Which Ref Will Have The Biggest Series?

[DJR210]

Considering the loss of Ibaka, the refs may have a very tough series ahead. Who do you think will step up big for the Thunder/NBA? My money is on Bill Kennedy for MVR.

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[Trainwreck2100]

Tony brothers/Bennett Salvatore duo worked wonders for them in game 5

[itzsoweezee]

Tony brothers/Bennett Salvatore duo worked wonders for them in game 5

These are the two fuckers I was going to name

[FvckMavs]

Tony brothers/Bennett Salvatore/Ed Malloy

[3 Legged Dog]

Salvatore, Joey Crawford, Danny Crawford.

Hell. They might UN-retire Earl Strom and Mindy Rudolph.

[jARS mEsH sEt]

Tony brothers.

[jARS mEsH sEt]

Joe Crawford I actually don't mind. I don't think he has any particular preference for any team. He's his own little nutcase and he's always a wild card in any given game, but he's a wild card that tends to even out overall.

[hsxvvd]

Tony fucking Brothers.

Watch the NBA use him when it counts most.

[Jimcs50]

Refs will not be a factor.

The best team wins a 7 game series.

[Ignignokt]

gee I wonder why.... https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Br1FguG1QOE/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAAA/7zpoEr_bb4Y/s600-c-k/photo.jpg

[jARS mEsH sEt]

Refs will not be a factor.

The best team wins a 7 game series.

Didn't happen for OKC/Clippers.

[DMC]

It's amazing that fans know the names of all the NBA refs. Refs are too big a part of the game, so much so that they become the game themselves. They should not be so visible to fans, it should be about basketball, not ref baiting.

I am sure the baiting came before the shitty calls. Players aren't going to stop flailing and flopping. They aren't going to stop going for fouls instead of playing to score the ball in transition or from a play. Real fouls that cause the shooter to miss should be called, but these touch fouls while a player is in transition are bull shit, especially when the offensive player initiates the contact. The ball handler should not have an unimpeded path to the rim, and moving with him with arms raised should not be considered a foul. There should not be body contact fouls unless the body contacts the arms of the shooter or if the shooter is outside of the paint. If a shooter is going to pump fake and cause the defender to jump, there should be no foul call if the shooter jumps into the defender since the shooter initiated the movement.

[DMC]

Didn't happen for OKC/Clippers.

You can thank the assist man for that. Chis Paul gave that series away by trying to be cute instead of just closing the game by protecting the ball. His flopping and initiating contact to get free throws routine is what led him to do that, and he deserves what he got for it.

[Budkin]

Tony Brothers without a second thought.

[lil'mo]

Refs will not be a factor.

The best team wins a 7 game series.

Jim get real! The team the NBA wants to win wins a 7 game series.

[SupremeGuy]

The refs are going to earn their money this coming series, tbh.

[sammy]

Crooked bastards! Hate all of them!

[Mal]

Tony Brothers for MVR

[Random5843]

Where is the poll?

[cd98]

People think OKC is beatable sans Ibaka. I think Spurs win in 6, but expect a dogfight and expect some teammates to step up in Ibaka's absence.

Refs won't be the story, but it will be a story if Spurs lose.

[z0sa]

This reffing bullshit is way overblown. The NBA knows the Thunder will likely get pummeled by Miami without Ibaka even if they egregiously lopside the calls during this series. If there's a conspiracy in for anybody now, it's for the Spurs and Miami to meet again a second time.

[CitizenDwayne]

This reffing bullshit is way overblown. The NBA knows the Thunder will likely get pummeled by Miami without Ibaka even if they egregiously lopside the calls during this series. If there's a conspiracy in for anybody now, it's for the Spurs and Miami to meet again a second time.

I keep trying to convince myself of that, what with the possibility of a rematch storyline and all. I just don't think it'll work out that way.

[silverblk mystix]

Isn't Tony Brothers the brother that was caught hugging on Westbrooks mom?


I'll pick that one.

[smaka]

Tony Brothers has been doing miracles for OKC.
But honestly, if the Spurs bring it like they did in 4 wins vs Portland and Game 7 vs Dallas, I'm not worried about refs.

