns into Kobe in the playoff finale and doesn’t score in the fourth quarter. Yet, it’s all because the Mavs ‘was robbed’.
Instead of leaving the country admiring the Mavs, now everyone sees them as a team of blubbering floppers who cry foul. Maybe they know that this was it, and the Suns team who almost defeated them this year without Amare, Kurt Thomas and a healthy Raja Bell won’t be giving them a pass next year.
Avary Johnson may have set a new standard for forlorn humiliation when he actually refused to lay blame on the time out fiasco in Game 5 on himself or Josh Howard, but accused the refs of refusing to understand “what they meant to do”.
One imagines Chris Weber with his infamous non-existent time out call never thought of that one! “C’mon ref, you KNOW I wouldn’t have called a time out if I knew we didn’t have one! *LOL*
Cuban is a chronic whiner, and a fish stinks from the head down. His whining and crying put his whole team in victim mode, kept them from focusing on what was important, and turned Dallas into Sad Sack U.S.A. You reap what you sow, and Cuban has turned Texas into Conspiracy Central, regardless of his backsliding post above.
P.S. Loved Cuban saying the Phoenix fans had no class, all because they refused to acknowledge Dirk’s non-eye injury in the playoffs last year that lasted all of 15 seconds.
That’s pretty rich watching the Mav fans lustily booing the Heat’s post-game trophy presentation. Lots of class, the trailer park variety.
Comment by Lance Lawson -
I’m not a Mavs fan or a Heat fan. But I can tell you what anyone who’s ever attended a motivational seminar knows: “It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you choose to take it.”
Coach Riley took those first 2 blowout losses and used them to motivate his sluggish team to start attacking on both offense and defense. And what happens? His players bought into it and won 4 straight.
In fact, Riley says he only packed one suit and one shirt for the trip to Dallas because he wasn’t planning on playing more than one more game. Yes, he might have looked arrogant if they lost Game 6. But in his heart, he KNEW the Heat would win.
Up 2-0 with a younger, more talented, and deeper team, your team was on its way to the NBA title. But as soon as the Mavs started losing, you pulled out the “my dog ate my homework” excuse and kept beating the drum. Instead of motivating them to win, you were actually giving them the message that they couldn’t win no matter how they played because the refs were screwing them. It’s hard to believe that even Coach Avery, Mr. No-Nonsese/No-Excuse himself, bought into it.
So when the game was on the line late in each of the last 4 games, the Mavs players couldn’t find a way to win. Because deep inside they believed they were going to lose. You can’t win if you’re already thinking you’re going to lose even before you start playing.
Winners make things happens. Losers whine about what happens to them. And THAT is the real reason the Mavs lost.
Unless the Mavs start believing they’re the world-beaters they were in the Spurs series, their playoff runs will end up pretty much like the TrailBlazers and Kings playoff runs against the Lakers.
So maybe it’s time to ease up on the excuses and use some positive energy to motivate your team? You hired Coach Avery because he was a tough-minded, no-excuse, defense-first, motivational, coach — as close as you can get to Coach Riley in the NBA. Let the guy do his thing, and you’ll be taking home the trophy next year.
Comment by CJ Samms -
I recently tried emailing the league office and wouldn’t you know? That part of their page isn’t working! Gee willakers! Too bad I couldn’t post the following to David Stern:
“I am writing this as an FYI to the league office. I have been watching the NBA since the late ’70’s with my dad when there was real team ball being played by the Lakers, Celtics, etc. unlike the thug ball with egomaniacal self-absorbed individualists we see today.
I almost gave up on watching, paying to see or being even remotely involved in the NBA a while back becasue of the officiating issue and the obvious treatment of “up-and-coming stars like the finals we just saw. It makes me want to vomit when I see blatant phatom, no touch, ticky tack calls being proffered in order to give away free games to a team that should otherwise be able to win on its own talent.
I do not live in Dallas. I live in Los Angeles and even I can tell that what was recently dubbed the “Finals” was over long before it started. I have never ever seen a team so visibly robbed in daylight like the Mavericks were. You know, some people said that the Mavericks lost their “fire” and “spirit” and I would tend to agree. You would too if you knew that just because Cuban cannot keep his mouth shut that the ref’s were going to “punish” his team.
This last week was the biggest sham I have ever seen in basketball recent history. I’m sick of putting up with fixed games and the zebras letting their emotions get to them and all of it being approved indirectly by the biggest ago-driven person in sports today – David Stern. The man is a complete idiot if he thinks that the garbage that took place over the course of the last couple of weeks isn’t being noticed by millions. It’s part of the main reason people give up watching that bile called “NBA officiating”.
You have lost an NBA fan for life, I will never ever pay to see a game again nor will I watch, which if Stern (I hope you read this for your sake -because if you don’t, what you don’t know will hurt you) wants to save his ratings from falling and save what little fanbase he’s got left in many of the “NBA cities”, you will stop the insanity.
There isn’t enough space here to list all of the totally bogus calls that happen in a way too obvious manner when it’s decided that another team should win or Stern wants to “protect” an upcoming superstar like Dwayne Wade. Don’t get me wrong, the kid has skills, but he went to the line more times than reality can allow.
If you want to reply to this, great. If not, believe me, no loss here. I am one of many out here in L.A. and across America who are totally turned off by the joke the NBA has become. Take it for what it’s worth – your choice if you want to reclaim some of the fanbase that is quickly dwindling from the apparent agenda league politics plays in the NBA today.
Oh yeah, and Stern, stop acting like a baby and doing that power trip of fining someone every time they don’t say something you like. The communist era ended about how many decades ago?
An Ex NBA fan”
Now, if someone would please forward this to the power-tripping fool in that seal-skin barcalounger back in NY, I would appreciate it.
Comment by Doug Rime -
Note to Mark Stansell….who made 7 idiotic posts saying the same thing. Is your finger broke? Or is it that you dont know how to post a comment on your computer? Ha!
What’s the matter Mark? Did I hurt your feelings? Poor baby. I guess the HEAT is gettin to ya! It is the 1st day of summer! Did you know? I’ve never known anyone to a sore winner? But I guess it takes all kinds. We’ll see your team on the court with a whoop-ass rematch next season! yeee-haw! GO MAVS!!!
Comment by Angela -
damm cuban you whine too much, big D choked. you got outshot, outrebounded, outscored, outassisted, outstolen, outblocked, outhustled, outthree’d. miami dominated in every facet of the game, just look at the series composite… you never complain when dirk travels, which is damn near everytime he puts the ball on the floor. go look at video tape of that
Comment by nick -
damm cuban you whine too much, big D choked. you got outshot, outrebounded, outscored, outassisted, outstolen, outblocked, outhustled, outthree’d. miami dominated in every facet of the game, just look at the series composite… you never complain when dirk travels, which is damn near everytime he puts the ball on the floor. go look at video tape of that
Comment by nick -
After watching the finals I know that Miami fans are happy and Dallas fans are angry, I didn’t care who won but the way that the Refs call the games is turning me away from the NBA. I watch the first half of Game 6 saw Wade shoot a jumper, came straight down and then jump to the side and the refs called a foul on howard. It was complete B.S. I know that the league wanted Miami to win because they want wade to be the new poster boy. In game 3 Shaq pushes Dampier no foul was called then shaq dunks and get fouled, the Heat went up and that B.S. is what helped them won. This is the stuff that turns people away from the NBA. I know stern think that he knows it all, but he don’t, moving your league to cable and having comercials with famous people saying I love this game isn’t going to keep people if all the games are predictable. If I want to see predicatable entertainment I will Watch WWE. As for Cuban, I like him alot. He cares about the league and his team and he say things that i wish I could say to the league. The league fine him because they can’t take critisism. The league cansay what they want about anyone but if you answer back, big fine. Hopefully the league will look back at this finals and say “We messed up, we should not call those phantom fouls.” As for the people that say the refs didn’t shoot 37% and all of that stuff. The refs got into Dallas head, dallas was screwed in game three, four, and five. they were good in game 6 until they were up by 13 in the 1st half and here comes the b.s. calls. Then the mavs feel like here we go again and it took them out of there rhythm. The league needs to let the teams play. Look at video from the old NBA films and see what are real fouls. If a team is going to get blown out let them, then the player will train harder so it won’t happen again and the level of play will get better.
Comment by Mike -
Hail Cuban, Hail Cuban, Cuban and the Mavs will Rise again
Comment by Bart Smith -
I recently tried emailing the league office and wouldn’t you know? That part of their page isn’t working! Gee willakers! Too bad I couldn’t post the following to David Stern:
“I am writing this as an FYI to the league office. I have been watching the NBA since the late ’70’s with my dad when there was real team ball being played by the Lakers, Celtics, etc. unlike the thug ball with egomaniacal self-absorbed individualists we see today.
I almost gave up on watching, paying to see or being even remotely involved in the NBA a while back becasue of the officiating issue and the obvious treatment of “up-and-coming stars like the finals we just saw. It makes me want to vomit when I see blatant phatom, no touch, ticky tack calls being proffered in order to give away free games to a team that should otherwise be able to win on its own talent.
I do not live in Dallas. I live in Los Angeles and even I can tell that what was recently dubbed the “Finals” was over long before it started. I have never ever seen a team so visibly robbed in daylight like the Mavericks were. You know, some people said that the Mavericks lost their “fire” and “spirit” and I would tend to agree. You would too if you knew that just because Cuban cannot keep his mouth shut that the ref’s were going to “punish” his team.
This last week was the biggest sham I have ever seen in basketball recent history. I’m sick of putting up with fixed games and the zebras letting their emotions get to them and all of it being approved indirectly by the biggest ago-driven person in sports today – David Stern. The man is a complete idiot if he thinks that the garbage that took place over the course of the last couple of weeks isn’t being noticed by millions. It’s part of the main reason people give up watching that bile called “NBA officiating”.
You have lost an NBA fan for life, I will never ever pay to see a game again nor will I watch, which if Stern (I hope you read this for your sake -because if you don’t, what you don’t know will hurt you) wants to save his ratings from falling and save what little fanbase he’s got left in many of the “NBA cities”, you will stop the insanity.
There isn’t enough space here to list all of the totally bogus calls that happen in a way too obvious manner when it’s decided that another team should win or Stern wants to “protect” an upcoming superstar like Dwayne Wade. Don’t get me wrong, the kid has skills, but he went to the line more times than reality can allow.
If you want to reply to this, great. If not, believe me, no loss here. I am one of many out here in L.A. and across America who are totally turned off by the joke the NBA has become. Take it for what it’s worth – your choice if you want to reclaim some of the fanbase that is quickly dwindling from the apparent agenda league politics plays in the NBA today.
Oh yeah, and Stern, stop acting like a baby and doing that power trip of fining someone every time they don’t say something you like. The communist era ended about how many decades ago?
An Ex NBA fan”
Now, if someone would please forward this to the power-tripping fool in that seal-skin barcalounger back in NY, I would appreciate it.
Comment by Doug Rime -
Mark,
Let me start by saying, I WAS a Mark Cuban Fan. I watched your reality show and have heard you on Kidd Kraddick in the Morning. I loved the way your mind works – especially in the business field. It’s no surprise as to why you’ve made millions…you are intelligent. However, your behavior, childish outbursts, and lack of professionalism ruined a great season for your MAVS and my opinion of you (I know, you don’t care).
The Dallas Mavericks excelled this season! They had a wonderful winning streak, great plays, and beat last year’s Champions in their home. Avery Johnson did an outstanding job by leading this team to a level they have never been to…don’t forget about the increase in stock value. However, who is giving the Mavs & Avery Johnson the recognition and props they deserve? No one. It’s really sad that YOU have taken away the attention your team should be receiving for their accomplishments.
The Mavs have become my 2nd favorite team, but the Spurs will forever remain my #1 favorite. Why, do you ask? BECAUSE THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS HAVE CLASS! They are a team that knows how to play the game – on and off the court. Congratulations Avery Johnson & Dallas Mavs Team Players! Great job!!! You’ve made Dallas, TX proud.
P.S. Since your new hobby seems to be throwing away money, throw some my way. My family and I have been going through a really tough time. Maybe I should fine you $250,000 for pissing me off this much! It’s after midnight and I have to work in the morning!
Comment by Sandra - A Forever Spurs Fan -
very nice run this year mark. i think there might be one little piece to the puzzle between nowitzki (sp?) and stackhouse.
granted i was completely impartial to the winner in this year’s finals, but i love watching teams develop, take their bumps and find success later on.
see ya next year!
Comment by jamwall -
Uh, if you look at hte photo of devin haris, then look at the replay, you’ll see that they both happen right at the same time–and I don’t think Dirk hit him in the back, he definitely gave him a slight nudge with his hand on the hip. Its one of those fouls you think you can get away with, much like when you lightly touch a shooters elbow when running out to contest a shot–sometimes they don’t call it, sometimes they do. And even if Dirk didn’t foul, Harris clearly did–so that call is right too. Why am I posting about this–I should be reading up on the draft next week. 🙂
Comment by Frank -
Mavs Fans,
37% – thats what your boys shot last night…so they LOST! They were not the victim of anything except their own ineptness. I wish you had a better team to bring to the finals…it would have made it more interesting…
One more number: 2 – thats how many points Dirk Choke-Itsky scored in the fourth quarter of the most important game of his career! he was scared and was passing instead of attacking the defense when he turned the ball over with 26 second left.
they LOST – the Heat WON! MOVE ON!
And stop your belly aching…you come across as a bunch of pansies!
Comment by Mark Stansell -
Mavs Fans,
37% – thats what your boys shot last night…so they LOST! They were not the victim of anything except their own ineptness. I wish you had a better team to bring to the finals…it would have made it more interesting…
One more number: 2 – thats how many points Dirk Choke-Itsky scored in the fourth quarter of the most important game of his career! he was scared and was passing instead of attacking the defense when he turned the ball over with 26 second left.
they LOST – the Heat WON! MOVE ON!
And stop your belly aching…you come across as a bunch of pansies!
Comment by Mark Stansell -
“BTW: No one is really talking much about the great defense played by Zo, Antione Walker, James Posey and Haslem. THAT was the reason for the 37% shooting.”
I am talking about the defense on Dirk. I did above. As some have pointed out, the Heat were allowed to play physical with Dirk, bumping him at every turn. Just look at the film; he is being hit everywhere. The same was not allowed by the Mavericks … plain and simple. You can’t talk about the great defense without pointing out the defense they were being allowed to play. The Mavericks got called for every finger layed on DWADE. Those are the facts. NEXT.
Comment by Terry -
who thought the Mavericks would get to the NBA Finals in November when the season started ? Don’t all raise your hands at once. The Heat were built for a title. The Mavericks were built for growth. For all those that think that Dirk choked, who do you think got them to the Finals ? If Dirk choked this year, then so did LeBron, the starting 5 of the Pistons, Kobe, Nash, Duncan, Ginobli, Parker etc etc. Get a clue !
Comment by Shake -
Hey Mark,
Get over it. Time to face DEFEAT. You brought down the Finals with your distractions, that’s too bad. Let the players play, and the coach coach and be quiet. The Mavs had a complete meltdown and weren’t hitting the open jumpers like the rest of the playoffs and going to the rim. They were mentally broken by Riley and the Heat defense. NEXT.
Comment by Brandon -
Mr Cuban im not a big NBA fan nor am I really a fan of the Mavs. What I am a fan of is someone on the inside who sees whats wrong and voices their opinion as well as the fans. Were the Mavs shafted maybe, but so was Seattle in the superbowl. The difference here is that someone pointed out the BS. After the superbowl all we had to listen to was joey porter run his stupid mouth. I wish I had the money to take the chances that you do. Thank You for speakin up for the fans.
Tony in Nashville, TN
Comment by Tony -
Please select which organization below best matches the NBA.
Choices:
MLBA
NHL
NFL
WWF
Comment by Jerry C. -
Lady Heat,
I just read your post and see that you do admit that your team is a victor due to crooked officials!
I can’t believe that you would have gumption to come into this blog and spout off like that.
Really keep your verbal vomit to yourself please. I do find it quite irritating and it doesn’t smell so hot either.
http://www.riggednba.com
Comment by Bball Lover -
Lady Heat,
I just read your post and see that you do admit that your team is a victor due to crooked officials!
I can’t believe that you would have gumption to come into this blog and spout off like that.
Really keep your verbal vomit to yourself please. I do find it quite irritating and it doesn’t smell so hot either.
http://www.riggednba.com
Comment by Bball Lover -
Lady Heat,
I just read your post and see that you do admit that your team is a victor due to crooked officials!
I can’t believe that you would have gumption to come into this blog and spout off like that.
Really keep your verbal vomit to yourself please. I do find it quite irritating and it doesn’t smell so hot either.
http://www.riggednba.com
Comment by Bball Lover -
Actually here in Toronto I subscribe to NBA TV/RAPTOR TV (First pick overall @#@#@# yeah!!!) Anyways there is a show/segment that has one of the senior NBA refs on the show and they go over the plays during the week which were highly questionable and in turn go over the replay and explain why the call was made at that certain time. This of course is in relation to the comment that the NBA does not provide us the “consumers” with reasons as to why certain calls were made.
Mr. Cuban,
Your attempt to discredit the NBA by supposedly being upset that you have received thousands of emails by upset key demographic notables when really at the end of the day it is only you who is upset at the calls, and that the world is out to get you. Sorry you can’t always get what you want, no matter how rich you are.
Comment by Marc -
Ok lady Heat all of us will say the Heat won,but I don’t want to be called a liar so I can’t.You must be blind and think the tape lies try watching the game next time instead of sleeping. You must believe in the easter bunny also.
Comment by ex nba fan -
Mark,
This is the first series in well over a decade that I watched every game. I’m a fan of the Mavs and think you’ve done a great job and love the energy you bring to the org.
However its become obvious you need to make one more aquisition…an acting coach for the team. Obviously it worked for Wade. Great player, even greater “flopper”
Comment by Aaron Landis -
Note to Angela who made a post above,
The refs did NOT shoot 37% from the floor in that game…that was the mavs…and the refs did NOT score 2 points in the most important quarter of his career…that was DIRK! So NO, DIRK AND AVERY AND THE MAVS DID NOT DO THIER JOB. THEY STUNK IT UP WHEN IT COUNTED MOST. DWADE and the Heat WON that Championship. Look at the numbers and stop listening to mark Cuban. BTW: No one is really talking much about the great defense played by Zo, Antione Walker, James Posey and Haslem. THAT was the reason for the 37% shooting. Get over it Angela…the fact is this – the best team won. Always does in a 7 game series.
Comment by Mark Stansell -
Sorry messed up here is the link
http://www.riggednba.com
Comment by Bball Lover -
The NBA is not rigged is a joke. Anybody who watched games 5 and 6 know that the NBA had handpicked the Miama team to win. Just look at the foul calling. For those of you who call the Dallas fans whiners. I am not from Dallas. I just know bad officiating when I see it. I also know who will stab you in the back as Pat Riley did Van Gundy. So he cheated and got what he wanted another championship. He doesn’t look so classy to me. The NBA needs to be re-vamped, get rid of the conspiring officials and David Sterns.
If they don’t all the fans should stop watching basketball. That’s the only thing the NBA hears. Eveybody has an opininon. Some of you have resorted to cursing and calling names. Others say get over it –it’s just a game. Do you know how difficult these guys work all year long to make it to the finals only to have it taken away from them. No stolen.
And leave Mark alone. His love and commitment to his team unprecedented. I’m happy he is bringing attention to officiating. It has gone on to long, and it’s just shamelessly wrong!
Comment by carliear Thomas -
You make some realy good points. I wonder (and this is just a hypothetical) do you think you would ever like to be the NBA commisioner? Not right away but maybe sometime in the future??
Comment by Kenneth -
Heat won I guess we’ll wait till next year.
I can only make these statements
A seven game series was created to a promote ticket sales and B to 99% of the time the better team wins.
I watched all the games the better team was Dallas. If you don’t think the officiating played a role. I don’t know what game you were watching. The avg margin of victory in heat wins was less than 8. and that includes the monster game 4. If you send one guy to the line as much as you send the other team to the line I can see possibly that occuring once in a while but it occurred two games in a row. D Wade is not Michael Jordan and I shutter everytime that is said. If you put me a balding 38 y/o white guy, who can’t jump on the line 25 times a night. I am going to look very Jordanesque too. Fact is he ran over Harris (2nd quarter) and Dirk in the (4th) and got the calls. He fell down (untouched)next to stack house and Stack got called for a foul? McDaniels got got for a foul and didn’t even touch the player or the ball. Now I know the speed of the game is FAST. I like fast, but its just rediculously one sided. Call games both way the same. There shouldn’t be individual rules for individual players or coaches. Basketball doesn’t have a style.. It has rules.. They should adhere to everyone in every situation. Are officials going to make mistakes? yep… but lets reward the good ones with playoff games and pay. Let an independent group of geeks grade the officiating and hand those results to the league. I am of the belief that the NBA is putting out an inferior product to say the College game simply because they don’t enforce the rules they created in all cases.
Congratulations to the Heat this years Champion. Would love to say see you next year, but lets face it.. You won’t be there. We will.
Comment by deguello -
Why the hell do you think Dwayne “Peter Pan” Wade wears those idiotic thigh pads? Because he plays basketball like a fullback- lower your shoulders, try to run over anyone that gets in your way, and hope for positive results. Conversely, on the defensive side, if you so much as look at Peter Pan wrong, you’re getting a foul called on you.
There were at least 7 obviously wrong calls where Peter Pan either did not get touched at all, barely got touched, or just flat out ran into the defender.
I’m sick, sick, sick!
Comment by El Stone -
ALL YA’LL SUCK MY MOTHERFUCKING 12INCH DICK 🙂
Comment by STFU -
in post #22, wtf opens his bottle and whines ” Mark I think you can sue this reporter for the things he says about you towards the end of this article.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14857003.htm”
Why? All he said was “All that said, it was a rather surreal meltdown. The Mavs owner, Mark Cuban, appeared to lose his mind in an obscenity-soaked diatribe spewed at anyone near him.”
That was a fact. The funny part being that after Cuban denied it, the video came out showing him going Ron Artest on the refs and paying fans.
“And Dallas’ seven-foot star Dirk Nowitzki turned into the world’s largest 4-year-old, knocking things over in a rage on the way to the locker room and kicking a basketball into the stands that struck a woozy 63-year-old in the head.”
Also true. Nothing to sue here….
“It was enough to make Nowitzki’s musical companion, greasy David Hasselhoff, a man who has been photographed nude while covered in puppies, profoundly ashamed.”
Finally, also true. DAY-VID HASS-EL-HOFF!!!
What a meltdown from top to bottom by a team almost at the top of their sport. Nowitzki missing two clutch free throws under the chants of Miami fans, PRICELESS!!!
2-0 lead turned into a 2-4 SWEEEEP? Super-choke. Nowitzki looked like the Geico caveman on that little weak attack on the exersize bike. LOL!
Comment by Classless Stackhouse -
I am so glad that the Miami Heat put an end to all of the antics in “The Finals” this year. I’m not sure if people saw the same “NO CALLS” against Dirk that I saw the whole series. When you duck your head and turn toward the bucket people it is a FRICKIN CHARGE and he does it all the FRICKIN TIME and NEVER gets called for it. So Mavs fans shut the frick up and take it like fans not spoiled babies!!!!
Comment by Reggie -
My biggest issue with watching the NBA finals this year had very little to do with which team won or deserved to win. I think the game of basketball has been cheapened over the past few years and this became more evident when a team like Miami beats a team like the Mavs. The problem is that the refs are giving way to much credit to the player driving to the basket. This has been an issue over the past few years, but I think this series really magnified it. Is it even a sport if all the player has to do is dribble hard into a group of defensive players and hope that they either provide you a clear lane or that you make contact so you can go to the line. Though if it is a “worse” player, it is like the refs assume that they do not have control and are therefore less likely to call the foul on the defense.
There were obvious examples of this in this series. One from last night is the time that Wade lowers his shoulder to drive on Howard during the first half and a call was made against Howard (in which he proceeded to flop on the floor in protest). Later in the game when Peyton attempts the same move on a drive from the free throw line, he is called for the charge. There is no consistency and I feel like the players like Wade, Bryant, and Le Bron are constantly going to get that call.
Wade is aware of the fact that he does it. In his interview after Game 5 he was asked how he made the jump shot that took the game into overtime. His response was that he pushed the player away in order to create space. Which translated meant that he lowered his shoulder into him, and put him on the floor. Then he had an easy 8 footer.
I know this style of play was born out of the play of the likes of MJ, but I don’t remember his style ever being that he would drive the lane in hopes of drawing a foul. He was under control and knew what he want to do with the ball. Unlike Wade’s game winning drive in the late seconds of OT in game 5 that put him at the line. It would have been a miracle had Wade dribbled through 3 defenders and not been touched by one of them. And if that had been the case then maybe he would have been able to at least get the shot close. But instead, the refs call a foul, because they know someone must have touched him somewhere. This is evident by the fact that the whistle came on Dirk, the one player who didn’t touch him on his way through. This makes it obvious that the ref never actually saw the contact.
If this is what the NBA is about, I am through. This is not the sport it once was. It has become a game of streetballers who rely on the refs to get them to the line.
Comment by Jonathan Weaber -
Sooooooo glad Miami won. The thought of seeing Mark Cuban on my screen for another night … unbearable. How sad. Rooting against a team with the likes of Jason Terry because of the buffon in the stands.
Comment by Jeff Herr -
Just live with it, The best team won, end of story.
Comment by Fred Harper -
Thank you, Mark. I am a fan of NCAA basketball and a fan of the Mavericks, but not a fan of the NBA. I would like David Stern or an official explain their actions. As an educator, I explain to my students that they are responsible for their actions, but NBA officials seem not to be. I will always watch the Mavs, but not other NBA games because as much as they would like to sugar coat it three steps is traveling, putting your hand under the ball while dribbling is carrying the ball, and putting your forearm into a defender to clear space is an offensive foul – at least according to the rules that I played with when I was a kid. When they remember these things then I will take my kids to a game and buy memoribilia, until then we will stick to the college game.
Comment by Philip -
Hats off to the Mavs for taking the loss like men.
It was a great game, i would love to see a rematch next year in the finals.
*
Comment by Don Trevino -
Well I have a few comments to add. First off congrats to the Heat for figuring out how to beat a better team. As far as the ref’s go and, not being a fan of either team, they made about as many bad calls as you see in any game and each team got their share. Any idiot who has followed the NBA this year knows that the two best teams weren’t in the finals (their fault). As far as Cubin is concerned he is nothing but a wealthy arrogant ass with absolutely zero class (at least not around basketball)and class cannot be baught. Sure he has made the Mavs better but at what expense. He has given Dallas and Texas a bad image to practically everyone except Mav fans. I don’t even need to mention what kind of example his antics provided for younger fans. Sadly some of his lack of class has rubbed off on coach Avery who normally is the epitomy of a class act. Hope you recover coach and congrats to you on a season better than any other coach can claim other than coach Pat.
Comment by Jan Smithson -
Game 6 …
Same pattern as the last few games, so you have to give some blame to the Mavs, and Avery Johnson for not “adjusting.” You also have to give credit to Miami, for playing the system, even though it fit right into their style. Miami also stayed calm and hit some shots to keep the pressure on Dallas.
Dallas is also to blame for not attacking the rim, and when they did, they did not know how to finish a layup, allowing the absurd number of blocks. They also never made a decision to double Wade and force the ball out of his hands. Dallas also made bad decisions down the sstretch, when tied 79-79, on two possessions to take the lead, by bricking two 3’s. The Mavericks also do not know how to foul hard, to keep the shooter from completing the shot.
With all of that said, you cannot rule out the officiating. You cannot blame the final outcome on 1 call here or there, no matter how controversial or not. But the officiating is very crucial overall. The officiating dictates how a game, and/or series can be played. For instance, if you realize you cannot touch Wade, then you have to play him differently. So, to say officiating does not change or decide what happens in a game, that is plain ignorance.
I am not saying the officiating cost the Mavs the series; I am saying that the officiating is bad, in general.
In the Mavs defense, it has been interesting to hear what former players and active coaches have to say about the officiating.
Charles Barkley came on ESPN radio (yeah the Barkley that does not like the Mavs) and said that the officiating is awful, calling too many touch fouls. He said the late foul on Dirk in Game 6, when Wade put a forearm into Dirk, is not a foul. That didn’t decide the game, but you have to admit that was critical in a 1-pt game. Barkley said that the call with 1.9 seconds left in Game 5 should not have been called. Say what you will, but it is interesting to hear a former player come out with these comments. Reggie Miller agreed that the foul in Game 5 should not have been called. Say what you will, but at least there is some credence to thinking that what Mavs fans thought they could expect in the way of calls or non-calls, it did not go along with what they thought they could expect.
Active coach Phil Jackson came on ESPN radio today and said that by the time it was all over, it was evident that Miami enjoyed an advantage by being allowed to play Dirk physically and limiting his movement, but it was called differently on the other end of the floor. He credited Pat Riley’s influence on dictating how the games were being officiated.
Now that is a strong statement. If true, that would indeed influence the games.
Now with all of that said, the Mavs definitely had their chances, and on top of that, they couldnt hit their shots late in the game. For whatever reason, they fell apart, in the 4th of game 3, and in both games 5 and 6. Give credit to Miami. They hit the shots, even on the road, to take the Championship.
But let’s not kid ourselves how important officiating is. It is refreshing to hear the comments that are coming out of credible sources. That is enough for me. I put allot more credit into these sources than you posers on here.
Comment by tj -
Well I have a few comments to add. First off congrats to the Heat for figuring out how to beat a better team. As far as the ref’s go and, not being a fan of either team, they made about as many bad calls as you see in any game and each team got their share. Any idiot who has followed the NBA this year knows that the two best teams weren’t in the finals (their fault, not the refs). As far as Cubin is concerned he is nothing but a wealthy arrogant ass with absolutely zero class (at least not around basketball)and class cannot be baught. Sure he has made the Mavs better but at what expense. He has given Dallas and Texas a bad image to practically everyone except Mav fans. I don’t even need to mention what kind of example his antics provided for younger fans. Sadly some of his lack of class has rubbed off on coach Avery who normally is the epitomy of a class act. Hope you recover coach and congrats to you on a season better than any other coach can claim other than coach Pat.
Comment by Jan Smithson -
For post 421…I’m no Wade, Heat or Shaq fan. I’m just happy to see them beat Dallas after what Dallas got away with against San Antonio. Those paybacks will get ya every time! I’m a hater, not a lover. I was cheering for anybody but the punch him in the nuts from the bottom of the pile Jason Terry Mavericks. Long live the refs and long live the NBA!!!!
Comment by Spur Fan In Laker Land -
Mark! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE buy the Chicago Cubs already!!! This is f*cking pathetic over here!!!
Comment by KAPS -
Allright, Enough barking from Mark and all those piston outcasts – MIAMI HEAT are the 2006 NBA Champions Period.
First of all, all those people who say MARK as the best owner, ummmm I dont buy it, he needs to earn it as The BIG BOSS of YANKEES did. The things he need to do is,
1)Stop protecting your players like kindergarden kids. You can only win games by getting into players head and keep them on the same page and not by shouting at officials.This is the worst thing ever happen to a good player. I dont see any player on your team other than Jerry stackhouse as the right kind of player. Nowitzki is a wussie, complaining all the times..like “mama that kid is kicking my butt…kwak kwak kwak” and there is nothing much to say about others.
2)Mark, you simply cant go against the leauge and start making a fool out of yourself. Look back and see what George Steinbrenner did to make the Newyork yankees as the evil empire. If he would have gone against the leauge and do all kinds of cheap stuff, he would have never achieved the status of yankees what it is right now. Its always good to be agressive and fight, but at the same time you need to do it in a right manner so it would benefit you. The bottom line is its business and you are not putting your business part of your mind while you are on the court. You need to look at the bigger picture.If you need some, Talk to the Big Boss.Your approach is very unrefined.
Thanks
– A Heat Fan, Living in Detroit also likes Dallas.
Peace
Comment by Chipinapi -
WAH WAH WAH…….. Yadda, yadda, yadda…. Can’t you just admit your team CHOKED!! Moreover, give credit where credit is due…. The Heat played better than your team of crybaby cupcakes. Dirk DID foul DWade in the play you speak of. Go back and stop looking at the footage with your biased eyes. Your cupcake drew some fouls against the Heat and his 93% free throw shooting didn’t help the Heat. But it didn’t stop them either… So stop hating! You’re the fucking owner of the team …. Show some sportsmanship… Be a fucking man and own up to your loss.
P.s. I used to be a REAL big fan of the Mavs and I really looked at you with admiration as an owner for the people… a true fan of the game… but your true colors showed in this series. You’re truly fake and not even genuine… and your team lacks sportsmanship. You only enjoy the game when your team is winning… you have no true appreciation for the game itself. So to you and your team Mark Cuban I say FUCK YOU!!!
Comment by Your a Cupcake -
Mike A says “I have to re-examine my willingness to be an NBA fan after what I witnessed in person.”
So, you were there in person. Did you boo the Heat dring the trophy presentation? Your comments sound you are the kind of fan that would, classless.
“What I do know is as a Mavs fan I got robbed from witnessing a Finals series between the NBA’s 2 Top competitors.”
Wht happened, you got bad seats? poor baby.
“What I did get instead was a series between the “Mavs” and the “Heat/Refs.”
Right, the refs only play that impacted the score was when your guy tried to throw it out of bounds (a turnover anyway, still Heat ball), and it becamse a fast break for the Heat when it bounced off the ref.
“I attended Game 6 and Wade could not have gotten more foul calls then if he was wired to the game “Operation.”
Ahhh, that is the problem. You have the mental level of a child. Wade got foul calls because the Mavs FOULED HIM YOU MORON!
“I mean how was the Mavs to know that Wade had a medical excuse for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that prevented even casual contact from the Mavs? Maybe the NBA could have put a sink and some antibacterial soap over by the Miami Bench so Wade could wash up if accidentally touched during the course of the game.”
Right, Dampier slams him to the ground, and it wasn’t a foul? God, you are clueless and classless.
“I mean Wade got as many Free throws as nearly the entire Mavs team. Balanced? Fair officiating?”
Yes. When the Mavs drove into the lane early in the game, the Heat MOVED OUT OF THE WAY, watch the replays. The Mavs jumped in the way, swatted, and tried to get charge calls while moving. Unlike steakhouse attacking Shaq, Posey let Nowitzki get his dunks early on. That is why no fouls were called. Take off those lame blue glasses and watch the game again, idiot.
“I don’t mind coming up short or loosing to a better team”
Sure sounds like you do…..
“this year we don’t have an NBA Champion. What the NBA produced is the following:
Mavs 2 Heat 2 Heat + Refs 2”
Wow, how about Mavs+Refs 2, Heat 4? Just as likely to be accepted as your delusional view.
“For the Refs to be this much of a FACTOR in the Finals negates the whole purpose of the 2 Best NBA Team battling for the Trophy.”
Yep, Miami could have celebrated in Game Four if not for the refs, LOL! However, after two games, the Heat were making adjustments, not blaming the refs. See the difference, fool?
“Had Wade been treated like any other Miami player, then Dallas would have been the NBA Champion.”
Had Wade been treated like NoTouchSki, Harris and co would have fouled out in the first quarter, and Miami’s SWEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPP!!!!!! would not have needed the two games you were spotted first.
“But the Ref factor was too much to overcome even for the Mavs.”
Wow, the Heat were able to overcome the Mavs and the refs, the fans, the owner threatening them after the game, the Dallas home court advantage, the Shaq and Haslem foul trouble, age, turnovers, bad free throw shooting, poor scoring from Shaq, and many other problems to get their title. The Mavs got stuck as soon as they got one bad call? That sure is not the “Mark” of a champion, more like the “Mark” of the beast.
“Today the NBA joins the ranks of professional Wrestling, tomorrow watch for the fake blood.”
I am sure Mark Cuban is already fitting NoWINski for the gel pack in the mouth. Your whining had zero impact on the game while you were there, and even less now that you are on this blog. bye bye loser, find another excuse, because this one is all played out and weak.
Comment by Classless Stackhouse -
I never said I was a Spurs fan. I was rooting for Dallas until I heard and saw all the whining. I took sooooooooo much pleasure watching your team lose. It was like I died and went to heaven.
This was your (Mavs) one chance to win a title. For you and fellow Mavs fans to think you could beat the Suns with a full squad is a lot like you thinking I’m 12.
