I hate to admit it, but

["R. Bentz Kirby" <bocelts@usit.net>]

I hate to admit it, but the refs rule the NBA now.  I don't know who
gives them their orders, but it seemed clear that they were to hand
NY, the big media market, the game.  Yes, Houston had to make his
shots, but they refused to let Indiana guard him and that made it a
little bit easier for him to get to the hoop.  They showed a replay
of the Johnson miracle 4 point play and what a joke.  Once the
whistle blew, he THEN picked up the ball, measured the basket and
shot, with noone near him.  What a joke the game last night was.

You can rag on Larry and call Van Gundy a genius, and he may be, but
the fact is, you can't coach if the refs won't let your team play.

It was clear that they wanted the NY market in the finals and that
they had to do it last night.  Frankly, I am surprised that Indiana
kept it as close as they did.  With legitimate officating, they
would have won this series 4-1.  Easy.

I wish there was some way as a fan, cause I don't really have a dog
in this fight, we could complain about the "rigged" games to the
league office in a way that would make a difference.  But, the
league is, I supposed ruined beyond repair.

Walton had a good comment after a call went against Smits when he
said, if they called walking for plays like that on O'Neal, Barkley,
and (one other player I don't remember) we probably would never have
heard of them.

And in game No. 5 the flop calls when Ward laid down in front of
Smits and another charging call against the Pacers when the Knick
player was obviously moving.  How did the Knicks know to flop and
get the charges??????????  That is what I would like to know.  It
was obvious that on none of the calls were they set and the calls
took Smits out and the Pacers out of their game.   Funny, they all
happened when the Pacers were up by double digits and could have put
the game out of reach.

Now, all of this has to be put into the context of my prediction
that the Knicks would win because they were playing team ball.
Which they did continue to do throughout the series.  And they
seemed to want the loose balls and rebounds more.  And the Pacers
still did not block Marcus Camby out.  But to me, the refs ruined it
and seemed to be working for the Stern and not objective calling.

Tis sad indeed.

--

Bentz Kirby
bocelts@usit.net
http://www.public.usit.net/bocelts/