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Then I guess we can expect that -ass Phil Jackson to come away from this post-season with an ulcer.
Stern warns coaches to quit griping about refs
By Murray Evans
NBA commissioner David Stern is tired of coaches and players griping about the officiating, and challenged them Thursday to “make my day” by continuing to complain during the rest of the playoffs.
The league handed out fines of $35,000 apiece on Thursday to Boston Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace, Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and Orlando forward Matt Barnes for publicly criticizing officials. A week earlier, Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson was fined $35,000 for suggesting that Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant received preferential treatment from NBA referees.
Speaking before the Thunder hosted the Lakers, Stern said such comments were “corrosive” to the product that the league is putting on the floor. He said he understands why coaches try to work the officials through the media, but that the result is such comments undermine consumer confidence in the league’s product.
“So, our coaches should be quiet because this is a good business that makes them good livings and supports a lot of families,” Stern said. “And if they don’t like it, they should go get a job someplace else. I don’t mean to be too subtle.”
Stern said he’s often let such comments go “because of the pressure-cooker that is the NBA playoffs over the years.”
“But when you hear a Chicago coach say that this game was lost because NBC wants an extra game and you hear a New York coach say, ‘What are you going to do? Jordan gets all the calls,’ it sounds like a lot of fun,” Stern said.
“Or you hear a Stan Van Gundy do what he wants to say and then the players join in, we know inside the community what it’s meant to do and sort of, ‘OK, it’s playoff time. Everyone’s crazy,’ so back off.”
Stern said he regrets not coming down harder earlier on those who griped about officiating.
“I wish I had it to do all over again,” he said. “Starting 20 years ago I’d be suspending Phil and (former Lakers and Miami Heat coach) Pat Riley for all the games they play in the media. You guys know that our referees go out there and knock themselves out and do the best job that they can, but we’ve got coaches who will do whatever it takes to try to work them publicly.
“If I had it to do again … I would stop it and the price wouldn’t be a modest $35,000 fine. It would be whatever a day’s pay is and then two days’ pay and then a week’s pay.
“And if someone wants to try me in the rest of this playoffs, you know, make my day. Because the game is too important and I don’t think that the people who trash it are respecting it, and we’ll do what we have to do—the players and coaches alike—because they give the impression to our fans that the referees somehow have an agenda.”
Stern said he crossed paths with Jackson on Thursday night at the Ford Center and said there were no hard feelings, at least from the commissioner.
“I think that Phil’s a great coach,” Stern said. “He’s a friend of many years. I just came by and said, ‘Hi,’ and he said, ‘I don’t like you today.’ And I said, ‘I like you.’
Then I guess we can expect that -ass Phil Jackson to come away from this post-season with an ulcer.
Man, that Keebler Elf of a commissioner is the best...
As if PJ cares what Stern says.... and at 12 mil a year I don't think he sweats the fines either.
Stern. Arrogant piece of .
Large pocket book, 10 rings, Zen bull , and defiant at ude aside, he's still the biggest to ever helm an NBA team.
Maybe if he held the refs accountable for their mistakes, people wouldn't be ing.
exactly.........
btw, I still say if you get rid of the hand check rule, the league will be better off for it. less ticky tack foul calls, less whistles, and more of a flow to games.
Coaches and players are never going to stop complaining about the refs. Two reasons: no coach or player is gonna stand by and let a ref made a ty or bad call without ing about it and these players are making millions of dollars. Fines aren't going to hurt them. If Stern wasn't so protective of his refs and held them to the standards as he does players and coaches then it might be a different story.
If the refs actually do a decent job, and don't do such an obvious job in affecting games, I am sure the players and coaches would stop the complaints.
If the wasn't rigged, there wouldn't be a problem
The refs have too much power and influence in the NBA. Just sayin'.
NBA refs are the best basketball referees in the world by far.
Most fans don't even know the rules and many of them are completely paranoid.
Coaches don't want to assume their responsibilities.
Why can't the NBA get some new young referees? No offense to the veteran staffers but they're now in their what, 60s? You're telling me a 60 year old is going to have the eyesight and ability to keep up with players today?
The officiating in the NBA is notable because fans know the referees names and can pick up on obvious differences and bias that each official brings to the table. Regardless of anything else, that's a problem.
Oops
You have mark cuban to thank for that after his ing about Bruce Bowen.
I think the refs try to do a good job, but they get influenced by money and power of the big names. They are only human after all.
I like the way Stern has stepped up this time. I give him credit. Let the refs do their job. Play through bad calls and hope Dirk doesn't get bailed out every time he misses a fadeaway!
the truth is it doesnt exist for some players already. thats part of the bigger problem some refs flat out ignore it.
sons I don't even need to comment on this crap
lol, Classic.
Nobody here sees pre-season games? Those guys who made the last pre-season are the next in line to officiate in the NBA. It takes years to form a good NBA ref. But there are excellent refs out there still young and already in their prime. And older ones. Javie is a beast, IMO.
agreed.
these guys have the ability to change history, there ought to be something to keep them in check.
but heck, the whining was getting out of hand though.
Exactly. Is there any other pro sport in the world that gets away with as many questionable calls from the officials? And is there any other sport (besides boxing/MMA) where fans are familiar with each of the refs?
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