Will Spurs suffer from revenge in playoffs?

[Jimcs50]

My question:

Will this suspension hurt the Spurs and especially TD in the playoffs? Will all of Joey's fellow refs seek revenge, either subtly or more obviously during a close playoff game?

I have to think that they will be pissed about the treatment of one of their brethren because of TD's blowing the whistle about Joey's fight question.

I hope I am wrong.

[lebomb]

I think there will be toooo many eyes on the refs during the playoffs for that to happen.

[cheguevara]

I don't think anybody liked Crawford, including his fellow refs.

If some asshole fucked up in your office with a client, would you wold it against the client? nope.

[cornbread]

It's like that scene in "Wizard of Oz" when Dorothy melts the witch and she thinks the guards are going to lay the smack down. Instead they praise her.

"Hail to Duncan. The wicked ref is dead."

[Kori Ellis]

You think the Mavs are winning it all anyway, Jim. So it doesn't matter :)

Just kidding, I don't think the refs will hold it against Tim or the Spurs.

[FromWayDowntown]

The Spurs didn't have anything to do with Joey's punishment.

[EVAY]

My question:

Will this suspension hurt the Spurs and especially TD in the playoffs? Will all of Joey's fellow refs seek revenge, either subtly or more obviously during a close playoff game?

I have to think that they will be pissed about the treatment of one of their brethren because of TD's blowing the whistle about Joey's fight question.

I hope I am wrong.


I hope you are, too, but I fear that you are right. It is human nature for the refs to react poorly, and let's face it...thre is SOME sort of contact that could be called a foul on almost any play... my expectation is that Tim is going to be watched like a hawk and called for the slightest infraction...there will be contact...they won't make it up..but they will call things that they would normally let go. Then it will be up to Tim how he reacts to it...and let's be honest again, here...Tim is capable of taking himself mentally out of games by getting so out of sorts with the refs. It is going to be an interesting playoff series.

[gus]

Look,

I doubt that there would be more bullshit calls than last years with Mavs.

I still remember Bowen saying in front of Stern how terrible the calls were.

Refs. costs us 2 games last year. In games with difference of less than 4 point, refs can change the outcome.

Above all, I am a basketball fan. I love Euroleague, Olympics, Arg. League, Spanish league etc. So I can said that I am not very biased ( Not totally objective but more than most Spurs die hard fans. )

Gus.

[Jimcs50]

I hope you are, too, but I fear that you are right. It is human nature for the refs to react poorly, and let's face it...thre is SOME sort of contact that could be called a foul on almost any play... my expectation is that Tim is going to be watched like a hawk and called for the slightest infraction...there will be contact...they won't make it up..but they will call things that they would normally let go. Then it will be up to Tim how he reacts to it...and let's be honest again, here...Tim is capable of taking himself mentally out of games by getting so out of sorts with the refs. It is going to be an interesting playoff series.

This is what I mean, they can get revenge and not make it look obvious at all. TD can get 2 fouls in 1st Q and then the Spurs will probably lose because he will be on bench and ineffective the rest of the 1st half. They can repeat the 2 fouls in the 3rd Q, and then you can forget winning a close game, especially on the road..

Frankly, this worries me.

[tlongII]

This is what I mean, they can get revenge and not make it look obvious at all. TD can get 2 fouls in 1st Q and then the Spurs will probably lose because he will be on bench and ineffective the rest of the 1st half. They can repeat the 2 fouls in the 3rd Q, and then you can forget winning a close game, especially on the road..

Frankly, this worries me.


I see you're already building an excuse for when the Spurs lose in the 2nd round. :lol

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I think that Phil Jackson will want to add an asterisk to the Spurs title this year is all.

[dbreiden83080]

My question:

Will this suspension hurt the Spurs and especially TD in the playoffs? Will all of Joey's fellow refs seek revenge, either subtly or more obviously during a close playoff game?

I have to think that they will be pissed about the treatment of one of their brethren because of TD's blowing the whistle about Joey's fight question.

I hope I am wrong.