Comment by randy -
Congratulations Miami Heat on your 2006 NBA Championship. Dallas Mavericks, hopefully the devastating loss will not jinx your program. But the real loser of the 2006 NBA Championship is the National Basketball Association and President David Stern. This is a MARKETING NIGHTMARE! For the first time in my memory the integrity of a professional sport has purportedly been openly questioned by one of its members. (Miami Herald or Mark Cuban. Either way it is out there.) Avery Johnson implicity made the same comments at the post-game interview after Game 5. Here was Stern earlier this week going on Jim Rome’s program indicating he had “mellowed”. Now he has this FIASCO. Stern isn’t going to forget the fan reception of the trophy presentation at American Airlines Center in Dallas last night. And it was to a prime time national audience.
Comment by R -
Ahh did we treat you badly(423) well may we apologize. Hockey compared to basketball, great comparision there so much alike, how many free shots do you get for high sticking?
Comment by YOUNG GUNZ -
miami doesn’t deserve to win the championship…im still piss, no one want wade and shaq to win. wade is cocky and shaq is just plain garbage. next year mavs gonna win.
Comment by laker fan -
I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU WERE A SPURS FAN, SO YOUR A WADE/SUNS FAN.GO GET EM. ARE YOU 12 OR SOMETHING, I BET YOUR STILL COLLECTING TOPPS CARDS. SORRY THOUGHT YOU WERE OF AGE.
Comment by CASEY -
Mavs fans whine about the refs, whine about the suspensions (ALL JUSTIFIED BY THE RULES YOU IDIOTS), and whine that their owner is treated differently.
Guess what, if Arison went chasing the refs around the floor, needing to be restrained by armed guards, and yelled at everybody in range (except for Stern, he would never do that, yeah right), he would also have gotten fined.
Then, as the Heat are getting their trophy, you people sit there booing, with Cuban waving his hands asking for more boos according to reports. very classless. Instead of being honored to be there at the pinnacle, the fans acted like barrom brawlers.
Miami hosted a losing championship in 1996, when the Avalanche took the title from the Panthers on our home floor. Did we blame the refs, boo the presentation, or did the owner go running onto the floor encouraging boos? No. We clapped and cheered, as we got to see the Stanley Cup get presented live.
Too bad the city of Dallas had to turn out this bad, in the worst treatment of a visitor since John F Kennedy came to town.
Comment by Classless Stackhouse -
Ok, Casey. You won’t beat the Suns with a full squad.
Comment by randy -
IN RESPONSE TO 416 THE SPURS FAN. SAY! HAS BEEN, WHEN DID HASLEM ENTER THE VETRAN CATEGORY? WELL WE ALL KNOW YOUR A FAIR WEATHER FAN AND GOOD TO KNOW WE GOT SPURS FANS SWINGIN FROM WADES NUTZ IN LATE JUNE, IT HURT DIDN’T IT TO WATCH THE GERMAN STICK IT TO YOU AND TO SEND YOU DOWN THAT MUDDY A** WATER YOU CALL THE RIVERWALK.
Comment by CASEY -
TO MARK CUBAN,
HEARD YOU WOULD SALE THE TEAM IF THE LEAGUE CONTINUES IN THE SAME DIRECTION. DON’T DO IT MAN, WE LOVE YOU AND NEED YOU IN DALLAS, KEEP VOCING YOUR OPINION, A CLOSE MOUTH DOESN’T GET FED.
HEAT FANS,
YALL ARE GREAT THE CHAMPS WON IT 60/40, 60% TEAM, 40% REFS GOT TO GIVE THEM CREDIT. WELL GREAT SERIES HATE TO SEE HALF THE TEAM JOINING THE RETIREMENT HOME NEXT YEAR….ENJOY IT WHY YOU CAN. JUST BE HERE NEXT YEAR, CAUSE WE WILL.
Comment by CASEY -
I agree 150% with post #404…no1 (including the heat) was complaining about refs calls in game 1 and 2. Yall just have to fing some excuse to make yourselves feel better about get whooped 4 straigh games. You didnt think we could do it, but geuss what? We are the champions!!! so STOP complaining and just accept that.
GO HEAT!!
Comment by white hot -
Dallas got what they deserved. They (and the league) cheated the Spurs and I was so happy when Wade went to the line with 1.9 seconds in Game 5 to win that sucker. Good riddance Dallas. Their youth finally got to them. Down the stretch in Gm. 6 it was Miami’s veterans who kept them alive. Haslem with big shots. Mourning with big blocks. Shaq with big boards. Dallas’ inexperience was their demise. I knew they were playing over their head. It was just a matter of time before they dissolved. In a few years they’ll be deadly but right now they’re paying dues. Unfortunately this year, it was at the Spurs expense. I hope they all have nightmares about Wade’s freethrows. Welcome to the club boys!
Comment by Spurs Fan In Lakerland -
C’mon…You guys keep talking about foul calls. If I am correct Dirk did set the playoff record fro Free Throws Right? Is it me or does Stackhouse fall after every jump shot?
Where heta fans complaining after games 1 and 2? NO
Please, we all see where the whinning begins when you have an owner who does proclaim to be a whinner.
D-Wade to Jordan comparison is crazy and even Wade agrees nobody can compare to Jordan.
Juts stop crying and accept that you got beat by a team that just wanted it more than the Mavericks.
Comment by HeatFan -
I think that the NBA needs to revamp the ref process; the NBA has too much control over what refs can call what games, knowing which refs are swayed by crowd, public opinion, etc. I propose that the NBA needs to institute a ref process similar to football, where instant replays can decide the call on a final basis. Maybe only for playoff, championship and final games, but something needs to be done to regulate the refereeing in these all important games.
Comment by Barbara Bessent -
I AM A HUGE FAN OF THE MAVS AND ANY TEAM THAT REPRESENTS THE DFW AREA CONSIDERING I WAS BORN AND RAISED IN DALLAS AND ARLINGTON, SO FOR ME NOT TO TAKE A BIAS OUTLOOK WOULD BE HARD BUT AFTER THE GAME AND THE POST GAME “FIT” I THREW WHILE DOING BEST TO DRINK MY SORROWS AWAY I DECIDED TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK THIS MORNING AT THE GAME FROM A RATIONAL PERSPECTIVE. BY REMOVING MY MAVERICK EYES(WHERE WE COMPLAIN ABOUT EVERY LITTLE THING JUST AS ALL FANS WANT ALL CALLS AND SHOTS TO ROLL THERE WAY). WELL OF COURSE I DIDNT SIT THERE AND SWEAT AS DIRK SHOT A ILL ADVISED 3 OR TERRY TRIED TO FLOAT ONE OVER ALONZO KNOWING THE OUTCOME BUT THANKS TO MY DVR I WAS ABLE TO SEE WHERE BOTH TEAMS GOT AWAY WITH FOULS AND CALLED FOR A FOUL YOU COULDNT SEE IN SLOW MO. SO YEAH BOTH TEAMS GOT CALLS BUT WHAT WAS HARD TO WATCH AND PUT A DAMP IN MY LOVE FOR NBA SPIRIT WAS THE LAST MINUTE OF THE GAME THAT DECIDED MAVS SEASON. DID MAVS GET A CALL THAT WAS FABRICATED BY SOME TIRED AGED REF? NOPE SURE DIDNT THEY WERE RIGHT ON TOP OF THINGS AND CALLED IT GREAT BUT DID THE HEAT, NAMELY A YOUNG EMERGING “STAR”, INWHICH THE NBA TAKES THEIR PRIDE AND LOVES TO HAVE, DID HE GET A CALL (ONCE AGAIN) THAT WAS BY FAR QUESTIONABLE. ALL FAN CRITISISM ASIDE. I WATCHED REPEATILY AS WADE TURNS THE CORNER AROUND ONE DEFENDER AT THE TOP OF THE KEY AND CHARGES FOR THE BASKET, DIRK STEPS UP TO PLAY HELP DEFENSE, BUT BEFORE HE GETS WITHIN A FOOT OF WADE, OUR NBA STAR “THROWS” A FOREARM RIGHT AT DIRK NAILING HIM IN THE CHEST AND A WISTLE IS BLOWN, NO CONTACT MADE BY DIRK, i MEAN NONE, BUT THE FOUL IS CALLED ON HIM. SO ONCE AGAIN THE IMAGE OF THE NBA IS SENT TO THE LINE IN THE FINAL MINUTES TO SECURE HIS TEAMS LEAD. WELL THATS MY UNBIAS VIEW ON THE FINAL SECONDS. I WONDER WHAT THE NBA DOES WHEN THEIR SUPERSTAR CANT SHOOT FREE THROWS, BOY THEIR GONNA BE SCREWED THEN, NO REF HELPS THEN, SHAQ YOUR LUCKY THEY LET YOU BANG AROUND AND HAVE YOUR WAY IN THE PAINT……….
Comment by CASEY -
Have some class, Mavs fans. Your team lost – quit whining like a bunch of little girls and get over it. If, in fact, the team feels like they were screwed out of the title, it ought to be enough to get them back and have another shot next year. And by the way, I have seen Dirk lower his shoulder and plow guys over in the lane (including last night) and he always gets the call, so, Wade isn’t the only one who gets the ‘Jordan’ rule.
Comment by KC Lary -
for post 383- you had the last two games at home, stupid!
Comment by randy -
YOU CAN’T GO TO THE FINALS AND EXPECT TO WIN BY PLAYING “HAQ-A-SHAQ”
BLAME IT ON THE REFS IS TOO EZ AND NOT WOTHY OF A GREAT TEAM AND CITY!
YOU MUST BE ABLE TO BEAT A TEAM THAT MAKES 15 TURNOVERS IN THE FINALS!
YOU CAN’T WIN BY SHOOTIN 37%!
IT IS THAT SIMPLE!
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
every morning since the play offs began my associate in the car with me has filled me in on the ups and downs of the game during our commute. he, too, thinks there should be at least one challenge each coach is able to make after suspicious moves. if you have cameras in the arena, it makes sense to use them. Not just for those great promotional shots, but as a keen set of eyes watching angles the refs can’t see. Sorry about the win going to Miami, but there’s always next year.
Comment by Lori -
The NBA IS NOT RIGGED, PLEASE!!!! Is that your way of sucking up to the commisioner in hopes that he may give the trophy to the Mavs next year??? The NBA is a joke, and anyone who witnessed this years Finals should be able to see that it is FIXED!!! Yes, the more aggressive team will get the foul calls, but there is no way in hell that Wade was fouled that many times in game 5!!!! Fouls were called when anyone breathed on him, and you could clearly see that Dirk Nowitzki and Harris were frustrated as hell by Wade drawing fouls when he on many of those calls pushed off, was out of control, and initiated the contact! Just look at how refs robbed the Bucks in the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals against the Sixers, or the 2002 Western Conference Finals where officials blatantly ROBBED Sacremento!!!
The NBA is without a doubt rigged, and it doesn’t matter who says contrary, because I have two eyes and enough common sense to see what is going on.
For someone who once loved this game, all I can say now about what the league is doing is I HATE THIS GAME!!!!!!!!!!
http://nba-is-crooked.blogspot.com/
Comment by Allan -
I have to re-examine my willingness to be an NBA fan after what I witnessed in person. Call me a spoiled sport or sore looser, I don’t care. What I do know is as a Mavs fan I got robbed from witnessing a Finals series between the NBA’s 2 Top competitors. What I did get instead was a series between the “Mavs” and the “Heat/Refs.”
I attended Game 6 and Wade could not have gotten more foul calls then if he was wired to the game “Operation.” I mean how was the Mavs to know that Wade had a medical excuse for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder that prevented even casual contact from the Mavs? Maybe the NBA could have put a sink and some antibacterial soap over by the Miami Bench so Wade could wash up if accidentally touched during the course of the game. I mean Wade got as many Free throws as nearly the entire Mavs team. Balanced? Fair officiating?
I don’t mind coming up short or loosing to a better team, but this year we don’t have an NBA Champion. What the NBA produced is the following:
Mavs 2
Heat 2
Heat + Refs 2
For the Refs to be this much of a FACTOR in the Finals negates the whole purpose of the 2 Best NBA Team battling for the Trophy. Had Wade been treated like any other Miami player, then Dallas would have been the NBA Champion. But the Ref factor was too much to overcome even for the Mavs.
Today the NBA joins the ranks of professional Wrestling, tomorrow watch for the fake blood.
Comment by Mike A -
Mark, first off, it seems that you are a terrific owner for whom top-shelf talent wants to play, and that the stodgy ‘old boys’ are threatened by…very cool. You also seem like a very passionate guy and I’m hoping that once you have a chance to look back on this season, you will see how far your team has come. While I do recognize that refs sometimes blow a call, I have to believe that the railing and constant whining by all of the Mavs fans does not help your team in the long run. My kid plays little league baseball and let me say right now that I will never allow him to be a teen ump. Those guys take a lot of abuse from over-excited parents and coaches. Without fail, the team who bitches about balls and strikes and ‘blown calls’ almost always gets penalized by the ump thereafter. In fact, a kid on our team got plowed over at the plate this weekend (an instant out according to U11 USSSA rules) and the ump refused to do anything because our head coach had been arguing strike zone all game. Kid needs a doctor and the ump said the other kid was ‘trying to slide’ (I guess so, if planting your helmet in another kids chin is sliding).
Anyway, my point being, you have built an exceptional team (that plays like a team) and a world-class organization that is well respected throughout sports. Take the high road, go get a Rip Hamilton type who can shut down guys like DWade and you will get the ring next year – with our without the refs help.
Comment by KC Lary -
Heat fan and Spurs Fan wait until you lose Shaq and Duncan, then let’s see what it is all about. Riley will resign because there is no chance. At least we have Dirk and Avery for another another 6 years or so.
Comment by ward -
I didn’t see any Mavs fans crying about officiating during the first two games. Now you get spanked four straight and everything is rigged. Stop the crying your wetting our Trophy!!
Miami Heat World Champs!!
Comment by jorge Garcia -
IT SHOULDN’T COME TO THIS! YOU’VE GOT 48 MINUTES TO WIN!
DALLAS — The NBA said Tuesday that there was no backcourt violation on the play that led to Dwyane Wade’s winning free throws in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
After the Miami Heat’s 101-100 overtime victory over Dallas on Sunday night, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said an assistant coach showed him a tape that led his team to believe that Wade should have been called for a turnover when he caught an inbounds pass to begin the possession.
“My understanding from the rule book is, if you are going to catch the ball in the backcourt, you have to be in the backcourt to catch it,” Cuban said.
Not true, according to Rule 4, Section VI, which deals with frontcourt/backcourt.
Replays showed that Wade leaped near midcourt to catch the ball in the air, landing with possession in the backcourt.
Part of the rule states that, “frontcourt/backcourt status is not attained until a player with the ball has established a positive position in either half during a throw-in in the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and/or any overtime period.”
Because Wade was in the air when he caught the ball, league spokesman Tim Frank said his position wasn’t determined until he landed. And since another rule allows for the ball to be thrown into the backcourt at that time, there was no violation.
“I knew I was straight,” Wade said Tuesday morning after shootaround. “I know the rules. I knew it wasn’t a backcourt.”
Cuban, who was fined $250,000 by the league on Tuesday for his actions after the game, said before Game 6 that he had gotten two different answers about the rule.
“It all comes down to Stu Jackson,” Cuban said. “It won’t be the first time that my understanding of a rule is wrong. It won’t be the first time where there’s the need for clarity going forward and they make the clarity when they change the rulebook. That just happens, that’s OK. Right or wrong, it’s done.”
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
Everyone who is posting comments, learn to
S-P-E-L-L, spell and write complete sentences.
USE A DICTIONARY, ASK FOR HELP, PROOFREAD, OR GO BACK TO SCHOOL!
Comment by A-N-O-N-Y-M-O-U-S, anonymous. Check it, it's spelled correctly. -
The NBA IS NOT RIGGED, PLEASE!!!! Is that your way of sucking up to the commisioner in hopes that he may give the trophy to the Mavs next year??? The NBA is a joke, and anyone who witnessed this years Finals should be able to see that it is FIXED!!! Yes, the more aggressive team will get the foul calls, but there is no way in hell that Wade was fouled that many times in game 5!!!! Fouls were called when anyone breathed on him, and you could clearly see that Dirk Nowitzki and Harris were frustrated as hell by Wade drawing fouls when he on many of those calls pushed off, was out of control, and initiated the contact! Just look at how refs robbed the Bucks in the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals against the Sixers, or the 2002 Western Conference Finals where officials blatantly ROBBED Sacremento!!!
The NBA is without a doubt rigged, and it doesn’t matter who says contrary, because I have two eyes and enough common sense to see what is going on.
For someone who once loved this game, all I can say now about what the league is doing is I HATE THIS GAME!!!!!!!!!!
http://nba-is-crooked.blogspot.com/
Comment by Allan -
In response to HeatFan (Posting #381). You are just so insulting with all of your anger you have by our comments (because, you know they are true and ya’ll we’re given the title). It is obvious, or else it’s not anger you just didn’t get past the first grade level in English or spelling.
There is no way if that Miami would have won this series if the officials would open their damn eyes before making the idiotic calls!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by m -
Hey HeatFan…..I’m not whining or crying because the Heat won. I’m not a Heat, Mavs, or any other team’s “fan”. I follow the Pistons because I happen to live in Michigan now, but was a life-long Lakers Fan before Kobe got away with rape. I can’t pull for a rapist or a team that supports one. What I am is a basketball fan, and what is being played in the NBA the last few years is anything BUT basketball. When obvious, piss-poor calls (or lack of calls) effect the outcome of 75% of the play-off games, it’s time to do something about it. New, younger officials who call the game by the actual rules of basketball would be a start.
Comment by Digital Dan -
It makes me laugh when people rant and rave and can’t even spell correctly. Sort of blows all credibility doesn’t it?
Keep up the good work Mark. Fight the good fight.
Lest I forget… HeatFan, quit being a douche bag. I’m surprised your parents allow you to use their computer.
Go Mavs.
Comment by Maverick Sooner -
IT SHOULDN’T COME TO THIS! YOU’VE GOT 48 MINUTES TO WIN!
DALLAS — The NBA said Tuesday that there was no backcourt violation on the play that led to Dwyane Wade’s winning free throws in Game 5 of the NBA Finals.
After the Miami Heat’s 101-100 overtime victory over Dallas on Sunday night, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said an assistant coach showed him a tape that led his team to believe that Wade should have been called for a turnover when he caught an inbounds pass to begin the possession.
“My understanding from the rule book is, if you are going to catch the ball in the backcourt, you have to be in the backcourt to catch it,” Cuban said.
Not true, according to Rule 4, Section VI, which deals with frontcourt/backcourt.
Replays showed that Wade leaped near midcourt to catch the ball in the air, landing with possession in the backcourt.
Part of the rule states that, “frontcourt/backcourt status is not attained until a player with the ball has established a positive position in either half during a throw-in in the last 2 minutes of the fourth period and/or any overtime period.”
Because Wade was in the air when he caught the ball, league spokesman Tim Frank said his position wasn’t determined until he landed. And since another rule allows for the ball to be thrown into the backcourt at that time, there was no violation.
“I knew I was straight,” Wade said Tuesday morning after shootaround. “I know the rules. I knew it wasn’t a backcourt.”
Cuban, who was fined $250,000 by the league on Tuesday for his actions after the game, said before Game 6 that he had gotten two different answers about the rule.
“It all comes down to Stu Jackson,” Cuban said. “It won’t be the first time that my understanding of a rule is wrong. It won’t be the first time where there’s the need for clarity going forward and they make the clarity when they change the rulebook. That just happens, that’s OK. Right or wrong, it’s done.”
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
Ya know what, I am so happy the Miami HEAT won. The Spurs got screwed by the NBA when we played you, but you didn’t care because it was to your advantage. All you could say was crap about our little muddy river, at least we have a riverwalk, Dallas has nothing!!!!! but i do agree the NBA needs new officials. Dallas will never get a trophy, but you can come look at the three we have at the AT&T Center, they are really pretty and shiny.
GO SPURS GO (The REAL best team in the WEST!!!!)
Comment by SPURSFAN -
But it just seems like with the comments from Stern that “wade is the future”, that the league was trying very very hard to keep the Mavs from winning the NBA Championship. Even though it ultimately came down to player performance, there was definately a difference in treatment from the officials with Dwayne Wade and Dirk. They called fouls on us for Dwayne tripping over himself, and Dirk drives and gets smashed every play yet, there is no foul called. I was disgusted to see the amount of horrible calls that went our way, and the ultimate effect it had on the outcome of the game.
Comment by alex -
Note to Angela who made a post above,
The refs did NOT shoot 37% from the floor in that game…that was the mavs…and the refs did NOT score 2 points in the most important quarter of his career…that was DIRK! So NO, DIRK AND AVERY AND THE MAVS DID NOT DO THIER JOB. THEY STUNK IT UP WHEN IT COUNTED MOST. DWADE and the Heat WON that Championship. Look at the numbers and stop listening to mark Cuban. BTW: No one is really talking much about the great defense played by Zo, Antione Walker, James Posey and Haslem. THAT was the reason for the 37% shooting. Get over it Angela…the fact is this – the best team won. Always does in a 7 game series.
Comment by Mark Stansell -
Laker fan in Dallas….
Lakers vs. Clippers = home court for both teams moron.
Comment by MavsFanForLife (Go Cuban) -
Mark Good season for u.these are my 2 cents dont bark at officials and referees u will be penalized with fouls and be happy that dirk is the only person u have in u r team atleast with some class act.
Dont Bark.Barking dogs never bite.
Comment by Kasak -
The NBA has been rigged for some time. Nothing said is nothing everyone doesn’t already know for years.
I noticed it started when the rules for traveling and carrying-over stopped being enforced.
The pathetic excuse was that the game was entertainment and the players should be paid like other entertainers (like Michael Jackson).
Further, they stated, the players by the time they reached the professional level were crowned with the “they were now good enough to break the rules” in the NBA Kingdom.
When the league picks and chooses which rules it will and will not enforce and when it will and will not enforce them is blatently cheating and setting a standard of favorism and possibly rigging. The same rules should be applied to everybody equally. Any person that tries to argue differently has a peanutbutter brain.
Comment by Tim McNary -
hey it’s Wednesday morning and I’m still trying to figure out who Cuban is going to try and blame for his team’s loss to Miami last night in Dallas
anyone got a scoop on this? surely it has hit the news or something and I just missed it
Comment by Dean Richard -
thank god the heat won, now sut the fuck up
Comment by curt S -
Oh yeah, Mr. Cuban: PLEASE BUY the Dallas Cowboys!!! We all STILL think Jerry Jones is a first-rate certifiable MORON with absolutely ZERO class! Money never could buy class.
Comment by George LaFleur -
The better team didn’t win the better player did (Wade).
Why in the world did Avery keep playing Devin “can’t defend” Harris when Marque more than showned he was a BETTER match up against Wade.
MARK MY WORD when Avery trades Marque next season “and he will” Marque will come back to haunt us like Steve did.If
your smart Avery you’ll STOP STOP trying to make Marque into a player he isn’t “WATCH GLORY ROAD” and let him play HIS GAME otherwise some other Smart Coach WILL!!!
Comment by ken -
Don’t blame the refs. Blame the owner. Mark Cuban has become a distraction to his team. His outburts take the focus off the players and the game. He has set an example of poor sportsmanship, now followed by the players and the fans. After seeing Cuban’s and Dirk’s tirades, how many high school, middle school, and other young players will now kick the ball, attack chairs, and blame the refs when their team loses.
Grow up. It’s not about Mark Cuban. It’s about the Dallas Mavs. Leave your arrogance and ego at home. Let Avery coach, let Dirk and the team play. I want to see the camera on the coach and players, not the owner. Cuban has become an embarressment for a great team and a great city. And worse, a distraction when the players needed to concentrate on the game.
Comment by Gary E -
PLEASE DO NOT PUBLISH A PARADE ROUTE TWO GAMES INTO A SEVEN GAME SERIES.REMEMBER HARD WORK AND GOOD BUSINESS SENSE GOT YOU WHERE YOU ARE SO PLEASE NEXT YEAR WAIT UNTIL THE MAVS WIN THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP BEFORE GOING ON ALL TV TALK SHOWS AND PLANNING OF A PARADE.HECK WHEN THE MAVS DO WIN THE NBA TITLE I WILL HELP YOU BUILD A FLOAT .THANK YOU FOR AN ENTERTAINING SEASON.
MICHAEL J. MILLET
Comment by MICHAEL J. MILLET -
Hey Michael Polansky- Take a look at the numbers. The NBA is surging not sinking. The league has some legitimate stars and it will reap the benefits for the next several years.
PS For all the Mavs fans that think they’ll be back next year: Four words – Stoudemire is coming back!
Comment by randy -
In refernce to Richard’s comments #324:
Trust me Richard, Mark Cuban can’t “cheapen” the NBA anymore than it already is. See my comment #323 as far as an explaination……
Comment by George LaFleur -
What would the outcome of the NBA finals have been if the Mavs had an owner like Peter Holt? Dallas has a great team, an oustanding coach, but your owner is an arrogant egomaniac. Wait, am I talking about the Mavs or the Cowboys! You should keep your mouth shut, get yourself a luxury box and let Avery lead your team to a championship. You are not a coach, not a player. This is a footnote in Nba history in between Spurs championships. See you next year you LOSER!
Comment by Lloyd -
Those of you who think that the Mavs are just complaining all the time obviously are on a different planet when these bogus foul calls are made. There is such a huge difference between the amount of free throws the Heat (mostly Wade) get and the amount that the Mavs get. In game 5, Wade had 25 freethrows! As many as the Mavs had the entire game! There is seriously something wrong with that deficit! Apparently there is favoritism going on with the refs. The Mavs can’t even breath on Wade without being called for it. Yet Wade can elbow Dirk in the stomach and Dirk picks up the foul. You can’t tell me that these crap-calls are no reason to bitch. Sure the game goes on, but is it really fair? Hell no! The Heat would not have won the championship without Wade. The Mavs are a real team. They work together. There is no one superstar that they sit back and watch like the Heat does with Wade. You can’t call a team the “champions” if they can’t even win a game without the help of all the refs and their one superstar who does all the work for them. Dont’ get me wrong, the Heat are good at defense, but when it comes to scoring Wade is always there to save the day. The real champs here are the Mavs. They still played very well given the unneccesary obstacles that were thrown in their path. They are the real team players that this game used to be about. Mavs are the real champions!
Comment by JM -
what a bunch of fucking whinie ass cry baby’s. 7 against 5? fixed? bullshit. mark cuban should shut the fuck up next year and let the game be decided on the court. all the attention was on him and not his team. no doubt he added to the team losing focus with his comments. just another fucking spoiled millionare. and an asshole to boot. go ahead and go buy the cubs and bring further disgrace to an old respected team like the cubbies. you mark cuban are a self centered dip shit. being a hoosier i’m damn glad you don’t own the pacers.
Comment by Dash -
Mav Fans,
Sorry to ya’ll. I was supporting Mavs in this series. DWade Killed ya’ll ofcourse with the fucking support of the officials. Screw the officials is all I can say. DWade the so called “MVP” is not even a player…he is the dirtiest player I have seen to draw fouls….any move he makes is drawing a foul…guess he was a thief before he got into NBA. BOTTOM LINE: Stern Made sure Mavs dint win the 2006 championship.
Comment by AnotherLakerFan_Supported Mavs -
Well, as a athlete and a fan. You rock! As a ex-referee you have shown some class… I know you hate that word. But, you are a model to every big business owner around and should keep fighting for your team. The comments from ESPN on game 5 and 6 were so different. Is anybody consistant these days? You know that we MAVS fans will be there though. Thanks for keeping life real and we fans should be the ones to show some consistancy. You might be one of 30 shareholders but we fans are the dollars making up those shares. We have a voice too. It should not just be you and Avery fighting to make things fair it should be us too. Great season and looking forward to next year!
Comment by Mindi Roberts -
Im from Massachusetts and started the finals by cheering for Miami but by the end of the series seeing the officiating so one-sided and the commissioner approving of the officials showed me why the NBA has lost its popularity. Dwayne Wade is a terrific player but the officials made him look better then Jordan. They should be embarrassed as well as the league. In my opinion the NBA will continue its slide until they get away from their big time Wrestling mentality.
Comment by Michael Polansky -
I disagree with some of comments but one thing that I do agree on is that the League should publicize the review of bad calls, educate the fans and offer public apologies for the inconsistency of calls. For all the hard money we spend going to games, buying merch. and fueling the NBA we deserve it. Without the fans where is the NBA ?
The refs should be held accountable for their actions, the players are, the owners and coaches… why not the refs? Why can’t they refs be fined for bad calls. Hmmmmmmm…
Comment by Joey Love -
Mr. Cuban,
You’re not disliked because you get fired up. We all get fired up. You’re disliked because you tried to make the NBA championship games about you. It’s not about you, it’s about the players. You’re like a kid with a basketball team instead of a rattle. You cheapen the NBA with your immature need for attention.
Comment by Richard Berens -
I have been a Mavs season ticket holder for five years and I need to say a few things to Mark Cuban. Thank you, you’ve done a lot for the Mavs and have helped them as an organization a lot. HOWEVER, be smarter about opening your mouth about the NBA refs. You are doing NOTHING to help the game and are doing NOTHING to help the Mavs as a team. Any team who has to depend on good or bad calls in order to win is not a champion team. All teams are subject to bad calls from time to time, and that is even across the board for all teams. BUT, when you start mouthing off it draws attention to our team and I believe sets a mindset with the Refs to possibly take it out on our players. Like it or not, the refs are human and may feel led to retaliate against you, Cuban, and take it out on our guys. So, LAY OFF ALREADY!! You are setting a bad example for our players and they have gotten in the bad habit of always looking for the call to help them out. You have created a bunch of VICTIMS in our own team. You and the whole team needs to SUCK IT UP and act and play like the champions they can be. Stop acting like spoiled children and get back to playing basketball. What I have seen this last season in whining about ref calls is just ridiculous and unprofessional. Get over it and move on!!!
Comment by jrgb -
Call me ignorant of NBA rules and how the game is played, but it just does not make sense.
In reference to Stackhouse getting suspended for a critical finals game: I can sorta buy the argument that Shaq is a Miami Heat “franchise asset” when they say that they can calculate how much additional income they derive from his playing, thus other players cannot harm him because the NBA & the Heat owner will flat out loose money if he is out of games for injuries. Oh, so it is O.K. to hit/slam/foul less popular players that do not yet have the same drawing power as Shaq? What a load of crap.
And Dwyane Wade…is it just me or does he bear a resemblance, in the face, to the child star Emmanuelle Lewis (“Webster” from the old TV sitcom of the same name) all grown up? This idiot can just deliberately run into another player & THEY get the foul?!?!? Hell, let ME just drive MY car, on purpose, into YOUR car and now YOU get to pay for the damages?!?! Isn’t this how the NBA works? If that is how basketball is played, I do not care to ever watch another game….EVER. I still haven’t figured out why the Mavericks were not allowed to do the same to Wade boy. I mean come on, “drawing a foul” to get some free throws to add points on the board? Maybe a player should rely on honest sportsmanship and sheer talent to score points & win the game…..new concept there guys. If you HAVE to “draw fouls” (in any way CAUSE another to “commit a foul” on YOU), then maybe you are not nearly as talented as you get credit for.
NBA rigged? Eh, I DO think that it is not entirely rigged, but I am 100pct. sure that there is some strong favoritism that exists and has a real influence on a games outcome…shoot, that DOES kinda sound close to the definition of the word “rigged”.
Last thought, am I crazy or did it seem that during most of the game (as televised in DALLAS) that EVERY freaking commercial showcased the Miami Heat or Shaq, or Wade, or the upcoming “Superman Returns” movie..or a combination of all these elements? Come on network, this IS primarily a base of DALLAS MAVERICKS fans. Do we really want to watch a bunch of commercials flashing how “bad-assed” someone thinks the Miami Heat is? HELL NO! This seemed REALLY biased. Haven’t seen what I talking about? Get a copy that someone recorded of the whole televised game (with the aforementioned commercials NOT edited out) & see for yourself. Every commercial was about the Miami Heat….WHY???
I hope Mark Cuban reads this & asks a lot more tough questions….oh, wait, he’ll probably getting fined for doing that.
Back to watching Cowboy football & Ferrari Formula One racing…………
Comment by George LaFleur -
WOULD YOU PLEASE USE APOSTROPHES WHEN TYPING “YOURE” AND “DONT” AND OTHER WORDS THAT REQUIRE THEM? YOU LOOK INCREDIBLY UNEDUCATED WITHOUT THEM. NO ONE CAN TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY IF YOU CAN’T EVEN BE BOTHERED TO CORRECTLY USE THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. AND YES, I KNOW I’M SHOUTING. BUT AT LEAST I WRITE “I’M” INSTEAD OF “IM.”
Comment by Julie W. -
Bottom line IF the mavs would have won, they wouldnt be crying like little babies.
Comments are sickening to me about rigging and all that crap.
I am NOT a shaq fan (as a laker fan now) but i still think that the Heat just wanted it more.
I still believe this THE MAVS HAD THEIR CHANCES and THEY WERE TOO BUSY PLANNING PARADES, AND GLOATING AND BEING OVER CONFIDENT AFTER BEING UP 2-0-OH A LONG WITH ALL THE BANDWAGON MAVS FANS HERE IN DALLAS (I HAVE TO ADMIT THERE ARE MORE DALLAS BANDWAGON FANS THAN ANYTHING..AND I THOUGHT LA LAKERS FANS WERE BAD SOMETIMES..) ANYWAY..THE MAVS LOST IT, PERIOD. THEY NEVER SHOULD HAVE EVEN HAD THE GAME CLOSE ENOUGH SO THE OFFICIATING WOULD BE AN ISSUE AGAIN, GAME 6 YOU HAVE MIAMI DOWN BY 14…A REAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM WOULD HAVE BURIED THEM BY 30+ PLUS..SO AGAIN, OFFICIATING WOULDNT HAVE EVEN MATTERED…BUT THEN OF COURSE YOU GUYS HAVE TO CRY.
CUBAN GETS AN OSCAR FOR BIGGGEST WHINNER IN THE HISTORY OF SPORTS…AT LEAST HE WILL GET TO TAKE SOME KIND OF TROPHY HOME….LOSER.
GO LAKERS…
Comment by Lakerfan in Dallas -
You would think in this era of the scandals that have rocked “The New York Times” and CBS News that journalistic entities would be more cautious in reporting the news. I’m sure there are a lot of old-school journalists in this country that have “gotten out of the game” because of this reckless form of journalism where you print stories using third-person heresay and not using at least two sources to confirm facts.
Comment by Jim -
Bill Simmons is right. I have never been so disgusted with the NBA as I was after game 5.
With how awful the officiating was, the Mavs had about as much chance as Sonny at the Causeway. And your team STILL took it to OT and only lost by one pt.!
Imagine if they had called the game fairly!
The NBA has come so far — down, of course — from the days of Larry and Magic, when the great rivalries alone were enough to watch the games.
Comment by Nick -
Bellow find the open letter I just sent to Steve Kerr regarding his article about last night game. You can find at
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AvtAhw9AxJYnPBKiYEyA.p.8vLYF?slug=sk-championheat062006&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
Steve,
Before reading your last article I thought about you pretty high as a honest guy. Did you watch the same game we’re all watching or what? How about journalist ethics and truth in reporting? What kind of chance do you think Dallas had constantly battling uphill against 8 guys on the court? This final series was a disgusting demonstration of “power of NBA”. I’m not either Dallas or Miami fan (Lakers fan in fact an have a very little love for Mark Cuban and Co), but I was ashamed watching so obvious and blatant attempt on the part of the NBA to make sure Dallas will not win under any conditions. Phil Jackson, man I believe you heard about, called back in 1999 Spurs “question mark” championship in the 1998-1999 season. Well, at least they won it by playing, not being awarded on behalf of Stern and Co. If this how from now on championship will be awarded, how long do you think it will takes for us, fans realize this? If this is how accomplished veterans like O’Neal, Payton and Morning would like to finished they careers? To get a ring no matter how? Well, I guess a lot of things changed on pro sports and we pobably better off by switching to college games.
Comment by Lakers FAN -
Bill Simmons is right. I have never been so disgusted with the NBA as I was after game 5.
With how awful the officiating was, the Mavs had about as much chance as Sonny at the Causeway. And your team STILL took it to OT and only lost by one pt.! Imagine if they had called the game fairly!
Comment by Nick -
Mark.
