[Video] Officiating in Rockets-Spurs Game
 

Re-watched the game. I put all the questionable calls (and some correct calls) in this video.

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Some thoughts...

The foul on Bonner's three (2:07 mark): Looks like it was a foul, but I'm disappointed that the always reliable Fox Sports Houston did not air a replay there. From the standard live cam, it does look like Martin got Bonner. Stupid foul.

Parker loses ball out of bounds (1:43 mark): This too looks like the correct call. What do you think? The Rockets were upset, claiming the ball went off Tony Parker's knee. It didn't. Lowry swiped it and though you can debate that Parker touched it last, that call is usually made the way it was. Parker's ballet-slash-shot-out-of-a-cannon move after the fact was funny.

Courtney Lee Charging Call (2:24 mark): I think they got it wrong, but it's not an easy call at all. I think Lee was at a disadvantage because he was a little out of control and was going up against four guys. Still think it was the wrong call ... one that went to the hometown team because it's probably a little easier.

I hate Stern and his refs already as much as it is. I think the reason so many fans are not watching in the stands is directly related to officiating, the league and its star system, and the lack of respect the Rockets get as a organization in general. Its just hurting the league more with attendance of one of its markets.

I thought the officiating wasn't out of the ordinary; they aren't the reason we lost. There were questionable calls favoring both sides.

The Rockets played a pretty good game. There were some defensive mistakes made in the 4th quarter, and the Rockets need to be better at moving the ball to get good looks when the other team plays pressure D. Still, a good effort overall. Ultimately, the Spurs won mostly because they have Parker&Duncan and we don't.

However how do they explain away the Rocket near the bottom in free throws this year? Its not like one rule should effect this one particular team to this extreme degree unless they are instructed to concentrate on this team more so than last year.

Jus Sterns way of tryiing to 'convince' the Rockets to pony up for Kamen... whole thing just reaks of conflict of interest...

I think the reduction in free throws can be mostly attributed to Kevin Martin not getting the same calls and Scola not being as productive in the post.

You would think that. However even Lowry does not get calls in his most productive year. A complete turn around of free throws actually reeks of officials being instructed personally on certain players and teams to watch out for.

There was a stutter, slight pause from Lee stepping on the defender's foot just before he made contact.

I thought the game was well called.

The only non-whistle I have issue with was Dragic getting slapped in the face. Everything else was pretty damn close...

Lowry and Lee were both completely out of control, imo.

All Tim Duncan had to do was make a move towards the basket and scream something out loud and he got to go to the line.

Doesn't make any difference if you're out of control or not. The rule states that you can't draw a charge if you're in the restricted area and that was the case. Yet we are still called for the charge.

Well, if no foul was called, it was a bucket anyways. Rockets' bigs were just outclassed in the post.

Also, as much as I love Lee's talent, I hate his decision-making. Crunch time, Spurs turnover, down 2, Lee goes 1 on 2 in the fast break because he's so good at that and he has a numbers advantage? :mad:

I can see why some fans would be upset, but looks like most of the calls came in the 4th...it was a crucial stretch, but the team lost a 19 point lead well before that and shot themselves in the foot with martin clearly fouling bonner and Lee going 1 on 4. It just comes down to playing against a veteran team that knows how to take advantage of everything. Bottom line is, like Morey said, great teams don't play close games. You're not going to get respect (calls) by losing large leads. The game isn't always fair, but it also isn't new, they should know what to expect and how to deal with it.

As far the drop in calls/free throws...we were blowing the flopping game out the water for a while, sure we drew a lot of legit fouls, but also fabricated a lot of them. It wasn't going to last forever. You've got to just go out and play ball and pick the spots where you can draw fouls. The rockets would instead go out and play a fouling game and pick the spots where they could just play ball.

In the eyes of mortal refs, it certainly makes a difference If you are out of control.

Both of those possessions we should have pulled the ball out and got a good look. The refs were fine...

Who ever thinks the league is out to get the Rockets should just kill themselves.

There's no question Parker was the last one to touch it on that replay. Ball clearly went off his hand and went out of bounds.

Fast play though, and tough to call in real time.

As far as the Lee play goes, I don't think it was a charge, but Lee was clearly out of control. Tough call to swallow, but I can see why the ref went that way with it.

Are commentators generally allowed to bash referees the way that Worrell did at the end of the game? Pretty sure you can't chalk up the loss tonight straight up to those calls.

I am not one to usually point the finger at the refs, but on more than one occasion this season I have to say that the whistle blowers have handed momentum to the opposition team. Today was atrocious, really bad.

It reeks of the Dallas playoff scandal which cost us the series and me a television.

All of those calls look correct to me except for Dragic getting obviously hit in the face. I really can't stand when Bill or Matt claim we got "absolutely hammered" when we really should just be a little tougher.

I have never seen someone reach so far as this right here. I've never heard anyone imply/mention/hint/suggest at any point ever that they'd rather not go to the game "because of the officials" People don't attend Rockets game because of money and or lack of an exciting team.