The Outcome of Dampier's Comments:

[spursfaninla]

I think he might get lucky and just get the fine, even though he talked about the refs for several minutes, complained in detail about it, and did so after Stern gave his warning.

This is only because it was within 24 hours of Stern's warning; they will think it was not enough notice to sink into his chip-monk size brain.

Otherwise, this is a great opportunity for Stern to show he means business about this topic. Damp is a starter, but not a big star so a suspension would not hurt ratings too bad. They have other bigs that are arguably better (haywood). They can play small for a game. It is an away game anyway.

with that said, I still think they give this as the last non-suspension pass.

[SpursRulez4eVeR]

nada

[DPG21920]

Fine only. No suspension or else you would have already heard about it.

[Dex]

Food for thought:


SAN ANTONIO -- Dallas Mavericks center Erick Dampier said late Friday he was miffed at the overall officiating in the 94-90 Game 3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Dampier didn't mince words in criticizing a crew that included one of Mavericks owner Mark Cuban's least-favorite referees, Danny Crawford.

By Cuban's count, the Mavs have lost 16 of 17 playoff games with Crawford on the floor.

"When we play defense we're under a magnifying glass, but when we're on offense, there's no magnifying glasses," Dampier said. "You've got to call it both ways. Dirk Nowitzki drives, he doesn't get fouled. They drive on the other end and they get the little ticky-tack fouls. So keep it consistent, that's all. Don't be one way or the other."

On Thursday, NBA commissioner David Stern warned primarily coaches -- but players, too -- about publicly criticizing officials. Stern said he's grown tired of meaningless fines and is prepared to levy suspensions. Dampier said he was unaware of Stern's edict.

NBA spokesman Tim Frank indicated Saturday that the league will review Dampier's comments.


http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba/news/story?id=5132345

I think he'll just get a fine.

[greyforest]

wahh wahh dont criticize my fake ass refs


-stern

[Obstructed_View]

If he were suspended it would have happened already. So much for David Stern's tough talk.

[Death In June]

Not even 24 hours after Sterns proclamation, he backs out like a little bitch. Who didn't see that coming.

[NFGIII]

If he were suspended it would have happened already. So much for David Stern's tough talk.

Or maybe that is tempered with his desire to see larger market teams advance while the smaller ones can plan their vacations. The Mavs are going to have their hands full in game 4 with a full roster much less with one of their rotational bigs out for it.

Dampier has consistently run his mouth over the years so this should have been expected. Remember when he said he was the 2nd best center in BB behind Shaq after signing that contract with the Mavs? IIRC

Nothing out of the ordinary here.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

It shouldn't matter if he had heard what Stern had to say or not. He complained knowing a fine was coming at the least.

Not surprising that Stern is being a pussy and backing out though.

[DPG21920]

:lol at Spurs fans acting like Damp should be suspended. He most definitely should not be. Stern did not say any complaints will warrant suspension. He said they could warrant suspension.

[TDMVPDPOY]

this wanker cryin about calls, if he wants fair calls...explain how dirk had more fta then the spursteam in game 1 at mavs house....

[awktalk]

Regardless, penalty or no, this business of fining or suspending people for voicing their opinions about the refs is so fuggin st00pid. What, are they little girls that need to be protected from hearing bad things about them? Last time I checked, there was something called the 1st Amendment.

[Death In June]

Last time I checked, there was something called the 1st Amendment.Doesn't apply to private entities.

[Sportstudi]

this wanker cryin about calls, if he wants fair calls...explain how dirk had more fta then the spursteam in game 1 at mavs house....

Dirk didn't have more FT's than the entire Spursteam. At least you should get the facts right. He had many, yes, but not more.

However, I agree with Damp in the way that the refs should be more consistent. And yes, I think the refs should call tricky situations not in favour for one team. Regardless if it's Dallas, SA or any other team. There shouldn't be any home-cooking or anything else like that. I want fair treatment for BOTH teams, nothing else.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

If the refs were consistent with their calls, Damp would foul out in about three minutes of action.

Of all the people to bitch, considering his "defense" consists of mugging Tim on every play, he should be thankful that they didn't put him under more scrutiny.

Fuck that tub of lard.

[spursfaninla]

Regardless, penalty or no, this business of fining or suspending people for voicing their opinions about the refs is so fuggin st00pid. What, are they little girls that need to be protected from hearing bad things about them? Last time I checked, there was something called the 1st Amendment.

This is so full of fail I can barely begin.

To start, the First Amendment right to free speech is a protection against GOVERNMENT control of your speech. Last I checked Damp. does not work for the government. To get legal on you, even if he did work for a Public (rather than private) entity, for his speech to be protected, it would have to be a matter "of public interest." The topic of accurate refereeing might be that, but a similar case with a Los Angeles DA criticizing the police for essentially bringing cases without sufficient evidence was considered "internal" or a private interest, and not protected.

