Tonight's Refs Are...

[TheGreatYacht]

Monty McCutchen, Tony Brothers, and Jason Phillips. The alternate/locker room ref is Bill Kennedy (thank God because this guy has a bad history against us such as last year's WCF Game 6 @ OKC.)

[Mugen]

Would have preferred Joey Game 1 on the road tbh.

[TheGreatYacht]

Would have preferred Joey Game 1 on the road tbh. I actually would like Joey Crawford on Game 2 only IF we win Game 1. I know about Joey's bad history against the Spurs but I've been watching his last 5 games that he's officiated for the Spurs and I actually think that he's done a pretty good job. We've won all games. Last year a lot of people probably blamed Joey Crawford for Game 6 @ OKC but it was actually Bill Kennedy the one who was blowing the whistles.

[polandprzem]

Fairly good squad if Borthers not gonna screw up

[ElNono]

Tony Brothers is garbage... not saying he's biased, just that he's overall garbage... :td

[Man In Black]

Strange that you guys don't know about Texan Jason Phillips. There's some ol' Joey Crawford-like shenanigans when it comes to him.
Case and point... I was in SA to watch our Spurs play LAC and MIA. Phillips had the MIA game. Y'all remember Bosh winning with a 3 but that shot should have been for the tie. MIA got a gift of a tripping call to Norris Cole on Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi never touched him, Cole trip-flopped and got 2 fts to tie the game.
C'mon Man!

[DJR210]

Joey gets a bad rap, but I think Kennedy is the true issue. Hopefully he rides the pine for the remainder of the Finals.

[FromWayDowntown]

If last year's form holds, the alternate for each of the first 3 games is on the crew for the following game.

For Game 1 of the 2012 Finals, Tony Brothers was the alternate and he then worked Game 2.

For Game 2 of the 2012 Finals, James Capers was the alternate and he then worked Game 3.

For Game 3 of the 2012 Finals, Bill Kennedy was the alternate and he then worked Game 4.

I think that's likely the way the league is assigning officials this year. The league could have gone back to the 2011 model, however, in which the Finals alternates for Games 1-4 weren't actually Finals officials. That seems unlikely, since Kennedy has worked each of the last 3 Finals.

What's odd about Kennedy being the alternate for Game 1 (assuming he's on the crew for Game 2) is that it would suggest that Scott Foster (who just worked Game 7 of the ECF) would have Sunday's game, since Kennedy and Foster have worked 10 games together in these playoffs (Kennedy hasn't worked any game in these playoffs in which Foster wasn't also involved).

[FromWayDowntown]

Strange that you guys don't know about Texan Jason Phillips. There's some ol' Joey Crawford-like shenanigans when it comes to him.
Case and point... I was in SA to watch our Spurs play LAC and MIA. Phillips had the MIA game. Y'all remember Bosh winning with a 3 but that shot should have been for the tie. MIA got a gift of a tripping call to Norris Cole on Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi never touched him, Cole trip-flopped and got 2 fts to tie the game.
C'mon Man!

Just before that, Phillips was also called out by the league for missing a late Kobe Bryant foul at Minnesota:

http://dunkingwithwolves.com/2013/03/29/jason-phillips-swallows-his-whistle/

[TheGreatYacht]

The are three refs that Spurs fans should be concerned about: Bill Kennedy, Danny Crawford, and Scott Foster. I read somewhere that the Heat are 9-3 in games officiated by Danny Crawford during the past 2 years in the playoffs. Scott Foster was the one that officiated Game 2 of Chicago @ Miami where he ejected Joakim Noah, Tosh Gibson, and handed out like 6 technical fouls. Scott Foster also officiated Game 7 of Pacers @ Heat; nobody talks about this because the Heat blew out the Pacers but Scott Foster was terrible giving almost every call to the Heat. Bill Kennedy screwed us last year of Game 6 @ OKC in the WCF. He also officiated Game 4 of Spurs @ GS where we lost even though the Spurs were more to blame on that game because they beat themselves. Last but not least, Bill Kennedy also officiated Game 2 of Memphis @ San Antonio. That was the game where we had that 15 point lead at halftime and then the refs took over and started giving every call to Memphis. The Grizzlies were in the bonus early on in the 3rd quarter, Tim Duncan got in foul trouble but ended being clutch for us during overtime and got us the win. So yeah I think these three refs are dangerous. They are Stern's puppets.

[Mugen]

Yeah Philips & Brothers are just more incompetent than anything IMO. Not a huge fan of McCutcheon either.

I'm only worried about Green/Kawhi picking up ticky tack calls and getting into foul trouble since i think they're going to have to closely mirror Wade/LeBron's minutes this series.

[hsxvvd]

They all going to suck, we playing the cHeat.

[HarlemHeat37]

Brothers killed Miami in the Indiana series, tbh..he officiated game 6, where Miami was destroyed by the refs, including the horrible offensive foul call on Lebron(Hibbert's verticality:lol), Hansbrough's offensive interference and Bosh being called for a goaltend that was clearly a clean block..