One more thing…i know u have anger issues and stuff but don’t go commiting scuicide over Miami beating ya’ll….Imagine how the Knicks feel.
Comment by Chris -
The NBA is rigged, The officials don’t call every call on purpose. I see players travel, double dribble, and depending on star status usually get away with it.
I like NCAA basketball better and hardly watch NBA, because it sucks. The refs in the NBA need to start calling everything, make the players actually have to play by the rules.
Comment by Dead0nit -
It is rigged!! The league, the Media, the Establishment, whatever you want to call it has this rigged to make as much money as they possibly can. First the Super Bowl and now the NBA Finals. When the refs make the calls and DON’T MAKE THE CALLS, it has a tremendous effect on the outcome of the game. The end of games 5 and 6 are a very good example of this. When one end of the court is called one way and the other end another it is a controlled game. When one team takes an average of 34.5 FT a game and the other team takes 26 the game is obviously controlled by the refs. When one man takes 97 of 207 FT there is a problem. When he is touched a foul is called yet when a man on the other team is hammered there is no call, there is a problem. Do away with the FT, give the other team possession of the ball with a reset clock. Let the team with the better offense win. Get rid of the offensive man being able to jump into the defender when he loses control of the ball just to get FT.
It is fixed and controlled for the making of money. The larger the fan base (more people watching)the better it is for your team to win.
80% of the people I know that watch sports see the refs controlling the games they watch.
The whole system is set up to pull the wool over the eyes of the biased, uneducated (a lot on this blog) fans who have no idea of what is going on during a game.
Comment by Jagape -
Mark.
Im a Miami Heat fan amd i just wanted 2 tell the billion-dollar Dallas head honcho….HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Comment by Chris -
How is it that D-Wayde gets to go to the line 25 times!!! How is it that he can get away with pushing Dirk, adn he gets the call!!!!
What is going on in the NBA!!!!
I respet you Cuban, because you actually have the guts to stand up to this league. I have Tivo, adn I replayd those crucial moments over and over again. Game 5 and 6 were one-sided games. It’s obvious Miami could not beat you guys, so the refs bailed them out!!!
Comment by Kevin Collie -
The NBA wants games to be close at the end, so the late 3rd quarter is the worst time for bogus calls. I would like to see the league institute a review process where some players and assistant coaches watch tapes of other teams’ games with refs, to discuss why calls are or are not made. This could promote consistency, which is the main thing lacking in todays games. The NBA should take a page from the NHL, and let players decide the big games! That being said, the Mavs lost because they missed a lot of open shots in the last two minutes of games 3, 5, and 6.
Comment by joe j -
Mark:
Sorry about the team’s loss. It would have been great to see you foist the trophy.
FWIW, Greg Cote is a hack. I think a retraction / correction by the Herald is in order. You wrote that you said nothing about the League being rigged. Stern echoes your sentiment.
On another note . . . . as a Western PA native (Canon McMillan HS – Class of ’78) I wish that you could work your magic and purchase the Pirates. Looking at what you’ve done for the Mavs since you purchased the team, I can only imagine at how you could make the Bucs contenders agin. Make McClatchey an offer he can’t refuse!
Comment by George -
Mark,
I thought you had class clapping at the end for the Heat. On another note, I thought it was a bad idea talking about Nash and Riley on Letterman. It’s like you gave bad Karma to the team.
Too bad you didn’t have Nash. He could of made a big difference. All those fines might add up to that extra year he wanted on the contract. I luv Nash. The best TEAM player out there that makes everyone better, and doesn’t have a big ego (like some other players do).
Comment by Rick -
Letter to Dallas and Mark,
You and your city have absolutely ZERO class. I watched the post game ceremony and it was difficult to hear Stern talk over all the booing. You see what you have started Mark? Monkey see, monkey do. You permit your employees and fans to act like babies. I had so much fun watching Miami beat the Mavs. Seeing your crybaby face gave me so much pleasure! BTW you do make a great crybaby face. It’s as if you’ve never grown up, oh wait, you haven’t.
Comment by randy -
Cuban, quit encouraging your fans to behave in such a childish way. Every time a team loses a championship, the question why. Not because they got outplayed (of course not!), but because some calls shifted the tectonic plates and altered history.
Season after season go through the same old immature rant because you can’t handle the upset. Perhaps you should focus more working behind a desk, because you are only disrupting and diverting your teams focus. Not that they would tell you that.
Comment by Reppin ILLADEL -
m,
you seem to be a very cool guy and what i’ve seen of you, i happen to like very much. execpt that terrible show a while back, wink-wink.
anyway, my friends and i bet on a lot of nba games and we happen to aggree that some of these games are rigged. it’s not that hard, every player knows the line and when you break down a game in quarters or even half quarters it would seem that it’s not that hard for the players to do whatever is necessary. vegas is a powerful place with powerful people…and it doesn’t take an entire team but only a player or two. OR a ref. to make the slightest difference in the outcome of a game.
hugs and kisses,
j
Comment by Jimmy -
Mark,
I thought the Suns were the best team the Mav’s faced in the playoffs. Avery had the guys take charge and charge the net. It produced points and fouls and they won.
Why did the strategy change in Miami? Are we afraid of the big dumb giant? We could’ve charged the net, make Goliath foul and get some points. But instead all I saw were missed 3 pointers and missed fade aways….
I think you are awesome and I started watching the NBA since you came around but I do not think the officails caused the Mavs to lose 4 straight. I have to blame coaching this time around.
Good luck next year and Lex and Terry said it write when they said Dirk blows….
Big Ed
Comment by notabignbafan -
MR. Cuban, I honestly don’t beleive the league is rigged. I watched every playoff game that the SPURS and the Mavericks played.Even though it may seem that the game appeared rigged it was obvious to those that were not affiliated with any of the teams that the officals at best were poor. In the game all you can hope for is that the game is called evenly. THe games that I saw were. Bad calls and no calls were made for both sides.
As for your fine I know it was a drop in the bucket for you. The sad thing about your actions and the fines is that it overshadowed your team and the playoffs. Your team did not need the distraction that you caused. You took away from the playoffs for the fans that pay an extremly high price to see there team play.
Avery Johnson is a fine young coach with a future anywhere in the world as a coach. You need to calm down and allow him to do the job that he was hired for. You caused him a distraction that even superman could not over come. The new media jumped on your actipons like a dog on a bone. They caused distractions to the fans, the players, the coaching staff and even the team personel. THis is truly sad that one mans actions can and did cause a turn in the outcome of the game.
COngrats to the Heat and the Mavericks.
In closing I hope that you’ve learned from this as I know your team has. You and your team are roll models for the youth of today. How many kids will try to copy your actions and get in trouble for it. Please take the time to look at who you affect.
Comment by TC 15 -
“Do I wish there was better communication from the league? Yes…Yes. I wish the league would just come out and explain events that occur in a game to the public.”
What better avenue for those explanations than a blog? “The league” needs a blog! Who could do the blogging? Got anyone in mind? Would we believe them?
Comment by Lexie -
Pamalita, he does match all of his fines with charitable contributions.
Comment by wright -
blah blah blah. The NBA is little more than a circus act, complete with low-end humans on the stage and in the stands. When the NBA and most other professional sports stop hiring, promoting, and profiting from common street thugs, criminals, and sexual deviants, then maybe I’ll start watching again. Oh, and maybe some friggin’ teamwork would be nice too. I’m tired of point-guard-to-big-man strategies that ignore the 3 other token players. Of course, such oldfashioned concepts are impossible when teams are composed of gangbangers.
Comment by Tom SteChatte -
IT’S A GAME, GET A GRIP PEOPLE!!! THINK OF ALL THE GOOD THAT COULD BE DONE WITH ALL THE MONEY MR. CUBAN HAS BEEN FINED FOR HIS CURSING AND INAPPROPRIATE ACTIONS. A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS SO MR. CUBAN CAN CURSE AND ASK LIKE A SPOILED RICH KID IS AN EMBARRASSMENT OF WEALTH AND WHY THE WORLD HATES THE U.S.A.
MAV’S FANS SHOLD DEMAND MR. CUBAN MATCH HIS FINE WITH A CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION TO A CHILDRENS MEDICAL FACILITY, GET A CONSCIENCE, MR. CUBAN.
Comment by pamalita -
Phantom calls and no calls. Sort of like phantom shares of stock being sold on Wall St.
No enforcement of NBA rules ’cause the league favors itself? Sort of like the SEC, DTCC, etc. looking the other way, no?
Comment by Paladin -
Mr. Cuban: I rooted for the Mavs the whole way. Rigged? The thought always crosses my mind – is it good for TV and the NBA for a series to be over in 4 games, is Miami a better market than Dallas but really are players going to sit back and allow another team to win. I don’t believe it. There is no question that some players get away with more than others. I have contended since Shaq was in LA he stands in the paint waaay tooo long but only gets the call occasionally, he also uses his elbow and hip while backing into the basket – yet only occasionally gets the foul called. The refs are human they make bad calls but I think on the whole the calls are fair- good and bad calls go both ways.Are they influenced by the media hype – maybe unconsciously – maybe they need to be sequestered during the finals!! But how about the Mavs, Dirk needed to get to the FT line more often and you are not going to do it by taking outside shots. So kudos to Wade who understood that if his shooting was off he had to get his 30-40 points by DRIVING to the basket! Avery and the Mavs have the experience and hopefully have learned from it for next year. Get Dirk tougher over the summer!! I’ll be rooting for you next year! It was a great run this year and I enjoyed watching not only the team and Avery Johnson but you in the huddle!
Comment by maureen Diaz -
Dear Mr Cuban,
The officials should be held to be accountable for the calls they make. That’s the only way to ensure they are conducting themselves in a professional and unbiased manner. The players are held accountable for the mistakes they make; as should anyone who has a direct impact on a game. A bad call here or there is one thing; but when you have players running away from the offense for fear of touching them and giving away 2 free throws changes must be made. I just want you to know that you are not alone in noticing the obvious.
Jason
Comment by jason poag -
SCREW THE CUBS, THE KC ROYALS NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by bob -
Okay….how bout the Western Conference Finals? How bout the Mavs-Spurs series in these same playoffs? They didn’t exactly get a ticket to the cakewalk in these. Right? And who was it that whined to the league office about a punch to the groin area and got their wishes fulfilled and yet when Shaq elbows a guy rendering a need for stitches to continue in the game and the complaint is filed not a damn thing is done about it. Hmmm….a little odd, don’t you think? No need to bitch and moan to anyone about this?
Comment by Randall -
Mark, I am a Pittsburgh guy and I have read that you may have spent time in the burgh as well. Growing up and remaining a Steeler fan, one of the big things I noticed was that both Art and Dan Rooney were nearly invisible during games. They have both stated many times that the game and its accolades belong to the players and the coaches.
My small piece of advice is for you to become more like the Rooneys. I am not sure that Dallas is big enough for two owners that get all the visibility granted to you and Jerry Jones. I suspect the Mavs would get more fans using the Rooney methods. I know that I would become a fan if that were true.
Comment by Mike -
BUY THE CUBS!!!!!! WE NEED YOUR PASSION!! BUY THE CUBS!!!
Comment by Kevin -
Mark,
Don’t know you, but grow up dude. Acting like a spoiled brat who has a couple extra nickels to rub together is classless and inappropriate. Your behavior falls in line with the other overly paid spoiled brats of professional sports who when they don’t get their way roll around and kick their hands and legs.
The unfortunate part is because of the extra nickels in your pocket, people will continue to kiss your ass and you’ll have “yes” people around you to reinforce your behavior.
I’m neither a Maverick or Heat fan, but a little advice, for what it’s worth is save yourself further embbarrassment as a horse’s ass on display in front of thousands of people.
Keep in mind that there are CHILDREN watching your games and they look up to the examples you and the players set. I don’t know if you have kids, but would you want them to model your behavior ? I’m afraid of that answer, but maybe you’ll think a little more.
You should count your blessings and realize how lucky you are and start remembering why people play the game besides it’s a business. Start out by reading “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw, maybe you’ll get the message. Class acts are remembered long after fools. Good luck in game 6, but please spare us and the kids the tantrums.
Respectfully,
Doug
Fairfax Station, VA
Comment by Doug -
NBA, Rigged, dont think so, I know you dont think so, its not the WWE where it is scripted for show they have no writers at the NBA offices. the game was hard-fought and close at the end, you cant ask for much better than that, except for a win. Josh Howard called the time-out at the wrong time, thats it, the ref made a bad call on Dirk, I can see how people would think it is rigged AGAINST YOU, cause Stern may have issues with you, but its not. Mark, you are vocal, a commentator, and a true fan of the sport, you have done great things with the Mavs, but it may just not be there time yet. I am in AZ, the Suns are out, thanks, and I have no favorites, not since MJ.
Comment by Michael -
“Its all nonsense. Any prudent, rational person can easily see it. The games are not rigged. Thats a complete insult to the players on the court and the incredible amount of effort they put into preparing for and playing the games.”
No. It’s not nonsense. Not much is rigged and the total outcome of the game isn’t rigged because that’s impossible, but the refs have at times favored a team in a series, not just for the home games. If you doubt it, look at the Kings vs Lakers several years ago. In game 6, the refs totally favored the Lakers and it was played in Sac. Yes, I mean very obvious calls.
Now, do I think this series is “rigged”. No. I felt your team did have the favored calls when in Dallas but that was expected. When the series went to Miami, I didn’t feel Dallas was being favored, although there were times that I was beginning to wonder like early in game 5 where there were 4 calls (including the flops) that went the wrong way.
“Well beyond not knowing if the contact was more than incidental, there is one thing we do know. It occured AFTER the whistle blew. Notice DWade up in the air, more importantly notice his eyes closed and Dirks hand no where near his back, and no real chance to get placed on his back, which is what triggered the whistle. This was at the end of the play. After the whistle blew.”
You are wrong here. Dirks right hand is on Wades back. The pulling on the arm was before the whisle and Wades eyes are not closed. You are obviously very biased in how you see things.
Now…did you say those things…I don’t know. I wasn’t there and I turned the TV off at the buzzer. I can say though that I find it hard to believe you would get a 1/4 mill fine for showing good sportsmanship.
It’s obvious that you are an emotional guy and at times you let your emotions take control of you. I hope you don’t carry a gun, for your sake!
Comment by Franklin -
Alright. Avery Johnson cried conspiracy when they suspended Stackhouse, then you say there is no conspiracy. So, you are calling your coach a liar? You know, the guy that rips his own cities reporters for no reason?
So, there were three suspensions on your team, two on the Heat. You had a player go into the stands, Ron Artest style, automatic suspension. Avery disagrees? You had a player PUNCH another player in the sack, automatic suspension. Avery disagrees? Then you had a player run full court and blindside linebacker Shaq into the camermen with their hard plastic cameras five feet off the court, automatic suspension. Avery disagrees? Of course he does. Rather than count the numbers and say that is proof that there is a conspiracy, consider controlling your players.
38 to 26 on fouls, proof of a conspiracy? Or proof that you PURPOSELY FOULED Shaq more than 12 times. Avery was whining even when he was doing Hack a Shaq! They showed him on the sideline shaking his head after an OBVIOUS bearhug on Shaq to keep him from beating Diop.
The poor sportmanship continued when Dampier hard fouled Wade to the floor (yeah, I know, he must have flopped) and some Dallas player decides to stand over and straddle Wade after the play like he’s taking a leak on him. Wade, too classy to retaliate, gets up and simply responds “That don’t work”, proof that he has class and experience beyond his years.
Then finally, Terry tries to rattle Wade illegally on the final free throws, but Wade simply ignores him and calmly hits the two game winners.
I guess the basket had a conspiracy against the Mavs as well. LOL!
Comment by Classless Stackhouse -
Mark,
Don’t know you, but grow up dude. Acting like a spoiled brat who has a couple extra nickels to rub together is classless and inappropriate. Your behavior falls in line with the other overly paid spoiled brats of professional sports who when they don’t get their way roll around and kick their hands and legs.
The unfortunate part is because of the extra nickels in your pocket, people will continue to kiss your ass and you’ll have “yes” people around you to reinforce your behavior.
I’m neither a Maverick or Heat fan, but a little advice, for what it’s worth is save yourself further embbarrassment as a horse’s ass on display in front of thousands of people.
Keep in mind that there are CHILDREN watching your games and they look up to the examples you and the players set. I don’t know if you have kids, but would you want them to model your behavior ? I’m afraid of that answer, but maybe you’ll think a little more.
You should count your blessings and realize how lucky you are and start remembering why people play the game besides it’s a business. Start out by reading “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw, maybe you’ll get the message. Class acts are remembered long after fools. Good luck in game 6, but please spare us and the kids the tantrums.
Respectfully,
Doug
Fairfax Station, VA
Comment by Doug -
Mark, you’re intensity and desire to win are admirable, your methods usually solid, but I have to admit sometimes imature. As far as game five goes, while I admit some calls were fishy, Dirk could have made both free throws, Josh could have made both free throws, Avery could have had the time out situation covered before they were on the line, and Dirk could have played a whole lot better before the final five minutes of the fourth quarter. You guys could have one the game if you would have forced your will on it, you did not, simple as that. I think the Mavs have a great chance to win games six and seven, but only if they forget about all the “persecution” and simply play their game, period.
Comment by Chad -
You would? An owner who dismisses Tom Landry the way he did garners your support? An owner who dismissed Jimmy Johnson because of his own pride and arrogance is worthy of your support? How is that apples to oranges? I mean, the situations are completely different but to bring shame to an organization is to bring shame to an organization. I don’t see what it matters. This, with Cuban, is at least questionable in the minds of the public. Some say stop whining and crying and some say bitch until the league stops hiding behind their czarist mentality. If you don’t like him or his approach…okay, that’s your right….but the man’s a fan FIRST and has the money and balls to step off in their ass. You don’t think he knows how to run a business? Look at his life and his list of accomplishments. This business otherwise known as the NBA is run without an acceptable or professional means of righting it’s own wrongs. It’s a farce and thank God someone like Cuban is putting as much spotlight on their ignorance as they are in their own efforts of shutting him up. You see a loud mouthed spoiled child that rubs you entirely the wrong way and I see exhuberance and zeal for something he the man believes in with a passion – the Dallas Mavericks – his team.
Comment by Randall -
Mark, I don’t think the NBA is rigged but it seems like the media and all there so called experts seem to always be on the side of D Wade and Shaq. I mean i’m a piston fan and all i heard from start to finish this year is d wade this and d wade that. I’m gonna give him props cause he is an excellent player. But it was also, well if D Wade wouldn’t have got hurt in the east finals last year the heat would have played the spurs for the championship. Hubie Brown is a kiss ass, and so is his partner breen. They have there heads shoved up Miami’s ass. I hate the media, i hate abc…..and i hate the Miami Heat. Go mavs in 6, and 7. Love watching Shaq not win another championship.
Comment by jrichdp -
You all look like a bunch of 5 year olds fighting over the last piece of candy that mommy left for you guys….I am a Milwaukee Bucks fan and I am watching from the sidelines since you know the Bucks can’t get anything done……hehe….You all need to learn to grow up and get over yourselves. This is a game!!! WHO CARES?!?! You people are making MILLIONS more than I ever will in a lifetime so why complain??? This reminds me of when I played basketball for my school back in 5th and 6th grade and whenever we would lose we all would fight about who did what wrong and who did what right. You show the inner Child of all of you by fighting about it. If this is so important why not go out there play the game and just be professional about it by not complaining. Mentioning it could be fine but going on a rant and complaining and blogging….come on….You do that and the press will walk all over you and you know that!!! Just be quiet and let the games go….
Comment by Alex -
Randall, envy? Envious of what? You gotta win something first! My point is stop the constant whining, look inward as a player/coach/owner, win the trophy, then maybe, just maybe, a little credibility will come your way. Otherwise the team and the fans who buy into the whining just come across as sore losers.
Comment by Bobby -
to 182 – Chad Evans
Great comments.
The thing is, now everybody will be watching all calls and all players. The problem has been presented and now the NBA can either let them play or continue with the same old thing of letting the superstars get away with everything.
Did Wade or Shack get special treatment when he drew that foul? Was Dirk really fouled or was he just a big cry baby?
Now the fans are getting educated at something we have already learned.
Now will the TV people do their job and contnue the educations (I don’t think so)?
Comment by Jim -
I totally agree w/ you 100%. Why are they misquoting you to have a higher sale in their papers. Keep doing what your doing. You are just outspoken and people envy that when they are too scared to say things themselves.
Comment by Crystal C -
Mark,everytime you get angry and say stupid things about the other team ..that just incites the other team and YOU get beat!!!Man, start acting like mature busines owner who has enough money to wipe his butt and not like a little snotty kid who just got spanked!!just think that they will be showing you 30 years from now looking like a fool in the “classic”reruns!! shut up and play dude!!
Comment by joe blow -
I can’t agree more with your comments regarding the lack of confidence of the fans in the officiating. NBA referees are the least accurate out of any professional sport. And I don’t think it’s out of incompetence. I just think their jobs have been turned into “entertainment engineers”. Last minute finishes and screaming fans in the home arena are more exciting and make for better TV. How often do we see a foul being called on the wrong player so a marquis player doesn’t foul out? Darrell Armstrong put it best after Game 5 when he shook his head and sarcasticly invoked the old slogan, “The NBA. It’s FANtastic.”
I just read that there will be $250,000 in fines after Game 5. Where does this money go? Why should the league get rich off these fines? I propose that you publicly announce that you will give your fines directly to a named charity of your choosing (no NBA middle-man taking a cut). If David Stern and his goons come collecting, they will be put in the position of publicly taking the money from the mouths of starving children (or something equally repugnant).
Why should the league profit from these fines, when they have been such poor stewards of the purity of the game? I think their lack of respect for the game while marketing the game is a reason why our pro players are having difficulty competing in the global basketball scene. Marquis players don’t get the marquis player calls they rely on in the NBA when they’re playing internationally. That dependency atrophies their formidable talent to a noticable degree on a stage other than the friendly NBA. But this is a tangent for another day . . . .
Comment by J. Kelly -
Wade and Shaq have had such a free pass in this series I dont know why the refs dont just get down on their knees and give them a good smoke.
Comment by DTC -
Mark,everytime you get angry and say stupid things about the other team ..that just incites the other team and YOU get beat!!!Man, start acting like mature busines owner who has enough money to wipe his butt and not like a little snotty kid who just got spanked!!just think that they will be showing you 30 years from now looking like a fool in the “classic”reruns!! shut up and play dude!!
Comment by joe blow -
Here’s my 2 cents about it.
Yes, Dywane caused a backcourt violation because he had possession of the ball in the front court first. (It was a tough real-time call only because of the doubt of where Wade was when he landed *but* one that the “top” officiating crews should be picking up)
Yes, Dywane was fouled going to the backet by Dirk or Harris. In the end it doesn’t matter who, getting the wrong guy for the foul call happens at least twice a game in any NBA game ever. (In saying that Wade got away with a plethora of offensive fouls putting his arms out to shield from defenders like that. Then again, that’s what all the great scorers of the NBA have done)
And yes, your man Josh Howard called timeout at the wrong time. I love Josh Howard’s game ever since I saw him at a Wake Forest game in Jan 03. Everybody who knows ball knows to call the timeout AFTER THE 2ND FREE THROW and not to call it in advance. Sorry Mark but Josh Howard is now the 21st Century Chris Webber. (It’s ok though, a 30 point game and a Mavs win tonight should fix that)
Anyway, keep up the great and (most importantly) passionate work you do for the Mavs, and let me say this. If I owned an NBA team I would of reacted exactly the same way!
DG.
Comment by Deuce Gibalo -
Randall, Your trying to compare apples to oranges. A few past Cowboys have disgraced the franchise, off the field I agree. Players with this type of behaviour are prevelant on all pro teams however. The Cowboys and their winning tradition is something Dallas fans can and should be proud of. Mark Cuban acting like a child, while representing the city of Dallas as a local owner and fan does not compare. Plus he’s won nothing! I’ve been a Cowboys fan since the 60’s but I would cease to be one if they ever have an owner like Cuban.
Comment by Bobby -
I agree, the NBA is not rigged, but it sure does seem like they play favorites. Poor Devin Harris gets killed under the basket but if the Mavs even look at Wade cross eyed it’s a fool (case and point- final call in OT game 5). Plus, how on earth do the officials miss a back court call? Loved you on channel 8 news last night (except it would be a very sad day if you sold the Mavs), thought you were hilarious. Go MAVS!!!!
Comment by Rachael -
Rockets and Spurs. Hmmmmm…yeah…and your affiliation would be with one of those two teams who are now sitting and watching the Finals with the rest of the NBA, Bobby?? Sounds like envy to me.
Comment by Randall -
Yo Mark dude, instead of bitching to the refs about blowing a call or two, maybe you should be bitching at your coach for not figuring out a way to stop Wade.
Duh!
Comment by Dean Richard -
I’m still confident that the Miami cHeat will come back to Earth and start playing like the Eastern conference team they are. One or 2 good games from Dirk in this series and we’d all be watching Frasier re-runs instead of game 6 tonight. GO MAVS!!!!
Comment by Brandon -
the real foul pic…….. http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c34/keronjm/wadedirk.jpg
Comment by Ron -
WAAAAAAAAAAAA, WAAAAAAAAAAA, WAAAAAAAAAAAAA… stop crying Mark. I have never seen so many fans and one owner cry so much! Look at the pic u posted and u can see Harris has a hold of Wade’s arm.
Goodluck in game 6 and if you and your team lose, shake hands with the Heat players and look forward to next year
Comment by Casey -
Ok, everyone, take a deep breath! The mavs didn’t play a terrible game Sunday night, we had a few mistakes, its time to stop dwelling on the negative and put on the positive! Josh Howard…. YOU THE MAN!!!! Don’t let what happened Sunday worry you one bit! Can’t wait until game time tonight! GO MAVS!! We love you guys… MAJOR MAVS FAN!!!!!
Comment by Connie -
Quote Mr. Cuban: “Going to a source. Isnt that Journalism 101 ?”
Why yes, that’s exactly what is taught in Journalism 101.
In Journalism 301, they teach that to get around this, you call or email Mr. Cuban 5 minutes before you go to press on the story so that you can also say “Mr. Cuban did not respond to our call/email request for comment”. That way, even if you call back 10 minutes later with an excellent rebuttal, it’s too late.
Comment by Gary C -
hey mark. stop whining. your mavs lost period. funny how gazillions of money can make one bloke self righteous.
and for you bill simmons, don’t make this series a “mavs win is boon to mankind” thing. it’s just pathetic.
Comment by jeff -
Make free throws down the stretch. Execute in the half court down the stretch. Take the ref’s out of the game.
Comment by Steve -
The NBA is a joke! If you have any money make sure you put it on the Mavs tonight because the league is making this thing go to 7 (unless they royally screw things up and try to officate the way they did in Miami!). Bottom line is the Mavs are a better team and have shown that in the playoffs and Finals! Screw Stern and I hope he get on his knees when he presents the trophy!
Comment by Max -
David Kitchens, “prove your point”? What point?
My dad told me never to get in an argument with an idiot, because if someone walks in on the argument it’s hard to tell which one is the idiot. I guess I should have taken his advise.
Your incoherant ramblings are amusing however, and I think one is trying to say I care about something. I only care about stoking you whining Mavs fans, and I’m having a blast!!!
Rockets and Spurs! Now those are Texas champions and fans Texans can be proud of!
Comment by Bobby -
Thank Dan!
I do appreciate that. Good luck to both teams and may the David Stern, Stu Jackson, and the refs let the players decide who is worthy to lift the trophy.
FYI, if it weren’t for my Mavs being your opponent, I would be pulling for the Heat. They have a respectable and for the most part, respectful team. My contention has not been with them at all but with the circus that surrounds this series. Some place the blame on the league and some place the blame on Cuban. To each their own.
Again, good luck!
Comment by Randall -
Here’s an Idea for Mark Cuban since he seems to not like the officiating. How about he actually referees a game? lets see how many calls he gets right.
Comment by Matt Montgomery -
Mark,
Just listened to ESPN radio with Stern and he confirmed that you didn’t cuss at him but DID answered YES to Dan Patrick when asked “is Mark Cuban a detriment to his team”. I sure would like your thoughts on that!!!
Go Mavs and PLEASE BUY THE CUBS! FUCK THE TRIBUNE.
Comment by Marc -
Mark, post the picture of Jason Terry’s last second shot in regulation. D. Wade has more hand on him than Devin had on Wade at the end of OT. Rightfully so, it was a NO CALL!! ALL we wanted was the NO CALL on D. Wade so that the refs didnt bail him out for a crappy shot.
That game made me sick.
Comment by Jake -
Dear Bobby,
Better than…..what? Hailing back to the local NFL team (who I AM a fan of, btw) as some beacon of pride for this city on a Mavs site whose owner you contend is a problem for you? Have the Cowboys not had their own share of bullshit to look past enroute to their own championships? Michael Irvin, Nate Newton, Raphael Septien, and the list goes on and is far more discouraginf in my opinion than an owner who calls tha league on the carpet for it’s inconsictencies. I have no problem with players being from Germany coming to represent my fair city but I won’t use the example of another successful franchise with it’s own share of black eyes on this city and this state to trump a team or an owner that I don’t care for.
It seems to me that you yourself can do better than that. No?
Comment by Randall -
I’m listening to ESPN 103.3 in Dallas trying to absorb what David Stern just told Dan Patrick.
Patrick’s question: “Is Mark Cuban doing a disservice to his team?”
Stern’s response: “Yes, I do.”
Mark, it’s point blank. And, will this possibly “affect” the outcome of the rest of the series? Well, I know that’s not the plan, but the refs are emotional creatures (especially towards individuals) and I think the whistles that keep in their mouths are reactant upon those emotions.
But, he(Stern) says he’s trying to help and wants to enjoy the Finals. He feels you have helped build a great roster, and both team are exciting to watch. He did say though, that all the drama off the court can “wear on them (the league).” Take heed and just chill tonight…
I look at all the Heat fans writing here who didn’t after the 1st 2 saying you (Mark) & the players complain. I think it’s unfair to the (Mavs) players to say they are complaining. From a media perspective & getting their take first hand, this has to be cleared up! They are not whining about the inconsistency and favorable calls. They do realize THEY, the players let 2 games get away.
As I leave to prepare for game 6 at the AAC, I also ask that anyone on this blog attending tonight show a little more class than (many) of the fans in Miami did-as they threw “things” and spewed verbal venom at the Mavs and other media who were there from DALLAS.
Bring all your emotions INSIDE the arena with intensity that will surprise even the home team. But, PLEASE, not the throwing or the personal insults to players, wives, etc.
Oh, and Cuban my newspaper welcomes investors…if you want to continue to give money away 🙂
Comment by LaToya -
How Funny.
If the Mavs win tonight, is it becuase they complained enough to get a fair game called, the NBA wants a game 7, or the Mavs really earned it?
Mark wants a fair game called every time for every team, but the NBA is not interested in it.
I am only supporting Mark at this time, NOT the NBA. The NBA is still a terrible product becuase of their backdoor/good old boy deals.
If the super stars of the NBA are really superstars, then why do they always get special treatment.
Lost (many years ago) NBA fan, Mark Cuban fan.
Comment by Jim -
The NBA is rigged! David Stern wants the teams that play nothing but offense in the finals. The refs are calling everything!! A player cant defend one bit without a stupid call. David Stern is trying to get the game to become more offensive with crazy shots than a good all-around team just to get the casual “watchers” to turn on the tv. I understand why because this is a business and they need the revenue to pay 100 million dollar contracts where fans cant go to a game without spending 50-100 dollars to see there home team(a little off subject). However, the true fans who love basketball for the strategy and technique the players use on both ends of the court are suffering so the game can be a boring high scoring game. You cant deny it: look at the spurs/mavs series, Dirk got every freakin call and Duncan got a few as well, and now the miami series! I hope Stern will change his view on this.
Comment by Jason Cochrum -
Randall,
I was going to come back with some smartass remark about DFW and Arlington, but nahhhh. Good luck tonight.
Loxahatchee, Florida Heat Fan
Travel-Ascending.com
http://www.travel-ascending.com
Comment by Dan -
Mark, Maybe should invest a few coins in a NBA
Rule Book, and better yet, read it.
Loxahatchee FLORIDA Heat Fan
Travel-Ascending.com
http://www.travel-ascending.com/
Comment by Dan -
Mark,
Nice to see you are taking this whole thing is a very professional way.
The fact is, the Mavericks don’t deserve to win a NBA Title. You, Avery, Dirk, and most of your fans are a bunch of crybabies. How about you try and contain Wade instead of whine and bitch when he blows by your defense in the 4th quarter. Even if the ref made a questionable foul call on the last play, the way Wade was attacking the basket he had earned the benifit of the doubt. You have no right to go and tyrade the officials and the commissh on Miami’s court…I dont care how rich you are or the fact you are a owner. You always set a bad example to the league and that is why everyone hates you and the Mavs. I hope the Heat blow you out in game 6. Wade and Shaq deserve a title. The Mavs don’t.
Comment by Nikita -
I find it fucking hilarious that Heat fans offer up their opinions/insults on this blog. Like we care about their opinions…idiots. I really haven’t read or heard any specific gripes about the Heat. To the best of my knowledge, most of the complaints were about the refs and/or the NBA. I really wonder why the Heat fans are so easily offended…sounds like jealousy to me. We can say whatever the hell we want. If they don’t like it, get an owner who cares enough to make a blog in the first place. It’s really pathetic that they use your blog to express themselves. Mark Cuban is the best damn owner the D/FW area has ever had. And, for you D/FW Cuban haters, here is some advice: If you like political correct, be a Texas Rangers fan. They don’t offend anyone. How many World series have they won? Exactly. It takes balls to be a winner. Keep it up up Mark. Let’s just beat the shit out of them tonight.
Comment by David Kitchens -
Mark,
Stop the crap and get the jerks to play…ur mavs team is so crooked up they need an assist to even make a free throw…can’t stand the sulking mavs after each game…
Now, if you think right is the defense, you probably should aim high,, to become the President of United States..
My 2 million dollars
Stan Van Gundy
Comment by Stan Van Gundy -
Speaking of the refs, Game 5 of the Finals took its rightful place alongside Game 6 of the Kings-Lakers series in 2002, Game 5 of the Knicks-Celtics series in 1973 and some of the other famous entries in the Pantheon of One-Sided Officiated Games.
I want to say something about Dwayne Wade, but I fear I may get called for a foul.
Comment by Keith Lapp -
What’s really cool is the whole world is finally seeing what we in Texas have noticed for some time now. Mark Cuban is a whiner, and his crying attitude is reflected in his players and coaches. Not only do they whine about everything that goes against them, they have mastered the art of flopping, to a level even the Utah Jazz of old could not descend to. Dirk is the worst. This may be from his Euro heritage coming from a soccer nation, where flopping is taught as a defensive maneuver, but whatever the case, it’s funny and sad to watch. I’m surprised he does not fall to the floor clutching his shin. Dallas could still win this thing, but I’m afraid if they do, it will just encourage others to follow their behaviour. I am from Dallas but can never pull for this team. There are two pro basketball teams in Texas that do win and lose with class, and look inward when things don’t go their way, so at least the Dallas Mavericks don’t speak for most of us Texans. Thank God!
Comment by Bobby -
MARK
They just hit w/another 250k fine!
Looking for a charity? I’m heading to New Orleans this summer to work on a Katrina Relief Team. Could use some support!
Mav’s fan. Had to ask…right?
http://katrinathissummer.blogspot.com
Comment by Joe Ventura -
Here’s your reason dumbasses:
Cuban was cited for “several acts of misconduct” after Dallas lost 101-100 in overtime to the Heat in Miami on Sunday night.
Upset with some calls that he felt went against the Mavericks, Cuban went onto the floor after the game to vent at official Joe DeRosa. He then stared down and screamed toward commissioner David Stern and a group of league officials, from the court, then the stands.
He later used profanity during a postgame session with the media.
Loxahatchee Heat Fan
Travel-Ascending.com
http://www.travel-ascending.com/
ps: after you lose the series whatya gonna do then? run, hide, sell the franchise?
Comment by Dan -
#1 Mavs Fan–I STILL BELIEVE
Comment by Melony Moore -
A Few Questions for Mr. Cuban:
1. If you do not believe in Referee bias, why have you had media take pictures of the JumboTron to document what you consider a poor call?
2. Why do you use the media to make your points of referee bias… and then put down that same media when it supposedly disparages you by claiming you believe in Referee bias?