Duncan did nothing wrong. JC fucked up and said what he said you can't blame Duncan for that. I think Stern has sent the message to the refs to behave themselves. If anything this will force the refs to watch themselves even more out of fear the same thing will happen to them.

[td4mvp21]

It shouldn't really matter anyway but I don't think we will. I think we will, however, see a pissed off Spurs team.

[Jimcs50]

I see you're already building an excuse for when the Spurs lose in the 2nd round. :lol


What round will your Blazers go out in this year?

[DarrinS]

It's not like Crawford got Cubanized.

[v2freak]

What round will your Blazers go out in this year?

:spin

I don't think the refs will do anything extra. They're already under close observation, it would seem

[DarrinS]

Maybe the Spurs get just the opposite from the refs.


Read this

http://mvn.com/nba-endofthebench/2007/04/17/the-nba-comes-down-hard-on-joey-crawford-or-how-the-incident-will-help-the-spurs-win-another-nba-title/

[Gino20]

My question:

Will this suspension hurt the Spurs and especially TD in the playoffs? Will all of Joey's fellow refs seek revenge, either subtly or more obviously during a close playoff game?

I have to think that they will be pissed about the treatment of one of their brethren because of TD's blowing the whistle about Joey's fight question.

I hope I am wrong.

I honestly don't think so. Stern made an example of JC and sent a message to the other refs. That message would be to check your ego at the door. The refs will be under a microscope now and even if they do, Stern will doing something asap. I think if anything, its more the union vs. Stern. Not necessarily the Spurs. If the refs do something, it will be throughout the league. So, every team would be penalized. I doubt they do anything though....

[phyzik]

Maybe the Spurs get just the opposite from the refs.


Read this

http://mvn.com/nba-endofthebench/2007/04/17/the-nba-comes-down-hard-on-joey-crawford-or-how-the-incident-will-help-the-spurs-win-another-nba-title/

I think I prefer that considering the other possible outcomes (ie, screw the spurs or business as usual :lol )

[bonesinaz]

My question:

Will this suspension hurt the Spurs and especially TD in the playoffs? Will all of Joey's fellow refs seek revenge, either subtly or more obviously during a close playoff game?

I have to think that they will be pissed about the treatment of one of their brethren because of TD's blowing the whistle about Joey's fight question.

I hope I am wrong.


Every ref currently officiating knows what happened to Crawford after he booted Nelson from a playoff game in 03. I am sure the other officials saw this coming.

[FromWayDowntown]

Duncan did nothing wrong. JC fucked up and said what he said you can't blame Duncan for that. I think Stern has sent the message to the refs to behave themselves. If anything this will force the refs to watch themselves even more out of fear the same thing will happen to them.

Duncan acted like an ass. He didn't deserve to be ejected for acting like an ass, but he very clearly did act like an ass.

The propriety of Tim's behavior on Sunday, though, doesn't have very much to do with whether Crawford's suspension is justified in my mind. Stern seems to have acknowledged that even if Tim was acting like an ass, Joey's obligation was to walk away from the situation unless that was somehow impossible. Very clearly, it was possible for Joey to have walked away, but, instead, he chose to mkae the situation about him and his feelings.

[Jimcs50]

Vote: Should Joey Crawford have been suspended?

Thank you for voting. See below for the results from across SportsNation.

Your responses in bold text below.


Click here for the latest on the reaction to Crawford.





1) Was the NBA right to suspend Joey Crawford?


88.9% Yes

11.1% No


2) Was Crawford right to eject Tim Duncan?


90.7% No

9.3% Yes


3) What would be the appropriate punishment for Crawford?


48.6% Suspended through playoffs

18.6% He should be fired

13.9% Suspended for remainder of regular season

8.6% Suspended through playoffs and part of next season

7.5% A warning

2.8% Nothing


4) Do NBA referees have too much control over a game's outcome?


78.8% Yes

21.2% No


5) Do you believe NBA referees hold personal grudges against certain players?


72.9% Yes, but only a handful of bad refs

18.4% Yes, most all of them

8.6% No


6) Who would win in a fight?


