Re: Refs and Fouls

[Dorine Pratt <norine@sover.net>]

ESPN, I believe it was, had something about this tonight, and said the NBA was
contacted about it.  They had no comment.  We all know Jordan commits fouls
all the time which aren't called.  There's nothing right about that.  We all
know how Tommy goes on, but he's right, there are so many fouls called on the
Celtics and not on the other team it's sickening.  Tommy mentioned tonight
during the game that the NBA is having trouble with their refs, and that it
shows.  Refs are only human, they'll always make mistakes, we all do, but this
business of preferred players getting a break shouldn't happen.  I think we
should all write to nba.com and tell them that.
Dorine

Theresa Lee wrote:

> I was watching Inside the NBA on TNT last night and an interesting thing
> came up. Hill was talking about how the refs sometimes will call a foul on
> a player, but then switch the foul to "a lesser player" to avoid a star
> fouling out of the game. the refs will then come tell the opposing coach
> what they did.
>
> It seemed an uncomfortable moment when this was revealed. In fact, Hill
> mentioned that it happened to him in a game involving Magic Johnson. It's
> sometimes blatant, but he stated that all NBA teams know it's done and
> accept it.
>
> So the inevitable question arose: "How do you think that Joe Sixpack will
> react to this?"
> To this Hill replied, "well I don't know about Joe Sixpack, but if the
> average NBA fans watches enough games, they probably would not be shocked
> at this."
>
> It shocked me, but it doesn't surprise me. It shocks me that this came out
> the way that it did, but Hill is right when he says that most of us notice
> it. Actually I notice the phantom phouls (not real fouls) given to Jordan
> if the ball doesn't fall.
>
> The refs are a part of the NBA-entertainment. It's like seeing the "man
> behind the curtain" in Oz. A little of the shine has worn off.
>
> tjl