3. Have you noticed how often the team with the most free throws wins the game? One tweet of the whistle equals roughly 1.5 points (2 shots x 75% average free throw percentage)
4. Did you watch the NBA Western Conference Finals, Game 6 Lakers-Kings? That was the day the NBA was truly exposed for the bias it claims not to have.
5. Why do you not just come out, all barrels blazing, and make the claim of Ref Bias in a very public and national way.
(Believe me, you’d be speaking for the millions of fans in the silent majority who used to be NBA fans, but now could not care less about the league.)
Mark, you’re a great businessman and a visionary, keep up the good work. But these are just a few things to consider.
Comment by Bryan -
LETS GO HEAT
LETS GO HEAT
Comment by Ben -
Things will change now that the Mavs are back here in Dallas. The team will be fired up with the home court support. Dirk will find his groove and the media hype will switch back the the Mavs.
PS The Beath the Heat watch party at the AAC was great! Kudos to the Mavs organization for doing it. I went to watch game 5 and the only thing that would have made it better was a win of course and having Jerry Stackhouse there.
Comment by David -
1st time visiting your blog… I commend you for facing the public in an open forum such as this.
I wouldn’t say that the NBA is rigged; I don’t believe that the outcomes are predetermined before the tip… but if you don’t think it possible that outcomes are ‘massaged’ in an effort to raise profits, you are either extremely naive or a terrible businessman.
And you seem to be neither.
(FWIW, the NFL ‘massages’ outcomes when it can, as evidenced by the Colts/Steelers fiasco. Your business is no different than any other sports ‘business’)
Comment by Matt -
To the Heat fans at post 96 and 116 (nobody here is fooled, Cree, by your bs in post 116 about having been a Maverick fan. If you quit your team so you can go boo-hoo for the opposition, then you never were a fan anyway):
Thanks for your opinions. You two fellas think Shaq will make his post-game press conferences this week? He’ll have two chances to explain to us all how they can manage to get the wins in Miami but can’t seem to find their jockstraps in Dallas.
Different story here. Party’s over!
Go Mavs!
Comment by Randall -
Way to change your tune their mark. i was at the game and i saw you go after officials. i also heard the words you “indirectly” said towards stern and co. look, dude you can continue to do what you, but you’re a committing a disservice to your players, fans and franchise when you start mouthin’ off from the lip, taking the attention away from the game.
Comment by Pete -
Hey Mark,
It looks like you have done a great job taking the focus off the team and putting it squarely on yourself. I love all the hysteria but feel strongly about one thing, the refs are going to be on their game tonight. I am not sure that is a good thing because I want my home court advantage and we might not get all of it.
But one thing’s for sure – this game is in the bag and so is Thursday’s.
Dallas Mavericks – NBA Champions!
I see the banner hanging high!
Comment by ROTdale -
NBA rigged, seems as if sometimes it is. Everything is about ratings now not about the game. i guarentee you this series goes to 7 games. also i do not agree with the last second foul, and the foul up on the timeout situation. but i am glad to see the mavs get a taste of their own medicine (watch games 3, 4,and 7 of spurs/mavs series) all ending the games with suspect calls in the last seconds of the games. finally, get rid of dick B please, worst ref ever.
Comment by curt s -
The Mavs is a better team than the Heat. The Heat has the best player in the series.
Not just the fans are expecting (used to see) Wade to make every shot. Sadly, the refs at game 5 expected it as well. It is good to play 8 on 5.
Wade is good. But the move that he made at the end of game 5? Great plan from the Heat coaching staffs. And yes, the refs saw what the Heat coaching staffs had wanted them to see, and that’s how Wade got to the line to sink 2 free throws.
Should point(s) be rewarded for great play call? Yes. Should point(s) be rewarded for great play call at the end of game? No. At the end of game (the last 24 seconds), the NBA has to find a better way to call the game.
Is time for the Mavs to protect the home court.
Comment by Mavs fan from Hawaii -
NBA is rigged. In the sense of what I call the “Jordan Rules.” Michael Jordan was the league posterboy. He got calls no other player would have. He pushed off byron russell in the championship game and didnt get and foul called on him. He would get blown on and get fouls called in his favor. The same is now with dwayne wade and soon Lebron James ( when his team is in range to actually compete). Fact is that Shaq, Pat Riley, and D. Wade is a better STORY for the league than Dirk from Germany, Stack house and Tippy Turtle ( what my friends call, Jason Terry). The league is about making money through commercials, Television, and image. I do think Dallas will win this series because they just have too many darts to throw at the board, however, I think the recent suspension of stack over a “hard foul” and wade phantom call amongst other “bad” calls is proof that the league is cut on the Heat this year.
Comment by JaY -
I actually don’t like the NBA because of all the
whining and crying that guys like you do. College is much more entertaining.
The last time I watched the NBA religiously was in the 80s when Bird
played (dont insult him by comparing Dirk to him. ) Guys like you ruin
it for the fans
Comment by Steve -
Mark, keep doing what you are doing. I agree with everything you say and the NBA can’t stand that everyone loves you and not David Stern.
P.S. – Please buy the Penguins and/or the Pirates. They need you to do for them what you did for the Mavs.
Comment by Brian -
wow fined 250K and the reason is not given, that is so NBA….what is it a secret
time for Mark to step up to the plate and show his self professed honesty and tell us why he was fined or will this cause another fine
the NBA is a joke
Comment by dave -
Hey Mark!
I think you are good for the NBA — you have brought energy and a fresh perspective to the league, and you have set the standard for an award-winning environment, as well.
I appreciate you and the Mavs — they are fun to watch, and even though I am a Cleveland Cavaliers fan (go LeBron!) I will love to see the Mavs win the title this week.
Thanks for stepping “out of the box” of what the ‘normal’ team owner is, and give Commissioner Stern a hug for me following game 7!
Comment by TravOz -
You aren’t a coach. Shut up and let your coach do the coaching.
Dirk should be suspended for the way he acted. That isn’t even your arena. How disrespectful.
Your actions, as well as Dirk’s, is a slap in the face to professionalism and good sportsmanship.
I hope you get slaughtered in game 6.
Comment by tyler -
Thank you for your enthusiasm. I was never a big NBA fan until two or three years ago when I started hearing you on Dallas radio. Your love and passion for the game rubbed off on me. Since then I have been a huge Mavs fan, and I have you to thank. Best of luck and Go Mavs!
Comment by Andrew B. Smith -
Dear Miami HEAT fans,
I am a Dallas Mavericks fan and would personally like to apologize for our owner, our franchise, and their actions. I, too, believe it is completely unacceptable for an owner to care so much about his team that he is upset when they lose. I am completely ashamed that we have an organization that becomes passionate about its performance and is enraged when it does not reach it’s goals. Please excuse our cry baby star-player who becomes emotional during games and gets frustrated at a loss. I cannot believe that such feelings and emotions have come from this organization, and I am terribly sorry. Hopefully next season, we will snap out of it and become an organization that does not care at all if we lose, will become completely unemotional during all stages of the game, and who is happy when a call that could determine whether or not we win a Championship does not go our way. You hit the nail right on the head when you determined that these are the feelings that a decent sports franchise has. Excuse us for being so terrible and actually caring about what happens to our team.
Sincerely,
An ashamed Dallas Mavericks fan.
P.S. For all you moronic HEAT fans out there, this letter is a wonderful example of me being facetious. I hope the Mavs win the Championship and I hope that you have the crappiest games a team could possibly play. I say this because I care about my team and am just as passionate about them winning as they are. And if the Mavs win the Championship, I will actually expect you to be upset and to second guess everything that went on in the game, whether it was your own faults or the officiating. I will be a classy fan that will not lambast you for being upset. Too bad none of you that have posted these comments will be able to say the same about yourselves.
Comment by Jake -
Mark, you can’t have it both ways. Either you support your investment or you don’t. In other words, either you support the NBA or you continue to chop it off at the knees.
I think you could help the NBA much more by having them bring the NBA game back to the basketball roots. Although I’ve enjoyed watching the MAvs/Heat series, (and Shaq continue to stick it to my Lakers) overall I do not enjoy watching NBA games anymore. Way too much crying, complaining, no defense, questionable offense and player skills, hiring boys to play with men…I can go on.
I truly enjoy watching high school and college. Its basketball, not a product being marketed and test marketed and tweaked like a box of ceral.
Tell your guys to get some heart and desire and fight it out on the floor, not in the press.
Good Luck!
Richard
Comment by Richard -
trying playing ball, and stop the complaining.
Dallas has proven to be the more talented team (not withstanding Wade), much deeper. Certainly they can match wits & strategy; however, if this is the energy they bring tonite, i.e; revenge; and not their high level of basketball; they’ll just flat out lose.
And i’m sure there will be more complaining.
Comment by LTM -
I watched game 5 and i saw bunch of calls that could’ve gone either way
but aren’t you supposed to get the calls at home in the NBA. I don’t believe that D Wade gets special treatment like MJ use to. I believe D Wade is a great player that just keeps attacking and making plays. His greatness will be defined in these final!
Comment by Frank -
Way to go you fucking moron. You are disgracing the great State of Texas. It all began when you made the degrading remarks about some of the most sacred land in Texas. Did it ever occur to you that the Riverwalk is on the same grounds as the Alamo!!! Probably not because you are a fucking Yankee transplant just like half the people in Dallas. I grew up there so I know that there are in fact a few REAL Texans there, but not many. Luckily I now live in The Sacred Texas Hills and support a class organization with THREE titles. That is three more than you will ever have. Sit down, shut the fuck up and let the players and coaches handle shit you fucking moron. Y’all complain about the foul at the end on Wade. The same ticky tack bullshit that was called on the Spurs the whole series because the Mavs were driving to the rack relentlessly. You can’t now because Shaq and Zoe are swatting shit to mid-court. Wade is driving to the rack and getting the same calls the Mavs got in the Spurs series.Oh yeah, don’t forget, you would not even be here without the phantom call on Duncan when Dirk fell down and smashed into an established Tim Duncan standing there with his arms up. Series over in six. Worst call ever. Now, here is how the NBA works. In the beginning they were against SA and Detroit. Why, small markets with bad ratings and so-called boring styles. Advantage Mavs and Heat…you get the calls. What, NBA for Cuban. Not so fast. Now they are not. They are for Miami. Why, because of you and your antics you fucking moron. Sit down, shut the fuck up and the Mavs would be better off. Keep in mind, the SPURS have three titles that were won against all odds and zero love from the media, commentators and the league. The Mavs might have won one too for the great State of Texas if it were not for YOU. Real Texans really do not care. Take your fucking loser ass back to Illinois or Indiana or what ever gay-ass yankee state it is.
HOOK ‘EM HORNS(2005 Baseball and Football Champs)
Dallas Cowboys(5 rings)
Go Spurs Go(3…sucka)
Go Stros(finally in the series)
Let’s Go Stars(99 Champs)
Wimberley Texans(3A div. 1 Satet Champs)
You my friend are a disgrace to the Great State of Texas!!!
Comment by THE Burntorange Badass -
Yo Mark!
You & your boys best be packin’ tonight cause the HEAT is on! Someone PLEASE stop Wade, and here’s a startling revelation — if you’re gonna send someone to the line 25 times tonight, make sure it’s SHAQ!
You got a whole freaking team of playas — hack the crap out of him! Make him PROVE that he is a great center. He is absolutely BRICKACIOUS! Run them into the ground!
Thing is, if the Mavs don’t do it tonight and Thursday, it ain’t gonna get any easier in years to come, as LeBron and the Cavs will be dominatin’
Comment by ZachMoon -
YOUR GIVEAWAY WEBSITE IS NOT WORKING. I AM UNABLE TO REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS. THIS WHOLE THING IS RIGGED BY YOU. IT’S NOT A REAL PROMOTION AT ALL. IT’S JUST MADE UP TO GIVE EVERYONE HOPE, HYPE UP THE GAME, AND CAUSE THE MAVERICKS TO BECOME MORE VALUABLE SO THAT YOU CAN SELL THEM FOR A PREMIUM…YOU KNOW HOW TO REACH ME!
Double Hockey Sticks!!!!!!!!
Comment by Kwame Jackson -
YOUR GIVEAWAY WEBSITE IS NOT WORKING. I AM UNABLE TO REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS. THIS WHOLE THING IS RIGGED BY YOU. IT’S NOT A REAL PROMOTION AT ALL. IT’S JUST MADE UP TO GIVE EVERYONE HOPE, HYPE UP THE GAME, AND CAUSE THE MAVERICKS TO BECOME MORE VALUABLE SO THAT YOU CAN SELL THEM FOR A PREMIUM…YOU KNOW HOW TO REACH ME!
Double Hockey Sticks!!!!!!!!
Comment by Kwame Jackson -
YOUR GIVEAWAY WEBSITE IS NOT WORKING. I AM UNABLE TO REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS. THIS WHOLE THING IS RIGGED BY YOU. IT’S NOT A REAL PROMOTION AT ALL. IT’S JUST MADE UP TO GIVE EVERYONE HOPE, HYPE UP THE GAME, AND CAUSE THE MAVERICKS TO BECOME MORE VALUABLE SO THAT YOU CAN SELL THEM FOR A PREMIUM…YOU KNOW HOW TO REACH ME!
Double Hockey Sticks!!!!!!!!
Comment by Kwame Jackson -
YOUR GIVEAWAY WEBSITE IS NOT WORKING. I AM UNABLE TO REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS. THIS WHOLE THING IS RIGGED BY YOU. IT’S NOT A REAL PROMOTION AT ALL. IT’S JUST MADE UP TO GIVE EVERYONE HOPE, HYPE UP THE GAME, AND CAUSE THE MAVERICKS TO BECOME MORE VALUABLE SO THAT YOU CAN SELL THEM FOR A PREMIUM…YOU KNOW HOW TO REACH ME!
Double Hockey Sticks!!!!!!!!
Comment by Kwame Jackson -
Mark,
I understand your stance that the NBA cannot be fixed but somethings are very fishy when you take a closer in depth look at the outcomes. A great way to judge accuracy is to view the pointspreads of games. The regular fan has no clue of pointspreads. They dont know the difference between +2 of -2, under/over, etc.. SPREADS DICTATE THE GAME. This league is based on MONEY and Mark, you are part of that money, so you could never say it is fixed because exposure would fuck up your bottom line. Let’s just keep it real. The NBA is a gigantic fraternity sort of like a Masonic lodge. Truth will continue to be explored (comments) but never will the truth be revealed (just fines). With that being said, the spread tonight is 6. Gimme Dalls in a blowout tonight. Trust me. This is going 7. Cause the WWF, I mean NBA wants it to.
Wolf Warner – HHSN Correspondent
In Memory of Jack Molinas. (former Fort Wayne Piston convicted of fixing NBA games. Later in his life he was murdered (unrelated to gambling)
Comment by Wolf Warner -
I was a huge Mavericks fan until after the last game when the entire organization turned into a bunch of immature whiners. I’ve changed my loyalties during these Finals… Go Heat!
Comment by Cree -
Cuban-
I think it’s a GREAT idea to wear a ref’s stripes for the game. Hop to it!
GO MAVS!!!
Comment by SeanJohn -
Well I just see that Mark got fined $250K.
The report on ESPN doesn’t say exactly what for, just that it was for bad behavior.
I’d like to know what that behavior was. Was it the fact that he’s passionate about his team?
I’m getting so tired of the NBA, NFL, MLB and any other sports league or association that tries to take passion and fun out of the game.
Was he fined for cursing? Complaining about fouls? Who knows, but the league really needs to take a look at the fact that officials continually try to involve themselves in the outcome of a game.
Now I’m not saying they’re specifically trying to make one team win, but they definitely try to make themselves part of the game and the outcome. And it’s a crying shame!
Oh and as far as the report in the Miami Herald… I think media companies should have to pay fines or face disciplinary action for reporting false stories. They should have to live up to some standard of professionalism and we tend to see this all to often from many mainstream news organizations. Otherwise what makes the Miami Herald any different than the National Enquirer or any other tabloid paper or magazine?
Comment by Bryan Hauer - Official Blog -
Just wondering about the rules…Should Mavs fans feel fortunate for having Dirk in Game 6, because other violations of the ball going into the stands have resulted in automatic suspensions. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
Comment by Brian -
Hey look guys, it time to stop the bitching… we got some bad calls, oh well life is hard. We lost the game, plain and simple!
We have to all pull it together and cheer on the Mavs tonight, forget about games 3-5, they’re over… tonight is live or die!
Keep it positive!
Comment by Chris -
I might not always agree with everything you say/do, but that’s normal right? I DO respect you for always speaking your mind and standing up for what you believe. 🙂
Comment by Carey -
Simmons’ article was right on target. It’s sad that in the information age, conspiracies run rampant. After all, there is no such thing as investigative reporting any more. All it takes to disprove a conspiracy is utter the word itself- whether it’s Stern’s Jewish mafia in the NBA or Weapons of Mass Destruction with our current regime.
Personally, I blame Mulder and Scully…
In Simmons’ article he bemoans the unintersting style of play in America today- one guy does it all (via thuggery and/or he gets every call) versus team play. That’s what was so great about the Mavs (and Suns) this year- the team concept.
The lack of a team concept is also why the USA got their ass kicked in the Olympics, by Puerto Rico, Lithuania, and Argentina. Sad but true. The TEAM sport of basketball has passed the US by. James Naismith surely is rolling over in his grave. Will an ITALIAN be the first pick in the draft this year???
It killed me to watch the last four games. I don’t own any remote controls anymore, as they all lay in pieces in the garage. Thank God I wasn’t able to secure tickets for Game 6, because I woulda been down on the floor choking the fuckin shit out of a referee or two.
I’d point to a specific instance, but there were so many that it’s all a blur. Congrats to Payton and Alonzo (I always liked them) now get the fuck out of the league so we don’t award anymore “pity championships”.
It looks like the league found it’s new MJ. But even Micheal wouldn’t get all those calls. Which brings me to my last point- If the NBA “superstars” were really that much better than their opponents, would they need to give them EVERY call?
Comment by Buck Fush -
Note to Angela who made a post above,
The refs did NOT shoot 37% from the floor in that game…that was the mavs…and the refs did NOT score 2 points in the most important quarter of his career…that was DIRK! So NO, DIRK AND AVERY AND THE MAVS DID NOT DO THIER JOB. THEY STUNK IT UP WHEN IT COUNTED MOST. DWADE and the Heat WON that Championship. Look at the numbers and stop listening to mark Cuban. BTW: No one is really talking much about the great defense played by Zo, Antione Walker, James Posey and Haslem. THAT was the reason for the 37% shooting. Get over it Angela…the fact is this – the best team won. Always does in a 7 game series.
Comment by Mark Stansell -
The games in this series displayed, yet again, why this is the worst professional sport on the market. Anytime a team game can be tainted by consistent preferrential treatment given by rules officials to specific individuals, it not only cheapens the experience for players and spectators, but it also brings ruin to the game.
The NBA: It Sucks
Comment by Michael -
Mark,
I was shocked to read your last blog. As a Piston fan, I came here expecting to read a ramble of tormented venom. However, I found an interesting and intelligent analysis of recent events. I, too, am thankful that a blog can cut to reality and apologize for allowing the media to distort my views.
Love Harris’ game.
Prue
Comment by Bill -
Note to Angela who made a post above,
The refs did NOT shoot 37% from the floor in that game…that was the mavs…and the refs did NOT score 2 points in the most important quarter of his career…that was DIRK! So NO, DIRK AND AVERY AND THE MAVS DID NOT DO THIER JOB. THEY STUNK IT UP WHEN IT COUNTED MOST. DWADE and the Heat WON that Championship. Look at the numbers and stop listening to mark Cuban. BTW: No one is really talking much about the great defense played by Zo, Antione Walker, James Posey and Haslem. THAT was the reason for the 37% shooting. Get over it Angela…the fact is this – the best team won. Always does in a 7 game series.
Comment by Mark Stansell -
As a member of the newspaper community, I apologize.
Comment by Don Surber -
Note to Angela who made a post above,
The refs did NOT shoot 37% from the floor in that game…that was the mavs…and the refs did NOT score 2 points in the most important quarter of his career…that was DIRK! So NO, DIRK AND AVERY AND THE MAVS DID NOT DO THIER JOB. THEY STUNK IT UP WHEN IT COUNTED MOST. DWADE and the Heat WON that Championship. Look at the numbers and stop listening to mark Cuban. BTW: No one is really talking much about the great defense played by Zo, Antione Walker, James Posey and Haslem. THAT was the reason for the 37% shooting. Get over it Angela…the fact is this – the best team won. Always does in a 7 game series.
Comment by Mark Stansell -
Note to Angela who made a post above,
The refs did NOT shoot 37% from the floor in that game…that was the mavs…and the refs did NOT score 2 points in the most important quarter of his career…that was DIRK! So NO, DIRK AND AVERY AND THE MAVS DID NOT DO THIER JOB. THEY STUNK IT UP WHEN IT COUNTED MOST. DWADE and the Heat WON that Championship. Look at the numbers and stop listening to mark Cuban. BTW: No one is really talking much about the great defense played by Zo, Antione Walker, James Posey and Haslem. THAT was the reason for the 37% shooting. Get over it Angela…the fact is this – the best team won. Always does in a 7 game series.
Comment by Mark Stansell -
Dallas had a great year and you had a lot to do with it. Miami also had a good year but they benefitted A LOT from iffy calls (I will not use other adjectives) and walked away with the trophy. Wade played great but it seemed the iffy calls bothered them down the stretch and kept them from playing ball the way they have all year.
I’m looking forward to next year.
Comment by Mike (GSW fan) -
Is it rigged?
I just went to a poll at MSN that over 9000 have participated in and well over half are saying yes.
I found this site today
vote here
http://www.RIGGEDNBA.com
Comment by Bball Lover -
Last night’s game was one of the most entertaining basketball games I’ve seen in my lifetime.
Congratulations Mark and good luck next year.
Comment by Drew Anderson -
We choked. Stop embarrassing us level-headed fans and get over it!
Comment by MFFL! -
Note to Angela who made a post above,
The refs did NOT shoot 37% from the floor in that game…that was the mavs…and the refs did NOT score 2 points in the most important quarter of his career…that was DIRK! So NO, DIRK AND AVERY AND THE MAVS DID NOT DO THIER JOB. THEY STUNK IT UP WHEN IT COUNTED MOST. DWADE and the Heat WON that Championship. Look at the numbers and stop listening to mark Cuban. BTW: No one is really talking much about the great defense played by Zo, Antione Walker, James Posey and Haslem. THAT was the reason for the 37% shooting. Get over it Angela…the fact is this – the best team won. Always does in a 7 game series.
Comment by Mark Stansell -
Last night’s game was one of the most entertaining basketball games I’ve seen in my lifetime.
Congratulations Mark and good luck next year.
Comment by Drew Anderson -
The nba got what it wanted. They have a new “superstar” d wade who they compare to jordan because he makes rediculous shots and he averaged more points then mj did his first finals.(but im pretty sure mj didnt get to shot more free throws then the whole other team twice) And before you ever call any mverick a whiner again look at a picture of antwone walker after every one of his fouls, and then imagine how much more pitiful it would look after he gets elbowed in the chest by Dirk and sends him to the line with under two minutes left in an elimination game.
Comment by Will Tucker -
Mark,
You give Mark a bad name! Please stop with your crying about the refs and the NBA. Neither the refs nor the NBA front office shot 37% – that was your hapless mavs in game 6. Neither the refs nor the NBA scored 2 measly points in the 4th quarter of the most important game of your season – that would be Dirk Choke-Itsky. What the mavs proved throughout this series is that they, meaning YOU, want to blame everyone else when things go badly. It’s our soceity Mark. A society of entitlement and anything that does not work to MY advantage MUST be the fault of someone else. Well, the buck stops right on your desk Mark and YOU caused a distraction for your team, your coach and your fans. They ALL bought your bullshit and began to cry foul just like you. You spent HOURS looking at a photo of DWade trying to find if Dirk fouled him. GET OVER IT! AND TRY THIS – Teach Dirk to make a free throw when it counts. If he does…the series is different. Sorry Mark, but your run came to a crash when YOU decided to look outside your organization for an excuse for its own demise. You can blame your coach, players and yourself for the collosal collapse! Good luck, but until you stop pointing fingers, I will NEVER be a Mark Cuban fan. BTW: I like your fire and your “they can kiss my ass” attitude. It’s time you used that for the good of your team, not for excuses.
One more thing, do you have the balls to post this on your page? Hmmmm…
Mark Stansell
Comment by Mark Stansell -
Mark,
You give Mark a bad name! Please stop with your crying about the refs and the NBA. Neither the refs nor the NBA front office shot 37% – that was your hapless mavs in game 6. Neither the refs nor the NBA scored 2 measly points in the 4th quarter of the most important game of your season – that would be Dirk Choke-Itsky. What the mavs proved throughout this series is that they, meaning YOU, want to blame everyone else when things go badly. It’s our soceity Mark. A society of entitlement and anything that does not work to MY advantage MUST be the fault of someone else. Well, the buck stops right on your desk Mark and YOU caused a distraction for your team, your coach and your fans. They ALL bought your bullshit and began to cry foul just like you. You spent HOURS looking at a photo of DWade trying to find if Dirk fouled him. GET OVER IT! AND TRY THIS – Teach Dirk to make a free throw when it counts. If he does…the series is different. Sorry Mark, but your run came to a crash when YOU decided to look outside your organization for an excuse for its own demise. You can blame your coach, players and yourself for the collosal collapse! Good luck, but until you stop pointing fingers, I will NEVER be a Mark Cuban fan. BTW: I like your fire and your “they can kiss my ass” attitude. It’s time you used that for the good of your team, not for excuses.
One more thing, do you have the balls to post this on your page? Hmmmm…
Mark Stansell
Comment by Mark Stansell -
Journalism 101?
How about grammar 101, Mark? Didn’t they teach that in your school? Were you too busy whining that the teacher wasn’t being fair…and that distracted you from your studies?
Comment by A-M -
I was an impartial fan of the Finals as I live in Cleveland and am a Cavs fan. However, after the Mavs went to Miami and it became clear that Wade was getting phantom foul-calls every other time down the court, I became a Mavs fan and probably will continue to follow them into next season. Has anyone mentioned the blocking foul called on Dirk Nowitzky on Wade toward the end of game 6 when what actually happened was Wade pushed Nowitzky in the Chest (almost punched him it appeared? They did not show a replay on television (I wonder why not), but in regular speed, it appears clear that either no foul should have been called or a foul should have been called on Wade. Has anyone compared the fouls called on Dallas when playing in Miami vs. home games. I do NOT believe the NBA is fixed – that is ludicrous. What I do think is that sometimes fouls are “assumed” for certain players or at certain venues and this is completely unfair and makes me turn away from the NBA product. Dallas clearly had the better team and I think they were robbed!
Comment by Randy Elkins -
For the record…While people in Miami LOVE the Heat, we also HATE the Miami Herald. That paper or it’s credibility isn’t worth a pot of snuff!
As far as the refs are concerned… their calls have helped you as much as they have hurt you. Heck everyone knows life isnt always fair, so how can you possibly expect basketball to be. If you’re preceived as soft, whiners and cry babies you will lose your RESPECT and no one is ever going to view your organization as true contenders.
The Mavs had a very good year. Let’s all stop the baggering and start focusing on the game plan for next year.
Lady Heat
Comment by Lady Heat -
The MAVS played an awesome game!!! But it was clear from some of the replays on TV that the REFS were not doing a fair job of calling the game. This is not whining, this is fact. And from someone who rarely watches basketball. From the outside looking in, the Refs called a terrible game. It was the biggest debacle I have ever seen. I think the owners and the coaches need to lobby hard to get instant replay implemented as part of the game. It’s only fair. Dwayne Wade is not that good. He’s a young guy with some talent and a BIG ego! To compare yourself to anyone at this point in his early career is immature and just plain stupid. As for Shaq…his days are numbered! He’s not that good and he doesnt do anything on the court except stand there and try to look pretty. NOT! And Poor Pat Riley, my gosh! We wouldn’t want to send him to retirement without one last title and trophy to add to his resume. Give me a break!
The Miami Heat did not EARN that championship title, it was handed to them on a silver platter! There IS a conspiracy against the Dallas Mavericks and it’s owner. It’s so obvious. Mark Cuban take your blinders off! As far as I’m concern the Mavericks WON game 3, game 5 and game 6. But the conspiracy group robbed it away from the best team in the league. THE DALLAS MAVERICKS!!! The Mavs are the better team.
I would like to congratulate Avery Johnson, Dirk Nowitski, Stackhouse, Terry and the rest of the team for a JOB WELL DONE! I say let’s throw them a party and a parade anyway…TEXAN STYLE!!! Is Eddie Deen’s available for a party??? And as for the rest of the world……WE’LL BE BACK!!!
Comment by Angela -
Shut up you big whinning rich white boy. your team had not chance at winning. your team has no heart to play and no desire to win. the miami heat had the desire to win and they came out on top….
Comment by nick -
Allan-You’re a bigger idiot than Cuban!
Comment by Wood -
to all of you that are hating on the fans of the mavs for their whinning….. fuck you…..
let it be your team and see how much you whine……let it be your star player get fouled without a call and then come back to me with your “bunch of whinning bitches” comments….bottom line…a call or no-call one way or the other and the series could have been a lot different. we needed the refs of game five in game six….and i think this is what cuban and a lot of MAVS fans are upset about….in one game, a group of refs are quick to call a foul with 1.9 left on the clock…and in the next, we get a no call on the push off from wade on dirk and the jersey pull by payton on terry on the last shot….it’s all about consistancy……simple as that…..we had a great year..we’re young and we’ll be back….congrats to the Heat for playing a good game….GO MAVS!!!!
Comment by jos2381 -
Shaeme dich, Dirk! So ein guter Spieler gehoert nocht so einer besch…. Organization. Groesse zeigt man beim Siegen, aber ebenfalls in der Niederlage. Du kriegst genuegend Freiwuerfe und muesstest wissen, ob du gefoult wirst, oder nicht. Also goenne es dem Wade, wenn er gefoult wird. Ich glaube nicht, dass du jemals gewinnst, wenn du in Dallas bleibst. ueberleg es dir gut, Junge. Komm nach San Antonio und lass uns innerhalb einer klassen Organization eine echte Dynastie starten…
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
Hey, Mark, awesome interview last night. Being interviewed on an exercise bike is CLASSIC! And of course the league isn’t rigged. Most the teams in these playoffs are mid-market or small-market teams!!!
Comment by Blake -
The NBA is biased.
There’s not much difference between “rigged” and “biased” is there?
Either way, the outcome is altered through the officiating and the suspensions.
The officiating is not poor, it’s just plain wrong and biased. The suspensions are not fair. They are wrong and biased.
I support you and the Mavericks, but I’m convinced something’s seriously wrong with the NBA.
Why don’t they just change the name to NBBA — the National Biased Basketball Association? Or better yet, the NBA can just merge with the WWF.
I enjoy basketball and the Mavs. I just hate the way the NBA runs the league.
Comment by Jerry C. -
You can call Mark Cuban what you want, but ask yourself how you would feel if authorities came into your home and just walked out with what they wanted and there was nothing you could do about it!!!!! The NBA is corrupt, and it starts at the top with David Stern. Bottom line is they don’t care, and there is nothing anyone can do about it!!
As I said, I am not from Dallas and not a Mavericks fan, but as someone who hates corruption, in my opinion Mark Cuban had every right to be upset…. The Mavericks were complete victims of the CORRUPTION THAT HAS BEEN A PART OF THE NBA PLAYOFFS FOR YEARS AND THE ONLY THING THAT WILL CHANGE THAT IS FOR FANS TO STOP BUYING TICKETS AND STOP WATCHING THE GAMES!!!! MAYBE THEN, THEY WILL PUT AN END TO THE CORRUPTION THAT IS RUINING THE GAME!!!
THE NBA IS RIGGED AND THAT IS WHY I HATE THIS GAME!!!!!!!
Comment by Allan -
Shaeme dich, Dirk! So ein guter Spieler gehoert nocht so einer besch…. Organization. Groesse zeigt man beim Siegen, aber ebenfalls in der Niederlage. Du kriegst genuegend Freiwuerfe und muesstest wissen, ob du gefoult wirst, oder nicht. Also goenne es dem Wade, wenn er gefoult wird. Ich glaube nicht, dass du jemals gewinnst, wenn du in Dallas bleibst. ueberleg es dir gut, Junge. Komm nach San Antonio und lass uns innerhalb einer klassen Organization eine echte Dynastie starten…
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
don’t complain about the officiating…all through the playoffs they gave the mavs a lot of calls and u didn’t critique the officials then…so why do it now…don’t blame the refs blame your team who lost the leads at the end of big games and blame your the two big time stars who made mistakes durring crunch time…the missed free throw by dirk…and the so called “time out that wasn’t called” eventhough he clearly signaled a time out to the refs…so the only people you can blame about your losses are your own team and own players…
and ya…that punch in the second round of the western conference playoffs was clearly visible…u obviously need to get some glasses or sumthing…
Comment by e -
VOTE for the real MVP!!! The Refs! Anyone know where I can find an authenic ref jersey cause those guys are the best “players” in the league. I feel your pain Mark Cuban. I’m not a Dallas fan, but I watched that series. The officiating in Games 5 and 6 was just ridiculous! Dirk could’ve scored 100 and it wouldn’t have mattered playing 8 on 5 the way you did. You guys were giving as much of a chance to win as the Seahawks were given in Super Bowl XL. Sometimes you fight a losing battle and thats what u did. I’m sure that ur “best friend”, David Stern was behind the refs actions 100%!
Comment by Lil_Ant -
There will always be discrepencies in officiating, they are only human. However, that is not what happened in game 5 and 6 where Dwayne Wade had as many free-throw attempts as the entire Mavericks team. Many of those fouls were called where there was little or NO CONTACT!!!!! You can see the frustration on the face of Dirk Nowitzki and Devon Harris when the fouls were called, because they knew what was happening too, they just cannot openly say these things, because the NBA would fine them thousands of dollars!
For the record, I am not from Dallas, and not really a huge Mavs fan. I have been a fan since the late 80’s and can say that I have seen enough of what the league has been doing for years…… THEY ARE CHEATING!!!!! THERE NEEDS TO BE HUGE REFORM IN THE NBA, BECAUSE THEY OPERATE MORE LIKE A MOB FAMILY THAN A PROFESSIONAL SPORTS ORGANIZATION!!!
I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOUL LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION AGAINST THE NBA AND IT’S OFFICIALS AND PERHAPS EVEN TAKE OVER THE OFFICIATING! BOTTOM LINE IS, DAVID STERN AND STU JACKSON SHOULD HAVE NO CONTROL ON OFFICIALS! LET THEM MAKE THE RULES FOR THE GAME, HOWEVER, THE OFFICIATING SHOULD BE DONE BY AN INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION THAT IS NOT UNDER THE THUMB OF A DAVID STERN!!!!!!!!!
THE FINALS WERE FIXED, AND THAT IS WHY I HATE THIS GAME!
Comment by Allan -
Mark my good man the very fact that your even wasting your precious time responding to the clain that the NBA is rigged shows you have way too much tine on your hands… Wrestling is real right? C’mon man show some class and talk about how great Dwayne Wade is and how youd trade Dirk, Josh and Terry to have him wearing your jersey… Say It MArk Say it like it is!
Comment by Craig Elimeliah -
I agree to an extent. The refs can’t dictate the game, but they sure can “control” the flow. David Stern isn’t a big fan of you, so of course, Dirk, Jason, Jerry, and the rest of the crew were playing 8 on 5 for parts of the last four games. They did make a lot of mistakes, but the refs assured that they wouldn’t recover from them. The league is all politics these days. You were up 2-0 and the Mr. Stern showed you who runs the league with his part-time goons(refs)! He sucks. He needs to retire and soon cause basketball is whirl winding downwards!! HELP the league!!! Get rid of Stern. Stern is to the NBA what steroids is to the MLB!!! Ban him!!
Comment by Pistons_Fan -
Two schools of thought here:
1. The officials cost the Mavs games 5 and 6 and perhaps the championship.
-or-
2. Mark Cuban is a whiner and a sore loser.
Guess what…. YOU”RE BOTH RIGHT.
D-Wade and Shaq were treated like princesses by the officials in the finals, but Cuban only makes things worse for the team by “acting out.” It’s tough to lose, but if it happens you gotta show some class. Mavs need to come back harder and stronger next year. Don’t give the officials a CHANCE to decide the games.
