NBA Officiating Hitting New Low Tonight!

[ILLINOISLION]

This officiating crew tonight is simply so pro-Golden State, anti-Houston it’s actually embarrassing for the NBA.

Six-seven obviously bad calls, non-calls and just totally blown calls ALL in Golden State’s favor just in the first half of the third quarter.

The announcing crew are having a hard time dealing with these officiating gaffes as replay after replay after replay show how Houston is getting hosed.

For the record, I have NO dog in this fight.....but Fonzie is watching the game with me.

 

[NedFromYork]

I would have watched every minute of a Rockets-Celtics finals, every other of a Rockets-Cavs finals, and will barely follow Warriors-Cavs. What a lousy 24 hours!

 

[Tom McAndrew]

This officiating crew tonight is simply so pro-Golden State, anti-Houston it’s actually embarrassing for the NBA.

I think the crew, especially one of them, is either bad, or just having an off night. While there have been some terrible non-calls that went against the Rockets, the Warriors have reason to be annoyed with several calls that went against them.

The game itself has been pretty good. The Rockets looked very good in the 1st half. The Warriors once again had a phenomenal 3rd quarter. Both teams are battling hard in the 4th quarter.

 

[ILLINOISLION]

I put the game on hold with about 4 min to go in the third quarter.....sounds like Fonzie and I better get back to the action!

 

[ILLINOISLION]

So Boston and Houston worked all year for the home court and gave it away in their respective Conference Finals.

 

[Ian]

This officiating crew tonight is simply so pro-Golden State, anti-Houston it’s actually embarrassing for the NBA.

Six-seven obviously bad calls, non-calls and just totally blown calls ALL in Golden State’s favor just in the first half of the third quarter.

The announcing crew are having a hard time dealing with these officiating gaffes as replay after replay after replay show how Houston is getting hosed.

For the record, I have NO dog in this fight.....but Fonzie is watching the game with me.

The NBA has always wanted Cavs and Warriors in the final since the beginning of the year. It’s the matchup that sells. And they will do whatever they can to take it seven games. Bet on that!

But the shooting by Houston was atrocious. Boston, too. The games now are 3 pt competitions with dunks sprinkled in. Not entertaining at all. I hope they extend the arc to 30’ and take it out of play for most of the game. Bring back BB with bigs, low post, fast breaks, etc. This chuck it up game is boring.

 

[ericstratton-rushchairman]

 

[LafayetteBear]

The outside shooting ability, ball movement, player movement, and team defense of the Dubs sets them apart from all other teams. Those abilities more than make up for a litany of miscues in other areas (bad passes, giving up too many offensive rebounds to the opponent, etc.) I get that people don't like seeing the same teams in the Finals year after year, but the Cavs won't be there next year.

 

[psuro]

As long as the Celtics are done - everything is ok by me.

 

[Mile High Lion]

James Harden and LeBron James take more steps without being called for it than any other players in the league. Houston and Cleveland should never complain about the officiating.

 

[mrmk5110]

Houston should be complaining about how they went 7-44 from 3 point range, not the officials.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

Houston should be complaining about how they went 7-44 from 3 point range, not the officials.

I think I could hit that percentage. I could miss 20+ 3 pointers in a row as well. Pay me millions!

 

[Pocono Lion]

I think the crew, especially one of them, is either bad, or just having an off night. While there have been some terrible non-calls that went against the Rockets, the Warriors have reason to be annoyed with several calls that went against them.

The game itself has been pretty good. The Rockets looked very good in the 1st half. The Warriors once again had a phenomenal 3rd quarter. Both teams are battling hard in the 4th quarter.

Agree that the bad calls went both ways. If the refs were truly pro-Warriors, they wouldn’t have nailed Klay Thompson for 3 fouls in the first half of the first quarter.

 

[wentzel25]

The outside shooting ability, ball movement, player movement, and team defense of the Dubs sets them apart from all other teams. Those abilities more than make up for a litany of miscues in other areas (bad passes, giving up too many offensive rebounds to the opponent, etc.) I get that people don't like seeing the same teams in the Finals year after year, but the Cavs won't be there next year.

But you can bet LeBron will be.

 

[Obliviax]

NBA has really changed. Golden State's starting team will be something like:

• PG at 6-6
• SF at 6-7
• SF at 6-9
• PF at 6-7
• C at 6-11

What is consistent is that four of these guys make their hay on the three point line. Houston too, who attempted 44 3 point shots last night.

If you are making them, you score 120. If not, 89. So games tend to be blowouts while series can be close. And, home court is really important as long shooting is always easier on your home court.