[FromWayDowntown]

The are three refs that Spurs fans should be concerned about: Bill Kennedy, Danny Crawford, and Scott Foster. I read somewhere that the Heat are 9-3 in games officiated by Danny Crawford during the past 2 years in the playoffs. Scott Foster was the one that officiated Game 2 of Chicago @ Miami where he ejected Joakim Noah, Tosh Gibson, and handed out like 6 technical fouls. Scott Foster also officiated Game 7 of Pacers @ Heat; nobody talks about this because the Heat blew out the Pacers but Scott Foster was terrible giving almost every call to the Heat. Bill Kennedy screwed us last year of Game 6 @ OKC in the WCF. He also officiated Game 3 of Spurs @ GS where we lost even though the Spurs were more to blame on that game because they beat themselves. Last but not least, Bill Kennedy also officiated Game 2 of Memphis @ San Antonio. That was the game where we had that 15 point lead at halftime and then the refs took over and started giving every call to Memphis. The Grizzlies were in the bonus early on in the 3rd quarter, Tim Duncan got in foul trouble but ended being clutch for us during overtime and got us the win. So yeah I think these three refs are dangerous. They are Stern's puppets.

Kennedy (and Foster) had Game 4 of the Golden State series (not Game 3).

Foster and Kennedy also had Game 2 of the Memphis series together.

There are things to be said about Danny Crawford, but the Heat's record in playoff games he calls doesn't strike me as terribly remarkable. The Heat are 42-18 (.700) in the playoffs during the Big 3 era and are 10-2 in Danny Crawford's games during that span (.833). Of Crawford's games, the Heat are 5-0 at home and 5-2 on the road; they're 27-4 at home overall during that span, so being 5-0 in Danny's games doesn't seem out of order, and while they're 15-12 on the road overall, Danny's 5-2 isn't crazy given that 2 of the 5 were at Milwaukee and a severely beaten up Chicago this playoff season. The Heat were 10-10 on the road in 2011 and 2012 and were 3-2 on the road in Danny Crawford's games -- pretty close to what you'd expect.

[T Park]

Don't know if I'd rather have Crawford in game 2 or a potential game 6. Eh, game 2. Give me Danny Crawford in game 3

[Solid D]

Strategy: Get the Heat frustrated and let Monty do his work.

[FromWayDowntown]

Don't know if I'd rather have Crawford in game 2 or a potential game 6. Eh, game 2. Give me Danny Crawford in game 3

Just know that there are only 12 officials working this round (unless the league has made a sudden change of its assignments -- it's had 12 Finals officials every year since 1999) and 9 of them will likely work twice if the series goes 7.

[TheGreatYacht]

Kennedy (and Foster) had Game 4 of the Golden State series (not Game 3).

Foster and Kennedy also had Game 2 of the Memphis series together.

There are things to be said about Danny Crawford, but the Heat's record in playoff games he calls doesn't strike me as terribly remarkable. The Heat are 42-18 (.700) in the playoffs during the Big 3 era and are 10-2 in Danny Crawford's games during that span (.833). Of Crawford's games, the Heat are 5-0 at home and 5-2 on the road; they're 27-4 at home overall during that span, so being 5-0 in Danny's games doesn't seem out of order, and while they're 15-12 on the road overall, Danny's 5-2 isn't crazy given that 2 of the 5 were at Milwaukee and a severely beaten up Chicago this playoff season. The Heat were 10-10 on the road in 2011 and 2012 and were 3-2 on the road in Danny Crawford's games -- pretty close to what you'd expect. Yeah sorry about mixing the games up but I'm pretty sure you get my point. Even though I mixed up the games my narrative was pretty much on point. I hate those three officials.

[TheGreatYacht]

Talking about the refs, I think the NBA refs and the whole Heat roster should watch this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3IK3bvlyzpg

[elmanutres]

spurs are screwed if joey crawford shows up on one of these games

[eyeh8u]

all referees suck, cant wait until technology makes them obsolete, impact sensors in jerseys, out of bound sensors in the shoes, its going to to be fantastic, and most likely sponsored by Cisco.

[Brunodf]

Tony Brothers again?Really Stern???Even after that 20-30 points swing in the game 4 in Memphis???!!!

[TampaDude]

spurs are screwed if joey crawford shows up on one of these games

Not necessarily...Joey has been pretty good for us so far in these playoffs.

[dbestpro]

Brothers killed Miami in the Indiana series, tbh..he officiated game 6, where Miami was destroyed by the refs, including the horrible offensive foul call on Lebron(Hibbert's verticality:lol), Hansbrough's offensive interference and Bosh being called for a goaltend that was clearly a clean block..

You need to lighten the tint on those rose colored glasses.

[EVAY]

Brothers is a terrible ref...never know what he is going to call and it is always the opposite of what he called 20 minutes prior.

Scott Foster is the worst of all of the refs this year, though. He is simply horrendous.

Let's face it guys, we are gonna get called for fouls left and right. Just get your head around it now.