Comment by steve childs -
The NBA has been rigged by Stern since 2002. In that year, the Sacramento Kings were going to advance to the NBA finals and had a 3 games to 2 lead over the Lakers when Stern (I mean the Refs) decided to have the Lakers shoot 35 free throws in the 4th quarter of Game 6 alone. which changed the complexion of the series.
Since that point, I’ve looked at the NBA very skeptically, and games 5 and 6 this year proved my point. By the way, isn’t there a thing in our country called “Freedom of Speech”. If so, then why is the NBA fining Cuban $250,000 for speaking the truth. If the referees and the league can’t handle public criticism, perhaps the NBA needs new referees, and most importantly, a new Commissioner. It’s time for SATAN STERN to go.
Comment by Ron -
The NBA has been rigged by Stern since 2002. In that year, the Sacramento Kings were going to advance to the NBA finals and had a 3 games to 2 lead over the Lakers when Stern (I mean the Refs) decided to have the Lakers shoot 35 free throws in the 4th quarter of Game 6 alone. which changed the complexion of the series.
Since that point, I’ve looked at the NBA very skeptically, and games 5 and 6 this year proved my point. By the way, isn’t there a thing in our country called “Freedom of Speech”. If so, then why is the NBA fining Cuban $250,000 for speaking the truth. If the referees and the league can’t handle public criticism, perhaps the NBA needs new referees, and most importantly, a new Commissioner. It’s time for SATAN STERN to go.
Comment by Ron -
The NBA has been rigged by Stern since 2002. In that year, the Sacramento Kings were going to advance to the NBA finals and had a 3 games to 2 lead over the Lakers when Stern (I mean the Refs) decided to have the Lakers shoot 35 free throws in the 4th quarter of Game 6 alone. which changed the complexion of the series.
Since that point, I’ve looked at the NBA very skeptically, and games 5 and 6 this year proved my point. By the way, isn’t there a thing in our country called “Freedom of Speech”. If so, then why is the NBA fining Cuban $250,000 for speaking the truth. If the referees and the league can’t handle public criticism, perhaps the NBA needs new referees, and most importantly, a new Commissioner. It’s time for SATAN STERN to go.
Comment by Ron -
First I would like to say congatulations to the Mavericks, they went farther than my Spurs did, and did a good job. I think Mark Cuban is the best owner in sports, for any team. Because he is a fan first, an investor secondly, whereas with most owners it is merely an investment so they can brag to their associates “Welcome to my owners suite”. Well as you can see Mr. Cuban’s suite is right down there where he has always been as a fan. This type of owner is certainly one of a kind.
Now to my biggest ‘Dummy of the Year’ award. This goes to Greg Cote with the Miami Hearald for his complete fabrication of something conjured up in his small infantile mind to think it could possibly sell more papers or ASSume that everyone would want to read HIS story. Yes he did a good job of getting his name quoted all over ESPN like he discovered the cure for cancer. Unfortunately he wasnt man enough to outright apologize to Mr Cuban for his convaluted mental midget moron mentality for writing something that was not only 3rd hand from someone whom he considers to be an impeccable source, but the fact that he never bothered to even check it out. This story was so hot that he printed it 48 hrs later, in the 10th paragraph of his story, rather than the next morning plastered across the front page. I am sure he used the same sources that the White House used when they were 100% sure of the Weapons of Mass Destruction. Impeccable sources of information can obviously be so misleading, or just someone trying to start a rumor so that they will have something to say, hoping to draw attention to themself, and maybe someone will lend them an ear. Greg Cote your impeccable source sucks and is unreliable, find another.
Comment by Douglas (Spurs Fan) -
I’m probably one of the thousands of people who are furious about the outcome of this year’s NBA finals.To all those people out there, we can complain as much as we want but nothing is going to change.All we know is that the Dallas Mavericks are and will always be the better team.Who cares about this year’s championship? If we think it’s all rigged then just forget about it. Don’t insult Wade or go crying to David Stern. The Heat may have won this year, but they don’t know the true meaning of “champions.”
Comment by sammy -
A few short notes…
1. There is no rigging in the NBA, just horrible management of the officials. Anytime you have a human doing something, there is the option for error. Refs make mistakes…like the rest of us, they should be punished for making those mistakes. Whatever ref called the call when D Wade PUNCHED Dirk in the stomach and Dirk was called of the foul should be fined or fired. Whatever ref called the foul when (gasp) D Wade wasn’t even touched by Marquis Daniels should be the same…
2. D Wade really is an incredible player and an MVP candidate. Look at his FG %, Rebounds, Assists, Steals, and Blocks for the finals…truely amazing. The fact is he knew things were going his way with the calls and he expolited that. That is a good basketball player.
3. The officiating was HORRIBLE in this series, and it started at the end of Game 3 when the Mavs blew their 13 point lead. I counted D Wade committing his 6th foul 4 times in that sequence, 2 were BLATANT…and the refs swollowed their whistles.
4. The Mavs blew game 6. They were in the penalty with 7 minutes left and stopped going to the rack…that’s inexcusable. See comment #2, the refs tried to hand it back and the Mavs blew their chance. We should be talking about game 7 today after the Mavs took it to the Heat and fouled out Mourning, O Neal and Walker. They flat out blew it.
5. PLEASE RE SIGN the JET. He drives me nuts sometimes, but in 3 years when Stack’s gone, he’ll make a great 6th man.
6. Mr. Cuban, please don’t make basketball comments that you have no clue about…i.e. D Wade’s backcourt violation. As a high school basketball coach, I am ashamed that you said that’s a backcourt “even in high school”. Before you comment, learn the rules. You make the rest of Dallas look like fools. We are now all whiners instead of winners because you can’t stop being so over the top.
Comment by MattB -
Mavs gave it their all, and still lost. They lost to a pretty good team. I’m 73 years old and having grown up in Indiana, am a huge b/ball fan. In any game there are going to be calls that you don’t agree with. For the most part, this game was the same. Great teams who are outscored do it with grace. Real winners are never losers. The Mavs are winners.
Comment by Jane -
As a reminder to all the Mavs fans this was our first appearance in the NBA Finals also. We ran up and down that court just like you. We made shots…just like you. There is a huge difference in the way we played our game compared to the way you played yours. We were more aggressive. We wanted it and we took it (in your home court). Your Team (and Fans) took a 2-0 lead and got cocky and labeled us “Unworthy Opponents”. You should have been concentrating and planning on finishing us off… instead you were planning a victory parade before the victory.
I like the Mavs and I have great respect for them. They have an excellent coach, great players, and they bring a good game, but you forgot one thing – We Got Game Too. Someone needs to speak with Cuban and ask him to stay home and watch the game on TV if he can’t control himself.He has brought nothing but a negative image to your organization. His mannerism has been utterly “DISGRACEFUL”. He has TiVo. He should use it to go back and take a long hard look at himself.
Please have a little dignity and stop posting comments that take away from OUR victory. We earned it by winning 4 out of 7. Give us credit. It’s long over due. Miami Heat is the NBA’s 2006 National Champions.
I’m not throwing our victory in your face but you need to realize that you “so-called” fans are making your team look really bad. The comments about Wade are ridiculous and are being viewed around the world as pure jealousy.
As a Dallas Cowboy fan for 33 years please Stop Hating. You are making the great city of Dallas look like pathetic whining pu*ssies. Stop acting as if you have no class and can’t accept defeat! There’s always next year!
Comment by Lady Heat -
Posted Jun 21, 2006, 5:29 PM ET by Don Trevino
“Didnt MJ get every call?
Wade has been getting to the foul line more than Kobe this year, why should this series be any different?
D Wade will surpass ALL MJ stats and make it look easy.
MJ will be 2nd to D-Wade”
Well, at least you are admitting that Wade is getting the calls. Most are afraid to admit it, because it proves that the officiating has an impact on the outcome of the games.
You also made the point that Wade is getting more calls than Kobe, which supports the idea that the NBA has turned their attention to D Wade as their new poster child, as Kobe has tarnished his image. D Wade will have to contend with LeBron though, for preferential treatment.
But MJ 2nd to D Wade? Wow. Many people have such a short memory. Everyone is just too quick to announce the new king. What happens when Shaq is gone in a couple of years? MJ didn’t need a big man, but I believe D Wade does, and he won’t have one soon.
Comment by tj -
I always love how the big mouths who go on and on about the league being rigged are the same ones that have to have the front seat to the TVs at the sports bars to watch a ball game.
Comment by Angie Commorato -
Didnt MJ get every call?
Wade has been getting to the foul line more than Kobe this year, why should this series be any different?
D Wade will surpass ALL MJ stats and make it look easy.
MJ will be 2nd to D-Wade
Comment by Don Trevino -
I am responsible for post #417 and let me just say that I am not a Mavericks fan. And for those saying you can’t win a championship by shooting 37%, well I would agree. However, it is damn hard to win one when your competing against the other team and 3 officials! Anyone with a brain can see the Heat would have lost game 5 and 6 if it weren’t for officials controlling the game. By the way, the Heat shot like 66% from the free-throw line, but when your getting 50% more opportunities than your opponent, it doesn’t matter!!!
The Heat had this Championship handed to them by the crooked officials of the CROOKED NBA!!!!!!
Comment by Allan -
In post 31, by Quay Luda we get the following lie: “Bottom line is Dallas is a better team and has proven that they can beat the Heat and not by only 1 or 2 points. Let’s not forget the 27 point lead we had in Game 2. Miami can’t win in the AAC – we won’t let it happen.”
Oops!!! Looks like the Heat are the better team, and let’s not forget the 13, 11, and 14(!) point leads that you had in Games 3,5, and 6. three double digit leads lost, gotta be some kind of record.
Comment by Classless Stackhouse -
Post #297, I agree with you COMPLETELY!!! Even though I’m a huge Mavs fan and a season ticket holder, I’m dreading another year of Mark Cuban crying like a baby and making the Mavs all about himself like a spoiled 5 year old!!! GROW UP CUBAN and HAVE SOME CLASS!!! For that matter, take a lesson from Avery and step out of the spotlight and let him coach.
Comment by jrgb -
Mark,
Keep doing what you are doing!! Sports is supposed to be fun for the fans. Unfortunately I think most of the suits that run the leagues and teams have forgotten this!
Also, regarding fixing games, I couldn’t agree with you more that the games could not be fixed. Many years ago I was a basketball official (mostly recreational leagues) and so many calls are so close and made so quickly that there really is no way to do it.
Again, keep acting like a fan!!
Comment by Steve Horowitz -
Mark:
As a die-hard Mavericks fan, I will say that the reason we lost the series was because we were shooting (and missing) threes when we should have been driving the lane. But I also have to make the statement that the preferential treatment given by the refs to Dwayne Wade on foul calls was just a travesty. Everyone knows that the NBA refs have always called fouls differently for the big stars, but this Finals series took the practice to new heights. Something has to change in the league. Imagine this: Eastern Conference Finals next year with Miami and Cleveland. Games will take more than four hours to play with all the foul calls and free throws that Wade and Lebron James will get. Please continue your work to improve the officiating, especially in the playoffs and Finals…
Comment by Dan Hawkins -
First, let me thank Mark Cuban and the Mavericks for giving Dallas a team to be proud of. I hope that business conditions allow this team to stay together, because from a personal standpoint, I learned most from their genuine affection for each other combined with their teamwork on the court. This tremendous title run truly enriched the quality of my life, and I will continue as a season ticket holder for years to come.
That being said, I wanted to comment with some observations related to “rigging.” While “rigging” is a strong term, there is evidence that conditions might have been “manipulated” in favor of the Heat during this series with peripheral financial objectives in mind. These objectives did not necessarily require that the Heat actually win the whole series (that is a bonus), but it certainly was considered a financial advantage that they at least perform well.
Throughout the series, when I was not at the AAC in Dallas, I saw many commercials for the new Superman movie being run featuring Shaq. The first two games in Dallas, Shaq looked anything but “Super” and Wade was a “Flash” in the pan. It is not entirely an accident in my view that conditions were manipulated via officiating policy that results in Dwayne Wade going to the line 30+ times per game while the only Dallas players with the physicality to do battle with Shaq (Mbenga and Stackhouse) end up suspended at critical times.
I wonder how far in advance the “Superman” movie people booked that expensive slot, and how they would have felt if Shaq and the Heat looked mortal as they LOST (Shaq can still look super in winning even if his play is not super).
Comment by Travis J. James -
for post 383- you had the last two games at home, stupid!
Comment by randy -
I am a Mav’s Fan but just like a good game. I am not going to complain about officiating yet when Wade which falls to the ground 50% of the time after a shot, how can you see a foul or not. What about the flop rule. The three second foul was called on Miami way to quick, why because it is a clear cut penalty that can seen by all. The problem with that is, it is only one shot and it breaks the rhythm of the game. They say b-ball is a game of streaks, that is because it is a game of rhythm. When a official calls a foul when there is not one rhythm gets broke. What about eight eyes instead of six. I do not want to hear there is not room on the court. Take the first row out if you have to. You can make what you lose in revenue on coke sales. 4.50 for a coke that costs .35 to serve. I lost interest, I believe, when in the second qtr Wade went up for his jumper and fell down like usual with Terry’s back to him and Terry gets the foul. 3 points. Following that Wade jumps into Stack outside the restricted circle and draws the foul shortly after that. As a Mavs fans at least he did not make the shot. I knew at that point how the game was going to be called. If all players played like “D-WADE the MVP” all b-ball would be would be foul shots from driving the b-ball and falling down after shots. He will have to change that or his time in the league will be limited. “Falling”, I reiterate, 8 times getting up 9. That says it all, a setup to be injured. And the comparison, everyone knows what I am talking about, forget it Media. Different time different era. Dirk is no Bird and D-WADE no MJ. Wade is great, Dirk is great, James is great the list goes on. But any player with 45% of his points at the free throw line did not necessarily have a great performance. He was given something. Whether it be Dirk, Duncan, James or Wade. The game should have strategy that is what makes the game enjoyable for me. Free throws are not a strategy unless the officials allow it to be. I don’t blame any one from the Heat, if I knew all I had to do was to drive to the basket with an athletic player and draw a foul; I would have done the same thing. All I would like to see is what baseball is being forced to do. Clean the game. I do not want to just watch free throws because of the name, they are freebies. You will have them in the game but come on, 20 some odd for one player. 90% of the time when a player is referred to as being hard to defend, in the next breathe you can say he is hard to officiate. B-ball is the hardest game to officiate; players are giants, they take up alot of space, and are bound to hit each other. There is no room for prejudice, whether it is Cuban or Shaq or Damp for putting his arm in Shaq’s back. B-Ball take a page from Hockey, there is no more horizontal stick hooking slowing players anymore and the players had to conform. I have competed at a high level in athletics my self and some times you have to beat the refs also. They are human and make mistakes, yet call it consistently with out any deviation. The athlete will conform. I broke the rules at a high level, you have to, but that is why there are officials to keep the game a real game instead of figure skating or a boxing match where they have judges. Then it is even shaky. I did not only see this in the Finals but throughout the playoffs. Call me bias but what I see is the people who are on the out side not just those directly involved with the finals. Those who did not care either way and could have an un-bias, if there is such, view because as a fan of the game I will always try to have a un-bias view as to enjoy the game as much as possible otherwise why watch. But as I hate to quote Cuban as a Mavs fan if there is an out cry and nothing is done the owners of the future like Cuban which would pour money into the NBA, like him or not, will not want to get involved. Even though the fans are the base there has to be owners willing to invest 100’s of millions. Would you invest that kind of money into your 401k with bias and an un-even playing field which is created by unfair officiating? Don’t think so. It is a business and entertainment, there lies the inherit problem. It is a balancing act for the league. I hope things are done not for the Mavs but for the whole. It makes for better B-Ball. I have a six month old and besides the money I would not want him to play the game. The money is not worth the heart attack unless you just want players saying “Show me the money!” My $.02.
Comment by ward -
Posted Jun 21, 2006, 1:55 PM ET by HeatFan
Oh MAN.. I LOVE IT.
You guys are hilarious!!! I just can’t coming back to this iste to see you stupid ass fans crying.
MIAMI HEAT NBA CHAMPS
What a bunch of trolls…
Comment by Ryan Downey -
Get some ref’s that can actually see instead of just assuming someone would foul Wade as stated in #366. The foul calling in these finals were a joke. ABSOLUTE JOKE!!!!!!!!! Maybe the NBA should start reviewing some of these calls or perhaps move to the other side of the court so they don’t just see their rear-end and assuming all of their fouls. The poor job by the ref’s definetely played a key factor in these final series. The Mavericks worked hard all year long ,then got their home court advantage. But, the stupidly setup finals gave a big advantage to Miami with the 2-3-2 setup. With that what advantage does the Home team have???????????
Comment by Marc -
@ digital Dan:
Where does all this hate come from? ” would have loved to have seen Stackhouse walk over to the bench, grab a 4 foot lead pipe, and bust that f*cker’s head wide open. The NBA is crap…..I’ll never attend or watch another game.”” WOW! I GUESS YOU ARE BETTER OFF NOT WATCHING NBA GAMES, BUT PLAYING SOME VIOLENT VIDEO GAMES OR SIMILAR! BOY! BOY! WHAT A HATE FOR JUST A GAME! I just assume you’ve never played basketball yourself. Cuz you would have more respect for the game and players and not have these violent thoughts. SCARY SOMEWHAT!
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
I really do feel sorry for you, that you don’t have a team with the depth and talent of the Dallas Mavericks. The only thing besides Wade that you have, is some bad refs. There’s an old saying you need to consider … to a liar everyone is a liar; to a thief everyone is a thief … do you get it?
Comment by Barbara Bessent -
You know YOU ALL NEED TO GROW UP!!!!! Look at yourselves your all fighting over something YOU DONT HAVE CONTROL OF!!!! JUST STOP!!! There are better things in life than to sit in your moms basement and argue over what happened 4 days ago…..YIKES, the Finals are over with, both teams did a good job and someone came out on top. That’s all that matters. Personally I could give a crap about sports because they pay these guys millions of dollars when anyone could go out there and do it…..Kinda lame….
Comment by Alex -
I’m glad to see Mark Cuban lose. I am not a fan of the Heat and actually like most of the Dallas players. Unfortunately, the Mavericks owner has displayed such a huge lack of class and professionalism throughout these playoffs that I found myself cheering against the Mavericks. Mark, I’m glad to see you lose. While I think your passion for the sport and your team are admirable and healthy for the league, you need to grow up and start acting like a part of mature society. I’d be happy to see the ring elude you for the rest of your time as a team owner.
Comment by joe -
I am a Mav’s Fan but just like a good game. I am not going to complain about officiating yet when Wade which falls to the ground 50% of the time after a shot, how can you see a foul or not. What about the flop rule. The three second foul was called on Miami way to quick, why because it is a clear cut penalty that can seen by all. The problem with that is, it is only one shot and it breaks the rhythm of the game. They say b-ball is a game of streaks, that is because it is a game of rhythm. When a official calls a foul when there is not one rhythm gets broke. What about eight eyes instead of six. I do not want to hear there is not room on the court. Take the first row out if you have to. You can make what you lose in revenue on coke sales. 4.50 for a coke that costs .35 to serve. I lost interest, I believe, when in the second qtr Wade went up for his jumper and fell down like usual with Terry’s back to him and Terry gets the foul. 3 points. Following that Wade jumps into Stack outside the restricted circle and draws the foul shortly after that. As a Mavs fans at least he did not make the shot. I knew at that point how the game was going to be called. If all players played like “D-WADE the MVP” all b-ball would be would be foul shots from driving the b-ball and falling down after shots. He will have to change that or his time in the league will be limited. “Falling”, I reiterate, 8 times getting up 9. That says it all, a setup to be injured. And the comparison, everyone knows what I am talking about, forget it Media. Different time different era. Dirk is no Bird and D-WADE no MJ. Wade is great, Dirk is great, James is great the list goes on. But any player with 45% of his points at the free throw line did not necessarily have a great performance. He was given something. Whether it be Dirk, Duncan, James or Wade. The game should have strategy that is what makes the game enjoyable for me. Free throws are not a strategy unless the officials allow it to be. I don’t blame any one from the Heat, if I knew all I had to do was to drive to the basket with an athletic player and draw a foul; I would have done the same thing. All I would like to see is what baseball is being forced to do. Clean the game. I do not want to just watch free throws because of the name, they are freebies. You will have them in the game but come on, 20 some odd for one player. 90% of the time when a player is referred to as being hard to defend, in the next breathe you can say he is hard to officiate. B-ball is the hardest game to officiate; players are giants, they take up alot of space, and are bound to hit each other. There is no room for prejudice, whether it is Cuban or Shaq or Damp for putting his arm in Shaq’s back. B-Ball take a page from Hockey, there is no more horizontal stick hooking slowing players anymore and the players had to conform. I have competed at a high level in athletics my self and some times you have to beat the refs also. They are human and make mistakes, yet call it consistently with out any deviation. The athlete will conform. I broke the rules at a high level, you have to, but that is why there are officials to keep the game a real game instead of figure skating or a boxing match where they have judges. Then it is even shaky. I did not only see this in the Finals but throughout the playoffs. Call me bias but what I see is the people who are on the out side not just those directly involved with the finals. Those who did not care either way and could have an un-bias, if there is such, view because as a fan of the game I will always try to have a un-bias view as to enjoy the game as much as possible otherwise why watch. But as I hate to quote Cuban as a Mavs fan if there is an out cry and nothing is done the owners of the future like Cuban which would pour money into the NBA, like him or not, will not want to get involved. Even though the fans are the base there has to be owners willing to invest 100’s of millions. Would you invest that kind of money into your 401k with bias and an un-even playing field which is created by unfair officiating? Don’t think so. It is a business and entertainment, there lies the inherit problem. It is a balancing act for the league. I hope things are done not for the Mavs but for the whole. It makes for better B-Ball. I have a six month old and besides the money I would not want him to play the game. The money is not worth the heart attack unless you just want players saying “Show me the money!” My $.02.
Comment by ward -
Oh MAN.. I LOVE IT.
You guys are hilarious!!! I just can’t coming back to this iste to see you stupid ass fans crying.
MIAMI HEAT NBA CHAMPS
Comment by HeatFan -
I am a fan of basketball, at any level, but related to the NBA I’m a heat fan. I won’t lie as I watched the games I found myself at times making biased comments about the series, which I’ve read through most of the comments posted in reponse to this blog. Having played basketball for the majority of my life, (i’m 22, played since I was 5) I understand a lot about the game. I’ve also coached and reffed(sp?) rec leagues. I know the rules and I’ve been on both sides of the preodminate debate (8-on-5, bad officiating…etc) I’ve used that excuse numerous times especially in blatantly obvious situations, but I didn’t see many of those in this series. Dallas’s game plan after game 3 was to be “aggressive” with Wade to make it difficult for him to score. They accomplished half of there feat by playing him tough. Any basketball player should know however, when you play overly aggressive you will hear more whistles blown against you. It just comes with hustle. Mav players can’t deny they were riding Wade throughout the course of the game, trying to make it difficult for him to be a factor. I thought Dallas played excellent defense on Wade, even upsetting him at times and taking him out of his game…breifly. You have to give the man credit though, for overcoming those obstacles and finding a way to turn the negative into a positive. He is an explosive player and used his speed to create difficulty for Mav players, except Devin Harris who is just lighting quick. I like both teams and had picked Dallas to win even though I was cheering for Miami. I thought Dallas was a tougher team, and they had proved more to me than my Heat. But the Mavs didn’t show up after leaving home with a 2-0 lead. Funny how many ppl are saying that the Heat were playing 8 against 5, I say the same thing about Dallas. Constantly I said, “Dallas is already a great team, they don’t need anymore help from the refs.” Haslem was always the first player in foul trouble, in the game, Wade always picked up cheap fouls, along with Payton. I think one of the main differences between the first two games and the following four was Dallas settling for jump shots. The first two games they were attacking the rim and drawing the contact or finishing or both. They shyed away from that in Miami. Can you blame them though? Miami laid off and pretty much let them shoot their hearts out. This angered me as a Heat fan because I know how deadly the Mavs are from the outside and it appeared that Miami had no response for Dallas’s quick-spread out offensive attack. What helped us was the hack-a-shaq (go figure) and Wade’s aggressiveness. Shaq came up big in two games on the line. Wade is just a difficult player to guard not because he gets fouls called, but because he is quick, reads the defense, and is unselfish. He’s just a good point guard. His shot isn’t the most powerful weapon in his arsenal, but he found a way to make it work in the series. I credit the Heat’s success to Wade’s play, of course, but also to the fact the Dirk never really got confortable, and couldn’t get hot like he did in the previous series. I was just waiting for him to catch fire so I could sit back and curse with anger as I watched him terrorize the Heat like he’s done before. But it never happened, Jason Terry was the thorn in my side this series. He played absolutely amazing. He really upped his stock with his performance in the playoffs and it would be a good investment to resign him and not lose him to free agency. Overall I think it was a good series, with poor officiating from both sides of the spectrum. (I try to take a non-biased opinion on debates.) Some of the key calls in question:
Backcourt: A player can catch an inbound pass in the backcourt from a player standing out-of-bounds in the front court only if his feet have been planted in the backcourt. If Wade had caught the ball in the air as he jumped over the line it would be a backcourt violation. If his feet hit the backcourt before contact with the ball, play resumes.
“Phantom foul”: Whether Dirk’s hand was on his back, or Harris’s was on his wrist, Wade was “ridden” the whole play. The call should’ve been made prior to the drive, but there was a foul on the drive as well. There was definitely contact during that play, you can’t deny that.
“Knock-a-Shaq”: The fact that Shaq accused Stack of hitting him “softer than his daughter” is irrelevant to the foul in question. The fact is if a player had hit any other player (not equal in size and weight to O’neal) it would’ve been classified as a flagrant two for the simple fact that no attempt was made at the ball. Watch Stack’s eyes, not looking towards the ball. It was an intentional foul, admitted by Stack, to put O’neal on the line. It was aggressive, rightfully so, but it was over aggressive. Shaq had left his feet, as a player I think you should let that go because someone can get hurt. (i.e. Joe Johnson last year, btw-who was the other player involved in that incident?)
Timeout: The replay showed Howard calling a timeout, twice, by signaling the official on the baseline. Proceeding toward the bench with his teammates in tow didn’t help his dispute. The sole fact that he signaled twice for a timeout forced the official to make the call. Understandably, the official probably should’ve known that no team in their right mind would’ve sacrificed their remaining timeout like that, but persistence didn’t pay off this time. I won’t say who to place the blame on but I will say where not to place it: on the refs.
Fact of the matter is Dallas had numerous opportunities to seal Miami’s fate and they did not capitalize their opportunites. They’re a great team and I look forward to seeing them in a position to win it next year. Hopefully it will be a rematch of this Finals.
Cliff
P.S. – Mr. Cuban I enjoy your enthusiasm and involvement with your team. I think what you have done with the organization is nothing short of amazing and congratulate you and an outstanding season. I think more owner’s should become more active like you and the Maloof’s. Keep up the good work!
Comment by Cliff -
@ Skiles is a KING: OK. ASSUMING YOU AR ETRULLY OPEN MINDED:
What do you mean by “phantom calls?” I guess 1% of the players agree with the fouls they they are been called for. Therefore, they ALWAYS start to gesticulate on the floor, animating the public in teh area and creating the impression, they did not commit the foul. So if you watch from home and the TV channel does not give you a replay, you buy into that. So in average, per game all foul calls are wrong and players are beeing targeted by the refs. It is what you say? Or better: The team we root for never commits fouls, only the opponents? It is ridiculous, isn’t? I remember old school basketball: It was about honesty and fair play. When we played overseas, we had to raise the hand after being called for a foul. It was part of the respect we owed to the refs. They are part of the game. And let me add this: The NBA refs are far from being perfect. But you really don’t want to blame losses only on refs. You have 48 minutes to get the W.
regarding the first D-Wade calls: on the Jumper in the 1st quarter, Terry or Howard didn’t contest the call on the floor, why should we afterwards? On the fould on Dirk: Dirk got the same call against Haslem. look closely whe the game is re-aired. And GP got and offensive foul on Harris, even though he did not lower the houlder (i called it a flop from Harris).
For the sake pf basketball, here’s another lesson: In a game 6, you,ve got to be able to beat a team that commits 12 TOs in the first half. As I said before, fans are being distracted from poor management and coaching. Terry and Dirk shooting jumpers under 45% in a game 6 is reason enough to loose. Mavs were “on fire” the first 18 minutes, attacking, pushing. Then they got cold and settled for jumpers the couldn’t hit…
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
The NBA regular season – not rigged. The playoffs – somewhat rigged for TV ratings. The Finals – 100% BS!! I almost vomitted everytime Wade drove to the hole, elbows and forearms flying (forearmed Dirk out of the way with less than a minute left in Game 6…that was the wrong call that changed the game and gave the series to the Heat) If you don’t think Wade initiates 95% of the contact every time he drives, you’re smoking too much pot….and Shaq….if the officials actually called the game using the REAL rules of basketball, he’d foul out in the first quarter 80% of the time. YOU CAN’T USE YOUR FOREARMS AND ELBOWS TO GAIN POSITION ON A DEFENDER…YOU CAN’T PUSH PEOPLE IN THE BACK JUST BEFORE THE BALL HITS THE RIM. I would have loved to have seen Stackhouse walk over to the bench, grab a 4 foot lead pipe, and bust that f*cker’s head wide open. The NBA is crap…..I’ll never attend or watch another game.
Comment by Digital Dan -
The NBA is fixed.
It got fat no talent Shaq his last ring and a new poster boy Dwayne Wade who can be marketed as the next Jordan. Hubie Brown and that other announcer can now remove Dwayne Wade’s ball’s from their mouths cause they sure did enough nut swinging. Oh how great he is blah blah blah blah No you should have been saying thanks to refs your new champs and NBA poster boy Miami and Wade. RefGate is what I will call this series.
Dirk does not fit the image they need to market. Dirk in the hood does not sell street cred or merchandise.
The refs decided the series not the players and its very easy to watch the replays and see this. You breathe or cough on Dwayne Wade its a foul. He broke every NBA Playoff record for foul shots practically. Rigged yes. Get rid of those senior citizen referees. Get some young blood that can actually run the court and see the plays.
Sorry I will not be buying no more NBA merch or anything to do with it. I have been watching basketball for over 30 years and spend big money on merch. Luv the Mavs but they do not stand a chance against Stern and the league.
Comment by Martin -
I do not think that the NBA is necessarily “rigged” but I do see a disproportioned amount of calls going in the favor of certain star players frequently. I think that a coach should have a set number of times he can have a play reviewed during the game (like in football). I’ve heard it said that Shaq is the most difficult player to referee. I do not believe this should be true because he should have to play the game by the rules just like any other player would. It would be nice if all te players were called for rule violation in a more equitable and reliable method, but there is always hope for next season. Good job Mavs! I am not a Dallas fan, but i thought from the beginning you guys would win it all. Thanks for the “real” talk Mr. Cuban.
Comment by Karl Brown -
First off let me say that when it comes to officiating, I agree 100% with Mark Cuban. It drives fans crazy, ruins the game, and tarnishes the image of the whole league. Having said that, Cuban himself has done more to tarnish the league than the officials. Anyone who rants and raves, stomps his feet and runs around screaming about how his team was wronged after his team loses a game (comments to the commissioner or not) is an absolute travesty. I actually love it because I find it comical that a grown man with that much money and influence has actually failed to mature one bit over the past 30 something years. Looking like a bufoon has been something he’s perfected over the past 5-6 years, including failed televesion shows, countless NBA fines, and Late Show appearances that everyone laughs at the next day. Doing an ESPN interview on the treadmill while sweating like a pig? Take three minutes before you’re on the treadmill Mr. Cuban, I promise you you’ll come off looking much better, less petty, and more like a professional willing to stand up and discuss teh problems and issues. (I know you don’t claim to care, but the rest of us do.) I can only imagine every other owner in the league cringing when they see his actions on and off the court, almost in amazement that he’s somehow in “the club.” Caddyshack comes to mind, although Cuban is no Rodney Dangerfield, and that was a movie, this is real life. This isn’t one rebel raging against the machine as so many would spin it. It’s the unpopular dork from high school getting his fifteen minutes of fame (although he’s making it last a lot longer)and using his money to shove it in everyone’s face. He’s rich, you’re not, and he can act like an immature, bratty 12 year old because he can, and no one can tell him otherwise. It’s sad really, because for all accounts he seems like a passionate guy. But being in the huddle, calling out the refs during the game, and post game tirades make him look like nothing more than a jock sniffer – a rabid fan who somehow got the keys to the arena. Sad really, but perception is reality sometimes. The fans in Dallas have it great, they’ve got a great building, a great coach, and some very dynamic players.
Too bad their owner is such an embarassment.
Comment by TiredofCuban'sAct -
i wouldnt take offense to the herald’s mistake mr cuban, everyone in miami knows that it has turned into a rag with no credibility whatsoever
Comment by scott -
I agree that the league needs to have better communication regarding their decisions. But in their defense, they did issue an explanation of the no-call on Wade’s alleged backcourt violation:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2006/news/story?id=2492756
Any thoughts?
Still, I agree that the officiating in the finals was terrible, and game 5 was pretty much stolen from the Mavs.
Comment by Joe -
dallas needs to trade dampier and get good center plus they need some one sharp shooter. they also have to let daniels play little bit more and most important thing they have to go inside the basket rather than making inconsistence jumpers. lets hope mavricks can win title next season.
Comment by mavricks fan -
I’m glad to see Mark Cuban lose. I am not a fan of the Heat and actually like most of the Dallas players. Unfortunately, the Mavericks owner has displayed such a huge lack of class and professionalism throughout these playoffs that I found myself cheering against the Mavericks. Mark, I’m glad to see you lose. While I think your passion for the sport and your team are admirable and healthy for the league, you need to grow up and start acting like a part of mature society. I’d be happy to see the ring elude you for the rest of your time as a team owner.
Comment by joe -
the subjectivity of a referee’s call allows the conspiracy theorists the ability to think that rigging is feasible. referees need to create more objective criteria for fouling – i.e. advantage rules outlined in soccer.
Comment by mark nelson -
the subjectivity of a referee’s call allows the conspiracy theorists the ability to think that rigging is feasible. referees need to create more objective criteria for fouling – i.e. advantage rules outlined in soccer.
Comment by mark nelson -
Mr. Cuban, you DO have a boat docked in Miami. Dan Rather provided written documentation to the Miami Herald.
Comment by Roy Montgomery -
First responding to the last guy Kobe is the best in the NBA but couldnt hold a sneaker to MJ as bestever(just compare numbers through this point of eachothers careers, Kobe is dominated by MJ)
I dont believe the NBA if “rigged” I do believe that the refs have their own agenda though. I can tell you exactly how that foul was called at the end of game 5…..
A. it was Wade driving to the net
B. they were in Miami
C. the refs called b/c they assumed between 2 guys someone would foul wade…
Then game 6 comes along and wade had 2 phanteom fouls get called his way where the mavs player never touched him…and at the end of the game wade is driving throws his off arm into dirk and they call a foul on dirk…Thats the stuff that turns off people to the NBA and starts whispering about the refs….Why can’t David Stern hold refs accountable publicly, Why are only NBA refs above critisim????
Comment by Skiles is King -
Why can’t anyone just say “the heat won, they are a better team”? But no, now the nba is RIGGED??? and the refs gave us the game?? The Heat worked thier heart out and played through everything, but people are now trying to make this championship less worthy, less honorable. The heat deserved this and i am so proud of them.
15 STRONG!!
GO HEAT!
Comment by white hot -
AND THEN THIS:
What kind of strategy was that, to play the Haq-A-Shaq in the NBA Finals? This is how the Mavs got in the penalty in Game 5 and put their bigs in foul trouble. If you can’t play it inside, play inside-out, if you can’t guard the opposing center without fouling him, then you can’t win. Failure to have competent big men (scoring, defending etc.) lays with the front office. And my guess is, they want to distract from this failure with all the whining. The Mavs, to b a serious contender should be able to guard a 7-feet center. The couldn’t guard TIm, they couldn’t guard Shaq. In the other hand, Dirk appeared to be “guardable”. This is to me the X factor to be adressed.
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
AND THEN THIS:
What kind of strategy was that, to play the Haq-A-Shaq in the NBA Finals? This is how the Mavs got in the penalty in Game 5 and put their bigs in foul trouble. If you can’t play it inside, play inside-out, if you can’t guard the opposing center without fouling him, then you can’t win. Failure to have competent big men (scoring, defending etc.) lays with the front office. And my guess is, they want to distract from this failure with all the whining. The Mavs, to b a serious contender should be able to guard a 7-feet center. The couldn’t guard TIm, they couldn’t guard Shaq. In the other hand, Dirk appeared to be “guardable”. This is to me the X factor to be adressed.