[benstanfield]

People are underestimating how much Ibaka's absence will change the dynamics of this series. The Thunder create fouls in two ways: getting fouled in transition after a missed shot or turnover, and getting defenders out of position in the PnR. Ibaka is the foundation of both of these strategies. No Ibaka means no wings overplaying on D, higher shooting % for the other team, less turnovers for the other team; how will they get fouled in transition without Ibaka's defensive presence? NO Ibaka also means we can basically ignore whoever is the screener. We can go over screens on Durant AND Westbrook, and camp the helping big in front of the rim. Collison isn't going to turn into a jump shooter overnight. Perkins sucks. There is no excuse for being out of position and fouling a driver if you are camped in front of the basket ignoring your man.

The fact is that with Ibaka's injury, Pop can now safely throw the kitchen sink at Durant and Westbrook. He can trap on the PnR. He can double KD as soon as he touches the ball. He can go small and switch all screens. He can collapse three defenders into the lane on KD/WB drives. Other than Jackson, which of their role players is capable of scoring 20 points? 15? Caron Butler has scored in double digits three times these playoffs (15,15,14) and shot .500 from the field once. Ibaka made us gameplan for rotations to him. They have no other such players.

[sananspursfan21]

Tim Donaghy...oh wait

[james evans]

brothers and crawford. i expect them to officiated at least 2 games a piece in this series.

[hsxvvd]

After that game 5, Brothers should be out of all playoff games for the rest of the year.

The fact that he isn't only shows he only doing his job.

[SpurPadre]

Refs will not be a factor.

The best team wins a 7 game series.

The 2002 Sacramento Kings say hi.

[Jimcs50]

The 2002 Sacramento Kings say hi.

Robert Horry says hi too

[SpurPadre]

Robert Horry says hi too

Actually, he said thank you to the refs that year.

[The Reckoning]

http://media.kitsapsun.com/media/img/photos/2013/06/16/media_77e59a881c5143dfa38208e3fa69d656_t607.jpg

[The Reckoning]

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=336328


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[FromWayDowntown]

First 3 up:

Danny Crawford
Marc Davis
Derrick Stafford

[Cowboys_Wear_Spurs]

First 3 up:

Danny Crawford
Marc Davis
Derrick Stafford

Good grew. I feel like the refs won't be a factor in this first game.

[DesignatedT]

First 3 up:

Danny Crawford
Marc Davis
Derrick Stafford

Your thoughts on these three?

[spurspokesman]

People think OKC is beatable sans Ibaka. I think Spurs win in 6, but expect a dogfight and expect some teammates to step up in Ibaka's absence.

Refs won't be the story, but it will be a story if Spurs lose.

[FromWayDowntown]

Your thoughts on these three?

It's a crew with 3 guys with experience calling multiple Finals (this will be Crawford's 82nd game in the conference finals or later; Stafford has worked 4 NBA Finals in the past and this will be his 23rd game in the conference finals or later; and it's Davis's 10th conference finals game, to go along with 2 Finals games), which makes it more likely that they'll just let the teams play.

With that said, years ago, a Danny Crawford game pretty much assured that the teams would be allowed to just play without a lot of whistles; more recently, though, he seems to make calls that try to keep games close and I think he's become an official who tends to favor stars.

Davis and Pop have developed a long history with each other. Davis has ejected Pop at least once in the last couple years (January 13, 2013 at home against Minnesota (http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2013/01/13/recap-spurs-106-timberwolves-88/)) and Pop openly mocked Davis during a hideous second half of the Spurs home game against the Knicks back in January (http://lubbockonline.com/sports/2014-01-03/nba-roundup-anthony-returns-knicks-surprise-spurs-105-101#.U3oUNijH0QI):


It was a rough second half for official Marc Davis. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, Parker and Tim Duncan all charged toward Davis after a late whistle against Kawhi Leonard on Anthony in the third quarter. Both teams were already in transition off a defensive rebound when Davis ruled Anthony missed the shot because Leonard hit him on the arm. Davis later ruled a ball went out of bounds against the Spurs when replays showed that not only did it last touch Shumpert, but it was still a foot inbounds when Duncan picked it up. In the fourth quarter, Popovich told Davis “get it right” after the San Antonio coach saw a replay showing Patty Mills was outside the circle on a block he was issued. Popovich later told Davis “good call” when Parker hit Udrih’s arm in the final 3 minutes of the game.

