NBA Refs: What the $#%@?!?!

Part I: The Problem

Last week, I watched what was, without a doubt one of the most remarkable Blazer-laker games in recent memory. Not because it featured a young Blazer team playing phenomenal basketball in dismantling a talented laker team, and ending their 10-game winning streak. No, it was because that Blazer-laker game was unquestionably, the worst officiated basketball game I have ever seen. Now, as a lifelong Blazer fan, I’ve come to expect poor officiating every time they play the lakers, as the superstar call has been a stalwart on their roster for as long as I can remember. The list of laker greats in my lifetime alone is a mile long. Magic, Kareem, Shaq, kobe, Javie, Donaghy, Salvadore. But, in all those years, with all those superstars, there has never been a game quite like this.

To be fair, the game was poorly officiated on both ends. As a Blazer fan, I’m much more likely to notice the bevy of calls that kobe gets, mostly where he drives to the basket, heaves his body toward the rim in hopes of drawing contact, and then bitches when the call isn’t made (regardless of whether he was actually fouled or not). This was particularly obvious right from the outset of this game. Now, as any NBA fan knows, foul calls are mostly subjective. For the most part, you can make an argument for and against every foul call, depending on the team you are rooting for. So, I’m going to mostly skip over this aspect of the game, as it’s basically an invitation to argue in circles with laker fans. There were however, multiple calls that were indisputably bad. I’m talking so bad that there is ZERO excuse for these calls being made (or not made) in ANY level of basketball, particularly the NBA.

First, on the highlight reel reverse layup that kobe got fouled on (biting tongue…HARD), it appeared that one of his feet may have landed before he released the shot, which would be an obvious travel call. Now, I haven’t been able to find a video of the shot that includes his feet (conspiracy!), so I can’t say this with any certainty (although I have read several accounts from those at the game that his foot did touch). What I can say, with certainty, is that if he did in fact come down before releasing his shot, there is NO excuse for missing that call. There are 3 officials on the court at all times. At least one of them should be looking for this call on every drive to the hoop, no exceptions. It’s a basic part of the game, and an easy one to watch. Although, without further proof, this is a moot argument. Let’s move on.

The second play I want to mention occurred in the final minute of the game. After Jarrett Jack secured an important rebound that all but ended the game, three lakers converged on him in an attempt to strip the ball, and ultimately foul him, in order to extend the game. All three players reached across Jack’s body, slapping at his hands and arms, and getting a little ball in the process. What do the refs do? Call a jump ball of course. And who gets to do the jump ball with the 6’3” Jack? That’s right, the tallest of the three, 6’10” Lamar Odom. Now, you might be saying to yourself “Didn’t you just say that you are not going to discuss foul calls?”. Yes I did. But, in these end of game situations, where referees know that the defense is trying to foul, it warrants mention. The lakers were trying to foul Jarret Jack. However, apparently the refs instead decided that a jump ball between the 6’10” Odom and the 6’3” Jack would work more in their favor. Nice.

“OK,” you say, “but, these calls happen all the time in the NBA. What makes this game any different from the dozens upon dozens of poorly officiated NBA games that happen every year?” I’ll tell you what does. This game was not only poorly officiated throughout, but it also contained what might have been the worst call in NBA history.

With about 2 minutes left in the 4^th quarter, and the lakers trying to make a late rally, they took a long 3 point attempt. The ball missed, bounced up off the rim, hit the top of the backboard, and bounced directly over the center of the backboard. On the way down, it hit a wire (or something) behind the backboard, and fell down into the hands of Pau Gasol, who took the rebound, and kicked it out for an open 3 (which was thankfully missed, or I might have had roundhouse kicked my TV).

Let me repeat that. The ball bounced up and over the backboard, and even made contact with something on the way down. I’m not talking about a ball that bounced haphazardly off the rim, and may or may not have gone over the corner of the backboard. This ball bounced straight up, and over the middle of the backboard. It was a CLEAR violation of one of the basic rules of basketball. There are three referees on the court at all times, and NONE of them saw this? Really? That’s virtually impossible, right? That means one of three things happened.

Either,

1. All three refs weren’t watching the basketball for AT LEAST 3 to 4 seconds
2. All three refs just flat out don’t know one of the basic rules of basketball, or
3. All three refs were actively trying to sway the outcome of the game in favor of the lakers.

I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one, that it was A, and not B or C, both of which would render the NBA completely without any credibility, ever again. But, no matter what the “reasoning” was behind that horrendous no-call, it accentuates an increasingly problematic situation in the NBA; outright pitiful officiating. It’s gotten progressively worse as the players have gotten bigger, stronger, and far more athletic over the past 20 years. Something needs to be done. The problem is only getting worse, and it’s not going to just fix it self. Changes need to be made, and I'm talking more than just duct taping Steve Javie to rocket and shooting him into orbit (although that would be a fantastic start).

Stay Tuned for Part II: The Solution