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
To Laker Fan in Dallas: IF, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if, if! Your team has absolutely nothing to look forward to. So can I say, if we would have had Stoudemire? If we would have had Thomas? Then we beat you in LA withour Bell! If we have a full squad, we are not playing you in the first round. You suck.
Comment by randy -
There may or not be ‘rigging’ per se. However, the
suits in every industry have a ‘preference.’ That much is known, also
having said that the Sports Industry is no different..This Year’s
Superbowl? Didn’t have a dog in that one, but, don’t tell me Pittsburgh didn’t
get the breaks from the refs to make it easier to win.
Also, yesterday, D-Wade was going to the line for phantom or
questionable calls..Wade is an outstanding player, but, he was helped in several
of the latter games by the refs… It would have been a better series
if the games were called ‘fairly.’ Regardless of who you wanted to win,
we as viewers wanna see a good match-up.. And the NBA and NFL made sure
their ‘preference’ won the ’06 Championships..Rigged? I would say so..
Comment by Jacob Ezekial -
There may or not be ‘rigging’ per se. However, the suits in every industry have a ‘preference.’ That much is known, also having said that the Sports Industry is no different..This Year’s Superbowl? Didn’t have a dog in that one, but, don’t tell me Pittsburgh didn’t get the breaks from the refs to make it easier to win.
Also, yesterday, D-Wade was going to the line for phantom or questionable calls..Wade is an outstanding player, but, he was helped in several of the latter games by the refs… It would have been a better series if the games were called ‘fairly.’ Regardless of who you wanted to win, we as viewers wanna see a good match-up.. And the NBA and NFL made sure their ‘preference’ won the ’06 Championships..Rigged? I would say so..
Comment by Jacob Ezekial -
dude, i am from michigan and everyone of us up here, after being a pistons fan, has been turned into a dallas fan. by leaps and bounds you are the best owner in sports.. I do beleive in defining moments. I do beleive that officials can change the tempo of a game. Whether they use that power for good or for evil is up for debate.. Every blockbuster player gets the phantom calls.. We delt with it a lot with Kind James..
Either way keep on keeping on and i hope we don’t have to meet in ’07…
Comment by Jaisen J. -
You guys can complain all you want about the refs and all that stupid shit. The Heat had some horrrible calls in every game, worst than most of the shit you are complaining about. But we don’t make excuses and cry like we just came out our moms stomaches. We get through it and prevail, and we win the championship.
GO HEAT!!!
Comment by Marybeth -
SHANE..obviously has class..GO LAKERS!:D
If you think about it we werent that far from even meeting the Mavs…if we got that rebound we would have eliminated the Suns, the probably the clippers..(homecourt !!!)
and then well we know kobe is the self proclaimed “mavericks killer”..hehe
Comment by Lakerfan in Dallas -
mark,
it does seem to me that the nba has fixed the officiating for these playoffs in order to create more excitement such as d. wade as the next jordon. why else would he get so many fouls called for him and almost nothing against him. it is not the officials making this judgement but a commuinique coming from the front office and if this is not the case then they(management) should be open to reporters questions instead of hiding behind the league office. i, also, believe that during halftime of every game, every official should be required to review on tape the first half that just ended and to be fair for all each team gets to pick 4 or 5 segements of that half that the official must review and then the official must forward their comments to the league office on the tapes that they reviewed. i think that this would cut done on their abuse of favoring certain players. make the officials accountable. in any other job in the world you have accountablity except in the nba.
Comment by richard hinegardner -
German speaks the truth….
Mavs fans/owner will whine UNTIL the win. Period enough said.
Also were was the CALL ON THREE DIFFERENT MAVERICKS THAT FOULED DUNCAN AS HE WENT UP FOR A SHOT DURING GAME 7 AS TIME EXPIRED IN REGULATION??..bullsh*t..thats all i say to that.
If the mavs would have won..you would have heard ZERO about the officiating.
Oh and HEat fans, I got news for you…Dont be gloating, there is no way in hell (WRITE IT DOWN) NO WAY IN HELL you will repeat..period.
End of story.
And i am certainly NO mavericks fan.
Are you people on crack saying Wade is actually better than KOBE?
Kobe is the greatest…yes even greater than MJ. period.
Comment by Lakerfan in Dallas -
Well now that the old fogies (Heat) won their title, they should quit crying and whining that they have no ring. Hopefully they will all retire, like they should. (Payton, Mourning, O’neal). With doing so, the heat will def suck major ass next year. Yes, Dwayne wade is a dirty player, getting calls like crazy. Also Wade is no Jordan, the NBA tried to make it look like it, but srry no one will ever be another Jordan. I am not Dallas fan, I am a Lakers fan, but I will say this…Dallas got robbed out of a title.
Comment by shane -
Again to every body: DIRK OUTSHOT THE SPURS FROM THE LINE DURING THE SEMIS!
DIRK SET PLAYOFFS RECORD FOR ATTEMPTED FREE THROWS!
THE SPURS (# 1 IN THE WEST PLAYED THE MAVS LESS THAN 36 HOURS AFTER DEFEATING THE KINGS, DICTATED BY TV EXECs. WHERE WERE CUBANS AND ALL OF YOU WHINING NOW?
AND IN THE FINALS: DIRK NEVER SHOT OVER 50%. THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN IN BASKETBALL. THE CLOSER YOU GET TO THE HOOPS, THE GREATER YOUR PERCENTAGE. WITHOUT SCORING CENTERS, YOU CAN’T WIN IT ALL IN THE POST JORDAN ERA. SIMPLE THINGS, FOLKS.
WE CAN STILL QUESTION THE COMMISSIONNER SALARY AT ANOTHER TIME. WE
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
Again to every body: DIRK OUTSHOT THE SPURS FROM THE LINE DURING THE SEMIS!
DIRK SET PLAYOFFS RECORD FOR ATTEMPTED FREE THROWS!
THE SPURS (# 1 IN THE WEST PLAYED THE MAVS LESS THAN 36 HOURS AFTER DEFEATING THE KINGS, DICTATED BY TV EXECs. WHERE WERE CUBANS AND ALL OF YOU WHINING NOW?
AND IN THE FINALS: DIRK NEVER SHOT OVER 50%. THIS IS WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN IN BASKETBALL. THE CLOSER YOU GET TO THE HOOPS, THE GREATER YOUR PERCENTAGE. WITHOUT SCORING CENTERS, YOU CAN’T WIN IT ALL IN THE POST JORDAN ERA. SIMPLE THINGS, FOLKS.
WE CAN STILL QUESTION THE COMMISSIONNER SALARY AT ANOTHER TIME. WE
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
I just wanted to congratulate the Mavericks for a great year, and letyou know that even though I’m a GS Warriors fan I really wanted you guys to win. As a German myself I am so proud of Dirk and his effort this year. Keep it up, man! You guys will get your rings.
Comment by Saysetha -
I’m not a fan of either team so my comments are unbias. Yes the officials were horrible in this series. But they also were horrible throughout the playoffs and Dirk got many phantom calls in the Spurs series. The major difference was Dwayne Wade who was simply the best player on the court and carried his team. I also thought Avery didn’t make the necessary adjustments to guard Wade and make other Heat players have to mkae shots. It was like he was too stubborn to make adjustments. Wade and Miami ran the same series of plays over and over with success.
EJ
Comment by EJ -
George,
Your just mad right now, but im sure you’ll get over it. And You can’t find anything else to say but DWade is a “dirty, cheap, not-really-as-talented-as-he-(or anyone)-thinks-he-is player” when you know how good he really is, you just have to say something negative to make yourself feel better. Its ok i would be sad to, BUT IM NOT GO HEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by GO HEAT -
FREAKING CRY BABIES!!!!
MIAMI HEAT NBA CHAMPIONS
Comment by HeatFan -
Sorry Dude,
But after watching this finals series, there is no way I can be convinced that the NBA isn’t rigged. Clearly Miami was being set-up to win and you could see the helplessness on the Mavericks faces by the end of the game last night. I was feeling their pain but I could see the writing on the wall by the middle of the third quarter when the calls were so ridiculously one-sided that the Heat players started to get bold and no longer were even disguising their “drawn files”. By the end of the fourth quarter, Wade literally ran over to Dirk who was not in his path and pushed him and got the call. At that moment, I lost interest in the so-called “sport”. I have been watching the post-season faithfully since about 1996, and this was by far the worst officiating I have ever seen and I weathered the Shaq-Kobe years as well as the end of the Jordan era. This is not a sport. Its show-business, and some people like the WWF for that quality but I hate it. You lost me as a customer. I can’t watch this shit anymore. It’s too predictable. If I’m really bored I might go to a game, but I can’t imagine wasting hours following these contrived storylines.
Comment by Mya -
The issues raised by the Mavs (Mr. Cuban, Coaches, Playes, Fans) are a shame to me. I am a German living in TX and a Spurs fan (my german GF roots for the Mavs). This being said, i find it shameful to raise such issues after the losses.It takes great managers and athletes to accept defeat. The Mavs have had a great season and all these statements are just overshadowing their achievements. How could Dirk, my Landsman, complain about the refs in a year when he himself has made free throws attemps records in the post-season? Does anyone remember the Spurs series? Dirk being granted a 3-point play and Duncan fouling out? Dirk Outshouting the Purs from the line? This has all happened and the Mavs went on to move on. Back then, the league was not rigged? The Spurs accepted the defeat and everyone should remember, the mavs were down by 3 points… and Manu fouled Dirk. If he didn,t, the Purs would have won, and the “rigged league” issue is not raised by the Mavs fans. I also recall a play of Harris “jumping” into Ginobili and getting a 3 point play… The Spurs were great in the defeat. So hould the Mavs. The comments and whining are distracting from one fact: The Mavs on the floor did not have a production on the 5 position. And in the post Jordan era, i doubt that any team will ever be able to win without being strong on the five at any end of the floor. And this weakness is a front office mistake. And i fear all these issues will distract away from this simple basketball fact.
Are the refs perfect? Is the league perfect? No. They are not and at times i have hated this organization, too. I think they should e.g. have allow one or two replays in the final minutes per team etc… The stakes are too high to have all the load carried by 3 refs, no matter how good they are. Somecone could come up with better suggestions.
I do not like Mr. Cuban’s attitudes and media-geilheit (Ask Dirk, what it means…), but I value his engagement fin the game of basketball, the thing that i love most in the US. I think he should be proud pf his run this season and of all his team and not overshadow this performance with unreflected and misleading comments and attitudes. Same to Mr. Johnson. His Press conference show after game 5 and questioning of calls was deceiving. This is what makes great teams. Who knows, if the Mavs will ever come back to the finals? And this is surely not the way they should be remembered. On this aspect, he can still learn from Greg Popovich…
Stop whining, congatulate your opponents. This is true greatness!
Bis zum naechsten jahr Dirk! Deutschland wird Weltmeister!
Comment by Deutscher Freund (German Friend) -
To all the Heat fans posting & gloating on this blogsite:
Your severe lack of maturity & zero concept of “fair” & “sportsmanship” is being held up like a 200 ft neon sign. Grow up. No wonder ya’ll see nothing wrong with DWade boy being a dirty, cheap, not-really-as-talented-as-he-(or anyone)-thinks-he-is player.
Comment by George LaFleur -
THIS IS THE BEST FEELIN EVER!!!!!!!!!!
15 STRONG!!!!
GO HEAT!!!
I NEVER HAD A DOUBT IN MY MIND!!!
and sorry mavs fans who dont get to feel what we are feeling right now. trust me its great lol. And i geuss you’ll never feel it unless you become a heat fan. GOOOOOOOOO HEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAATTTTTT!!!
Comment by GO HEAT -
Thanks for all your efforts in developing such a great team. It was a fun season; I can’t wait for next year. And I hope you’ll keep on fighting on behalf of our team – Bill
Comment by Bill Yedor -
I quit watching the NBA about 15 years or so ago because I noticed the ridiculous home team advantage the refs gave. I guess they were more concerned with getting out of the arena w/o beer poured on them than calling a fair game. Not sure if it’s rigged, but the game is so full of sleaze today it wouldn’t surprise me. When there’s 10 times the commissioner’s salary at stake over who gets to the finals and how many games it goes, who’s to say they don’t make it clear to all involved that if things don’t go the way they want, their careers might be affected. You don’t have to come out and make a big rigid conspiracy. There’s ways of getting your message to those involved w/o saying a word.
Comment by jocko -
#333=i agree..
How many stupid mavs fans//or should i say BANDWAGON people in dallas will be cheering for the mavericks TODAY…nobody..haha..excuses is all i heard this morning..
who cares..bottom line is YOU LOSt.
i predict the mavs wont even get to the finals next year…nor anytime soon…
Comment by Lakerfan in Dallas -
Damn…Officiating , officiating.. BLA BLA BLA.. If you would of put as much effort into finding out about some the poor coaching decisions, and the lac of effort and performance by your players in clutch and pivotal moments of the games, you might of made a difference… BUT NOOOO plan the parade reticule the HEATS ability and how WE didn’t deserve to be in the same venue as the Dallas Mavs. As it started to fall apart take no responsibility yourselves BLAME THE OFFICIALS, BLAME THE COMMISIONER… Probably the most talented team did not win, BUT the one that did WIN looked at them selves after each loss and forgot about excuses, fixed the problems and without doubt wanted it more…
Comment by Can't take the HEAT get out of the kitchen -
You guys are a bunch of babies just like Mark Cuban and your coach. Stop bitching! You guys lost FOUR in a row. Period. So shut up and deal with it. The better team won! Maybe you guys should look at the way Mark Cuban and your coach were bitching like babies as one of the reasons you guys lost. Waaaaa Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Comment by Miami Heat -
You guys are a bunch of babies just like Mark Cuban and your coach. Stop bitching! You guys lost FOUR in a row. Period. So shut up and deal with it. The better team won! Maybe you guys should look at the way Mark Cuban and your coach were bitching like babies as one of the reasons you guys lost. Waaaaa Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Comment by Miami Heat -
You guys are a bunch of babies just like Mark Cuban and your coach. Stop bitching! You guys lost FOUR in a row. Period. So shut up and deal with it. The better team won! Maybe you guys should look at the way Mark Cuban and your coach were bitching like babies as one of the reasons you guys lost. Waaaaa Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.
Comment by Miami Heat -
Damn…Officiating , officiating.. BLA BLA BLA.. If you would of put as much effort into finding out about some the poor coaching decisions, and the lac of effort and performance by your players in clutch and pivotal moments of the games, you might of made a difference… BUT NOOOO plan the parade reticule the HEATS ability and how WE didn’t deserve to be in the same venue as the Dallas Mavs. As it started to fall apart take no responsibility yourselves BLAME THE OFFICIALS, BLAME THE COMMISIONER… Probably the most talented team did not win, BUT the one that did WIN looked at them selves after each loss and forgot about excuses, fixed the problems and without doubt wanted it more…
Comment by Can't take the HEAT get out of the kitchen -
Excuses, excuses, excuses. Nothing but lame ass fuckings excuses.
The Miami Heat won because the Heat are a better team, period.
Cuban, I’ve liked what you’ve done with the Mavericks but now you’re becoming the biggest cry baby in NBA history.
Comment by Tom Chang -
what do you mean rigged?? Don’t be to tough on the league mark your team lost against a great team in Miami, I watched game 6 with my webdatedotcom friends earlier and the Mavs had a real chance to win the game but Wade was just too much
Comment by thynoe123 -
Mr. Cuban,
Thanks for an excellent season, and for your hard work and dedication toward you and your team’s goals. The Mavericks should be proud and work as hard or even harder next year, keep up the good work, & someday the trophy will surely be yours! We are truly lucky to have you here, thank you very much!
Comment by Walter Cox -
What a great season. Nuff said!
Comment by Michael P. -
David Stern forgot for whom he works.
Don’t pay the fines, Mark. Go public and say you won’t pay them. The NBA needs a new commish and I think someone needs to lead the owners in that direction. I’m only a casual basketball fan, but what I saw in Game 5 was a joke.
The emperor shouldn’t have any clothes.
Comment by Rodney -
I would like to give my unbiased opinion of the Finals. I am originally from Chicago and am an avid Bulls fan so my take on the finals should come from a neutral standpoint. I had originally sided with the Mavs in this, however, I can’t help but wonder how much the bad calls (real or perceived) affected the Mavs from a mental standpoint and ultimately lead to their finals demise. Back during the Bulls championship runs, I remember the Bulls game 6 of the 1998 East Conf. Finals against Indiana. Reggie Miller literally shoved MJ out of the way so he could catch a pass and hit a game winning 3 pointer. No call, nothing, but it was on the Pacers home floor, so what could you expect. In spite of that, the Bulls put it behind them, moved on and proceeded to dispose of the Pacers at home in game 7 and eventually win the title. I cant help but get the impression that the Mavs would have been okay if they wouldn’t have let the Game 5 calls “get to them” so much.
Comment by Matt -
It’s all about great shots and baskets that drives people to watch the game that drives ad dollars the NBA coffers.
The fact is fouls are a joke in the NBA. The more a team is ahead of the other the more fouls are called against them. Plot this on a graph for all games during the year and you will see. By calling more fouls on the team ahead the team behind can get the ball back and make more shots to catch up.
You can watch the last 2 minutes of all games and that is all you need to see of a game in the NBA. The NBA knows this so they have to promote “headline” players during the other 58 minutes to make you watch.
Another joke is the 3 second defense rule, where a defensive player cannot stay in the paint without guarding someone. Again this promotes scoring that drives people to watch the game that drives ad dollars the NBA coffers.
The game is rigged to promote scoring to promote ad revenue.
Comment by Bud Baller -
Mark Cuban is right. It’s all fixed like everything else. Not to get into politics but even elections are fixed (by Diebold machines). What you read, see and hear is fixed by TV (and the gov’t forcing books like “America Deceived” by E.A. Blayre III off Amazon). The NBA could not resist the temptation to have the Heat win it all. Riley, Wade and Shaq are more appealing to fans and were handed the title. Now its summer time and time for summer reading.
Last link (before Google Books is ‘fixed’):
http://www.iuniverse.com/bookstore/book_detail.asp?&isbn=0-595-38523-0
Comment by Michael Trendling II -
The reason that so many people question the honesty of the league is because of people like yourself that question the calls in public. I guess you now understand why the league fines owners and players for publicly questioning the refs?
Better team won in this series and it just proved that mavs shouldn’t even have been in the finals. And, they wouldn’t have been if not for questionable calls in the spurs series.
Better luck next time!!!!
Comment by HeatSeeker -
I truly feel bad for the MAVS and all the NBA fans tonite in that we had to witness this debacle of a game. I have never in my life seen such a horribly officiated series. I don’t care who wins the game AS LONG AS IT IS FAIR.
Commentators and league officials who don’t want to be fined will tow the company line and say Miami was just a better team. However, the viewing public knows that the league officials cheated the better team out of a championship with all of the “phantom” calls in favor of Dwayne Wade. This was truly disheartening to watch such a good group of guys get cheated like this. One guy for four straight games shoots more free throws than your entire team and you say the game isnt rigged? I beg to differ. The outcome of this series was determined before it started.
That is why ABC started running commercials for its new show (Masters of Champions?) to air at 7PM Thursday over two weeks ago. How could they schedule and so heavily push the show for that day when the possible game 7 is that nite and the pregame starts at 7PM? Did ABC know something we didnt know? Yep. They knew it was fixed from the start. It was very obvious that the HEAT did not deserve to be on the court with the MAVS after games 1 & 2, so the league decided to give them all the help they needed to win. They made so that WADE was going to shoot enough free throws to keep all the future games close.
Some people will say the MAVS lost this series when they gave up the lead in game 3. That is wrong. They lost this series when the league decided that WADE was going to shoot enough free throws to slow down the games and keep Miami close enough to win.
You cant blame the MAVS for not being able to keep 10 point leads when one of their players is shooting free throws everytime up the court on phantom foul calls. You can ask a team to play above its own mistakes, but it is asking too much to play above your opponents and the referees.
Mark, I ask that you speak your mind and spark more discussion about making referees accountable for the games they call. This is never going to get better if everyone just keeps quiet. Someone inside the NBA needs to speak up before the NBA is a joke like boxing and no one cares.
Until the officiating gets more consistent and better I won’t be watching anymore games. From reading some of the posts here I don’t think I will be the only one boycotting the NBA. Stern, Jackson, & the REFs have severely hurt the integrity of the game by what they did to the MAVS in this series.
Any true basketball fan that is honest will admit the HEAT got way more calls than they should have. As a fan I didnt care who won or in how many games, I just wanted it to be fair. I can take a MAVS loss if it was fair but only none of the last four games was fair.
I am going to post some interesting polls on my website concerning the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB and other leagues concerning game fixing, star player treatment, and market favortism.
So all the fans out there: check it out (www.aretheyfixed.com), vote on the polls and let the leagues know what you think about some of the unfair practices out there and what the public preception is.
Tradegy.
Comment by RaShaan Owens -
yes, the spurs are the better team but tv ratings fall when they win the championship
Comment by joe -
It truly is a shame to see the Mavericks lose this series. I truly believe they were the team to beat; however, actions such as those by the owner, Mark Cuban, can humiliate and cause internal failure of the machine. Regardless of whether he thought he was doing the right things or not, he should act a little more mature, leave the ‘antics’ out of the equation and let the appropriate coach do the coaching. Your actions just may well have caused the ‘meltdown’. What a shame to see such a talented team not win the finals…no pun intended.
Comment by Fred Berg -
At least you recognize the truth of what Tim Duncan stated during the playoffs, regarding (non)calls and breaks affecting the outcome of the entire series… only it’s your turn to swallow that “bitter” pill.
Comment by Spursfanatic -
of course the refs rig the game, this is big business. the players do not rig it.
shaq is advertising the new superman movie, the nba has to have him win.
for years i have been in denial that the nba is rigged, but now denial has broken down and i will look at the nba like professional wrestling, amusing but scheduled.
a review of recent vegas betting supports my point
i wish an insider could break this wide open
Comment by joe -
ALL YOU MAV FANS WHO SAY YOU’RE COMPETITIVE AND WINNERS – LOOK AT THE SCOREBOARD.
YOU’RE ALL WHINERS LIKE YOUR THE OWNER.
THERE’S NO CRYING IN BASKETBALL – WAIT, I FORGOT, YOU’RE WHINERS. GO AHEAD AND CRY.
LOSERS. LOSERS. LOSERS. LOSERS.
CONGRATS HEAT ON A FAIRLY AND WELL-PLAYED SERIOUS.
GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT YOU CAN’T BE LED BY A EUROFLOPPER/MENTALLY WEAK/ALLEGED SUPERSTAR WHO IS NOT A CANDIDATE FOR MVP, BUT WHO IS THE MVW -MOST VALUABLE WHINER.
Comment by bob -
REVENGE IS SO SWEET!!!
The “whiny” “Nags”(sic)Mavs are DEAD!!!!
Way to go “Nags”, you did not let us down. It was great to experience your crash and burn!
Comment by Spursfanatic -
Congrats on a great season, Mark…but I think you guys got ripped off. The NBA got what it wanted…a long series and some ridiculous calls against you all because of reputation. Then again, if you held on to a 13 point lead in game 3, there would be no mentioning of this. If Dirk got clobbered by Shaq in game 4, it would have maybe been a flagrant foul on him and that’s it. Shaq does not fall easily…it was an acting job and Stackhouse got suspended because of it. (You should hear me talk about baseball being rigged because I believe it caters only to the major markets! Check my site…http://www.crazytom.libsyn.com for that and other podcasts if you have time.) Subliminal stuff goes on all the time in the NBA and pretty much every sport. This time, you guys were the victims and it cost you a title. As a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan (living in Jersey), I was pulling for you guys…but oh well. You accomplished a heck of a lot and there’s no reason to be down–you knocked off the defending champs (San Antonio). Hopefully divine intervention will pay off and you’ll be champs in 2007. 🙂
Comment by Tom Wilkins -
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13443985/
55% of america now believe the NBA is rigged…
Comment by Hector -
Mark, or anyone that knows the economics of sports leagues, please break this down for me.
“the NBA does or does not make more money if the finals goes 7 games as opposed to 6”
Is it even feasable the league could make MORE money if the series goes 6?
I know the Mavs didn’t close the deal, but the league miscalculated. They did everything in their power to get the Heat to win game 5 including suspending stackhouse and they ‘eeked’ out a win there. They underestimated how good the Mavs were i guess. No excuse again, with a 14 pt lead at one point in game 6 there’s no excuse to lose this game….or, lose game 3 with a huge lead either.
I agree that the games are NOT rigged. If they were rigged, the Mavs would have won game 6 and the series goes 7.
My bone of contention is this. This is the way the games are ‘tainted’ in my extremely humble opinion.
Lets say two teams are exactly equal…which is the premise of the finals…you are supposed to have the 2 best teams and at that level, you have to imagine the equality of the teams is there.
The league figured that these were fairly equal teams but the Mavs had a HUGE home court advantage..so, the league figured that the best way to get this thing to go 7 was to make sure the heat won game 5. If the Mavs win game 5, they come home in game 6 as a -300 favorite to close out Miami. That means that the chances of the series going 7 are a large underdog.
But, if the Heat win game 5, the chances of the series going 7 are favored. The Mavericks were -340 to win game 6 in some sports books in Las Vegas, which means that game 7 happening was a 1-3 favorite (or more). which means the Mavs were given a 66% chance to win game 6.
You can say this or you can say that about this league but the bottom line is this. These players, while great, are playing for a league called NBA Entertainment with emphasis on entertainment. It would be foolish to think that the higher ups in the NBAE are sitting around in their NY Offices with their feet up on the desk and telling each other, “hey, we have great players, let them play and may the best man win. The best way to maximize revenue is to leave all the results to complete chance.”
How many million/billion dollar industries in the ENTIRE WORLD have their ceo’s sit around and say, “lets just go sit in the hot tub, drink a beer and let the chips fall where they may”
No one. Mark Cuban knows about big business. Large companies do NOT leave anything to chance. We would love to believe that the players win the games, but there is an element of ‘orchestrating’ results. They don’t PICK the result they want because they can’t. If the Mavs are 20 points worse than Miami, there’s no amount of fixing in the world thats going to let Dallas win.
But, if the teams are dead even, you might get a phantom traveling call or a phantom double dribble to ‘help’ out the team they need to win. If that team can’t close the deal, the NBAE just has to deal with the results.
NO multi million/billion dollar business has their CEO’s and higher ups just sit back and let the chips fall where they may. The NBAE would be stupid to do so. They could maximize revenue with one traveling call here, one single game suspension there or one double dribble here and we can have a game 7.
Look, we’d all love to believe the NBAE is not skewing results, but lets face it, the proof is in the pudding.
Comment by Joe D -
Hey P1JonnFrisco,
You sure you’re from Frisco, Texas and not Frisco, CA? From your MySpace picture, looks like you’d fit right in! Was that taken as the clock winded down on the Mavs’ season?
Comment by Robert Stevens -
picture of Dirk’s arm clearly on Wade’s back
http://i5.tinypic.com/14vpao0.jpg
How are you gonna claim that “Dirks hand [was] no where near his back, and [had] no real chance to get placed on his back, which is what triggered the whistle?” Visual evidence my friend. As you can see, Devin Harris’ arm is still up too, meaning this is before he slapped Wade’s arm as well. Sure you could argue that Dirk wasn’t pushing hard enough, but Mr. Cuban, aren’t you the man who wanted to end hand checking and contact to the hoop? That sure looks like contact to me. Irony at it’s finest, I sure believe it is. Congrats to the Miami Heat for winning. Good luck to the Mavs next year as well.
Comment by Paul K -
Of course the NBA isn’t rigged. We know this. But your persistent complaining has rubbed off on Mavs fans and players by creating a culture of whining. Just watch Nowitski turn and complain to the refs after every shot, or Mavs fans holding signs about the “NBA conspiracy.” You don’t complain because you want the league to get better. You complain because you can’t control your emotions when you don’t get what you want. And now the Mavs whole organisation is following suit.
Comment by Josh -
Yes, San Antonio may be a one sports town, but we have something you don’t and want badly … 3 NBA Championships!!!!!!!! Enough said!
Comment by Class -
THE FINALS WERE RIGGED WITHOUT A DOUBT. I KNOW IT, I HAVE SEEN THIS DONE BEFORE. DAVID STERN AND HIS BUDDIES CHOOSE WHO THEY DON’T LIKE AND PICK ON THEM, AND FAVOR THEIR FRIENDS. ITS OBVIOUS. EXAMPLE #1 RON ARTEST…NO MATTER WHAT THE GUY DID, HE WOULD GET SUSPENDED AND FINED. WHY? DAVID STERN DOESN’T LIKE HIM. WHY WAS STACKHOUSE, JT, AND MBENGA SUSPENDED? BECAUSE DAVID STERN HATES DALLAS. WHY WASN’T KWAME BROWN OR KOBE SUSPENDED WITH THEIR ACTIONS TOWARDS BORIS DIAW AND RAJA BELL? BECAUSE DAVID STERN IS CLEARLY A LAKERS FAN. THE REFS I BELIEVE WERE PAID OFF…EITHER THAT OR THEY WEREN’T PAYING ANY DAMN ATTENTION TO THE FINALS. SHAQ THROWS MORE ELBOWS THAN LUDACRIS AT IN HIS MUSIC VIDEO…AND INTENTIONALLY. I KNOW MANY NBA PLAYERS WHO HAVE SAID IT, AND I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN IT BEFORE. SHAQ DELIVERED AN ELBOW TO DEVIN HARRIS, AND DEVIN GETS CALLED FOR THE FOUL, NO SURPRISE TO ME WITH THESE REFS. WHAT ABOUT DWYANE WADE SHOOTING LIKE 30 FREAKIN FREE THROWS A GAME??? NOBODY IN THE HISTORY OF THE NBA COULD POSSIBLY GET FOULED THAT OFTEN. THE REFS MUST HAVE HAD A WHOLE BUNCH OF “BAD ANGLES” DURING THE FINALS. I FEEL THAT THE FINALS WERE SABOTAGED WITHOUT A DOUBT. IM PISSED OFF SINCE DALLAS DESERVED IT AND IN PERSON THIS IS ONE OF THE NICEST AND MOST FAN FRIENDLY GROUP OF PLAYERS YOU WILL EVER MEET, IF YOU ASK ME THEY PLAYED HARD ALL SEASON AND HAVE BEEN GREAT TO THE FANS AND THEY DESERVED IT. NOT MIAMI ONE BIT. THE REAL FINALS WAS VS. THE SPURS. IN MY OPINION THE DALLAS MAVERICKS ARE THE 2006 NBA CHAMPS AND JASON TERRY WAS THE FINALS MVP, AND EVERYONE STEPPED UP AND PLAYED WELL. THERE WAS NO WAY AROUND THE SABOTAGE, DAVID STERN RUNS THE LEAGUE AND MAKES THE DECISIONS WHETHER OWNERS, PLAYERS, AND FANS LIKE IT OR NOT, AND THEREFORE HE GOT HIS WAY ONCE AGAIN.
Comment by Kris -
I have to agree with the comments that the fact of the matter is that Dallas couldn’t close the deal. They choked every one of the last four games, period. It wasn’t just the so called bad calls. If took care of business, no one would be talking about the calls. SEVEN fourth quarter points?!?! Lowest EVER!?! That’s the ref’s fault? Please. I do like Dallas. I was very afraid after the first two games. But then I saw them get cocky and not be able to seal the deal. Game 3’s meltdown killed their confidence, and they NEVER got it back, and that’s not something the refs have anything to do with. I doubt the team will be able to rebound (no pun intended) from that even next year. They’re done for a while.
Comment by Shaqfan -
D Wade,
And didn’t your city plan their parade, I understand it’s Friday, fuckin’ hypocrite. As a Mav fan, I’ll be the first to say this, Dwyane Wade is an excellent player, be proud, but more importantly, to come and gloat AFTER winning, proves even more that you wrote the book on classless, and we’ll see if you win more than one, EVER, consider your trophy a personal gift from Stern himself. And I’d score 40 a night with three zebras on my team, in addition to the four other players around me.
Comment by P1JonnFrisco -
Hey Class:
Must be fun living in a one sport town. How stupid could a city be to build the Alamodome without a football team, in hopes that Red would bring (of all teams) the Vikings to San Antonio? Please, we lost, we’ll be back to face your sorry asses next year. And since we’re talking about Championships, let’s compare SuperBowl victories, shall we, now, go back to bed, with your sister, some more.
Comment by P1JonnFrisco -
Well dallas fans i guess thats what you get for having a whimpy girly man owner and for planing a parade for second place. I’m sorry that the refs took four games away from you. I mean the way they made the rim move so wade could score was so obvious. There’s no way the heat could have actually won with out the refs because dirk and terry are so good. Right……
NO
The mavericks and the dallas fans are nothing but whiny bitches who complain about the refs instead of playing the game. Not to mention the entire dallas team has no penis so technically they’re girls. And when men play women men always win.
Plus Dwyane is the best player ever and he beat the mavs five against one. But that makes sense since any man can take on five women at one time.
Go Heat
Comment by D Wade -
Lakersfan in Dallas, why don’t you either do one of the following:
1) Go to Los Angeles, and be another fruit, nut and flake
2) Cheer for the Mavs, even though they don’t have rapists on their team
3) or simply, just shut the fuck up!!!!
Comment by P1JonnFrisco -
NBA Championship Parade, Thursday June 22nd, Biscayne Blvd. Be there or be square!
Comment by Steve H -
It is interesting that Mr. Cuban had to use the words of a class player Tim Duncan to help redeem his character this evening. The Spurs did not whine when they lost the series they simply said sometimes calls do not go your way. Until Mr. Cuban and the Mavs learn what class is they will always be viewed as a classless whinny organization. Avery should know what class is since he was part of the Spurs organization and hopefully he can instill this in his players regardless of Mr. Cuban. Just shows that money can not buy class. Go Spurs!!!!!
Spurs 3 Championships
Mavs 0 Championships
Comment by Class -
First of All I’m not a Mav Fan, But I do respect what the team has done this year. So Congrats to the Mavs, Who played hard against all odds basically playing five on eight if you count the blind zebra’s who did not call a foul if your name was not Dwayne Wade. I mean how can u play defense if you cant even breath on the guy let along touch him. I’m very disappointed that the best team did not win this year. They need to fire all the zebra’s that had anything to do with that series.
Comment by Stephan Jones -
Ed,
tonight..12 seconds left…wade misses two free throws…haslem rebounds..called for TRAVELIN?..questionable..which gives the ball BACK to the mavs…yes back to the mavs…who get terry a GREAT look (despite him getting tugged from his jersey….yes but this didnt affect the shot or impede the players movement…soo it was a continuation as the officials saw it)….terry still missed..REFS HAD NOTHIN TO DO WITH IT..
get over your sorry selves mavs fan..jeez..
the way to really do it was bury the heat by 14 then by 34 in the second half..so no amounts of what you call “rigged calls” would have affected the game…
period..
you have ZERO balls…
Comment by Lakerfan in Dallas -
Mr. Cuban,
Good luck with the officiating for the NBA. I for one can’t watch anymore. If they can’t call it straight up then why are we watching the games. Good luck with the future of the NBA. I am done with it. From reading some of the other comments it looks like I am not the only one. Feel free to forward my comments to Mr. Stern. But I don’t think it will matter or that he cares.
PAC
Comment by Paul -
I agree with everything you have said. I write this after watching the Mavericks lose game 6 to the Heat. It hurts to see them go down like this, but we just didn’t get enough points from the supporting cast . . . and we just couldn’t stop D. Wade. I couldn’t believe the way he just kept coming and kept hitting everything he put up. I think we had some problems with the aggressive Miami defense also. They were really pressuring the shooters.
Comment by Acy McGehee -
Name any key calls during this series that went Dallas’ way?
Comment by Ed -
I was so proud of you when I heard what you had reportedly said to Stern. I thought, “Finally, someone from the inside actually came out and said what everyone who knows anything about basketball can see!” The NBA is rigged. Superstar calls = rigged! Supercoach calls = rigged! Big market preferential treatment = rigged! Ensuring a long series = rigged! But alas, you apparently didn’t say those words that so desperately need to be said.