Stafford is, I think, trying to redeem himself a bit. He had called the Finals every year since 2009, then missed last year and I've thought that had something to do with the chaos (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1654853-joey-crawford-david-stern-annihilated-on-twitter-for-game-4-ref-incompetence) that he helped to incite in Indiana's Game 4 win last year over Miami (which was the last playoff game he worked last year). Yeah, Joey played a big role in that, too, but my recollection of that game is that Stafford was remarkably bad and I do believe that he got booted from the Finals group for the embarrassment that Game 4 of the ECF caused -- just my conjecture, though.

[DesignatedT]

Today's Officials:

1. Ken Mauer
2. Ron Garretson
3. Ed Malloy
Alt. Sean Corbin.


Your thoughts FWD?

[look_at_g_shred]

Today's Officials:

1. Ken Mauer
2. Ron Garretson
3. Ed Malloy
Alt. Sean Corbin.


Your thoughts FWD?
Mauer and Garretson call the game pretty good.... Malloy on the other hand...

[Jimcs50]

Today's Officials:

1. Ken Mauer
2. Ron Garretson
3. Ed Malloy
Alt. Sean Corbin.


Your thoughts FWD?

My thoughts are I don't care who the refs are. The calls all even out over a 7 game series and sometimes within a game. First Q, OKC was getting calls, but calls evened out by end of game.

[TacoCabanaFajitas]

If there was ever a guy with a more assholeish face that looks the part of "I have money on this game so it's getting called this way" it's Ed Malloy. I'm not saying I completely buy that he does that but he seems to always be wanting to get as much face time on camera as possible and goddamn, he just has that face that makes you want to punch him

[Jenks]

Joey Crawford came up huge for the Thunder in 2012, we'll see if he brings his A game again this year. He's getting up there in age but when it comes to rigging, I'll take experience over athleticism every time. Even on a night when the stat line doesn't show it, his veteran leadership and consistency mark him as an all time great at fixing games, and I just can't pick against him.

[Harry Callahan]

In my opinion the first and third quarters of game one was a whole lot of late whistles/bailout/touch fouls for the thunder which kept the game closer than it should have been. I did not have the best view of some stuff being at the game, but it seemed that way to me.

[FromWayDowntown]

Today's Officials:

1. Ken Mauer
2. Ron Garretson
3. Ed Malloy
Alt. Sean Corbin.


Your thoughts FWD?

Mauer is usually fairly even. He seemed to make some iffy calls during the first half of Game 5 of the Spurs/Blazers series, but that's probably the homer in me seeing things that way. Mauer has long been considered by the league to be one of its very best officials. He's worked every Finals since 2006. I've never felt like he was particularly good to the Spurs, but I've also never felt like he's particularly manipulative or star-obsessed, either.

Garretson has been doing this forever and is one of the most seasoned playoff officials around anymore. He used to work the Finals every year, but hasn't gotten that far since 2005. He's done a ton of conference finals game, so the stage certainly won't overwhelm him. He is the guy who, famously, t'd up Rasheed Wallace in the 2000 WCF for staring (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EogzHNEiCWU).

Malloy is accurately (I think) described around the interwebs as an NBA "company man," and the reactions to him on Twitter tend to be, um, not positive, even from fairly objective sources (just search "Ed Malloy" and scroll for a bit). Clippers fans had enough of him in the 4th Quarter of Game 6 of the OKC/LAC series and started throwing drinks at him. Earlier this season, he provoked the T'Wolves radio guy to scream "Oh, Ed Malloy!" (http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2013/12/31/5260046/timberwolves-radio-call-kevin-love-mavericks) after watching Shawn Marion rake Kevin Love's arms on a last second play without calling anything. He's somehow considered to be one of the better officials in the league anyway. Malloy seems to operate in his own world at times and I think there are times when his calls are indefensible for an official with his experience and supposed stature. SpursTalk loved it (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198664)the last time Malloy worked a Spurs conference finals game, at OKC in 2012.

