The Trials and Tribulations Of An NBA Ref!!!

[Nbadan]

Two things -- (1) I don't think the Spurs played as aggressively as the Mavericks in the first 24 minutes and particularly not in the 1st quarter;

No they didn't. In fact, only many plays Tony passed the ball to Horry or Barry and then proceeded to stand on the left-side 3 point line. Is this where one of your best dribble penetrators should be? What? Is POP saving Tony?

[Phenomanul]

I'm not sure it completely modified the Spurs' defensive aggression -- nor should it. If they're going to call it, they call it. You still have to defend and you still have to be able to hold an opponent to less than 50% shooting in the 4th quarter of a playoff game.



Two things -- (1) I don't think the Spurs played as aggressively as the Mavericks in the first 24 minutes and particularly not in the 1st quarter; (2) the Spurs committed some dumb fouls early in quarters that permitted the Mavericks to get into the penalty early, which inflated their FTA number. There were 3 relatively soft fouls early in the 4th quarter that accelerated the Mavs into the penalty very early in that quarter, meaning that they shot FT regardless of the nature of the contact thereafter. I'm not sure that the Spurs managed to get the Mavs into that kind of foul trouble in any quarter other than one.



I think that's a testament to the fact that this team is certainly capable of beating the Mavericks on any floor. I'm not sure that winning the scoring battle in a quarter means that a team played more aggressively (or even equally aggressivley) than the opponent.

While that may be true... the scoring edge is indicative of agressiveness when a bulk of your points are coming from the paint... as opposed to settling for jumpers.

[FromWayDowntown]

While that may be true... the scoring edge is indicative of agressiveness when a bulk of your points are coming from the paint... as opposed to settling for jumpers.

That might be true, too. But I'd argue that points in the paint as a sheer number might not always indicate aggressiveness. If Team A is scoring in the paint and Team B is taking the ball to the rack and getting fouled without getting and-1's, Team A will have more points in the paint (likely), but might not have been as aggressive as Team B.

I thought there was a kernel of that in Game 3 -- the Mavs didn't have as many points in the paint as the Spurs, but that was (in part) because they were drawing fouls and getting to the line. Those points aren't credited as points in the paint, but they are points of aggression.

[v2freak]

I don't use this phrase very often, but cry me a river Gregory Moore and co...

[Phenomanul]

That might be true, too. But I'd argue that points in the paint as a sheer number might not always indicate aggressiveness. If Team A is scoring in the paint and Team B is taking the ball to the rack and getting fouled without getting and-1's, Team A will have more points in the paint (likely), but might not have been as aggressive as Team B.

I thought there was a kernel of that in Game 3 -- the Mavs didn't have as many points in the paint as the Spurs, but that was (in part) because they were drawing fouls and getting to the line. Those points aren't credited as points in the paint, but they are points of aggression.

All I know is we can outscore them... we just need to stop them without the Refs going "ticky tack" on us...

[FromWayDowntown]

All I know is we can outscore them... we just need to stop them without the Refs going "ticky tack"...

I agree with you on both ideas, but mostly, I think it comes down to the Spurs actually getting stops. They can do it -- particularly if they play with aggression do the little things.

It would help that cause if they'd quit complaining about calls and non-calls (regardless of how frustrating the whistles might be) and just play the freakin' game.

I remain convinced that the most important number for the Spurs is defensive rebounds -- you don't get a stop until you grab one of those suckers and the Spurs achillies heel in these playoffs has been conceding offensive boards and second-chance points.

[Phenomanul]

I agree with you on both ideas, but mostly, I think it comes down to the Spurs actually getting stops. They can do it -- particularly if they play with aggression do the little things.

It would help that cause if they'd quit complaining about calls and non-calls (regardless of how frustrating the whistles might be) and just play the freakin' game.

I remain convinced that the most important number for the Spurs is defensive rebounds -- you don't get a stop until you grab one of those suckers and the Spurs achillies heel in these playoffs has been conceding offensive boards and second-chance points.

Sadly.... very true...

[GoSpurs21]

Maybe one of the reasons why fans think that can happen is because two seasons ago it did happen in San Antonio. There was an officiating crew during one game that was whistle happy and a lot of the calls did go against the Spurs. Yet the calls were so out of character that the league had the lead referee explain what was going on at halftime during the game. Coincidentally that game was being broadcasted by TNT. The calls were indeed atrocious and the following game, Ronnie Nunn showed up to observe for himself and make sure the crews were doing their job.

wasnt that the other time the Mavs shot 50 free throws in a playoff game?

[Tek_XX]

The NBA's problem is consistancy. If their going to call it tight, it needs to be tight the whole game, and vice versa.

[MissAllThat]

I'm thinking I'm calling BS on this article now. After this game, the only trials and tribulations I can see an NBA ref facing are the ones they'll get when they die and have to explain to their conscience after making such blatantly horrible calls.

[Nero]

"On the other hand, Dirk has been ing awesome against pretty much everyone else, and brilliant at driving and creating contact."

I don't think the series is being called unfairly. It is being called tight which favors the Mavs, but that's just because of the personal of each team.
1) Spurs are worse freethrow shooters
2) TD gets into foul trouble
If the league wants to decrease physical play then the Spurs just have to adjust to that. Especially Bowen is playing way too aggressive.

But the calls on Dirk are out of hand. There is no way a jumpshooter gets that many freethrow attempts without ref help. I've noticed that so many of his trips to the line are off the ball calls when the Spurs are over the limit or when he's 21 feet out. Players make an effort not to foul jump shooters especially ones that shoot 90% at the line. Yet he is consitently fouled. Are the leagues defenders stupid? No, it's mostly star call syndrome. You say he's brilliant at driving to the basket and creating contact? Yes, but that's all he does is create contact. When was the last time Dirk finished a drive with a 2 point basket? I can't remember. He's not a finisher that deserves the benefit of the doubt when he drives like AI, Kobe, Nash, Parker, Manu, LeBron, Harris!, etc do. Please let's see him finish around the rim before we give him a call every time he barrels into the lane out of control and throws up a prayer.