It’s not hard to help a team win. The evidence is not in the fouls that get called. It’s in the no-calls. The no-calls more directly impact the game than the calls because no calls allow for more physical play which affects everything else. A team that is allowed to play more physical can and will dominate another every time.
So why would they do it? To create drama, tension, arouse passion, etc. To what end? Money! Long series help raise ratings, ratings make the TV execs happy, happy TV execs sign huge long term contracts. Are we to believe that the billionaire old boys club sits back and leaves it all to chance? You think Stern has EVER left ANYTHING to chance? NO CHANCE! He’s been pulling the puppet strings since he’s been the commissioner and tonight Stern got just what he wanted.
It’s so obvious that even new NBA viewers are picking up on it after only a few games. I’m sorry about the Mavs loss tonight, but they were doomed from the start. With no superstar celebrity personality and not enough washed up players to make a good storyline, you didn’t have a chance. The Mavericks were clearly the better team, but simply couldn’t overcome the pressures of the league.
Yes, Mark, your league is so very rigged and it simply will never have the same appeal! I watched probably 90 games this year including the playoffs. Not all Maverick games, but most of them were. So how am I, someone who commits a large amount of time to a sport that I love (I’ve been playing regularly for more than 30 years), supposed to ever believe that the any of it is actually real. Sure, the players have to play, make shots, shoot free throws, etc. but once they’ve done all that and the league simply denies you a fair shot, then what. The players will come back because they’re making millions. I’m not and I won’t be back!
Since you didn’t say, I will, “Fuck you! Fuck you! You’re league is rigged!”
Signed,
A former diehard NBA fan
Comment by Former diehard -
hmm hey…i agree with Sunball.however..you with raja “tinker” faker bell…wont get very far either..
point is Lakers have the tradition and championship..so neither you and the stupid whinney suns..who BARELY beat a 7th seeded lakers…and the choke all the time all day mavs…
dirk is no mvp..not even close..again he should control his anger and maybe try to make some shots..
Comment by Lakerfan in Dallas -
oh another one..greatest game ever…back in 03..lakers down by 33 points in the third quarter and mavs choke and lose by 2…kobe scores 24 in fourth..
haha…
no denying Lakers OWN mavs.!
Comment by Lakerfan in Dallas -
OK OK….All you Mavs fans that want to make up excuses for your team are rediculous. Lemme guess the Heat won 4 straight games bc of the officials or David Stern? It had nothing to do with your soft team playing like they have no hearts right? I find it to be pathetic that all of you blame officiating rather than your team for playing like a bunch of WNBA players. Dirk is probably one of the biggest choke players I have seen in recent years, and Jason Terry is a big jinks. You really shouldn’t open your mouth when you win 2 games in a 7 game series bc it just makes you look like an idiot when you lose 4 straight to lose the NBA finals. I found it to be ammusing that the big news in the game from the Mavericks bench was the play from Daniels. I mean this guy was the big story????? LOL I thought Dirk would have had more heart and courage to be the big game story but instead the Mavs big story is some hack off the bench. Congrats to the Mavs for losing the only championship you will be a part of for the next 100 years, and for being what I expected you would be all along; A BUNCH OF OVER RATED “PLAYERS” if you can call yourselves that!!!!! Cuban your classless too. Maybe you should go on Letterman this week talking about how your an idiot and how your team lost. Maybe call out Steve Nash again. LOL Your a sorry man, rich but classless!!
Comment by Sun Ball for Life -
I think WADE got ALOT of calls the last two games of this series and DIRK couldn’t hang. What makes WADE good is that he doesn’t have to rely on shooting three-pointers, he rarely does. He just has the “quicks” to get that step on you and “flash” he’s gone…they are trying to compare him to Michael Jordan….come on. Michael won rings without a true center. Kobe never will and either will Wade. I must say, WADE impresses me with his ability to stay so humble.
However, lets talk about that BUM Antoine Walker!! Is there a LAZIER player in this league today??? Jesus christ, I feel bad for him just watching his fat ass walk back and forth down the court. Youre a f*cking bum Antoine, hoist up 50 more three’s you prick.
“White Chocolate” how the f*ck did you win a ring???? You dont play defense and you cant shoot, oh thats right you pass it to Wade and Shaq, where do i sign?
Comment by KAPS -
I will probably never watch the nba finals again! I have never sat and watched such crap in my life, David Stern should be proud. I have never seen so many fouls called when a player “never” got touched. Wade makes himself fall down and someone gets the foul, he throws forearms in the chest of a player and “they” get the foul it was all B.S. SAD TO WATCH
Comment by DeWayne Clough -
Good to read your statements about a “rigged” league but unfortunately I don’t think many will buy it. In a league where refs are not held accountable, where the league can “over rule” on court officials calls, where officials are selected on a “good ole boy” system you will always have these issues.
Fans of any sport want to believe that the best team wins absent of control by officials, owners, or anybody else. Just officiate the game and let the best time end up on top. But with the amount of money and pressure exerted on pro sports I don’t know if it is possible to eliminate the “rigging”.
Regardless, I think your efforts are to be applauded but I think you vehicle of delivery is sometimes in question. I hope you continue to make waves in a league that definitely needs a accountability facelift while not bringing negative retribution on your team, fans and town.
Go Mavs we’ll see the Heat in 7 and raise the trophy on Thursday night!
Jay
Comment by Jay -
Cuban is clearly stating here that he does NOT believe the NBA is rigged….but we still have stupid journalists that want people to read their work making up comments from him. it’s simple…the NBA wants more controversy so they can get more air-time on the nightly news…the miami herald doesnt have any interesting people on their team besides shaq, so they have to turn toward the most exciting team in basketball(the dallas mavericks) to get stories.
Comment by Jen -
You know I hate hearing people tell Mark to stop complaining about the refs because it “won’t make a difference”. Sorry, but the louder Mark is on this issue the more hope the fans of Basketball have in believing that one day the league will correct their mistakes and start re-structuring the officials on the floor so high stakes Finals games aren’t ended in whistle blowing controversies. If you can’t see the horrible inconstancies in the officiating during this season’s playoffs then you’re blind.
Comment by Sean Foushee -
Honestly Mr. Cuban stop crying and pouting like the rich spoiled prick you’re making yourself out to seem like. Notice I did not say rich spoiled prick that you are but instead the one your acting like. I say this because I can see the intensity and drive that is the basis for your comments but for you and these idiot sports anchors to say a hand on the back (nowitzki) and another on the waist (harris) is not a foul on Dwayne Wade and idiot sports anchors saying if it doesn’t affect the shooting hand it should not be called then we should just make the last seconds of an NBA game a no holds bar free for all. Hands applying pressure anywhere affect your balance and thus affect your shot. I do agree with this and everyone should agree with it, you really hate to see one of the best game 5’s in NBA finals history be decided by free throws. However if your own words hold true then “Right is its own defense” and in my humble opinion if your going to call that foul with 11:50 to go in the first quarter you should call it exactly the same with 1.9 seconds left in overtime because that is the RIGHT and fair thing to do. Lastly as I mentioned before it sucks to see such a great game decided by free throws but the fact is instead of pointing fingers right after the game you should have headed to the locker room and asked Dampier why he missed one of his shots with 1:41 to go in overtime and why Howard missed 2 shots with :54 seconds to go in overtime which could have been the 2 points you needed to win the game………….Wade made 2 huuuuge pressure shots to win the game and those were the heat’s only free throws in overtime…….he sunk them. Finally the one thing I do really think was wrong with this game was that the miscommunication between the coach & players that caused the referee to call Dallas’s final timeout was detrimental to the game. The fact is it was a dead ball mistake and could have easily been corrected by the officials once what was going on was understood. Avery was right, although some could argue maybe he was trying to ice wade, the fact is you wouldn’t really want him to miss the second one per say because you would run out of time under the basket. Its only logical if you have been around the game to figure you wanted the timeout after the second shot to get the ball under miami’s basket and not have to run the length of the floor but more importantly have a chance at a game winning shot.. THAT F-ING SUCKS. Plain and simple the refs in my opinion made a mistake which happens, however the mistake was during a dead ball and correcting it wouldn’t have affected the state of the game and so it should have been corrected right then and there. The fact that it was not corrected to me means only that fans were short changed 1.9 seconds of pure thrilling action. If the outcome would have been different then so be it, but it could’ve and should’ve been corrected.
Anyone have something to say? ra1129@yahoo.com drop me a line I’m all ears.
Comment by RAMON MIJARES -
Mark – the sad fact is that the games APPEAR to have a certain flavor to them. Series’ APPEAR to not be over when it would be good for revenue for them not to be over.
The other sad fact is that the absolutely atrocious calling of the games is turning off casual and die hard fan alike. I have my season passes to the local teams. I have ESPN and nba.com as my homepage throughout the year. And ya know what? When this series is over, win lose or draw, the NBA has lost another fan. I will not watch next year. I don’t give a good rat’s bottom about Lebron Wade Melo Bosh or Josh. They can ALL have next if they want – but it’ll be with someone else watching.
It’s just not worth it – you invest time, money, heart into these games… for what? For Stu Jackson to rape your team? For the refs to call whatever they thought they may be able to get away with calling?
Sorry – it’s not worth it. The product your league puts out right now is NOT WORTH my money. It’s sad – because I love the game.
M
Comment by Matt Antonino -
i love how the Heat fans still seem to think that through all of the cheating that has taken place, they still have a chance. The Mavs have been raped slow and raw many times, and this is just another ecample of it. How does Josh Howard ask the refs for a timeout twice, when he was looking at his bench and a ref was no where in his site??? I guess it is against the rules to confer a timeout with your coach now. I guess when you talk to your coach who is yelling “after the seconfd shot”, that means they want the timeout now. i guess we are the only one’s who were confused by that :). I would like to say hang in there Cuban, and the Mavs you got this championship at home in the bag.
Comment by Jenn Ituen -
THE LEAGUE ISNT RIGGED PERIOD…ALSO JUS A SIDE NOTE THIS AS BEEN BY FAR THE MOST EXCITING PLAYOFFS/FINALS IN YEARS HANDS DOWN. MINUS THE OFFICIATING….IM A SIXERS FAN BUT IT HAS BEEN FUN TO WATCH THE MAVS RUN…GO JASON TERRY FINALS MVP!!!
Comment by ANDREW -
The games are official. Nothing will or can change those outcomes. However, putting a little light on some things that happened that were not called while time left and points are tight is not wrong. Obviously, I believe that Mark has time and time again done the right thing and approached the league through channels. Obviously, no one up there gives a damn especially Stu Jackson who overruled a flagrant foul call by one of his refs and decided to upgrade it to a flagrant 2. That’s diplomacy in action and a real trust for your officials to make the right call. Showed a mess of support for your crew on that one, didn’t you, Stu?
That being said, if Mark can’t get their attention the right way, go at them any way you can as long as you can pay for it and are willing to pay for it.
I’m not whining about the foul calls. We get to the penalty first and will as long as Shaq plays. It is one way to defense him. We could just let him shoot, that would certainly take the 40 points from Wade and stop those “in the act of” foul shots we’ve been giving up. Don’t think anyone is asking for even steven calls. That’s unrealistic, but when you continually watch your guys getting hammered and no calls come forth, then you’ve got a legitimate bitch.
Go for whatever you have to Mark. I want to see a better NBA regardless the outcome of tonight.
Comment by Elizabeth -
I am an old-time Maverick fan. That is to say I can name most players on the disasterous teams during the early 90s and I remember distinctly the great despair I felt when Jason Kidd was traded (I’m only 28 so give me a break on the 80s). Fairweather fan needn’t apply to me because I too would love for Cuban to own the Cubs.
I stopped watching basketball for several reasons including the way the league hyped up certain players and those players could get away with virtually anything on the court. But another reason I quit watching the NBA is that the players started to get this arrogance about themselves, perhaps due to wanting the treatment the league’s stars received. This whining transcends onto the court and virtually ruins the game for me, and I assume many other former fans as well.
My brother is a Mavs season ticket holder and we’ve gotten into virtual shouting matches over the conduct of the Mavericks. I contend the Mavericks will never benefit from the NBA’s superstar protection policy not because they don’t have a superstar, but because that superstar and the team’s owner spend more time whining than just playing or watching the game. That’s the perception at least and perception is quite often reality. He insists the Mavs never whine about officiating when it’s not deserved, but it doesn’t matter if it’s deserved or not. And to those that are in love with Michael Jordan, Jordan is the prime example of how certain players receive the superstar treatment within games therefore part of the entire problem with the NBA.
I have started to watch this year’s playoffs and I am pulling for the Mavericks. I have seen the calls to which many people are objecting to and to a large part, I agree with those critiques. It says something when national media outlets are questioning the very same calls that some people are now bashing Cuban over the head with as being Mavs-centered. In any sport, you do not want the end of a game dictated by a foul, period. The officials followed this unwritten rule during the Mavericks posession, but did not when Wade had the ball. The ref that made the call was 30 feet from the play while the ref that was 5 feed away didn’t call a foul. That is poor officiating and though the Mavs fourth quarter breakdown cost the game, that call should be pointed out and critiqued.
All that said, does it really make good sense for the owner of a professional franchise with remaining games ahead to lash out at the officiating? I don’t question Cuban’s business sense like some other commenters have (you don’t become a billionaire by being dumb) and I don’t question what I feel is Cuban’s legitimate opinion on the officiating, but I do question why Cuban would want to put himself in the position of seeing calls in Game 6 and a hopeful Game 7 go the Heat’s way only because the officials may have it in for Cuban and resent his comments that may or may not have been taken out of context.
Something I learned very quickly when working in sports myself is that even if you think the league employees and the officials the league employs are borderline mentally retarded, you don’t vocalize your complaints and instead try to positively facilitate change through different ideas. To bash the league or the league’s employees only works against what you want to happen, and in this case, it works against the team that Cuban owns and without question has a great deal of passion for.
Comment by Chad Evans -
Hey 158, learn how to count. Not a Mavs fan or a Heat fan and you’re on this blog? Thanks for proving my point. Either you’re a liar or a moron. By reading the blog and adding comments you have to care on some level. Don’t even try to deny it. Why don’t you create a blog and see who cares. Absolutely fucking hilarious. Who is stoking who? LOL.
Comment by David Kitchens -
The saying “the players decide the game” doesn’t really fit anymore, instead it’s more like “the players SHOULD decide the game”. At this stage, these teams are too good and too closely matched that even 1 bad call can tip the scales. Players make mistakes, this is what should contribute to the outcome of the game. We track missed shots, missed free throws, turnovers, and fouls. These are statistics that are used to measure a teams success. What we don’t track is bad or missed calls, because the officials shouldn’t play a role in determining the outcome of the game. We watch the game for the players not the officials. Who watches a game to see Jerry Crawford? When an official allows emotion and uses personal liking in making the calls, he is ultimately giving one team an advantage. I hate when we say he earned that call or he was so agressive that he deserved that call. That’s not officiating. Officials are suppose to call what they see. If you see a foul call it, if you don’t actually see it don’t call it, don’t assume it or think he deserved the call. I don’t even care about the timeout call, but when pushing air towards a player is a foul, then something is wrong. You can’t make that call, just can’t. There is precedent that in the final seconds you let em play. I thought this was the case when Wade hits Terry on the elbow at the end of regulation or when he runs over Terry seconds before the ghost foul. I didn’t expect those to be called. Be consistent.
Can anyone clear up the back court rule? I thought it was a back court because he didn’t establish himself in the back court (which is why he looked so guilty jumping up awkwardly). I’ve heard that in this case you don’t have to establish position?
The person commenting on Dirk flopping, ummmm how about James Posey? Falls whenever someone comes near him.
People that say that Udonis Haslem is playing great defense on Dirk are crazy. I didn’t know you could box some one out and bear hug someone so that they can’t move. Unfortunately for Dirk, the refs have decided that their going to let this crap continue. (Dirk needs to take a foul and through a high elbow)
If the Mavs can come through tonight, which I think they will. The Heat will have no chance in a game 7 here in Dallas (remember they haven’t won here all year)
Comment by Richie -
We need more positive role models in professional sports today. Professional athletes and owners have more lasting impressions on youth than parents these days and it is pathetic. These gentlemen (Suppose to be gentlemen anyway.) should remember who all is watching and paying the tickets. All of you who dont agree please don’t tell me to change the channel. There are way to many TVs in America watching “The Finals” to ask that question. How about everyone act like adults and watch a “GAME” being played by men and conduct ourselves like ADULTS and remember it really is just a game played by spoiled millionaires who only care about the money anyway.
Comment by Reggie -
You wrote “If you want to know if or what I said to someone. Just ask.
Going to a source. Isn’t that Journalism 101 ?”
Ok, what did you say when game five ended?
Comment by Brooke Dyer -
YOUR GIVEAWAY WEBSITE IS NOT WORKING. I AM UNABLE TO REGISTER FOR FREE TICKETS. THIS WHOLE THING IS RIGGED BY YOU. IT’S NOT A REAL PROMOTION AT ALL. IT’S JUST MADE UP TO GIVE EVERYONE HOPE, HYPE UP THE GAME, AND CAUSE THE MAVERICKS TO BECOME MORE VALUABLE SO THAT YOU CAN SELL THEM FOR A PREMIUM…YOU KNOW HOW TO REACH ME!
Double Hockey Sticks!!!!!!!!
Comment by Kwame Jackson -
I agree with your comments. As with all professional sports, there is big money and emotion riding on playoff games and championships. It’s painful to see a game decided on a penalty or questionable call. I belevie the league, in every professional sport, owes an explaination of how and why game changing calls were made.
Mistakes will be made…that’s sports. But to ignore the call in the aftermath and shrug explanation seems less than right.
Officials are part of the game, questioning them in after game conferences (as they do players and coaches) makes sense to me.
It’s not whining to expect a close game to be called as best it can be.
Comment by Jim Logan -
Dear Dan,
I can only say that the future will speak for itself. If he sells and moves on then he sells and moves on. But he definitely has brought this team back from the hell of sub-20-win seasons. And the word Mavs is making headlines today because of his drive and his interest be it of good or bad opinion. Not a player in the league at this point that would not jump at the chance to play for Mark Cuban. You don’t like him and that’s your right but money talks, bullshit walks, and the courage (or stupidity as you and others will term it) to speak up for your team and your fans goes a helluva long way around these parts.
As far as the Rangers are concerned (gee, how’d I know you were gonna return with this question) I do not believe my comment was concerning team success in the league. My comment addressed fan support. We have no WS titles, you are correct, yet our team still outdraws your team with it’s two titles. We are not in danger of losing the team due to lack of local interest although there are some around here that would gladly see them depart due to lack of success. Ha! I’m not in that number. They’ll have their day eventually. Unfortunately for Miami, they’ve had theirs and simply don’t care. Why do the Heat deserve to play in a city with that mentality?
Comment by Randall -
Randall, come on. You can do better than that. All pro teams are made up of players and coaches from other cities. It’s the fans that disgrace the city, and Mark Cuban is a fan. Yes he’s an owner as well, but make no mistake he is a fan, and a disgrace to Dallas.
Turdhead? I rest my case.
Comment by Bobby -
Dude, All the complaining in the world about officiating will not make a difference until you speak up for other teams as well. Until then, You will only be viewed as a biased mavs fan who owns his team. The mavs are not the only team to get the short end of the officiating stick. So please, Sit back and enjoy the last game of the season.
Comment by Rick Giron -
Just keep being you brotha!
Comment by Chad Snyder -
will you people please get off mark cuban’s phallice. please, this is ridiculous.
all this talk about bad calls in the last minute against the MAVs, but yet you leave out the foul on antione walker which was just as much of a should-be-no-call as the foul on d.wade. the maverick fans ignore this, or the missed free throws and just continue to bitch.
i understand that as a heat fan if the calls landed the other way id be outraged, but like pat riley’s been saying all playoffs “no excuses” after games 1 and 2 when the calls were going dallas’s way riley spoke at the press conference and said straight up its not an excuse, the heat didnt execute and thats why they lost, no blame on the refs…
just step it up and play
p.s for those of you still clinging to how bad you beat us in game 2, should i bring up game 4 and the even more severe beating you took there??
Comment by Jeff -
Randall, come on. You can do better than that. All pro teams are made up of players and coaches from other cities. It’s the fans that disgrace the city, and Mark Cuban is a fan. Yes he’s as owner as well, but make no mistake he is a fan, and a disgrace to Dallas.
Turdhead? I rest my case.
Comment by Bobby -
Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you are the owner of the Dallas Mavericks.
It’s a conspiracy Mark. Perhaps you should have your players wear tin foil helmets so the David Stern can’t electronically beam those “choke” messages into their heads.
Trying having Dirk hit a shot, or play good enough defense to deny in the first part. Or just keep on making excuses…
Good luck either way.
Comment by Tom in Nashville -
I think as ESPN’s Daily Quickie suggests, You could wear a Ref’s Jersey in protest for tonights game. Think there would be a fine?
Comment by Bobby -
I find it curious that Mr. Cuban never actually says he didn’t say the words that the Herald said he did. He denies screaming at the commish, but not that he said the words. Maybe I’m being nitpicky, or maybe this is a cover-my-ass non-denial denial.
Comment by NBAfan -
Mark
Smartmonies says its fixed.
http://www.smartmoniesclub.com
Comment by Clubmember -
5 superbowl champs made up of players from…..Dallas? Texas? Coached by a man from South Florida in two of those, a man from Oklahoma in one and an ex OU head coach nonetheless, owned by an oil man from Arkansas?? Hello turdhead!! This city’s proudful sporting moments are rife with plenty of things to hate those respective teams for. Leave your good old days bullshit at home!
Go Cuban!
Go Mavs!
Comment by Randall -
How Funny.
If the Mavs win tonight, is it becuase they complained enough to get a fair game called, the NBA wants a game 7, or the Mavs really earned it?
Mark wants a fair game called every time for every team, but the NBA is not interested in it.
I am only supporting Mark at this time, NOT the NBA. The NBA is still a terrible product becuase of their backdoor/good old boy deals.
If the super stars of the NBA are really superstars, then why do they always get special treatment.
Lost (many years ago) NBA fan, Mark Cuban fan.
Comment by Jim -
Mr Cuban, I admire you as an owner and a fan for your ball club. If anyone is going to stand by their team, you are the man. And so I guess I can forgive today’s blog where you paint the facts as I would expect the owner of the Maverick’s to paint them. You say Dirk’s arm is nowhere NEAR Wade’s back and that’s true…for his left arm. But the beloved Miami Herald (and that IS a foul for their not correcting erroneous reporting) has all the pictures of Wade’s final drive to the basket, including two or three that show Dirk’s right hand firmly in Dwyane’s back. Nuff said. I salute you as owner and business man, and wish you the best of luck tonight. Holla!
Comment by David -
Randall,
Just watch the how the fans on the Mavs Bandwagon
leave in droves after the season crashes in. Betcha Mark puts the team up for a fire sale as well and uses “excuses” as to why he must sell…those damn officials…those league rules…the NBA commish will just never allow us to win…
Loxahatchee FLORIDA Heat Fan
Travel-Ascending.com
http://www.travel-ascending.com/
ps: How many World Series Rings those Rangers have?
Comment by Dan -
Hey Mark:
Instead of a hug, why not give the Commish a replay of the Jason Terry/Michael Finley racking? That would be very memorable . . . .
Comment by TravOz -
Dear Mr. Cuban:
While I do not countenance profanity, coarse language, or taking the Lord’s name in vain because of my Christian beliefs, I, as a non-Dallas Maverick’s fan but as a former minor league baseball general manager andcoleege newspaper sports editor and broadcaster, completely support you contetions about the officiating in the NBA. When I was in junior high school, my principal, who was I believe the first Afircan-American NBA referee (part-time) talked me out of being an NBA referee. At that time, crews were two man, and the two leading officials were Richie Powers and Earl “Yogi” Strom. My principal told me that there were supporters of both men, and when the two officials at a given game were supporters of different senior officals, they tried to show each other up on the court. I learned to refereee, which I have been doing on an amateur basis for almost forty years, watching NBA games when the likes of Manny Sokol and Darrel Garretson were officiating and Mendy Rudolph, a retired official, was doing color commentary for NBA games on CBS.
As an adjunct college professor of business with background in teaching stattistics, I can say with a degree of statistical certainty based on point differentials for all teams in the league that officials do decide a significant number of games by their calls and non-calls. Anyone with a modicum of mathematical ability can see that imperically. I just hope that the tone and demeanor of your comments, which I do not find personally offensive, do not cause the Mavericks to lose the series. I have no doubt, hased on my experience as a business manager both in and out of professional sports and former business owner, that the league would like to see your team lose and you go away, but a conspiracy to eliminate your team would be easily ferreted out (even by the Miami media!). Please keep doing what you do so that someone will improve the quality, if not the integrity, of the officiating and the league. A PG ratin gon the language, however, would be personally appreciated.
Comment by Oliver -
Mark, the NBA is becoming UNWATCHABLE due to the poor officiating. Thanks for having the *&^%# to openly challenge them. The Emperor Stern needs to address this issue once and for all. I’ll take one or two good officials per game over three bad ones.
Comment by Ed Yassa -
145. “It takes balls to be a winner”.
What have the Mavericks won? Nothing! You think Mark Cuban is proving his manhood by acting like a child on a national stage. That’s even more hillarious than Cuban crying in print for the whole world to see. Blogs are easy to create. Any child with an email address can create one, but it’s more fun on here, stoking all you cry babies. I’m not a Heat fan, I just hate the Mavericks and everything they stand for. They are a disgrace to Texas, and the city of 5 super bowl champs.
Comment by Bobby -
Dan, Dan, the blind Heat fan! Ha!
Miami loses here or haven’t you paid any attention, you blind bastard. Besides this the inept city of Miami has shown no real concern about supporting a winner unless they are winning. Otherwise they don’t seem to give a shit. Example? Your freakin baseball MLB team the Marlin. How is it that they can win two World Series titles but still average such a pathetic turnout to their games? Why are they looking to move completely out of the state? Because unless they’re winning, the city has better things to do. Way to go, dumbass!
Comment by Randall -
Wow 250K! I thought to myself, man, what could I do with 250 thousand dollars and a rush of things came to mind from houses to cars to boats…and I was so disappointed you lost that money. Then I remembered you wipe your ass with 250 thousand dollar bills. If the league wants to punish you why don’t they really handicap the mavs and suspend Stackhouse for no reason…or better yet, just suspend Dirk for kicking the ball in the stands.
Comment by Adam Lapidus -
I don’t think there is an organized attempt to rig nba games, but the perception is there and that becomes reality. The nba does nothing to dispell this.
Thanks
Comment by phil spinks -
I don’t care what you say Mark!! I understand you are bound by the NBA and can’t say what you really want to say. The NBA is all about image. Cities like Miami, Chicago, and LA are an attraction for celebs. When celebs are in the seats that makes the NBA look good. Since LeBron, Melo, and D.Wade were drafted they knew these guys would be the future of the league. It behooves the league to make these guys champs ASAP. Anytime you have “rookie”, “veteran”, and “make up” calls should tell you something. No other pro league has that terminology.
No other pro league has these accusations!!! The ref lied about J Howard “asking” him twice for a timeout when the ESPN replay of the situation clearly showed Howard looking at the bench conferring with the coaches.
NBA is full of garbage and I’m outraged that more people haven’t voiced their opinions
Comment by Leonard -
Mark, you are refreshing and a bright trend in professional sports. Your antics might be over the top, but it shows your passion and commitment to YOUR team. The NBA is guilty of not truly moving in the direction its fanbase would like to see in regards to its officials.
Currently beyond reproach, these MEN (and woman) human and will make mistakes. Defending the indefensible is foolish and not in the spirit of the game. Say you blew it and apologize, because whats done is done. Clearly these men have their own “pet” peeves and will call the game accordingly. There is a common set of rules that the league plays under. Whether you are a rookie or a perennial all-star, enforcement of those roles should be clear and consistent. This would eliminate the ranting that occurs on both sides. Phil Jackson and Pat Riley are notorious for “working” the refs.
Good luck tonite and Friday!!
Comment by John Redmond -
Mark, you are the best thing that ever happened to the Mav’s. I have followed the team since their inception. Keep your head up as a owner/fan. Thats more then can be said for some of th other past owner’s of our sports teams in the metroplex…GO MAV’S…WE WIN IN SEVEN
Comment by G.Myers -
Please stop and get some guys (besides Terry and Stack) on the Mavs team that have heart, and have played on concrete.
Enough is enough, you are causing too much distractions for the Mavs.
And that’s why D Wade gone punce on that ass, and dunk it all over dirk’s face.
Comment by SouthOakCliff -
I’m sorry, Mark, but it’s rigged for advertising profits.
As a Laker fan I can say with integrity that the refs slanted their calls in the Lakers’ favor against the Kings in game 4 of the 2002 WCF. (The Kings got some calls in games 2&3, but Laker fans aren’t allowed to say that.)
The rigged calls take place during momentum build ups. When the team who is leading the series is surging toward a double digit lead, they get called for ticky-tack calls, whereas the team trailing in the series gets away with contact that should be whistled.
Once the team trailing in the series has taken command of the critical game in question, then the team that was previously ahead in the series, gets more calls in their favor. This allows for a stat sheet where the number of foul calls seem to be on par for both teams.
If no one agrees, work this through on your own. See which team is ahead in a playoff series, and watch the sequences where they are about to take charge of a critical game. You don’t need a tin-foil hat to do this either. It’s merely a function of a common human trait called greed. It’s nothing too foreign for your local Joe Bag-o-donuts to grasp.
Comment by Greg L. -
Boxers or Briefs? I must know! Does Dirk wear boxers or briefs? HaHa!
Let’s go MAVERICKS!!! Beat the Heat and the “gray shirts” and bring home the trophy!
GO MAVERICKS!!!
Comment by Mavstrogirl -
I must admit I have always hated the Mavericks. However, when they did so well this season I started noticing them a little more. then after all this whining I have no respect for the Mavs or Mark Cuban at all. The Spurs got totally jipped! did they whine about it? no. The Suns got jipped a few times did they whine? no. so shut up!!! I agree with post #8 if a call goes your way and it was an obvious bad call are you going to still complain? certainly not. mistakes happen all the time. especially in sports. it’s all about how you handle that. I hope the Mavericks lose the series because you don’t deserve a title after all this whining. babys don’t deserve titles.
Comment by Matt Montgomery -
the owner, the coach, the players and the fans are always saying that the outcome of the game is due to ref’s decisions. Amazing!!!
Dont you guys think that you are going to far with this shit. Just simply accept that the better team will win. Whether the Mavs or Heat. As a heat fan I want to win, but you guys have a great chance to get it. So, face the game like a man and not a bunch of little girls complaining all the time.
Comment by Salesman -
mav fans are pathetic. you dont even deserve to be there. how easy you forget all the questionable calls you got to beat the real best team SPURS. so keep crying you punks
Comment by spurs173 -
mav fans are pathetic. you dont even deserve to be there. how easy you forget all the questionable calls you got to beat the real best team SPURS. so keep crying you punks
Comment by spurs173 -
i’m really glad to hear you are convinced the league is NOT rigged. you might want to ask drudge to take off the huge feature of you on his drudgereport home page.
Comment by the pool man -
I like you Mark, always have, did some internet stuff myself. But, you know as well as I do that emotions can get the best of all of us. I’ve done it, you’ve done it, most likely most, if not all of us have done it.
I know you probably honestly believe Stack didn’t deserve a suspension. As a former player, I would have thought a suspension was coming, had I made that foul, in that way. But, I can still understand the frustration.
After looking very closely at the “Wade” call, I see a marginal circumstance, but definitely enough to call the foul, which unfortunately for Mav fans, was made. But please bare with me. If it had been Dirk that had gone to the hole like that, and there wasn’t a call, I can’t imagine you would disagree with the call and perhaps Miami fans would be outraged.
I don’t think instant replay would have changed very many of the “contended” calls, if any. But perhaps some others that seemed not to be caught during the game for both sides would be available to be seen. The film does tell the tell, I and I know you have the films.
I think, as I have contended in other post, that the consistancy of the calls really seems to be a problem. The players are having a hard time adjusting to the “adjusting” calls.
Dallas has a great team, and Miami has a great team. Both of these teams have dethrowned the former champions of the respective Conferences and one World Champion. These teams both deserve to be here. Johnson himself has said, “give credit to Miami”. The players are obviously not to blame, and have played one of the most memorable series in recent history. And regardless of how it turns out, it will be remembered as “amazing”, with “amazing” plays at every turn. Let’s not take that away from the players themselves.
I’ve seen absolutely terrible calls for both teams throughout this entire series. Not for the ones you might think, all these so called “controversial” calls really don’t concern me, because I agree with most of them. But what I don’t agree with is all the calls that seem to have some wide ranging interpretation during the game with very little sense of consistancy. Charging calls; (Miami has received some “kind” ones). Hand Checking; (Mavs have gotten away with far too many). Hip Checking; (Miami seems to be able to get away with it at will) Wrist Slapping; (Never seen so many not called on the Mavs). I mean it really is bizarre.
There truly is no consistancy, and I believe it’s this is what most Miami, and most Dallas fans are sensing. In reality it’s the consistancy of the calls between both sides that seem to be lacking close observation.
With that said, “I love you MAN”!!! Don’t let this get the better of you, and lets make sure we support those players and in one voice call for a “consistantly” called game.
Best of Luck Mark.
Comment by RC Cole -
Excellent points Mark. The problem it seems to me however, is that in basketball, more than any other sport, the actual contests are defined by the manner in which they are officiated. Every call is discretionary. While one sees some of this in baseball with regard to the strike zone, most nearly everything else is obvious and clear, i.e. was the ball fair or foul, did the ball touch the ground or not, etc.
In basketball violations appear to be more or less subjective opinion, i.e. how much contact should be allowed, when is traveling really traveling, etc. The rules of the game appear to be nothing more than guides at best and suggestions at worst to those who officiate.
For each game, the actual rules change dependent upon who officiates. And this leads to accusations of rigging, and frankly present a greater opportunity for rigging outcomes.
Rules shouldn’t be a discretionary matter and as long as they are, the NBA will suffer these allegations. It would seem that it is in the NBA’s best interest to minimize the discretionary nature of officiating and enhance its credibility.
Comment by ned webster -
hey, it is just a game, a basketball game. take it easy…enjoy it win or lost. U can’t right everythg. That is life.
Comment by cj -
Mark,
Keep up the good work and let’s win the next 2. There was horrific officiating in game 5, but I feel it will be addressed and a better game will be called in Game 6. I know the little general is going to have the troops ready to play and I know you’ll be down there supporting the team. Good luck tonight and try to do something special with the fans on the front row again (see Jason Terry suspension), that was a classic.
Comment by Beau Taylor -
LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!LETS GO HEAT!!!!!
Comment by HeatFan -
Say something, do something, and be fined. That’s the NBA’s epitome of theory X and theory Y. Rigged or not, executives of NBA should be sent to run and rule troubled countries like Iraq coz that’s the only style they know and it’s a perfect match.
Comment by Edgar -
David,
I agree with 100%. The Heat didn’t win 3 games because of officiating favoritism. They won because of the Mavs making mistakes at crucial times.
Now if the Mavs want to win a title they need only do one thing.
stop Wade.
Comment by Gary -
Ill admit, that my kneejerk reaction is to scream “rigged” but no.. that wouldnt make any sense if you take time to think about it. The problem is as he sees it exactly… its just so inconsistant. In the last game, we had terry getting knocked down, the OVER-AND-BACK. (why is everyone quoting the overtime rule that says you can recieve the ball anywhere, thats not the point, unless i am wrong you cannot get the ball in the frontcourt, and go BACKto the backcourt no matter what the period) and the phantom swipe…. all three of those get overlooked, but the timeout… THAT they see. Any ONE of those get called and Mavs win. But the one they see benefits the Heat. I dont want to sound like a whiner, but Charles Barkley, Bill Walton and the list goes on and on have tabbed the Mavericks soft in the past. I have heard OVER and OVER and OVER the familiar “This is PLAYOFF basketball… you get hit, so what…welcome to the playoffs” and “the refs arent gonna blow that whistle to decide the game… so dont whine about that shot”
till this year. Then we have to choke down Shaq elbowing dirk in the face and nearly breaking stacks nose and endure the same ” Its PLAYOFF basketball” comments. But put a hard foul to send someone shooting under 50 percent to the freethrow line and thats “over the line”
Bottom line, your gonna suspend stack for a hard foul, then shaqs elbows better be down at his sides and not swinging. If Nowitzki fouled Wade? Wade Fouled Terry. Call it BOTH ways. Then we can just agree that the REFS just suck in general, and not that they are in the Heats pocket or a tool of Sterns personal agenda.