[DesignatedT]

Mauer is usually fairly even. He seemed to make some iffy calls during the first half of Game 5 of the Spurs/Blazers series, but that's probably the homer in me seeing things that way. Mauer has long been considered by the league to be one of its very best officials. He's worked every Finals since 2006. I've never felt like he was particularly good to the Spurs, but I've also never felt like he's particularly manipulative or star-obsessed, either.

Garretson has been doing this forever and is one of the most seasoned playoff officials around anymore. He used to work the Finals every year, but hasn't gotten that far since 2005. He's done a ton of conference finals game, so the stage certainly won't overwhelm him. He is the guy who, famously, t'd up Rasheed Wallace in the 2000 WCF for staring (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EogzHNEiCWU).

Malloy is accurately (I think) described around the interwebs as an NBA "company man," and the reactions to him on Twitter tend to be, um, not positive, even from fairly objective sources (just search "Ed Malloy" and scroll for a bit). Clippers fans had enough of him in the 4th Quarter of Game 6 of the OKC/LAC series and started throwing drinks at him. Earlier this season, he provoked the T'Wolves radio guy to scream "Oh, Ed Malloy!" (http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2013/12/31/5260046/timberwolves-radio-call-kevin-love-mavericks) after watching Shawn Marion rake Kevin Love's arms on a last second play without calling anything. He's somehow considered to be one of the better officials in the league anyway. Malloy seems to operate in his own world at times and I think there are times when his calls are indefensible for an official with his experience and supposed stature. SpursTalk loved it (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198664)the last time Malloy worked a Spurs conference finals game, at OKC in 2012.

:tu thanks

[Shastafarian]

Earlier this season, he provoked the T'Wolves radio guy to scream "Oh, Ed Malloy!" (http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2013/12/31/5260046/timberwolves-radio-call-kevin-love-mavericks) after watching Shawn Marion rake Kevin Love's arms on a last second play without calling anything.
:rollin

That audio is hilarious

[capek]

:rollin

That audio is hilarious

:lmao

Thank you for mentioning that fact, which is, indeed, and accurate description of the funny level of that clip.

[EVAY]

My problem with Ed Malloy is that he is so sensitive about his bad calls he seems to T up anyone who dares to question him…and there is plenty to question him about. I also think that he does what he is told…I just sometimes wonder who is doing the telling.

Ken Mauer has always struck me as more fair than not…don't always agree with him but he seems like he actually tries to call a fair game. Malloy, on the other hand, just looks for a chance to get into it with someone, I think.

Big challenge tonight with Durant wanting to get physical on defense and not being good at it and the refs will have to figure out if they are willing to foul him out. My guess is not.

[FromWayDowntown]

Oh, Ed Malloy!

[Floyd Pacquiao]

Ed malloy is balling right now, gunning for 7-0

[spurraider21]

Ed Malloy having a dominant game 2. lets see if he can keep it up down the stretch

[DJR210]

My problem with Ed Malloy is that he is so sensitive about his bad calls he seems to T up anyone who dares to question him…and there is plenty to question him about. I also think that he does what he is told…I just sometimes wonder who is doing the telling.

Ken Mauer has always struck me as more fair than not…don't always agree with him but he seems like he actually tries to call a fair game. Malloy, on the other hand, just looks for a chance to get into it with someone, I think.

Big challenge tonight with Durant wanting to get physical on defense and not being good at it and the refs will have to figure out if they are willing to foul him out. My guess is not.

:lol, great call Nostradamus

[DJR210]

Ed Malloy having a dominant game 2. lets see if he can keep it up down the stretch

Lmfao. Early favorite for MVR

[Spur|n|Austin]

Ole Eddie ate his fucking Wheaties today!