Also, note that lack of experience deep in meaningful series made a big difference: Indy/Cavs, Celtics/Cavs, Rockets/Warriors. Its hard to make threes with that much pressure.

The exception was last year's finals where the Warriors shot lights out from three and pasted the Cavs in five.

Golden State doesn't look as good this year as last. Does James have anything in the tank? Will be an interesting series.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

NBA has really changed. Golden State's starting team will be something like:

• PG at 6-6
• SF at 6-7
• SF at 6-9
• PF at 6-7
• C at 6-11

What is consistent is that four of these guys make their hay on the three point line. Houston too 44 3 point shots.

If you are making them, you score 120. If not, 89. So games tend to be blowouts while series can be close. And, home court is really important as long shooting is always easier on your home court.

Also, note that lack of experience deep in meaningful series made a big difference: Indy/Cavs, Celtics/Cavs, Rockets/Warriors. Its hard to make threes with that much pressure.

The exception was last year's finals where the Warriors shot lights out from three and pasted the Cavs in five.

Golden State doesn't look as good this year as last. Does James have anything in the tank? Will be an interesting series.

well here's the difference:

Kevin Love was out for the Cavs

Jeff Green scored 19 pts, 8 reb
George Hill was +24 on the court and played stellar D
JR Smith was +14 and had 3 3pters

Chris Paul was out for the Rockets

Ariza, Gordon, and Harden were a combined 4-34 from 3 pt land and played almost NO defense in the 3rd quarter

experience counts, but so does showing up when a key player is out

 

[LafayetteBear]

I just don't think the Cavs have enough to hang with the Warriors. No guarantees here, but if I had to guess, I would say Dubs in five games. If it was the Rockets, I would be taking them in five games, too, but for the CP3 injury..

 

[TenerHallTerror]

I just don't think the Cavs have enough to hang with the Warriors. No guarantees here, but if I had to guess, I would say Dubs in five games. If it was the Rockets, I would be taking them in five games, too, but for the CP3 injury..

the Rockets were up 11 at the half. They played physical, slowed the game down, limited shots by GSW

they totally collapsed in the 3rd quarter. they made ONE SHOT outside the lane

defensively, they gave the Warriors a lot of open shots.

I think the Cavs are a lot more physical than the Rockets. We'll see.

 

[Obliviax]

I just don't think the Cavs have enough to hang with the Warriors. No guarantees here, but if I had to guess, I would say Dubs in five games. If it was the Rockets, I would be taking them in five games, too, but for the CP3 injury..

I agree but don't see the killer instinct they had last year. We'll see. Both teams really worked hard with 7 game series leading up so both are gassed. But if the dubs are hitting their contested threes, nobody is going to beat them.

 

[DandyDonII]

Disclaimer, I am a Warriors fan.
1) I hate that the NBA Playoffs are played by different rules than the regular season. The Playoffs more closely resemble rugby than basketball at many times.
2) You can't seriously contend that the officials favor the Warriors. If you watch the Warriors on offense, particularly when Curry does not have the ball, you will see how often he is fouled. He is constantly grabbed and body checked and it is almost never called. Additionally, every time that Harden drives and does the step back shot, he pushes the defender backwards to create even more space and it only gets called 1 out of every 20 times... Not to mention that it seems Harden carries the ball for about 3 steps every time he drives the ball.
3. Watching Lebron drive is ridiculous. That guy uses the arm without the ball to push and protect the ball. What's even more amazing is that the announcers never even mention it.
4. The Warriors definitely seem off, and it has seemed that way all year. Giving Swaggy P all of the mid level really backfired, especially since McCaw has not developed.
5. that being said, Warriors should win in no more than 6 games. This Cavs team is worse than last year's team...

 

[Locolion]

Disclaimer, I am a Warriors fan.
1) I hate that the NBA Playoffs are played by different rules than the regular season. The Playoffs more closely resemble rugby than basketball at many times.
2) You can't seriously contend that the officials favor the Warriors. If you watch the Warriors on offense, particularly when Curry does not have the ball, you will see how often he is fouled. He is constantly grabbed and body checked and it is almost never called. Additionally, every time that Harden drives and does the step back shot, he pushes the defender backwards to create even more space and it only gets called 1 out of every 20 times... Not to mention that it seems Harden carries the ball for about 3 steps every time he drives the ball.
3. Watching Lebron drive is ridiculous. That guy uses the arm without the ball to push and protect the ball. What's even more amazing is that the announcers never even mention it.
4. The Warriors definitely seem off, and it has seemed that way all year. Giving Swaggy P all of the mid level really backfired, especially since McCaw has not developed.
5. that being said, Warriors should win in no more than 6 games. This Cavs team is worse than last year's team...

