[Video] Officiating in Rockets-Spurs Game

[Clutch]

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



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.

[thetatomatis]

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.

[kjayp]

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

[kyle_R]

Originally Posted by thetatomatis 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 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.

[thetatomatis]

Originally Posted by kyle_R 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.

I think officiating is a turn off. Not a sole reason but one of many factors. Bad calls, atmosphere not being there, team losing, the lockout, the offseason bad karma from the Stern vetoed trade. After a while you have to pleasing some of these fans in some ways to entice them to the game instead of giving them so many reasons not to go. Certainly the NBA as a league have given Rockets fans in particular a reason not to go on top of the lockout too.

[kyle_R]

Originally Posted by thetatomatis I think officiating is a turn off. Not a sole reason but one of many factors. Bad calls, atmosphere not being there, team losing, the lockout, the offseason bad karma from the Stern vetoed trade. After a while you have to pleasing some of these fans in some ways to entice them to the game instead of giving them so many reasons not to go. Certainly the NBA as a league have given Rockets fans in particular a reason not to go on top of the lockout too.

It's a turn off but only once you're at the game (or not) A week from now we won't hear a mention about this particular game and the questionable calls. I can't imagine someone having a free night and the ability to go to the game say "naw, remember a few games back when the refs were bad? Lets just stay home" Ours like most fanbases forget real easily.

[whathappened]

what was the spread for this game? maybe they didn't want to anger vegas

[HollaIFyaHEMI]

Originally Posted by whathappened what was the spread for this game? maybe they didn't want to anger vegas

Rockets to win +190
Spread HOU +5.5

[NewRoxFan]

The game is over, and complaining on this Board about poor officiating won't accomplish anything. There was a huge disparity in FTs, but refs usually reward teams that take the ball into the paint and penalize teams that rely on jumpshooting. And the points in the paint discrepancy shows the Rockets again settled on the jumpshot.

That said, at least two of the calls that the Rockets have their biggest complaints (the earlier tripping foul that led to the charge call, and the Lee charge call) were Rocket players trying to drive and were penalized (wrongly, IMO) for driving the basket. And in context (Spurs players like Parker and Duncan benefited by questionable calls going to the basket), it is hard to not come away from the game criticizing the officials. This ignores that the hand to Goran's face was ignored while the hand to the Bonner's face drew a call.

Interesting to note... with his team safely up, and from all appearances his team benefiting from the officiating, it was the Spurs coach that was most visible in his complaints about the officiating. I suspect the Rockets organization will send a tape with complaints to the League offices with no effect, but I do think that it might help the team to be a little more direct and real-time in their dissatisfaction with how the games are officiating, whether having McHale drawing an angry T and expulsion, or a player making a hard foul on a flop, or Morey complaining to the media. Obviously being the "good citizen" hasn't helped (and it did seem that after Van Gundy was fined for his complaints the calls on Yao improved).

[durvasa]

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.

[thetatomatis]

Originally Posted by durvasa 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 side to side 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.

[durvasa]

Originally Posted by thetatomatis 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.

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.

[thetatomatis]

Originally Posted by durvasa 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.

[heypartner]

Originally Posted by thetatomatis 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.

This has been said before in other threads. When Martin doesn't get calls, then we don't get into the penalty each quarter as fast, so everyone's FTAs go down.

[arno_ed]

Originally Posted by durvasa 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.

No no it is a conspracy against the rockets

It is a bit sad how fans blame the refs for losses, the only time it really seemed like it was with the Finley out of bound.

Bill is a real homer. Like many commentators, Jim Peterson of Minesota is one of the few commentators who is actually fair.

[kyle_R]

Originally Posted by thetatomatis 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.

When you have no inside game and your scoring is done 90% from outside jumpers, how do you expect to get to the line?

[Prince]

Originally Posted by durvasa 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.

C'mon Durvasa. you're better than this. Don't give that kind of reasoning.

[durvasa]

Originally Posted by Prince C'mon Durvasa. you're better than this. Don't give that kind of reasoning.

They had the two best and most experienced players on the floor, both of whom are accustomed to taking over much bigger games than this one. How is that not a huge advantage?

[Spacemoth]

This game notwithstanding, I really think there might be a mandate from the commish's office to withhold foul calls on Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin. I believe that they have a target on their backs. Maybe it was due to a reputation for flopping in previous years, but correcting one wrong with another wrong is not the right way to do it.

Did you see that call where Kyle Lowry was driving, got hacked, and then got called for a charge against Splitter who was inside the semicircle? It's pretty clear that they just look the other way anytime Lowry decides to attack the paint.

Basketball reasons.

[Prince]

Originally Posted by durvasa They had the two best and most experienced players on the floor, both of whom are accustomed to taking over much bigger games than this one. How is that not a huge advantage?

We beat them before with Duncan and Parker playing.