89.2% Tim Duncan

10.8% Joey Crawford


Total Votes: 8,415

[Pugglekicker_21]

No, I dont think the refs will want to subtly call plays on the Spurs because this was meant as a warning to all of them. Duncan will probaly learn to mask his emotions once he faces a call he doesnt like. But its not like he wasnt good at it before. Cause when he got a call he didnt like, automatic whiner.

[samikeyp]

Inagra....that sig is brilliant! :lmao

[Cry Havoc]

I kind of shudder to think what will happen in the playoffs now. I know refs are under a lot of scrutiny as it is, but now EVERY game will be dissected with an electron microscope by analysts. Due to the fact that Duncan "won" this confrontation, every goober who attends a playoff game is going to think he can have sway over the ref.

Watch the first questionable call (especially in the WC) result in absolute pandemonium. Boos will rain from the heavens like water during a hurricane.

I hope all the good refs realize that they need to stay assertive. I don't want a bunch of passive refs, too scared to make a call for fear of being reprimanded.

Note that this is a worst-case scenario. I doubt it will happen like this. But it could, and that bothers me.

[Russ]

Tim Duncan laughed in a referee's face and then got that ref suspended. That's the way it will be viewed by the ref brotherhood. No way this will be good for the Spurs in terms of calls.

[SpursDynasty]

My question:

Will this suspension hurt the Spurs and especially TD in the playoffs? Will all of Joey's fellow refs seek revenge, either subtly or more obviously during a close playoff game?

I have to think that they will be pissed about the treatment of one of their brethren because of TD's blowing the whistle about Joey's fight question.

I hope I am wrong.

No, the Spurs have been playing solid and winning consistently for over 2 months now.

February is over. It's April and the Spurs own the best record since the ASB.

Am I saying they're the only team with a chance to win it? No. Miami, Detroit, Dallas, and SA all have an equal chance to win it. Depending on who gets those bounces.

[5ToolMan]

My question:

Will this suspension hurt the Spurs and especially TD in the playoffs? Will all of Joey's fellow refs seek revenge, either subtly or more obviously during a close playoff game?

I have to think that they will be pissed about the treatment of one of their brethren because of TD's blowing the whistle about Joey's fight question.

I hope I am wrong.

Nope. But the Spurs will laugh their way to the title.

[exstatic]

This is what I mean, they can get revenge and not make it look obvious at all. TD can get 2 fouls in 1st Q and then the Spurs will probably lose because he will be on bench and ineffective the rest of the 1st half. They can repeat the 2 fouls in the 3rd Q, and then you can forget winning a close game, especially on the road..

Frankly, this worries me.
I think if that were to happen in ONE GAME, Stern would make sure the officials didn't work another playoff game this year. That's money out of their pockets.

We only heard the public stuff. I'm sure there was communication to ALL of the refs that Tim didn't cause Joey's suspension; Joey's temper and ego caused it. Tim just happened to be the focus.

[dbreiden83080]

Tim Duncan laughed in a referee's face and then got that ref suspended. That's the way it will be viewed by the ref brotherhood. No way this will be good for the Spurs in terms of calls.

Stern sent the message loud and clear do not act unprofessionally or suffer the conseqeunces. Did Duncan Suspend Crawford no. If they have a problem they can take it up with Stern. Nothing that happened is Tim's fault. Crawford screwed himself by not even apologizing. Stern said he thought he was right for what he did. Challenging a player to a fight is wrong, anyway you look at it.

[exstatic]

Tim Duncan laughed in a referee's face and then got that ref suspended. That's the way it will be viewed by the ref brotherhood. No way this will be good for the Spurs in terms of calls.

Hmmm. I was watching the game, and I saw Tim laughing on the bench. He didn't do anything "in a referee's face" until he was tossed, and then he rightly cussed Joey Asshole.

