It’s a fast-paced, high-scoring, high-flying action sport with an incredible amount of drama.
However, the reason I will always hate it is because of how much the officiating determines the outcomes of games.
Let’s take last night’s Golden State Warriors-Los Angeles Lakers game, for example.
The score was 121 to 119 in OT and the Warriors had the ball. As they prepared to inbound it, Derek Fisher from the Lakers started falling down and pulled Monta Ellis on top of him.
The ref, who only saw the end of the play, called the foul on Ellis and the Warriors lost the ball and any hope they had of winning the game.
Now, referees do not always blow calls at the end of the game, but it has become often enough where I feel like I am wasting my time watching a 3-hour game end like this.
After all, how many bad calls must a spectator have to suffer through before he gives up on the sport all together?
How many times have you seen the following?
- A ref calls a foul when the defender doesn’t even touch the other player. The ref just thinks there will be a foul so he calls one despite not actually seeing one happen.
- A team goes down on offense, gets fouled, shoots free throws followed by the other team doing the same thing. Repeat over and over again. I understand the need to call fouls but I did not tune in for a free throw shooting contest.
- A player complains because he got touch fouled and the ref didn’t call it. The reason they get mad is because they’re used to the refs calling every little thing.
- A player is more interested in trying to draw a foul instead of actually making his shot.
- A flop (fake getting fouled). I hate this most of all. Just play the damn game.
As much as I try to forget how much control the refs have over the game of basketball, any combination of the above things happening over and over again keeps reminding me.
It is no surprise that the ref who was fixing games last year for the mafia was a basketball ref. No referee in any other sport could be that effective at determining outcomes of games and get away with it for as long as he was able to.
Until basketball fixes this problem, I am doomed to be a frustrated fan always believing that the final outcome of a game is determined less by the players and more by unnecessary referee influence.
27 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Anonymous about 1 year ago
hockey
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Evan Aczon about 1 year ago
that is NOT how that game should have ended. after all the things that happened, that isn't how it should have gone down. just like the Cal-UCLA game when there was a no-call on Ryan Anderson, or the traveling call today in the Cal women's game. It just sucks to have a game played that well decided on a terrible call by a ref. sucks
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Stew Winkel about 1 year ago
I came to bleacherreport to write essentially this same article this morning after watching the Lakers-Warriors game. That call to essentially end the game was an absolute disgrace. It was an amazing game, that a terrible call ruined. Would Goden State have scored - who knows. But they didn't even get the chance. players trying to draw fouls instead of actually shooting has become out of control, as has flopping. On an almost game by game basis, the officiating is terrible. Most NBA refs are influenced by the scoreboard, the crowd, a player or a coach - and the NBA apparently refuses to admit there is any problem, or to address these issues.
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Nate Smith about 1 year ago
I don't understand the point of the article. Why does it make a difference whether the call was at the end of the game or the beginning? Each call impacts the game. Last night, the Warriors were the main beneficiaries of the referees call. Some of those were bad calls.
I don't think that Delaney made a bad call. Fisher pulled him down, but it was Monta Ellis who ran straight into fisher. That was the offensive foul. Fisher pulled down as he was falling Ellis to prevent a nasty spill, but make no mistake, Monta basically tried to go through Fisher and that was a foul.
I wish fans would stop whining. The Warriors on Sunday night got every single call down the stretch and went to the line on some BS calls while Kobe got hacked. That resulted basically in a Warriors' win. Nobody is crying about that.
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Nate Holubeck Jones about 1 year ago
You dont understand the point of this article, Nate??
Why not, is your brain made of a combo of goat jizz and your dad's beerdump?
I think the point is pretty fuckin clear, Nate.
Kobe yells out "Hey!!" EVERY TIME he drives to the hoop... EVERY time... NO EXCEPTION... he does that to try to get a foul-- I mean Kobe's an AMAZING player.. but that is COMPLETE BITCH..
JUST LIKE YOU, NATE.
Fuckin dumb bitch
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
I absolutely love how biased fans completely disregard the rules of basketball when pretending to be referees. As Ellis was moving from the far side of the court to the near side of the court, Fisher was right in front of him.
Yet Ellis never stopped running into Fisher. Did anyone not notice how Ellis' hands were pushing through Fisher's chest?
Of course when you start to fall down, your first instinct is to reach for something to grab onto so you don't fall. That's when Fisher's left arm pulled Ellis down from the front.
But keep bitching and moaning Warriors fans. Fisher played textbook defense and Ellis took him down. Refs make bad calls all the time; this wasn't one of them.
And Nate's right. There were another 52 minutes and 56 seconds where Golden State could have made a huge play to pull out a win. How about closing out on Fisher in the corner or Vujacic at the top when they're knocking down wide open threes?
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Chad Ridgeway about 1 year ago
Thank you! I was watching the game on NBA TV and had a chance to listen the Warrior's broadcasters. What a bunch of whiny girls. I know my Lakers broadcasters obviously want their team to win, but they're not annoying homer cheerleaders.
