NBA Officiating (If your even willing to call it that)

Those of you who have been with us for a while know that I have many a times bashed the NBA officiating. However, last night’s performance was nothing short of embarrassing. I now realize there is a reason that the Lakers have not lost at home this postseason, and that is the fact that the officiating is so favored toward them its preposterous. Ever time Kobe stepped inside the key he was fouled, even twice I counted when he was literally not touched. Heck, he shot twenty odd free-throws in the first half! That’s utterly ridiculous. I know the NBA wants this series to go more than five, but do they have to make it as obvious as how much they wanted this series to begin with? All I have to say is that the Celtics got robbed last night. I know, Doc Rivers is doing almost as bad a job as the refs (1: Why on earth is Sam Cassel seeing the light of day, he’s awful? And why isn’t Rondo running the O for at least 40 minutes? 2: Putting Ray Allen on Kobe 1 on 1 in the closing minutes. Ray might be a great defender, but even I’m not stupid enough to realize that you got to double and make someone else beat you.), but considering Pierce and Garnet had an off night, they were in it until the very end, and the Celtics played against the Lakers and the Refs, I think we all realize how much of a mismatch this really is.

GYA out

NBA Final Scandal

Congratulations, NBA.

You have got what you wanted. Lakers Celtics. The old rivalry renewed. Ratings will be through the roof. Expectations are higher than before any final in the last decade. Once again, congratulations.

Now let’s look on the other side. Spurs, Cavs. You just got RIPPED OFF. My heart is with you. The NBA, a league that over the past couple of years has cracked down on more scandals that I want to believe happened, has finally snooped to Tim Donaghy’s level. I know, the league issued a statement saying “sorry, there should have been a foul called on Derrick Fisher,” what they did not say was “and I know and you know that this message does not help you win your series against LA.” It is plain embarrassing. The whole world knew the NBA wanted a Celtics-Lakers final, but did you have to make it that obvious? I mean, the Celtics needed seven against the Hawks, but won two on the road against the Cavs, who last year made it to the finals? Oh, and let’s not even go into the Spurs. Did you see that one game Kobe shot more foul shots than Ginobli, Parker, and Duncan combined? Coinkidink?–I think not! Many of you will say, “but the Celtics and Lakers were the best teams?” Yeah, and you know why? They were set to be here. Their playoff success was predetermined.

So once again, I hope you’re happy, NBA. You sit there watching your record rating, see if I care. But I’ll tell you what, if there’s a Mat Walsh somewhere in you, you know exactly who to blame.

-GYA out

The Pistons Again

The Detroit Pistons beat the Orlando Magic last night to advance to the eastern confrence finals for the sixth year straight. There is no doubt this is an incredable feat, but considering they’ve only won the championship once, let me compare this feat to a couple previous ones in sports:

In the early 90’s the Buffalo Bills went to the Super Bowl 4 straight times–they won none of them.

The Atlanta Braves won their division for more than a decade straight–they won one title.

The point I’m trying to make is that it does not matter how many times you get close, to be remembered as great you need to win it all. What’s the common saying, “winner write history”? No one remembers losers, it’s human nature. What the Pistons have done is great, but if they want to be remembered with the Jordan’s and Magic’s and Bird’s, they need to win the title, not almost get there.

-GYA

NBA Time Freeze

In the Pistons-Magic NBA game the other night, at the end of the third quarter the Pistons had the ball, and Chauncy Billips hit a three. The only problem–the clock had frozen. It stopped at 4.8 seconds. The officials gathered, and rulled that the basket counted. Today however, the NBA came out and said that the basket should not have counted, but the officials made the right move bacause in that situation it is agains the rules to use instant replay.

Huh?

Let me repeat that: Huh?

Excuse me, but the NBA is the best of the best. The cream of the crop. A worldwide league. You’re telling me that in the highest league in the sport of basketball officials can’t look at the footage the whole world is watching on TV to make the right call. That’s ridiculous! Let the refs look at the replay and make the right call. It did not end up costing the Magic the game as they lost by more than three, but if this ever happens in the future let’s get it right.