I want to punch Draymond Green in the face and Stevie Curry in his mouthpiece/binky. Such arrogant effers

 

[Locolion]

Disclaimer, I am a Warriors fan.
1) I hate that the NBA Playoffs are played by different rules than the regular season. The Playoffs more closely resemble rugby than basketball at many times.
2) You can't seriously contend that the officials favor the Warriors. If you watch the Warriors on offense, particularly when Curry does not have the ball, you will see how often he is fouled. He is constantly grabbed and body checked and it is almost never called. Additionally, every time that Harden drives and does the step back shot, he pushes the defender backwards to create even more space and it only gets called 1 out of every 20 times... Not to mention that it seems Harden carries the ball for about 3 steps every time he drives the ball.
3. Watching Lebron drive is ridiculous. That guy uses the arm without the ball to push and protect the ball. What's even more amazing is that the announcers never even mention it.
4. The Warriors definitely seem off, and it has seemed that way all year. Giving Swaggy P all of the mid level really backfired, especially since McCaw has not developed.
5. that being said, Warriors should win in no more than 6 games. This Cavs team is worse than last year's team...

Side note: it is so lame that the Golden Showers can lock up 4 of the best 10 players in the league (prob 5 of top 20). It’s like Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. Needs to be some kind of Competition Committee that looks at fairness of ‘stockpiling’ talent before signings occur and irrespective of luxury taxes levied. Tired of watching Curry et al dominate with all that firepower.

 

[djr4rebs]

Side note: it is so lame that the Golden Showers can lock up 4 of the best 10 players in the league (prob 5 of top 20). It’s like Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. Needs to be some kind of Competition Committee that looks at fairness of ‘stockpiling’ talent before signings occur and irrespective of luxury taxes levied. Tired of watching Curry et al dominate with all that firepower.

They drafted 3 of the their core 4. Can't really blame anything on them for that.

 

[Ian]

The new NBA where an offensive set is a man in each corner, two at the top of the key as all four are beyond the arc. And one guy at the free throw area looking to set up screens. You drive for a layup or dish to the corner. It’s a bombs away game.

 

[DandyDonII]

Side note: it is so lame that the Golden Showers can lock up 4 of the best 10 players in the league (prob 5 of top 20). It’s like Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. Needs to be some kind of Competition Committee that looks at fairness of ‘stockpiling’ talent before signings occur and irrespective of luxury taxes levied. Tired of watching Curry et al dominate with all that firepower.

1) I am not a fan of the Curry Shimmy or the Green antics either...

2). As far as having the 4 players that they have, the fact that they have 3 of them should be blamed on the rest of the league. Curry and Thompson were not top 5 picks and Green was a second rounder....The Players Association should probably take the blame for Durant, since they decided not to smooth out the transition into the new cap, so that allowed for the Cap to incredibly spike for 1 year (don' forget that Warriors did lose Barnes, who is a pretty good player to sign Durant, once again another nice pick by the warriors)
3. You could probably also blame the Commish for Durant as well. If he didn't allow Green to get suspended when Lebron kept his sac in Green's face, Warriors probably win the series, and don't sign Durant...

 

[Locolion]

They drafted 3 of the their core 4. Can't really blame anything on them for that.

The Durant thing shoulda been blocked

 

[Obliviax]

Disclaimer, I am a Warriors fan.
1) I hate that the NBA Playoffs are played by different rules than the regular season. The Playoffs more closely resemble rugby than basketball at many times.
2) You can't seriously contend that the officials favor the Warriors. If you watch the Warriors on offense, particularly when Curry does not have the ball, you will see how often he is fouled. He is constantly grabbed and body checked and it is almost never called. Additionally, every time that Harden drives and does the step back shot, he pushes the defender backwards to create even more space and it only gets called 1 out of every 20 times... Not to mention that it seems Harden carries the ball for about 3 steps every time he drives the ball.
3. Watching Lebron drive is ridiculous. That guy uses the arm without the ball to push and protect the ball. What's even more amazing is that the announcers never even mention it.
4. The Warriors definitely seem off, and it has seemed that way all year. Giving Swaggy P all of the mid level really backfired, especially since McCaw has not developed.
5. that being said, Warriors should win in no more than 6 games. This Cavs team is worse than last year's team...

I was shocked, last night, watching Durant being held down the stretch. Perhaps the refs ate their whistles because that may have been, at that point in the game, an advantage for Houston.

And I agree that the dubs are not as good as last year. In my mind, they were very fortunate Chris Paul got hurt and that Harden choked (again). Dubs are, perhaps, the most fortunate team in the NBA (their first championship was against every team that lost a key player before or early in their series, including the Cavs, that year).