Comment by matthew -
Like Kurt said you have to fight. You have to go to the hole and get a foul on Shaq. It may hurt, but you don’t want to lose and be saying I should have drove to the goal and just took it.
Comment by Clifford J -
The players on the court could solve a whole lot if they hit their shots tonight. A win will be yet another sleepless night. Bring it on though…
Good luck MAVS.
Comment by Mitchell Buueter -
The way I see it, if a Ref is making a game one-sided, than it is fixed. They aren’t going to fine me so I will give them a piece of my mind. This whole series, the game has been one sided. The refs give Miami the calls, and how is that not rigged? Sure the NBA don’t like Mark Cuban for voicing his opinion, but the NBA should be fair for both teams. It’s all about money. Money talks. If you were the NBA and could make millions more if a series was extended, would you not make it one-sided for the weaker team for a game or two?
Sure, the NBA may not be rigged every game, but in some games it has been and it’s been unfair. Once a game is unfair by the officiating to one team it is fixed, Point said! Out of all the 82 NBA games this season, you are going to tell me that the Refs did not call a game to swing one way or the other? I don’t blame the refs for calling a bad game here and there, but when it’s constantly against one team all the time, something is up.
It is also unfair that Mark Cuban has to watch what he says on these blogs or else he will get fined by the NBA. Is this not America, freedom of Speech? They are clearly targeting him. To me that is unfair and the NBA should just concentrate on getting some refs that will call a decent game and not one sided.
Comment by J.D. -
Thanks again mark, for keeping us all in the loop. I commend you for your restraint in what must have been a very very difficult circumstance. The backcourt violation by Wade was ridculous. We learn that rule in pee wee basketball. That being said, as a Mav fan I can’t help but be disappointed in the free throw shooting in crunch time. If Mav’s hit their free throws down the stretch, Mavs win. If Dirk learns to beat double teams, he makes the final step into greatness.
Those are the issues the Mavs can control. And those are the issues that will eventually make the Mavs champions. I still believe the mavs can win this year as I am sure we will play better at home, and the heat won’t be as good on the road. I KNOW that a championship is coming for the MAVS sooner or later. You are doing all the right the things to make it so.
Thanks again for being the best owner in the NBA.
Comment by Jeff -
Sir,
Watching the NBA Finals with an objective eye one cannot help but notice the disparity of officiating between one homecourt and another. Statistics clearly show that the home team is favored by the officials when it comes to number and timing of fouls called.
Watching the games, its evident that the ref’s are also heavy handed in favor of the home team with ‘benefit of the doubt’ calls and non-calls.
Because this intrusion into the game by the officials has a ying-yang quality, it is winked at by the NBA. Therein lies the problem – the consistency of officiating should not be dependant upon geography.
This Finals series has been competitive despite the officiating – not because of it. Mr. Cuban is obviously frustrated – even as he now stands to benefit from the skewed officiating paradigm he so vehemently criticizes. His club would have been better served had he withheld his vitriol until the series had been completed.
Here’s hoping we get two more games between these fine basketball clubs and that the officials stay on the sidelines, allowing the players to decide the outcome.
Comment by Ed Sherman -
I think it’s funny that you get under the Miami Heralds skin so much. I wonder why you rub them the wrong way so much? They should just sit back and enjoy you, like I do. You say what everyone else doesn’t have the balls to say. Carry on!! Go Mavs!!!
Comment by PSand -
I agree that the NBA is not rigged. However, it is about as bad as the NFL when it comes to protecting its officials. Nothing against the Mavs, but I am a HUGE Shaq fan and I want to see him get a ring without Kobe, so D. Wade possibly going backcourt (I honestly believe he did) matters not to me. Calls are blown all of the time. Perhaps next year the NBA won’t have the stupid logo on the floor. I know you will keep speaking out and you absolutely should. I just tend to yawn when folks cry too much about the officiating. Believe me, there will be some Dallas calls tonight and if there is a game 7, on Thursday. It just happens. Magic Johnson is my all-time favorite player and he ALWAYS carried his dribble it seems. Anyone with eyes knows that Michael Jordan pushed Bryon Russel before he hit the shot that beat the Utah Jazz that year, not to mention all of the calls he got against the Knicks back in the day. You have a great team and a you hired the right man to run it in Avery Johnson. So, enjoy the ride dude. Before the end of this decade the Mavs will win a title. Why? Because you have created an environment that fosters winning. So, your guys are going to win. You may not get the ring this year, but once you and staff go over the season and add that missing piece-and-a-half, all will be well. Just be glad you don’t own the dang Knicks.
Comment by Secret Journey -
I would never say the players have the game rigged. I have ever faith that they go out there game after game and play their hearts out. Whatever team. the one with the biggest loosing streak or an undefeated team. They get paid to do what they love and I don’t see them comprimising that. I do feel that there are bad calls made and that the officials don’t care. What happens to them? If I make a mistake at work and it is discovered later, I still am accountable for that error. Are they? I am asking b/c I don’t know. But I feel that would only be right. You do a better job when you are accoutable.
On the other hand…
I believe in my team. I know we have it in us and I know at home with the
support of the fans Dallas can bring it back and take that trophy. And even if
we don’t, I am proud of what they have done this season and I know we will
continue to be a strong team and dominate the NBA. You are a great team with
great players, great coaching, great fans, a great owner, and a great city and
state behind you!
Bring it all home!
GO MAVS!!!!!
Comment by Brooke -
It’s all irrelevant at this point. What’s done is done. All we need to focus on is Game 6 – win this game then we worry about Game 7. Bottom line is Dallas is a better team and has proven that they can beat the Heat and not by only 1 or 2 points. Let’s not forget the 27 point lead we had in Game 2. Miami can’t win in the AAC – we won’t let it happen. GO MAVS!!
Comment by Luda -
I believe that the NBA is not rigged, but you can’t honestly say the powers that be would not rather have an NBA finals of Lakers vs. Knicks as compared to T-Wolves vs. Magic. Not that these desires affect the way the game is called or played, but I do believe that is does account for a very small percentage of the league decision making (i.e. fines, suspensions, foul calls, technical fouls, etc)
Just my $0.02
Let’s get the AAC rocking tonight, we need to play with reckless abandon, like a bunch of crazed dogs.
Comment by David Bader -
Mark, you are not only the best owner in the league but in Pro sports as well. I have watched each game and even my 15yr old son can’t believe the one sided calls that are being made. You sir are a very welcomed fresh pleasure to see in this stuffed collar league and I hope only that Dallas can come out with 7 games and a titel- You and they deserve it. Minneapolis Minnesota
Comment by Brian -
The only rigged sport is boxing. The NBA is surely not rigged, but the way these MAVS keep bitching, you would think they dont agree. Are the heat and their fans complaining that Haslem and Walker both caught 2 fouls in the opening minutes of Game 5. NO, they made substitutions and played on. Give me a break, Wade was fouled on his drive and Howard clearly called for a Timeout–HE WAS WALKING TOWARDS THE BENCH AS HE MADE THE “T” SIGN.. why else would he be walking towards the bench after the first free throw? I have watched thousands of NBA games and usually when a player has 2 free throws coming, the other players lined up dont head to the bench after the first…unless they are calling a timeout. Obviously i am a Heat fan, but also a fan of the game itself. The Mavs had ample opportunities to win game 5 and did not execute. Heat will win tonight, there will be no game 7-BLOG THAT!
Comment by Stew Gots -
Mark we need you in Chicago to buy the Cubs! Save us!!! ; )
Comment by cubbiechris -
Fight like a man! Mavs. if you are angry about the possible “thing” behind the Heat, while you can do nothing about this “thing”, just punish the Heat. I like Mavs the most this year is because Avery has taught all the players to be a MAN. Please do not fade away from Heat, Fight like a man, Dunk over their heads even you loss tonight.
Comment by kurt -
Mark,
I just want to know 2 things.
1. When a bad call goes in favor of the Mavs, do you send in the tape to tell the league they missed the call ?
2. Do you think watching a play in slow motion on replay is what the ref saw in real-time ?
Comment by V -
not to stir the pot or anything but it has always been to my knowledge that you are allowed to inbound the ball into the back court. on the foul controvery. I ask you this? How often does wade miss a layup that badly? And also think of this. upon hearing the whistle the first thing you do is throw up the ball no matter what. upon hearing the whistle wade shot the ball to try and get the 3 point play. the time out controversy. what are the chances u score with 2 seconds left. u could not do it at the end of the game and u think u can do it in OT. 9/10 you will MISS unless its wade or robert horry. they juss dont miss those shots. Great sereis both teams should be proud. Go Heat.
Comment by Alex -
I just feel like throwing up…..the series since it has gotten to Miami has been more frustrating than enjoyable. I am a MMFL and will be watching tonight and yelling at the TV….GO MAVS
Comment by Derek -
Mark I think you can sue this reporter for the things he says about you towards the end of this article.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/14857003.htm
Comment by wtf -
One reason these emails keep on coming to your mail box is due to your approach to the business. I am surprised to see how much complaint comes out of the Mavs organization. The coach always leads people to believe that something happened on the officilas side to generate the outcome of the game. The Mavs are just a reflection of the owner. It becomes somewhat implicit that the refs and the NBA as a whole are always trying to cheat the Mavs out of the title. Even though we know it is not true. Games cannot be controled, but the owner, the coach and players dont imply that in the press conferences. I have never seen an organization that complaint so much about the outcome of the games. Owner, coach and players are always bitter with the outcome. This is nothing but a disrespect for the other team. So, don’t complaint that people are sending emails saying that the game is durty. This is the result of the Mavs approach to the game.
Comment by Marcos Santos -
F em. Avery’s respone was classic: Its biased and just words coming from me—what did you think? and adding your point, address the fouls. talk about the foul itself and not your canned comments. Interesting all your detractors are now talking about what you said and not ‘did the fouls happen’….in the end, its only a game if the rules are followed…this crap about missed fouls are part of the game is BS. The game has rules, enforce those rules. Good luck tonight. Now as far as trading on info? I’m hearing the NFL is a buyer’s market. Jerry is ready to fold! Save us football fans the way you did Mavs fans!!!!My invite to take you to a Dallas Cowboys game stands!
Comment by Charles Little -
It looks rigged b/c the officiating is so terrible. You also see trends. Away team gets the calls in the first half. Home team gets the calls in the second half. The benefit of the doubt always goes to the superstar down the stretch especially if they are at home. Now maybe that’s not “rigged/fixed/whatever” but it is that way and has been that way for a LONG time. I’m sick of it. I’ve played basketball all my life. I’ve been a fan of the NBA for 25 years. I’m sick of it to the point I’m seriously considering not watching anymore. IT HAS GOTTEN THAT BAD. Hope they do something soon but have little faith they will.
I especailly lost faith in things ever changing when Jordan’s hip push on Russel against the Jazz was voted the most memorable playoff moment ever. The league lacks integrity and the balls to fix things. Allowing this to go on is not putting a better product on the floor for the fans to watch.
Comment by Aaron -
F em. Avery’s respone was classic: Its biased and just words coming from me—what did you think? and adding your point, address the fouls. talk about the foul itself and not your canned comments. Interesting all your detractors are now talking about what you said and not ‘did the fouls happen’….in the end, its only a game if the rules are followed…this crap about missed fouls are part of the game is BS. The game has rules, enforce those rules. Good luck tonight. Now as far as trading on info? I’m hearing the NFL is a buyer’s market. Jerry is ready to fold! Save us football fans the way you did Mavs fans!!!!My invite to take you to a Dallas Cowboys game stands!
Comment by Charles Little -
Like you said, the NBA can’t really rig the games, because they can’t control the players. The referees can definitely affect the game at the end, but if either team is ahead by a sufficient margin, there’s nothing the referees, league, or commissioner could do abou out.
I think most fans would enjoy a ‘7-games’ conspiracy, since it will be a couple months before we get to watch NBA basketball again after the Finals.
Comment by AJ -
No I don’t believe it is rigged but at the same time I believe and we all have witness that they can dictate the outcome. If Stu and Dave would reinforce to their refs that the game needs to be called the same and no one player gets a certain call because that player has his own shoe endorsement. The games would have a completely different outcome at times. You hear it from analysts, commentators, former and current players all the time; this player is going to get the call every time or he’s a rookie and you’re not going to get that call. Is it rigged, maybe not. But if you give a player or a team special treatment and favorable calls then what do you call a game that a player and team wins because of it.
Comment by Clifford J -
I am very unhappy about you being fined. Your a good man to many people! You are good to your family and good to Dallas. I just had my first son last thursday and now I know how you feel about you daughter. You will win and prevail even though you may have bad or evil against you and your team! Good always wins!
Comment by Andrew Hillman -
Everyone makes mistakes. The refs for calling the touch foul on Nowitzki instead of Harris. Dirk for booting the ball and wrestling the innocent bike on the way to the locker room. Stackhouse for jumping into Shaq. Terry for punching people in the groin. Etc etc. Refs make bad calls at times. Life goes on. Turn it around in game 6. Otherwise, let off your steam here… http://b-tch.com/
Comment by digi -
No I don’t believe it is rigged but at the same time I believe and we all have witness that they can dictate the outcome. If Stu and Dave would reinforce to their refs that the game needs to be called the same and no one player gets a certain call because that player has his own shoe endorsement. The games would have a completely different outcome at times. You hear it from analysts, commentators, former and current players all the time; this player is going to get the call every time or he’s a rookie and you’re not going to get that call. Is it rigged, maybe not. But if you give a player or a team special treatment and favorable calls then what do you call a game that a player and team wins because of it.
Comment by Clifford J -
Mark we need you in Chicago to buy the Cubs! Save us!!! ; )
Comment by cubbiechris -
You should have said it. It’s tough to beat the Heat when it’s 8 on 5. Keep being the best owner in the league Mark.
Comment by Alan -
The only conspiracy theory to which I might subscribe is the “NBA desires 7 games” theory, but that’s mere personal fantasy. The one thing Mr. Cuban wrote in this blog that I find most intrigueing is the thought of allowing the media to talk to the refs after the game. They play just as important a part in the outcome of the game as the players, who are *required* to speak with the media. (Remember Shaq’s fine a few days ago? $10k.) Why not allow the officials to defend themselves and undergo more scrutiny? They are only really accountable to the league for their actions, yet they play an extraordinary role in the outcomes of games. The players are accountable to the league, their teammates, the media, and the public. If the league ever gets serious about improving the quality of refereeing in games (Note to the NBA: No Paraguayan refs after Saturday’s Red-Card Frenzy in the USA v. ITA game) one of the easiest ways is to allow the refs to feel scrutiny and pressure. That’s a big step up in improving your performance, when there’s accountability and criticism. I’d liken it to a market economy; when there’s competition or criticism, everyone must step up and perform better. When there’s no scrutiny or competition, you can become stagnant and will definatly not improve.
Comment by Cameron Siggs -
Here is one thing I don’t understand Mark, and maybe you can clear it up. You and your coach and your players constantly complain about the calls and the suspensions and the FTs to Wade and everything else, but you guys never say peep when calls go your way.
You go on Letterman and brag about how you changed the league, but you hate it when the perimeter defense you’ve helped to elimanate gets used on the Mavs and Wade gets to the line.
You say you helped get thuggish fouls out of the game, then you raise a holy racket when your players punch a guy in the balls or elbow a player in the head.
One second you say you’ve helped to change how the refs call these games on national TV, and the next second you say you’ve stopped sending tapes to the league office because it all gets ignored anyway. Which is it?
Through it all, you claim you’re just doing it because you want the game to be as entertaining as possible and for the refs to do the best job possible.
Does this mean that if everything was right with the world the Mavs would win every game? Can’t just one time your team just simply lose a game?
Comment by Aaron Stampler -
If you really believe that the game is not fixed, then just shut up about the bad officiating! If the refs screwed up, they screwed up. Just tip your cap to Dwyane Wade and move on. Complaining about it doesn’t help the situation, and a logical person such as yourself should realize that.
Second, if you or your team complains about the refs when calls go against you, you have to do the same thing when calls are going your way. See the Spurs series for an example.
Comment by Tony -
NEVER SAY DIE!
KEEP THE FAITH!
UNDERDOGS CAN WIN!
STAY ALIVE!
COME FROM BEHIND!
NEVER LOSE HOPE!
NEVER GIVE UP!
MAKE A COMEBACK!
BE A FAN!
GO CRAZY!
Go MAVS!
Comment by Craig -
Mark – just screw the NBA stuff and buy the Cubs already 🙂
Comment by Jeffrey Rake -
“Hard times for the Basketball my friend…”
(hey moderator where is my song?)
Comment by Gill -
This whole thing is ridiculous! The players decide the game. Hindsight is 20/20 you can go back and look at so many mistakes the mavericks made. The missed free throws, the blown lead. I am a mavericks fan and am so tired of hearing about back court calls and was it a foul was it not a foul. The mavs shouldnt have been in that situation in the first place if they handled their business. Lets not worry about officiating and go out and win these next two games….Just play! make free throws! Control Dwayne wade! Go to the basket more quit shooting all those jumpers!
Comment by David -
Ya know… I really appreciate that you take the time to explain stuff to us average bears. I don’t know hardly much about B-Ball. I love to watch the game (esp the Mavs), so I especially appreciate the view of someone like you who’s on the inside looking in. So, thanks for taking the time to keep us in the loop as best you can. Ya know…I read some of the hateful stuff some people post, and can’t imagine what it’s like to be “hated” by people that don’t even know you. I wish you knew your secret for dealing with that.
I can’t even begin to imagine all the irons in the fire you may have and yet, here you are, blogging for us on the outside watching in. Thank you. I really admire you.
alma
(writing from Corpus Christi TX – a displaced Dallasite)
Comment by Alma Squillante -
I agree with everything you say here. You only vocalize what we fans are seeing and feeling. You not only stand up for your team, but for the people cheering them on.
Don’t suppose there is anyway they will ever allow “instant replay” in a game, say two questionable objections per team per game. I mean, why not?
And I’m sure someday, pigs will fly.
Keep up the good work.
Comment by Elizabeth -
Mark,
Watching how the series has gone so far, all I can say is: “Take care of business at home”. I know it sounds simple, but lets step back and realize that Mavs are in a position all teams in the NBA love to be: “Win at home to get a ring!”. Besides, Mavs are the best team in the league this year, period!
Comment by Sagar -
“Character is what God and the angels know of us. Reputation is what men and women think of us.” –Walt Whitman
Mr. Cuban, you have been more than blessed by the Man in heaven. Yet you run around acting like some character from an Adam Sandler movie. Simply put: grow up and be a man instead of a spoiled rich boy.
Comment by Kevin -
N-B-A sucks and will suck until they learn to present a better game.
It isn’t just one bad call, it is a continous flow of bad calls.
I am always amazed how a “superstar name” can get away with what they get away with.
This is more than the Refs, this is the main office as well.
I have heard “Let them play” all to many times as an excuse. If this is true, then “Let them ALL play”, not just the Super Star Name.
We want to see a record broken, so let’s let this superstar do what he wants.
Oh, it is rigged. Those super stars are paid a lot of money, so don’t let them get hurt.
That superstar would never foul anybody, let them play.
How funny.
Comment by Jim -
Mark,
For all of the crap that you’ve taken from the post-game interview, and the Dirk bashing in Miami from post-game frustration, why wouldn’t you expect an emotional response after losing to a team that we’re obiously better than? I know we can’t blame those losses 100% on anything, we missed shots, there were bad calls, and DWade had a good game. But we proved that we can hang with a man down, and the Heat on the foul line. On the same note, those bad calls can change your mindset, if you’re playing away, and all the calls are against you… you’re playing the whole world, and thats huge. You’re going to miss shots and you’re going to get frustrated. Those calls going for the other team while at home is going to give them the momentum and allow their players to have a better game. Not saying the calls are “rigged”, it just doesn’t seem totally honest to me. As far as being the Mavericks owner, the NBA is your business. Every time you question something, you’re fighting for your team and your fans, and whether the NBA likes it or not, its for the league too… to bring honesty to the game. I just don’t want all of the negativity from the fans, media, and NBA officials getting to you enough to sell the team, (I saw your interview with Dale Hansen.) You make our team unique and exciting, and we all love you for it.
And if you read this before the game, tell Josh to keep his head up, Mavs fans are behind everybody.
Here’s to the good fight!
Go Mavs,
Chris
Comment by Chris M -
I don’t believe the league is rigged in any way, and it defies logic as you stated to think that it would be, it would be impossible for one thing. The way that some of the really questionable bad calls, or good calls, depending which side you’re on, are never shown by the TV crew during the game fuels a lot of speculation. I also think the NBA must go to an instant replay system of some kind.
Comment by Pete -
My 2 cents worth. The current set of rules in the NBA are rewarding a “kinder/gentler” NBA. At the final whistle, these rules will favor a team like the Mav’s. The Mav’s will win with good, solid defense and a high shot percentage. Good play will neutralize the ref’s.
MAV’s in 7.
Comment by Chris -
i have never seen such a bunch of bufoons try and get a call right. i have all the respect in the world for you marc. I wish my teams owner was 1% as passionate as you are about your team. keep your head up and go out and spank the heat(and show the refs,dopey stern and his cronies that you are the superior team
Comment by rob -
mr cuban, i respect you. i’m glad you aren’t afraid to speak your mind. and i also know that you are outgoing enough that if you did yell at the commissioner, you would admit it. you are the best owner the city of dallas could wish upon the mavs
Comment by sarah b -
Does anyone want David Stern in the front row tonight? I think he should take a seat in the last row of the upper deck where he belongs.
For all of you who say quit whinning and complaining..etc..etc.. You would do the same if it was your favorite team and you were a die hard fan.
OH… BTW if a hand on the back constitutes a foul (earlier comment), then Haslem would foul out of every game by the end of the first quarter.
GO MAVS!!
Comment by Brian-Arlington -
REPOST – SELLING THE MAVS……IS IT TRUE ???
Mark, is it true you said you would sell the Mavs in a heartbeat if things don’t get better in the NBA ??
How many years will it take ??
And are you gonna take your ball and bat home too ??
If any of this is true, you deserve any criticism you get for acting like a spoiled rich kid!!!!!
Blog question: Was my original post deleted because it had too many curse words ?? Surely that can’t be the case after reading your blog yesterday about cursing.
Comment by V -
So it appears that people think Mavs fans are unaware of when they get good calls and complain when they get bad ones. Well I just don’t think that is true. Fans realize when they get a break, but no competative person in their right mind is going to say “we didn’t deserve that game”; not when our players are fighting so hard to bring us a championship. Look at D-Wade. He knows as good as me, Mark, Paul Silas (who said so on national TV), and everyone who saw the replay that Dirk didn’t foul him, but he still told Stephen A. Smith he got fouled. Why, because no one in his situation would say, “no, the mavs should have won that game.”
As for the guy that says we got all the calls in the Spurs series, I guess he missed the many times when Tim Duncan went to the line because someone breathed to hard on him. We did get a bit of a good break with the no call at the end of regulation in game 7, but it was a close call and you have to let the players decide the game. They should have stuck to this theory on Sunday and not decided the game with a cheap call.
I’m also debating if Wade is in the category with Manu for best acting performance. I think he is climbing to new levels and might get an Oscar in these very playoffs.
Comment by Nate -
Mark,
Thank you. Finally someone in Dallas that doesn’t think the Mavs lost the games in Miami on purpose. I agree that it is ridiculous. They lost becuase of many things other than a fix. Good luck in games 6 and 7.
Comment by Nate Brewster -
This entry is worth a $250,000 Fine?!?
Comment by Scott -
I think we should focus more on the positives…Like do we pick Strawberries or Blueberries as a topping for our Stuffed French Toast at IHOP…
Comment by KraziJoe -
just thought you’d find this different angle interesting
http://i5.tinypic.com/14vpao0.jpg
Comment by jp -
I have a suggestion for people who don’t like officiating. Stop watching sports. Either that or put on a pair of stripes and try doing it yourself. WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Comment by Gary -
Aaron Stampler’s post (#9) is 100% on target. It’s funny how all of these math majors who are using the number of fouls called against Dallas as proof of a conspiracy seem to forget the Hack-a-Shaq strategy Avery (wisely) implements … c’mon people, the whole “the world is out to get us” mentality is so OLD and WEAK, and frankly makes Cuban, Avery and the rest of Dallas look like sore losers. And the fact that the owner of the Mavs gets more ink than the players is also very telling.
Best of luck to Dallas and Miami tonight …
Comment by David Allen -
Dude the picture shows Dirks hand on DWade’s back. Can’t argue the picture Cuban. The only legitimate beef is the possible backcourt violation which was a tough call anyways. Of course they aren’t calling that at that stage of the game. Still like ya Mark but y’all have other things to focus on instead of officiating. I agree with Tim Thomas: “Dirk you are a big @#%&%”
Comment by Anthony -
SHUT UP! STOP CRYING!!! Your team lost 3 games in a row and all you can do is cry about officiating? How about you make some free throws at the end of a game (like wade). I dont see anybody saying a thing to Josh Howard for missing 2 of them in the last minute of game 5, which would have decided the game in the first place. What about game 4? When we smacked you around the entire court, did you blame the refs then? No. Or how about game 3 when you blew a 13 point lead in the final 6 minutes. If you want to win so damn badly how about playing some defense on the best player in the game…Dayne Wade. Stop embarassing yourselves Mavs fans.
Comment by Sean -
Don’t worry what people say about you. All we need to know that you are one of the best NBA owners present. Keep up the great work and let us Mavs fans hope for a win and game 6 and 7 and win a NBA Finals. That will the the world something about the organization and you as an owner.
Comment by Connor Trygar -
Anyone who wants to see Cuban at the game tonight in a referee jersey, let him know!!!!!
Now!
Comment by Michael Hustead -
For everyone thinking that us Dallas folks think it’s just us getting screwed. Ask the folks in Portaland if they think it’s fair. Ask the folks in Sacramento. Both teams obvious victims of biased refereeing. Consumer advocate Ralph Nader even wrote on open letter to David Stern about one Sacramento/LA game in particular. Ralph freaking Nader. Oh come on, Nader is not know to be the most rabid of basketball fans and it’s obvious to him.
The Mavericks don’t have Kobe (before the fall) or Shaq or Dwayne or LaBron or the most obvious of all “Michael”. Dirk just isn’t enough obviously. Everyone says he hasn’t shown up yet but he keeps getting mauled by Haslem without any calls. You just look at Wade and you get called for a foul. Another thing I find interesting is either this round or last (I can’t remember which. I’m a season ticket holder and they flashed it up on the big screen) Dirk set an NBA record for most free throw attempts in the post season and now, all of a sudden he can’t get to the line?
What all of you people are missing is that Mark isn’t complaining about all the bad calls we get. That’s what you hear because that’s what you want to hear. He is complaining about inconsistency. The very thought that if you could somehow have 10 players play the exact same game twice (same makes, same misses) and be able to inject two different officiating crews into the game that the outcome could and most likely WOULD be dramatically different. With the exception of maybe a home plate umpire. No other officials have THAT much influence in the outcome of a game.
Something HAS been done in the past. If you’ll remember, there used to be only 2 refs calling a game. It was determined that that wasn’t enough so they added one. Why not add another one? Why not give them specific things to watch instead of trying to watch EVERYTHING. That seems to work reasonably well in football.
It can be fixed, the first step is admitting that it needs to be fixed and that is something David Stern’s enormous ego want allow him to do.
Everyone slams on Mark because he’s in your face. Everyone seems to give David Stern a pass because he smiles and never seems to get upset when interviewed. Who do you trust?
Comment by Mike from Dallas -
I love how you always give it to us straight, Mark. That’s the thing about you, straight shooter all the way. Not afraid of the league coming down on you or the repercussions. I laughed outloud a number of times throughout this blog. Here at NBATV everyone’s talking about the series and what transpired following Game 5, but as a huge Dallas fan it’s awesome to hear the truth right from you. Now I can use the Miami Herald as toilet paper.
Let’s Go MAVS!
Comment by Dave Blumberg -
Cote at the Miami Herald is an alarmist who writes ‘from the hip’ for an outrage factor. He’s worse than LeBartard.
It’s frustrating to be sure, but referees are influenced by crowds and situations and blow their whistles accordingly. Home court makes a big difference.
GO MAVS!!!
Comment by Scott Antle -
Mark,
To back up your story, I first heard about what you ‘said’ on Mike and Mike when they talked to the “reporter” in question. After the interview was over, Mike Golic immediately questioned why the “reporter” never tried to ask you personally about it or get some evidence that you indeed said it (Golic even saying ‘there should have been many witnesses if this is true’) but the reporter swore he got it from a reputable source that heard from a guy who worked in basketball operations. The janitor, maybe? But then Mike and Mike said he was a good reporter and left it at that. Obviously, he’s not an investigative journalist, more of a hear-say gossip columnist.
Also, not to hark on game 5, but why were we playing hack-a-shaq in the OT when we would have to foul him 4 times before the 2 min. mark to get him to the line? Was this just to get Riley to take him out? Obviously, I trust what AJ does, but i felt that we should save our fouls and not get Miami in the penalty in case of non-shooting fouls putting dwade on the line. But, in the end it didn’t matter.
Go Mavs!
Comment by kevin -
Boy, Am I Tired of Mark Cuban and the Cheap Shot Mavs.
If the Mavs win, the Refs are great, if the Mavs lose, the Refs suck and they beat-up and kick everything on the way to the locker room.
Shack has a bad game, doen’t talk to anyone, and gets fined $10,000.
Dirk kicks the sh*t out of everything, Cuban acts like a thug staring p*ssed off at everyone and Stern, and all that happens is a $5,000 fine.
I thought the NBA was trying to get away from this thug mentality, yet we have Mavs punching below the belt and dropping 300lbs Centers with elbow shots to the head, and then crying “Everybody Picking On Us”.
Too Bad Cuban doesn’t have enough money to buy his team and himself some manners and class.
It is only a game Mark, a game where nearly all the players are millionaires, yet they and you do not know how to be gracious in losing, and accept responsibilty for their actions.
David Stern should ban Mark Cuban for the rest of the season for the good of the NBA.
Afterall the Mavs are not going to clean-up their acts and act like adults as long as their white trash owner keeps getting away with his b*llsh*t actions.
The NBA is now worldwide, and the world is getting a major dose of the “Ugly American” everytime Cuban opens his mouth.
Please Mr. Stern, would you shut it for him, at least for a little while.
Comment by Robert -
The players do not participate in “game control” for the NBA. It’s done through a series of calling fouls that will balance the result until the last minute of the game. This is control through officiating.
It’s a fact, more viewers will stay tuned to a game, regular season or playoffs, just to see a buzzer-beating shot to win the game. Or, at the very least, a close game that comes down to the end. This is called excitement — it’s called entertainment. The NBA knows this.
The formula for controlling games is not an algorithm that has popped up in recent years — it’s been researched, studied, analyzed, calculated and applied over the last forty years — with the advent of television broadcasts.
Same thing goes for the playoffs and finals. Take a look at the viewers and advertising dollars applied to small-market teams who make it to the finals. It’s not in the same realm of the money to be made with Miami and Dallas. Cleveland will get to the finals eventually, when David Stern determines the optimal opportunity to maximize marketing dollars for LeBron. LeBron is almost there.
So now you’re staring at game 7 and wondering how phantom fouls have suddenly come out of nowhere. Look into the past, Mark. Hire someone from your team at 29/29 (they have nothing better to do), and have them do a game-by-game, year-by-year analysis of how games were won and whether or not a series of phantom fouls shifted the momentum. I don’t think you’ll be surprised.
One last example. The NFL wants Payton Manning to win a Superbowl. The Colts are playing the Steelers in the AFC playoffs and the game doesn’t look good for the Colts. The NFL knows Rothlisberger will be great and when his time comes, like LeBron, he’ll get to his championship. But until then, it’s Payton’s turn. Suddenly, the ball is being placed incorrectly for the Steelers. Then there’s an interception, an amazing pick-off that will seal the victory for the Steelers. Everyone in the sane world can see it’s a legitimate interception — yet the NFL, with the aid of multiple angles from cameras all over the stadium, are the only ones to see it differently than everyone else. That’s called cheating. And then, they had to come out and say they made the wrong call. Do you think they’d have made this admission if the Colts had won? No way.
It seems to me you’ve had a conversation with Stern recently and he let you know that it’d be wise for you to take care of your own which I’d recommend for you as well. This isn’t show-friends, it’s show business.
Here’s hoping you get positive officiating in game 7.
Comment by P C -
I’m completely shocked at the one sided calls this series has seen. I hope Avery can come up with a plan to contain Dwayne Wade that keeps him off the free throw line. Keep up the Haq-a-Shaq and let’s focus on a good clean win for game 6. Nothing says F you like a good clean 20 point blow out. The Heat hasn’t won in Dallas in how long… like 3 years? Let’s just hope we get off to a good start and Dirk (the Dirk WE know and love) shows up to lead this team to a W.
Keep doing what you’re doing Mark… I think you’re changing this game and bring a new intensity to every aspect of it.
Comment by Leif Hurst -
Dear Mr. Cuban,
Then why do you complain about the officiating? You sound like you are just covering your behind.
It doesn’t take much to see the superstar treatment (favorable/rigged calls) Shaq and Wade get over Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse.
Comment by Mark -
It truely amazes me how SO MANY people get offended by someone’s intensity and passion for what they love or hate. Intense people are able to affect change and get things done. People don’t always have to admire your methods, but they sure as hell should admire your intensity. And for the reporters out there, it is absolutely unbelieveable how LAZY they are in their reporting. I think holding everyone to HIGHER STANDARDs is very important when trying to affect change, even if that means you have to be known as a hard ass / bad guy or whatever they (the media) try to portray you as.
– Keep it up Mark!
Comment by Craig -
I agree with you that I don’t think the NBA is rigged – but I also think that we need to do away with the “star treatment.” in drawing foul calls. I’d say more specific comments about Game 5 and D Wade, but I’m afraid somebody would come to my office and give me a technical…
Comment by Jeff -
The Atlanta sports talk morons are ripping you for what you didn’t say. They are good at that sort of thing down here.
Comment by Stephen -
The officiating has been attrocious. Whether there is a conspiracy to keep the Mavs down or not, that’s anybody’s guess. The numbers don’t lie though. The amount of phantom and touch fouls that Wade is getting is ridiculous. Why are the referees treating him like MJ? There is only one MJ, and he ain’t playing in the 2006 NBA Finals.
Comment by Armando Chiu -
I can’t stand when people try to say teams throw games because of the money angle. I know that if I have been playing a sport my whole life and am about to reach the absolute pinnacle, the last thing I would be worrying about is money. If you consider the amount of money these guys make or how much money you as the owner are worth, it’s completely irrational to think you would risk the championship for a few extra million.
Comment by Aaron -
Cuban. You are the man! *Bleep* the *Bleeping* Miami Herald. *Bleep* anyone who thinks NBA games are rigged. Yeah, Im sure guys bust thier asses all offseason to play a game thats rigged by some dumb ass league.
Let’s win Game 6 and 7 Cuban!
Hell Yeah!
P.S> Do me a favor, wear a referee shirt to the game tonight! That’ll piss em off!
Comment by Michael Hustead -
I think Cuban is getting exactly what he wants ATTENTION. BEfore this guy came along I had no idea who the mavericks were much less who played for them. They were just another loser NBA team. There is no doubt his controversy sells tickets and his bullshit draws even more attention to his team and franchise. I call it BS because even though I am not a fan of either team I have watched the Mavericks all through the playoffs and into the finals. It has been a great finals series but all the whining and temper tantrum fiascos are getting a little old. My two cents is this: if you’re team leaves the game close enough to be decided by a bad call then you have to accept the outcome. The mavs aren’t going to be able to bitch their way to a finals victory.
Comment by sc -
I think Cuban is getting exactly what he wants ATTENTION. BEfore this guy came along I had no idea who the mavericks were much less who played for them. They were just another loser NBA team. There is no doubt his controversy sells tickets and his bullshit draws even more attention to his team and franchise. I call it BS because even though I am not a fan of either team I have watched the Mavericks all through the playoffs and into the finals. It has been a great finals series but all the whining and temper tantrum fiascos are getting a little old. My two cents is this: if you’re team leaves the game close enough to be decided by a bad call then you have to accept the outcome. The mavs aren’t going to be able to bitch their way to a finals victory.
Comment by sc -
Yeah, and if it’s really rigged, why aren’t the Knicks get the help they desperately need?
Comment by Toasty Joe -