[exstatic]

Stern sent the message loud and clear do not act unprofessionally or suffer the conseqeunces. Did Duncan Suspend Crawford no. If they have a problem they can take it up with Stern. Nothing that happened is Tim's fault. Crawford screwed himself by not even apologizing. Stern said he thought he was right for what he did. Challenging a player to a fight is wrong, anyway you look at it.
No league office owns the officials the way the NBA does. All Stern would have had to do was add one sentence to his referee communication: Any retribution will be dealt with in a like manner.

[SpursDynasty]

Was Crawford the one who fouled out Duncan in Game 3 last year because Dirk landed on his foot?

They need to let the athletes play and stop sending the wrong team to the Finals.

[Russ]

Hmmm. I was watching the game, and I saw Tim laughing on the bench. He didn't do anything "in a referee's face" until he was tossed, and then he rightly cussed Joey Asshole.

TD was looking right at Crawford the whole time he was laughing. Anyway, I said that was the way the refs would view it, not that it happened that way.

[mardigan]

Was Crawford the one who fouled out Duncan in Game 3 last year because Dirk landed on his foot?

They need to let the athletes play and stop sending the wrong team to the Finals.
Yea, Timvp pointed that out a couple of days ago, I had completely forgot about that. That was one of the worst calls ever

[exstatic]

TD was looking right at Crawford the whole time he was laughing. Anyway, I said that was the way the refs would view it, not that it happened that way.
Hmm. Joey was at mid court walking towards that end of the court. Tim looked like he was looking at nothing, straight ahead down the baseline. I don't think Joey was even in his line of sight. I don't think he even knew he got tossed for probably 10 seconds.

The refs will view this the way Stern tells them to. He just dropped the hammer on a 29 year vet. You think ANY ref wants some of that?

[dbreiden83080]

Hmm. Joey was at mid court walking towards that end of the court. Tim looked like he was looking at nothing, straight ahead down the baseline. I don't think Joey was even in his line of sight. I don't think he even knew he got tossed for probably 10 seconds.

The refs will view this the way Stern tells them to. He just dropped the hammer on a 29 year vet. You think ANY ref wants some of that?

Exactly he bounced a vet who is regarded as one of the games best officials. These guys got their own futures to worry about regardless of how upset they are that JC is gone. Duncan is a good guy he is not Artest or Rasheed Wallace, this was about JC venting not about Tim.

[exstatic]

They get paid up to $300K to jog, stay in shape, and watch NBA basketball...ON THE COURT. Would you fuck up that gig? Only if you're Joey Crawford....:lol

[aaronstampler]

I don't think Crawford has many friends among the refs. Look at Marc Stein's blog on espn insider. Dude was talking shit to Dick Bevetta in his farewell e-mail!

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=2841154&name=stein_marc


Crawford also blasted fellow referee Dick Bavetta in the e-mail obtained by ESPN.com, hinting at divisions among referees between those who do and don't support Bavetta and writing that maybe Bavetta will wind up as the crew chief in Game 7 of the NBA "which is a travesty in itself you even being in the finals."

[exstatic]

I think it was also pretty insulting to the two other refs in Dallas for Joey to think that they can't stand up for themselves. Even on the first Tech, Tim was NOT talking to Crawford. He said something, but I'm not sure if it was even addressed directly to a ref.

Bavetta is fairly blind, and a bit of a ham, but I don't think there's a mean bone in his body. The same cannot be said of Joey C.

[tlongII]

Jake O'Donnell = Steve Javie = Joey Crawford

They are one of a kind. Two are gone and the other should be terminated as well.

[clubalien]

I personally know i couldn't ref a game. and everyone says this ref is bad, but does anyone have a list of good refs?

[spurschick]

I have to think that there is more to this than this one incident. We don't hear about the daily calls the league receives about refs. It's very possible that the league has received a number of valid complaints about Crawford and this was the final straw. We also don't know what he has said to other refs behind the scenes, so there is just as good a chance as any that they all saw this coming.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

This is what I mean, they can get revenge and not make it look obvious at all. TD can get 2 fouls in 1st Q and then the Spurs will probably lose because he will be on bench and ineffective the rest of the 1st half. They can repeat the 2 fouls in the 3rd Q, and then you can forget winning a close game, especially on the road..