On the Cavs chances, the Cavs are LeBron and Love (when healthy) and dump the next seven players to see who can get hot on offense while playing decent defense. I posted, before the playoffs in the 76ers thread, that if the Cavs got through the first round, they had a shot. At this level, it is all about experience. As the Cavs players get comfortable playing under this kind of pressure, they are playing better and better. Meanwhile, LBJ setting NBA records for playoffs. Dude is amazing. Will be interesting to see how the Dubs play James this year. At the same time, Cavs have some new matchup pieces in Green, Nance, and Hill to go along with Smith, Korver and Thompson

 

[LafayetteBear]

The Durant thing shoulda been blocked

From a purely competitive standpoint, maybe so. (I say that as a Warriors fan.) But you have to admit that KD fits in really well with the Warriors style of play. Lots of ball and player movement, and a focus on the outside shot and team defense. This kind of play started with the Spurs and the D'Antoni Suns, and the Warriors have taken it to another level. It is now the model for the rest of the Association.

I understand the laments of those who yearn for more of an inside game; one that focuses on guys who excel playing with their back to the basket. But it seems to me that the Association's decision to adopt a three point line made this an inevitable development. It would not surprise me if they decide to move the three point line back a foot or so in the near future.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

just for an interesting perspective, think of 2 Eastern Conference teams that most resemble the Warriors style of offense . . .

 

[Obliviax]

just for an interesting perspective, think of 2 Eastern Conference teams that most resemble the Warriors style of offense . . .

Toronto.

That is about it...maybe Detroit as their coach kind of broke the code on having a guy in the paint and four on the perimeter/three point line while at Orlando.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

Toronto.

That is about it...maybe Detroit as their coach kind of broke the code on having a guy in the paint and four on the perimeter/three point line while at Orlando.

granted, GSW have better overall players than Toronto, but the Cavs completely shut down that offense

and some have compared Boston to GSW

LINK

 

[Tom McAndrew]

It would not surprise me if they decide to move the three point line back a foot or so in the near future.

I'm not so sure about that. In the corners out to a line through the highest mark on the lane for FTs (the closest that the last person on each side of the line can stand when set for FTs), I believe there are currently 2'11" between the 3-point line and the sideline. That's not much space, especially with the fact that most of these players are wearing size 12 or larger shoes. I don't think there's enough space to move the line out, at least where it parallels the sideline. And while the line can seem short when Steph is in his zone, I doubt the Rockets felt the line was too close when they were missing so many 3s in G7 against the Warriors.

 

[wbcincy]

Side note: it is so lame that the Golden Showers can lock up 4 of the best 10 players in the league (prob 5 of top 20). It’s like Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. Needs to be some kind of Competition Committee that looks at fairness of ‘stockpiling’ talent before signings occur and irrespective of luxury taxes levied. Tired of watching Curry et al dominate with all that firepower.

Wait, please tell me you aren't saying Iguodola is a top 20 player in the NBA.

 

[Obliviax]

granted, GSW have better overall players than Toronto, but the Cavs completely shut down that offense

and some have compared Boston to GSW

LINK

Agreed...while the Cavs certainly could use Kyrie, this team is deeper IMHO. They have more matchup options. GSW's are clearly the better team IMHO. But in the age of three pointers, if a team starts feeling the pressure, all bets are off.

Interesting article in today's CLE paper about Kyrie and this Cavs team versus last year's. Also, Kyrie was nowhere to be found in game seven (to support his teammates). There is a report he had a procedure for a deviated septum but that is elective and could/should have been rescheduled. If you leave the Cavs to be "the guy" and out from James' shadow, shouldn't you show up for game 7? Some noise the Celts will move him as Rosier played so well.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

Agreed...while the Cavs certainly could use Kyrie, this team is deeper IMHO. They have more matchup options. GSW's are clearly the better team IMHO. But in the age of three pointers, if a team starts feeling the pressure, all bets are off.

Interesting article in today's CLE paper about Kyrie and this Cavs team versus last year's. Also, Kyrie was nowhere to be found in game seven (to support his teammates). There is a report he had a procedure for a deviated septum but that is elective and could/should have been rescheduled. If you leave the Cavs to be "the guy" and out from James' shadow, shouldn't you show up for game 7? Some noise the Celts will move him as Rosier played so well.

I think Korver will be the pivotal player in this series. He's not a play maker, but he has that Steve Kerr/John Paxson role of the 90s Bulls and shoots as well as Kyrie from long range

Interesting to note . . . Cavs have 5 players who shoot over 30% from 3 pt . . . same as the Warriors . . .