American Muscle Car

Did Donaghy ruin the NBA officiating?

Okay, I know the NBA officiating has always been under a microscope and every time something lame happens there's that group of people who thinks there's a conspiracy. I don't think that. What I want to know is where did the consistency go? Last year, and in years past, if the game was called poorly, they called it poorly all the way through, both ways. And conversely if they were calling it well, it stayed consistent. This year it seems like every game I watch they can't seem make up their minds. One quarter something is a foul and the next it isn't. I don't get it. I'd have thought that with the whole Donaghy thing the refs, and the NBA, would want some real consistency out there. Maybe show the world that this was one guy and not a league-wide problem. (And no, I'm not only talking about Laker games) What do you guys think?

At 10:24pm on January 21st, 2008, Steve Cage said…: Matt,

Just got back from watching PHX in PHX. Man, are they fun to watch and are they good. The refs seemed to be somewhat all over the place in both games. Several times, they would all look at each other and the ref furthest away would come up with the call. Seemed a bit odd.

They are probably a bit nervous. How bad have the NFL refs been this year?

You remember Game 6 in

At 2:16am on January 22nd, 2008, Matt Mathias said…: At least the NFL has a back up plan to get things right when they're wrong. Instant replay. I just can't figure out what they're doing in the NBA this year. I watch games and wonder where the fouls are. Then later in the game wonder why, all of the sudden, those same plays are fouls. There's no consistency.

eg. The LA, Boston game a couple weeks back. Bynum elbows KG in the head and Garnett needs stitches but is called for the foul. Then, later in the game, Boston guys leave the bench after Odom tackled Ray Allen. Odom gets suspended (which was deserved, I'm not disputing that) but the 2 Celtics players who left the bench don't even get fined...

As far as the Suns go, I have a hard time rooting for them. Partly because they are in the Pacific with the Lakers, and partly because the way they complain about officiating every time they lose in the playoffs. Remember how they blamed the NBA for their loss to the Spurs last year because the NBA enforced a rule about leaving the bench?

Speaking of watching PHX in PHX...Lakers @ Suns February 20. You want to go?

At 1:49pm on January 22nd, 2008, Clay said…: I think NBA refs are the worst of the three major sports. The incident that happened last year was crazy and maybe I haven't seen as many games this year but I can't and will never be able to give NBA refs props. They obviously give superstars undeserved calls and the level of talent to me appears to be down from years past. Maybe this is solely because my beloved Pacers suck a fat one but it is hard for me to even watch games anymore. I think the brawl may have scarred me for life....

At 10:58pm on January 23rd, 2008, Matt Mathias said…: I don't if anyone is watching the Lakers-Spurs game, but this is exactly what I'm talking about. Duncan and Kobe should have both fouled out on the 1st half. But now, in the 3rd quarter they've called both of them for nothing...

At 11:40pm on February 13th, 2008, Steve Cage said…: The refs are pathetic.

At 4:18pm on February 17th, 2008, Matt Mathias said…: Did anyone see the dunk contest last night??? Wow, Dwight Howard is a savage. Those were three of the best dunks I've ever seen. Including game dunks over people, like Vince jumping over that 7' dude in the World Championships, Kobe dunking over Yao...oh yeah and (sorry Suns fans) Kobe over Nash in the playoffs, the same day Stevie was named the MVP... I was wondering what a 7' guy was going to do to impress, but wow, was I wrong! D Howard is a freak!!!

At 12:18am on February 18th, 2008, Velvet said…: I saw the dunk contest and Dwight Howard needs to play for the Suns. Wow!

At 2:38am on February 19th, 2008, Matt Mathias said…: LOL, yeah, I think, besides Kobe and maybe LeBron, Dwight Howard may be the most untouchable guy in the league as far as trading for him...