Fwd: [Celtics' Stuff Nader urges NBA to review officiating

[JB <jimmetz@xxxxxxx>]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: JB <james.metz@verizon.net>
> Date: Thu Jun 06, 2002  09:47:29 PM US/Eastern
> To: Celtics Stuff <Celticsstuffgroup@Yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: [Celtics' Stuff Nader urges NBA to review officiating
> Reply-To: Celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com
>
> http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-
> bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/06/05/SP147361.DTL
>
> 	Here's the original story from the "Chronicle." I'm posting this
> because the AP report omits some of the most damning phrases. Such as;
> 	"Your problem in addressing the pivotal Game 6 situation is that
> you have too much power. Where else can decision-makers (the referees)
> escape all responsibility to admit serious and egregious error and have
> their bosses (you) fine those wronged (the players and coaches) who
> dare to speak out critically? "
> 	I love it, but most of the fan sites/NBA web pages hyave dropped
> or pulled the story. Yahoo doesn't even list the AP story in it's
> chronology and I know the story was there a few days ago.
> 	Anyone know where the whole letter can be found? I can't find any
> listing for "A League of Fans."
> 	JB
> 		*******************
>      Nader urges NBA to review officiating
> Chronicle Staff Report
> Wednesday, June 5, 2002
> )2002 San Francisco Chronicle
>
> URL: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-
> bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/06/05/SP147361.DTL
>
>
> Consumer advocate Ralph Nader and the League of Fans, a sports-industry
> watchdog, sent a letter to NBA Commissioner David Stern on Tuesday
> urging a review of the officiating in the aftermath of the "notorious"
> refereeing in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals between the Kings
> and the Lakers in L.A.
>
> "At a time when the public's confidence is shaken by headlines
> reporting the breach of trust by corporate executives, it is important,
> during the public's relaxation time, for there to be maintained a sense
> of impartiality and professionalism in commercial sports performances,"
> the letter said. "That sense was severely broken . . . during Game 6."
>
> The Lakers shot 27 free throws in the fourth quarter and scored 16 of
> their final 18 points at the foul line in a 106-102 victory. Lakers
> guard Kobe Bryant's elbow to Mike Bibby's nose that was not called a
> foul with less than 20 seconds left "prompted many fans to start
> wondering about what was motivating these officials," the letter said.
> "Unless the NBA orders a review of this game's officiating, perceptions
> and suspicions, however presently absent any evidence, will abound,"
> the letter continued.
>
> "Your problem in addressing the pivotal Game 6 situation is that you
> have too much power. Where else can decision-makers (the referees)
> escape all responsibility to admit serious and egregious error and have
> their bosses (you) fine those wronged (the players and coaches) who
> dare to speak out critically? . . . A review that satisfies the fans'
> sense of fairness and deters future recurrences would be a salutary
> contribution to the public trust that the NBA badly needs."
>
> )2002 San Francisco Chronicle   Page C - 2