[Trainwreck2100]

There's no way Crawford works as late as game 6 so game 2 is the best game to have him.

[FromWayDowntown]

Unless the league has quietly taken disciplinary action against Joey, he's going to work 2 games in this series if it goes the distance. History says that he'll work either Game 3 or Game 4 and then will work either Game 6 or (more likely Game 7).

Assuming, again, there's been no discipline against the officials from Game 4 of the ECF, I think the odds are pretty good that the 12 Finals officials are:

CREW CHIEFS
1. Monty McCutchen
2. Danny Crawford
3. Scott Foster
4. Joey Crawford

OTHERS
5. Mike Callahan
6. Ken Mauer
7. Derrick Stafford
8. Tony Brothers
9. Jason Phillips
10. Bill Kennedy
11. Marc Davis
12. Ed Malloy

James Capers and Tom Washington might be in the mix. Anyone else seems like a long shot at this point.

[easjer]

What are the issues with Danny Crawford? I always thought he was pretty consistent and generally fair-minded (unaffected by home/road teams).

Not a Foster or McCutcheon fan. Not a Joey Crawford fan either, but credit where it's due, he's been remarkably restrained and even in our games thus far.

But really, yeah, they're going to have to play as cleanly as possible and get a quick feel for where the officiating is headed (ticky-tack, free physicality, moving screens, fouls off the ball or lack thereof . . .) and be rapidly adjusting. I expect the officiating to drive Spurs fans insane (warranted or not).

[T Park]

Just know that there are only 12 officials working this round (unless the league has made a sudden change of its assignments -- it's had 12 Finals officials every year since 1999) and 9 of them will likely work twice if the series goes 7.

Ok Joey in games 2 and 6 please :lol

[TheGreatYacht]

Officiating crew today....

Ken Mauer
https://697f6f9668a0bb24cd4b-78390edf330c094418f39edbaa9073b0.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.c om/2015/02/ken_mauer.jpg
2016-2017 regular season stats:
Home team - 57.1 W%, 23.1FTA
Away team - 42.9 W%, 24.5FTA
2016-2017 playoffs stats (4 games):
Home team - 50.0 W%, 30.5FTA
Away team - 50.0 W%, 25.3FTA

Ed Malloy
https://697f6f9668a0bb24cd4b-78390edf330c094418f39edbaa9073b0.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.c om/2015/02/ed_malloy.jpg
2016-2017 regular season stats:
Home team - 63.8 W%, 23FTA
Away team - 36.2 W%, 21.2FTA
2016-2017 playoffs stats (4 games):
Home team - 75.0 W%, 29.5FTA
Away team - 25.0 W%, 20.8FTA

Josh Tiven
https://697f6f9668a0bb24cd4b-78390edf330c094418f39edbaa9073b0.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.c om/2015/02/josh_tiven.jpg
2016-2017 regular season stats:
Home team - 55.1 W%, 23.7FTA
Away team - 44.9 W%, 23FTA
2016-2017 playoffs stats (2 games):
Home team - 50.0 W%, 28.5FTA
Away team - 50.0 W%, 25.0FTA

[look_at_g_shred]

Maurer was the one that called the phantom foul on LMA iirc

[RD2191]

Officiating crew today....

Ken Mauer
https://697f6f9668a0bb24cd4b-78390edf330c094418f39edbaa9073b0.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.c om/2015/02/ken_mauer.jpg
2016-2017 regular season stats:
Home team - 57.1 W%, 23.1FTA
Away team - 42.9 W%, 24.5FTA
2016-2017 playoffs stats (4 games):
Home team - 50.0 W%, 30.5FTA
Away team - 50.0 W%, 25.3FTA

Ed Malloy
https://697f6f9668a0bb24cd4b-78390edf330c094418f39edbaa9073b0.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.c om/2015/02/ed_malloy.jpg
2016-2017 regular season stats:
Home team - 63.8 W%, 23FTA
Away team - 36.2 W%, 21.2FTA
2016-2017 playoffs stats (4 games):
Home team - 75.0 W%, 29.5FTA
Away team - 25.0 W%, 20.8FTA

Josh Tiven
https://697f6f9668a0bb24cd4b-78390edf330c094418f39edbaa9073b0.ssl.cf1.rackcdn.c om/2015/02/josh_tiven.jpg
2016-2017 regular season stats:
Home team - 55.1 W%, 23.7FTA
Away team - 44.9 W%, 23FTA
2016-2017 playoffs stats (2 games):
Home team - 50.0 W%, 28.5FTA
Away team - 50.0 W%, 25.0FTA

Well, we ain't winning tonight.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Ugh, brutal refs for tonight. Mauer and Malloy suck!

[Robz4000]

Yeah that's about the worst officiating crew you could ask for. I'd prolly prefer Tony Brothers over Ken Mauer. Ed Malloy is pretty damn awful too.

[DesignatedT]

Scott Foster is worse

[TheGreatYacht]

Hopefully the crowd ain't taking their shit tonight (like they usually do) and let themselves be heard after every call like the Memphis crowd