Anyway, yeah, Fish did wrap his arm around Monta, but that's because Fish was falling due to Monta trying to run right through him!
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Dave Nemetz about 1 year ago
Gotta disagree with you on this Erick. Even Fisher admitted in post-game interviews that there was no foul on the play. I don't totally buy the fact that Fisher pulled Monta down, plain and simple they got tangled up and both went down. There was no foul on the play, and this was clearly a no-call situation. It's a shame when the refs decide the outcome of the game in such a key situation, rather than the players on the court.
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Ray Ray about 1 year ago
To say this wasn't a bad call is pure ignorance and lack of knowledge about the game of basketball. As a former JC ref this was at best a double-foul... Monta isn't some thug type player who'll run through anyone...especially run through Fisher. It's not fair to the players...it's not fair the fans who bought tickets or the fans who invested 3 hours of their time to take the game into your hands...Let the players decide the game...
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I did not hear the whiny broadcasters....but I did get to watch the PHX vs. DET game. It was a great game.....and I must admit that PHX is my favourite squad....( I am Canadian), BUT, I am getting more than annoyed with the bitching and moaning of Mike Whinetoni. Every play, every call, every exchange...Mouthpiece Mike just never shuts up.
Why doesn't someone throw this guy out of the building. If PHX does not do well in the playoffs, I would lay blame squarely Donetoni.....
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
FISHER IS A WEAK BASKETBALL ACTOR. HE AINT A PLAYER.. HE GOT SCARED OF LOSING, SO HE DID WHAT HE DOES BEST. ACT!
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Chris about 1 year ago
Apparently Fisher wanted to be sure The Warriors would not even be able to make an attempt at a game tieing or game winning shot considering he failed at his game winning attempt at the end of regulation.
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Ozzie Siedman about 1 year ago
WOW AT LEAST ONE PERSON CAN SEE THROUGH THE BULL SHIT AND REALIZE FISHERS BEEN DOING THIS CRAP HIS WHOLE CAREER.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Hey Chad - Yes, Monta was running where Fisher was, but Fisher was also moving backwards, and was not standing still. Both players were moving. An offensive foul is supposed to be called when the defensive player has established his position, and moving backwards is not an established position. Their feet got tangled and fell. Should have been a no-call.
What I don't understand though is that both Kobe (on Baron) and Fisher had their arms wrapped around the guys they were guarding. I thought you're not supposed to use your arms and hands when guarding a player? Sad to see a great game end that way, but oh well.
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Chris about 1 year ago
Well said.
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Ralph isaac about 1 year ago
Dunno, there were bad calls on both side:
1.Kobe's lane violation which is pretty stupid when you think about it, it was the 1st FT
2.Baron's offensive foul on KObe which was called a Blocking foul on KObe--> Dude had to get stitches after the game.
Warriors
1.Derek's blocking foul which was called an offensive Foul on Monta
========
there are questionable fouls on both side of the fence, so i think they kinda cancel each other out.
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Chris about 1 year ago
1. Yeah the lane violation was stupid... Kobe AND Odom shouldn't have encroached the line because that interferes with the shooters attempt (line of vision, etc.). It was the correct call.
2. Because Kobe got stitches that means it was an offensive foul? No... it doesn't mean that.
And both sides had bad calls, yes... but were any of those bad calls against the Lakers as obviously wrong as Delaney's call against Monta or that influential? Doubt it.
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Ralph isaac about 1 year ago
Chris,
Come on man, you are speaking from a fan's perspective. So what, the refs are suppose to swallow their whistle in the last minute of a game??
-I dont get it, when they call the fouls you guys say the refs are nitpicky.
-when they dont' t call the fouls, you guys complain that the refs aren't doing their job.
Dont know, refs just cant win.
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Evan Aczon about 1 year ago
what matters is that the calls they make are on QUESTIONABLE plays that could go either way. if there's something that could be seen as controversial, they shouldn't make the call unless they're absolutely sure. officiating any game is going to put you on someone's bad list, but it is frustrating to have games come down to calls that could easily go either way.
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Chris about 1 year ago
Ralph,
I'm speaking from a fan's perspective? Sure... I guess so. As are you I'd imagine. But the difference here is the evidence is readily available. Whether I'm speaking as a Golden State Warrior fan, a Laker fan or as a referee (as you must be since you're not speaking as a fan, right?) what happened indeed... happened.
Where did I say the refs are suppose to swallow their whistle in the last minute of a game?
By stating that the lane violation was a bad call YOU are stating that the refs should swallow their whistle. THAT was as clear-cut a call as any. Because it's on the first free throw you can blatantly violate the lane? Maybe that means you can do cartwheels in the lane, too, as long as it's the first of two free throws. Let me know where you found that rule.
And by stating that the blocking foul against Kobe was a bad call YOU are implying that the refs should have either swallowed their whistle, or even worse, charged Baron with an offensive foul. Did Kobe not slide under Baron when he was already in the air (taking off to the basket)? Like someone else mentioned elsewhere, correctly, even if Kobe was knocked unconcious he still should've been called for the block. He was not set... he slid under Baron... and he was correctly called for the block. Maybe Kobe has complained about that call but I sure haven't seen/heard it other than maybe immediately after it happened (and he complains Plenty with a capital P).