Frankly, this worries me.

I was kind of worried but the more I think about it the refs will probably err on the side of the Spurs because you know the media will be watching our games closely to see if the refs retaliate, and if they do it will be the top of Sportscenter.

[Tek_XX]

If every ref was Joey Crawford then you might get a little revenge but most probably consider themselves more professional.

The best NBA ref is Steve Javie, the worst of all time is Hugh Hollins.

[T Park]

Agreed with javie :tu

IMO no. The refs might be a wee but gunshy when it comes to the Spurs or Duncan.

[Russ]

Skip Bayless (admittedly not the most credible source) said he thinks the Spurs will be retaliated against by the refs in the playoffs. On Cold Pizza, he mentioned Crawford's calls against Duncan in Game 3 of the Mavs series last year. Fouls 5 and 6 against Duncan were bogus said Bayless. But he said the refs will show solidarity with Crawford simply because he was one of them. (Typically the way an affronted group reacts after one of their own is hit with something that diminishes all their status.) He ended by saying, "I think the Spurs are in trouble."

[cambrad]

Get your excuses ready fellas.

[boutons_]

"he was one of them"

Now that he's not one of them, he's trash talking back at them. There may not be huge feelings of solidarity by the refs for Crawford.

[DaMavs02]

Even on the first Tech, Tim was NOT talking to Crawford. He said something, but I'm not sure if it was even addressed directly to a ref.

I keep hearing this, but if you watch the tape, Joey's standing 8-10 ft away from Duncan while the free throws are being shot and Duncan gets his first technical. Joey had his back to Tim as he was watching the play, so you would think he said something Joey heard, as opposed to doing something he saw.

And people are focusing on the "Do you want to fight?" which I think is a red herring. From most accounts, didn't that happen after the ejection? Regardless, Crawford got suspended because he impacted the flow of the game by calling technical fouls instead of walking away. Crawford still thinks he's right to call a technical if a player's disrespecting him. Stern thinks he needs to shut up and take the disrespect rather than disrupt the game.

[Kevin Blackistone]

After he basically called Bavetta a hack, he probably alienated a group of officials that either like Bavetta or frown upon that sort of thing. Javie might be the best candidate to retaliate because he apparently was the closest to J Crawford. We need Danny Crawford for every game in the playoffs.

[Kevin Blackistone]

I keep hearing this, but if you watch the tape, Joey's standing 8-10 ft away from Duncan while the free throws are being shot and Duncan gets his first technical. Joey had his back to Tim as he was watching the play, so you would think he said something Joey heard, as opposed to doing something he saw.

And people are focusing on the "Do you want to fight?" which I think is a red herring. From most accounts, didn't that happen after the ejection? Regardless, Crawford got suspended because he impacted the flow of the game by calling technical fouls instead of walking away. Crawford still thinks he's right to call a technical if a player's disrespecting him. Stern thinks he needs to shut up and take the disrespect rather than disrupt the game.

The league wont say it, but I think the biggest reason Crawford was suspended was because he made the "fight" remark. That is what was the worst thing about the whole ordeal.

[Russ]

Javie might be the best candidate to retaliate because he apparently was the closest to J Crawford.
What better emissary for retaliation purposes. :)

BTW, TD is not particulary popular with the refs. He complains a lot but never takes heat for it from the press because he has that "boring" choirboy persona attached to him by the national media. Also, the fact that he is brighter than most makes it harder for the refs to ignore his barbs. I bet the refs would rather face a hothead complaining about their calls than the Duncan's wry smirk.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I keep hearing this, but if you watch the tape, Joey's standing 8-10 ft away from Duncan while the free throws are being shot and Duncan gets his first technical. Joey had his back to Tim as he was watching the play, so you would think he said something Joey heard, as opposed to doing something he saw.

