Re: Copy of letter to Commissioner Stern

[Rich Davies <rich@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Okay, here's the revised version. ;-)

...

Dear Commissioner Stern,

I am writing to you to express my dismay and disgust regarding the treatment
of the Boston Celtics, particularly Paul Pierce, at the hands of the
referees of tonight's game with the Phoenix Suns. In tonight's game, the
Celtics shot 9 free throws to the Suns' 33, despite the fact they repeatedly
went inside on their plays, signifying an amazing inequality regarding the
referee's foul calls.

The worst call, or actually non-call, came in the 3rd quarter, as Paul
Pierce, a top 10 player in this league, was driving to the hoop. He was hit
by Amare Stoudemire, a ROOKIE, and knocked to the floor headfirst, resulting
in loosened, chipped front teeth, a bloody lip and abrasions to his face.
Though his basket went in, NO FOUL WAS CALLED, and Paul had to be helped to
the locker room for treatment.

The refs compounded the situation by quickly ejecting Jim O'Brien, and
handing out a technical to Antoine Walker for protesting (understandably)
the non-call.

They further displayed unequal officiating very soon thereafter, when a
Boston defender, on the other end of the court, made a play for the ball
when a Phoenix player was driving to the hoop, and wound up knocking that
player to the floor. This time a foul WAS called; and not just any foul--a
flagrant foul, giving the ball back to Phoenix after the free throws were
attempted.

The referees continued to display unbalanced judgment in the game in favor
of Phoenix until Boston's will to play the aggressive style needed to win,
was gone--effectively giving the game to the Suns.

There are many games where fans cry foul about officiating. But the
officiating in tonight's game went way beyond an acceptable level--even in
light of the declining quality of referees in recent years.

I hope that you, as the Commissioner, will personally review tonight's game,
and punish these refs accordingly for their treatment towards a cornerstone
franchise of this league.

Sincerely,

Rich Davies