[DJR210]

The refs need to regroup, and get out there and finish this half strong. Silver is gonna tear them a new ass during the break.

[Jenks]

Timely:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/miami-heat-confident-they-have-the-right-officiati,36090/

[xmas1997]

It doesn't matter who refs, the Spurs always have to play them too.
That's the way it's always been even in Ice' days and that's the way it'll always be.
Nothing new here tbh.

[will_spurs]

When are the refs for Game 3 going to be announced?

[DesignatedT]

When are the refs for Game 3 going to be announced?

Sunday morning. Might have a decent idea once tomorrow's officials are announced.

[sammy]

Timely:

http://www.theonion.com/articles/miami-heat-confident-they-have-the-right-officiati,36090/

WTF! Rigged Sons of bitches bailing the Cheat!

[Assman]

Not that I really give a fuck, but Game 3 has Tony Brothers written all over it.

[FromWayDowntown]

Not that I really give a fuck, but Game 3 has Tony Brothers written all over it.

McCutchen, Brothers, and Zarba (with Phillips as the alternate) have Game 3 in Miami.

That almost certainly means that the crews in OKC will be (in some order):

Foster-Kennedy-Spooner

J. Crawford-Callahan (I'm guessing Tom Washington will be their third)

It also likely means the McCutchen crew working tonight in Miami will have Game 5 of SA/OKC.

[hsxvvd]

I had Tony Brother down for game 5 before the start of the series. Knew they'd give us him at home, and in what would be a crucial game, where he can do the most damage.

Foster is he the one who is good for Road teams? If he is, then I'd say it's unlikely we get him on an away game.

Need to wrap this up quickly... or at least win 1 coz we'll be playing 5 on 6 in game 5 if it's Brothers.

[hsxvvd]

San Antonio @ Oklahoma City
Scott Foster Bill Kennedy Tom Washington John Goble

Foster? He's good right?

[Mal]

San Antonio @ Oklahoma City
Scott Foster Bill Kennedy Tom Washington John Goble

Foster? He's good right?

No one is worse than Tony Brothers, but he was doing Miami game.

[hsxvvd]

No one is worse than Tony Brothers, but he was doing Miami game.

Yeah Brothers being saved for game 5 back at home. Apparently his Father died yesterday, and he was working the Indiana/Miami game. Hopefully he feels the need to take a few weeks off to work through his grief.

Shit news for him though obviously.

[hsxvvd]

Oh Shit.... This Foster!
http://www.truthaboutit.net/2010/03/nba-referee-scott-foster-still-in-the-game.html

Let's hope he has his money on the Spurs.

[Mal]

Oh Shit.... This Foster!
http://www.truthaboutit.net/2010/03/nba-referee-scott-foster-still-in-the-game.html

Let's hope he has his money on the Spurs.

Spurs are underdog here :)

[FromWayDowntown]

So Game 4 should be Joey, Callahan, and Spooner.

[UZER]

Fudge! Bill Kennedy is that Roller skating brotha that shanked the spurs in games 6 2012 up there.

[Biernutz]

Oh Shit.... This Foster!
http://www.truthaboutit.net/2010/03/nba-referee-scott-foster-still-in-the-game.html

Let's hope he has his money on the Spurs.

That story on Foster......WoW

[DJR210]

If the Spurs don't shoot well, Kennedy will work his game 6, call 8 fouls against the Spurs magic down the stretch to pull out the win.

[FromWayDowntown]

For all the reporting on Foster, he's worked every meaningful Game 7 (conference finals or Finals) since 2010. The league thinks he's one of the 3-4 best officials in the game. He's undoubtedly a manipulator -- he does a lot to make games close and keep them that way.

Kennedy seems to almost overtly dislike the Spurs. Probably my own bias saying that, but it has been tough for the Spurs to win playoff games with him.

Frankly, since Foster/Kennedy were going to work a game in this series, this might be the best game to get them.

[Mugen]

Not a fan of Bill Kennedy and the thought of Tony Brothers working a possibly pivotal Game 5 is terrifying tbh.

[DJR210]

Anyone know how many of those second half fouls were called by Kennedy?