And people are focusing on the "Do you want to fight?" which I think is a red herring. From most accounts, didn't that happen after the ejection? Regardless, Crawford got suspended because he impacted the flow of the game by calling technical fouls instead of walking away. Crawford still thinks he's right to call a technical if a player's disrespecting him. Stern thinks he needs to shut up and take the disrespect rather than disrupt the game.


I realize you're a Mavs troll (possibly even mouse), but at any rate a not very good one, but every article that has mentioned the 'fight challenge' by Crawford states it was said prior to Duncan even getting technical number one.

As for the first T, Duncan said something to the near official to the Spurs bench (who was NOT Joey Crawford), that is not disputed by anyone. Where it all started bad was Joey Crawford hearing it and running in from the other side of the court to give Duncan a technical, and the rest is history.

But by all means, continue to talk out of your rear about what happened, that seems to be the only thing you're good at as far as this topic goes.

[kskonn]

I personally don't think it will have any ramifications. Crawford always saw himself as ad defender of all refs. Just like the incident the other night, the first tech was not his to call, it was the official the Finley and Duncan were talking to. In a way a lot of refs probably feel like crawford steps on their toes and undermines their authority by making calls that were not his to make. Maybe I am wrong, just a different perspective. Perhaps Javie and the other veteran officials might retiliate a little but that won't change things much for the spurs.

[50 cent]

2) Was Crawford right to eject Tim Duncan?


90.7% No

9.3% Yes



I would wager that 99.9% of those "Yes" votes came for the Dallas Metroplex. :lol

[Kori Ellis]

And people are focusing on the "Do you want to fight?" which I think is a red herring. From most accounts, didn't that happen after the ejection?

No. It was before either of the technicals.

[nkdlunch]

No. It was before either of the technicals.

so it did happen? did the nba comment on this?

I would think this is a much worse offense by Crawford that the ejection.

[mardigan]

Duncan hopes refs don't punish Spurs for CrawfordAssociated Press

SAN ANTONIO -- Spurs star Tim Duncan said he hopes he and his teammates "get a fair shake" from officials in the wake of NBA referee Joey Crawford's suspension.

NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Crawford, who has worked more postseason games than any active ref, indefinitely on Tuesday for his conduct toward Duncan during a game Sunday. His suspension will last at least through the NBA finals.

"I didn't do anything to invoke the reaction that he gave to me and what he did, so I had nothing to do with that," Duncan said after practice Wednesday. "So hopefully they take that into consideration and we get a fair shake from everybody."

Duncan's comments Wednesday were his first since Crawford's suspension.

Crawford ejected Duncan from San Antonio's loss to Dallas on Sunday after calling a second technical foul on the Spurs star while he was laughing on the bench.

"He looked at me and said, 'Do you want to fight? Do you want to fight?"' Duncan said after the incident. "If he wants to fight, we can fight. I don't have any problem with him, but we can do it if he wants to. I have no reason why in the middle of a game he would yell at me, 'Do you want to fight?"'

Crawford was cited for "improper conduct" and "inappropriate comments made to Duncan during the game." Stern said Crawford's actions "failed to meet the standards of professionalism and game management we expect of NBA referees."

"Especially in light of similar prior acts by this official, a significant suspension is warranted," Stern said in a statement. "Although Joey is consistently rated as one of our top referees, he must be held accountable for his actions on the floor, and we will have further discussions with him following the season to be sure he understands his responsibilities."

Duncan said Wednesday that his part of the incident was "absolutely minimal."

The NBA fined Duncan $25,000 for verbal abuse of an official. Crawford said Duncan referred to him with an expletive.

"I thought my reaction was mild for what happened," Duncan said. "But I understand why the fine was made."

Asked if he was surprised at the length of Crawford's suspension, Duncan said he didn't know what to expect, but "I didn't know it was going to be that much."

"They thought that's what fit the crime," he said.

Duncan repeatedly stressed that he had nothing to do with the NBA's decision.

"The whole thing is an unfortunate situation," he said. "I didn't want to be a part of it in the first place."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

[SpursFanFirst]

I saw this a little bit ago, and since people are still talking about it, I thought I'd post...

