Thunder - Spurs Game 6 Referees

[NASpurs]

So which new way are the Spurs going to get screwed over by the refs tonight?

[UZER]

^^Technical foul calls.

[Mikeanaro]

That piece of kennedy sucks.

[Mikeanaro]

So which new way are the Spurs going to get screwed over by the refs tonight?

New rule 2x1, every foul is a shooting foul 4 free throws and a public apology of the offender to the crowd.

[itzsoweezee]

I believe home teams have a ridiculous record in the playoffs when Callahan refs. Something like 9-1 this year.

[024]

Saw on Twitter: Playoff home teams are 9-1 with Callahan reffing, with an average win margin of 15.5.

Spurs needed a miracle to win this game and it just got harder.

[Vokun]

lol Y'all are kidding yourselves. Spurs will be in the penalty 7 minutes into the game.

[TheGreatYacht]

Are you ing kidding me?!?!

NBA trying to end this today,

[random21]

Bill Kennedy is that ref, right?

[TheGreatYacht]

Mike Callahan and Ken Mauer... Tell me these suckers don't look like corrupt reptiles

[Spur|n|Austin]

Saw on Twitter: Playoff home teams are 9-1 with Callahan reffing, with an average win margin of 15.5.

Spurs needed a miracle to win this game and it just got harder.

Well

[poeticism707]

The fix is just like it's been this entire series.

Doesn't matter becausewho is blowing whistles.

[spurtech09]

NBA refs are bad period......

[spurtech09]

The fix is just like it's been this entire series.

Doesn't matter becausewho is blowing whistles.

+1

[spurtech09]

Saw on Twitter: Playoff home teams are 9-1 with Callahan reffing, with an average win margin of 15.5.

Spurs needed a miracle to win this game and it just got harder.

Today is a new day....Don't dwell on the past.

[dbestpro]

NBA refs are bad period......

The worst of all sports including the WWF if you want to call that a sport.

[hsxvvd]

Well Callahan and Kennedy both are gay but IDK if it changes anything?

Sounds like Richard Jefferson could have been useful in this game.

[tholdren]

The problem is that the NBA has rules that would make the game less exciting - fewer highlight reel plays. So they ignore them, most of the time. When they do call one of them, it looks subjective because they've allowed the same thing (or worse) 20 other times in the same game.

The other problem - maybe even bigger - is that the league markets colorful players aggressively, and tries to create superstars who will drive ticket and merchandise sales. Superstars get the benefit of friendly whistles, which makes them even better - and even bigger superstars.

Every player I've ever heard talk about the subject believes that young, unknown players don't get "respect" from the referees. They comment during the games that the young guy "isn't going to get that call against xSuperstarx". You can debate whether it's true, but the guys who play the game sure as believe it. If it is true (and it is) it means that there are different rules for different players, and different situations.

Put that all together? The team with more media "superstars" has a decided advantage. Even an extra 4-5 free throws a game is a HUGE advantage over the course of a season. In the playoffs, where all the teams are good, and games are often close at the end? Getting spotted 4 points a game is going to be enough to change most series. It may not be an intentional thing, but the NBA is a product of its own marketing. The Spurs are a small market team, that has had low-profile stars. The fact that they have been able to overcome as much as they have is amazing.

The old saying about the "aggressive team" getting the calls? Only half-true. Most of the time, the players who get the benefit of calls can afford to be overly-aggressive. When you're aggressive and don't get calls, you're ed.

It's entertainment. Is it rigged, absolutely. Is it scripted, absolutely not. Same can be said for all sports at one time.

[polandprzem]

Sounds like Richard Jefferson could have been useful in this game.

Well is now with LeBron ...

[.G.]

Definitely entertainment.

Rigged? Meh