You've never complained that a ref made a bad call after doing so? That's impressive if that's even the right word for it.
Nitpicky? Look at the entire scope of the game and... nevermind, Ralph... I'm sure you're pretty set on your beliefs. So I'll end this particular comment by saying this:
The game was spectacular except for the last 4.4. Even Laker fans have to feel cheated. Relieved, but cheated. It's not exactly the most honorable way to win a game. But the game is done... it's over with. The Warriors will move on.
I've spoken with enough Laker fans (HUGE Laker fans) and many will admit that that was a bad call. It shouldn't have been made. If they haven't already sent the apology letter, they will, but will it shut anybody up? No. But oh well. Officiating is an extremely difficult job and mistakes will happen... most of us do know that. Still doesn't mean the ref with the worst angle on the play should see two players fall down and somehow ASSUME it was an offensive foul... that's a no-call (as Fisher said he thought it should've been) or a defensive foul because it's no secret that Fisher pulled Ellis down (as Fisher all but admitted). Maybe a double-foul even if Delaney was so set on it being Ellis' fault. But you can't just pull someone down like he did no matter the circumstance.
Not saying you're going to take this comment/post personally, but don't. I'm sure you're a stand up guy. As difficult as officiating is, let's hope that the refs can improve their play-calling. They've certainly done at least an okay job of limiting the "taking a charge" calls. Maybe they can limit the phantom calls, too. And maybe they can do a better job of taking into account what types of players certain players are when deciding what really happened during a play.
Have a good one... and best of luck sports fans.
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Ec Potter about 1 year ago
"It is no surprise that the ref who was fixing games last year for the mafia was a basketball ref. No referee in any other sport could be that effective at determining outcomes of games and get away with it for as long as he was able to."
No question that basketball is also the most difficult to officiate, with 10 very large bodies in such a confined space, and rules that don't allow for much contact between players. There also playing on a hard wood surface where injuries are almost a certainty when it gets too physical. The refs have to make the calls, and have the latitude to call what they see. Other games are simply easier.
How about we start a letter writing campaign. Send a letter to each of the general managers in the league to pass on to the players on the team. It might read:
Dear (Your name here,)
Please play without fouling in the last three minutes of the game. Those pesky refs will not leave the floor. It slows things down, and besides, it's a pain in the ass to watch shoot free throws. Free throws lack drama. Sometimes.
OTOH, Shaq shooting FTs brings a ton of drama.
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Steven Baird about 1 year ago
I see it all both ways, I am a Lakers fan and was happy for the win, even though it now means I might have a seven game series of heart attach b-ball watching these two teams kill each other, but no one was heartbroken after the game. Baron Davis was seen yukking it up with some of the Lakers and Fish was seen telling Monta to basically keep his head up It was a great game and it ended poorly, it just seems like fans are taking it harder than the players. THESE THINGS HAPPEN. ITS CALLED HUMAN ERROR. PLAYERS MISS SHOTS, OFFICIALS MISS CALLS. Everybody should just relax, and if one bad call can ruin three hours of amazing ball, then maybe you shouldn't watch anymore, because from the comfy confines of your couch there are probably tons of bad calls. Actually that is true of all sports, maybe try the Discovery Channel.
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Ozzie Siedman about 1 year ago
Whats the penalty for delanies bad call, a slap on the wrist, a fine. When refs make bad calls such as the one last night, that decide games they should be suspended without pay like a player would. And I'm not just talking about Delany, the other two officials who had a decent angle should be fined as well for not approaching Delany and discussing the call. I don't care if you stop the game and have the clock reset and re-do the whole in-bounds play, after all isn't it all about making the right call.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
all is fair in war. that is just how the game goes. you are a veteran if you can make good plays as well as somehow make the refs call the way you want them. You are a veteran if you can make good plays as well as pysche your opponent as well as the referee.
In a game you will use everything you have to win. Be it skills or intelligence.
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Ozzie Siedman about 1 year ago
or flopping
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
This was positively the most anti-climatic finish to one of the all-time great games. The Warriors with a little over four seconds, one of the highest-scoring teams in the NBA (if not THE highest scoring team) with one of the smartest coaches of all-time) could've scored in so many various ways. Driving to the rim, getting two points to tie, or fouled and three points to win ... or inbound to Jackson or Davis who are both outstanding clutch 3-point shooters ... so many ways to score and a referee falls for one of the oldest defensive coys in history. A bad call that ruined a great game ... and, perhaps, The Warriors chances for the playoffs. Who knows? Nuggets now have Iverson. I think Golden State was robbed. Then again, how many baseball games ended with a bad call by the ump; a strike when it was off the plate, or a ball when it nipped the corner. There have been many a bad call ... but this might turn out to be one of the worst ever. And all the NBA could do was send Nellie an apology. Now THAT really sucks.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Holubeck, what are you? 5?
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