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Arq6cvdx0I6sl3IkcpXt77I5nYcB?slug=ap-refereesuspended&prov=ap&type=lgns

SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Spurs star Tim Duncan said he hopes he and his teammates "get a fair shake" from officials in the wake of NBA referee Joey Crawford's suspension.

NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Crawford, who has worked more postseason games than any active ref, indefinitely on Tuesday for his conduct toward Duncan during a game Sunday. His suspension will last at least through the NBA finals.
"I didn't do anything to invoke the reaction that he gave to me and what he did, so I had nothing to do with that," Duncan said after practice Wednesday. "So hopefully they take that into consideration and we get a fair shake from everybody."

Duncan's comments Wednesday were his first since Crawford's suspension.

Crawford ejected Duncan from San Antonio's loss to Dallas on Sunday after calling a second technical foul on the Spurs star while he was laughing on the bench.

"He looked at me and said, 'Do you want to fight? Do you want to fight?"' Duncan said after the incident. "If he wants to fight, we can fight. I don't have any problem with him, but we can do it if he wants to. I have no reason why in the middle of a game he would yell at me, 'Do you want to fight?"'

Crawford was cited for "improper conduct" and "inappropriate comments made to Duncan during the game." Stern said Crawford's actions "failed to meet the standards of professionalism and game management we expect of NBA referees."

"Especially in light of similar prior acts by this official, a significant suspension is warranted," Stern said in a statement. "Although Joey is consistently rated as one of our top referees, he must be held accountable for his actions on the floor, and we will have further discussions with him following the season to be sure he understands his responsibilities."

Duncan said Wednesday that his part of the incident was "absolutely minimal."

The NBA fined Duncan $25,000 for verbal abuse of an official. Crawford said Duncan referred to him with an expletive.

"I thought my reaction was mild for what happened," Duncan said. "But I understand why the fine was made."

Asked if he was surprised at the length of Crawford's suspension, Duncan said he didn't know what to expect, but "I didn't know it was going to be that much."

"They thought that's what fit the crime," he said.

Duncan repeatedly stressed that he had nothing to do with the NBA's decision.

"The whole thing is an unfortunate situation," he said. "I didn't want to be a part of it in the first place."

[Spurminator]

Tim needs to be very careful about commenting on this. I know that's probably the only topic of discussion the Press are interested in from him (and with good reason) but this is a very sensitive issue and I'm guessing Stern doesn't want it perpetuated with new quotes.

[dbestpro]

A wise ref will let em play. You can't get accused of making a bad call if you don't make a call. This could make for a more physical playoff which could spell trouble for the Spurs on the first round, Mav's on the second round and Suns in any round.

[SpursFanFirst]

Sorry, Mardigan...I just noticed I posted the same thing you did. I'm at work, and I didn't want to keep the screen up, so I posted and got the heck out.

[mardigan]

Sorry, Mardigan...I just noticed I posted the same thing you did. I'm at work, and I didn't want to keep the screen up, so I posted and got the heck out.
Ahh no problem, your just trying to spread the gospel of the Spurs to the masses, amen brother

[Ginofan]

I personally don't think there will be any "revenge" from the refs on the Spurs. After first hearing about the suspension of JC, I was a little apprehensive of how the rest of the refs would react and how that would play against us. But since reading Joey's comments and jabs at Bavetta, you can see that not everything is nice in referee land and not everyone supported Joey. I think we'll be okay, maybe we have to be a little more careful when Javie is reffing, seeing as JC was like his BFF (lol) but overall I don't think there will be any revenge tactics imposed by the refs on us.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I still don't expect any backlash. Because the media is already looking for any conspiracy story it can find about the NBA. Every call against us in the playoffs, especially in the big games, will be under the microscope of the press.

[T Park]

javie likes the attention though....

[ploto]

I think that Duncan is going to have to be careful because if he does anything even resembling being disrespectful to a ref, then there will be great focus on it. He really should quit commenting on it.

[G-Nob]

We won't see any ramifications until we play Dallas.