As to your main point, Stern is saying that complaining about the ref's makes the NBA lack credibility, lends itself to conspiracy/fixed/WWF talk, and generally is bad for the league. I agree. If the players and coaches are talking about it, it makes the casual fan who was on the fence think there is a real issue about biased calls making the NBA a rigged game, or in the least playoff success can be questioned as an accurate measure justifying the idea that best team is the champion.

[awktalk]

Doesn't apply to private entities.

I'm not saying it is unconstitutional. I'm saying that we complain and bitch a lot in this country about a variety of topics. And that being a Nazi about players criticizing officiating is a dumb policy.

[spursfaninla]

I'm not saying it is unconstitutional. I'm saying that we complain and bitch a lot in this country about a variety of topics. And that being a Nazi about players criticizing officiating is a dumb policy.

Well, you brought up the 1st amendment, so don't act like the constitution was not part of the discussion. The 1st amendment is not relevant to anything if the un/constitutionality of something is not the topic.

Already addressed the dumb/not dumb part. Criticizing refs is dumb and a waste of time. We don't get back games that were badly reffed. There have been playoff games that were REALLY badly reffed (sac v. LA), and it is a factor. But good players get more calls, home teams get more calls, aggressive play to the hoop gets calls. Smart players adjust. End.

[awktalk]

Doesn't apply to private entities.


This is so full of fail I can barely begin.

To start, the First Amendment right to free speech is a protection against GOVERNMENT control of your speech. Last I checked Damp. does not work for the government. To get legal on you, even if he did work for a Public (rather than private) entity, for his speech to be protected, it would have to be a matter "of public interest." The topic of accurate refereeing might be that, but a similar case with a Los Angeles DA criticizing the police for essentially bringing cases without sufficient evidence was considered "internal" or a private interest, and not protected.

As to your main point, Stern is saying that complaining about the ref's makes the NBA lack credibility, lends itself to conspiracy/fixed/WWF talk, and generally is bad for the league. I agree. If the players and coaches are talking about it, it makes the casual fan who was on the fence think there is a real issue about biased calls making the NBA a rigged game, or in the least playoff success can be questioned as an accurate measure justifying the idea that best team is the champion.

First, I'm not arguing that it is illegal to impose such a policy. No doubt, private entities can restrict their employees from speaking poorly about their organization. So save your poor analogies.

The NBA survived, even thrived, before Stern put this policy in place. Tim Donaghy, a formal official, accused Stern of fixing game 6 of the 2002 WCF, so if fans think the fix is in and a former official says it was, I don't think Dampier complaining his whiny ass about how he didn't think things were called evenly is going to "makes the casual fan who was on the fence think there is a real issue about biased calls making the NBA a rigged game". I don't like the policy. Having that opinion is certainly valid and not "full of fail". It didn't used to be like this, the league was fine then, and it would be fine now without it.

[spursfaninla]

Actually, it was not you that brought up the 1st amendment, so never mind about that.

I stand by my comment that Stern can try to control the perception of the league by stating that people should not talk about refs. I think it is actually unwise to state it so publically, but perhaps that shows his attempt at transparency.

The Donaghy thing was not a league bias issue but some criminal activity. The current runs of complaints about the officiating is mostly just a matter of personal or unconscious bias on the part of the refs, and so they are not related. But your bringing up the Donaghy thing actually proves my point. The league wants to move past that blemish, and players and coaches airing complaints about refs in the media keeps the wound open.

move on.

[Fpoonsie]

I'm actually all for Damp NOT getting suspended. The last thing you need is something like this to fire up the Mavs w/ some kinda "Us against the world" mentality.

And it's not as if, at least thus far, Damp is filling up the stat sheet. The more he's on the court, the less Haywood is.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I'm not saying it is unconstitutional. I'm saying that we complain and bitch a lot in this country about a variety of topics. And that being a Nazi about players criticizing officiating is a dumb policy.

Pick a better argument. The players agreed to penalties as part of their collective bargaining agreement with the league. When they signed off on that, they forfeited their FA rights in some areas.

[Obstructed_View]

Last time I checked, there was something called the 1st Amendment.

Hey, go call your boss a cocksucker next time you see him. You have the right.

[Obstructed_View]

:lol at Spurs fans acting like Damp should be suspended. He most definitely should not be. Stern did not say any complaints will warrant suspension. He said they could warrant suspension.


Stern Threatens Suspensions for Continued Criticism of Referees (http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2010/04/22/stern-threatens-suspensions-for-continued-criticism-of-referees/?ls=iref:nbahpt1)

OKLAHOMA CITY – Commissioner David Stern, fed up with issuing fines for continued “corrosive” comments about referees, drew a bold line in the sand Thursday and said he will begin suspending coaches and players for postseason games if the criticisms continue.

Sounds like pretty tough talk, and Dampier did exactly what Stern said not to do. I didn't expect him to be suspended, but David Stern basically painted himself into a corner with his comments. As a Spurs fan, I could give a shit if that dumbass is on the court or not, but as someone that hates the whining Mavericks continuing to get away with that shit, I'd like to see his bitch ass suspended.