The lack of calls in the Grizzlies-Rockets game last night

Yeah, I think you are onto something. The refs just let the teams play, didn't really give either team free throws last night. I mean the Grizzlies only had 3 times as many free throws right? That seems pretty equivalent.

 

We weren't that physical coming out. See our 3pt shooting.

 

It has to go both ways, the refs can't give certain calls to one team but not the other.

 

Thats a crock because they gave Lee a call that they could have easily given to Harden. Last minute in a half of the game too.

 

....

Your sarcasm detector needs an oil change.

 

17-5.

 

I honestly had no problems with the officiating up until the no-call. It was fine up until they decided to hand the game away.

 

Superstar like Harden is "supposed" to get calls late in the game when there is "contact". The refs will call that a foul if it's Lebron driving to the basket.

 

Forget superstars like Harden. Even Hasheem Thabeet should have gotten that call last night. It's impossible to play basketball if a blatant hack across the arm with 3 refs watching isn't considered a foul, especially in the most important moment of the game.

 

Report: Harden out due to fractures in his forearms from last night's game winning drive to the basket

 

Your assumption is wrong. The Rockets are viscerally hated by the majority of national media pundits and fans. They are, by far, the NBA's most polarizing franchise. That's why their role as super villian makes for GREAT television.

America will tune in to root for 'marquee team' X (the good guys or protagonists) fight the good fight and overcome the evil, dreaded Rockets (the antagonist). This fits the classic 'hero narrative' that popularized Greek epics during antiquity. And, it's the same Hollywood script used today to ca$h in on summer blockbusters.

If you don't believe other 'marquee' teams are more favored than the Rockets, then just watch any national postgame show -- especially after Rockets victories on TNT. Pure salt. Even game recaps on SportsCenter focus on other teams' reasons for losing against arch-villian, Houston. The narrative is real.

FWIW, If Morey's game philosophy proves successful this postseason AND Harden/Howard thoroughly dominate their superstar counterparts, then the Rockets will gain support from some NBA execs, broadcasters, writers and fans.

Truth be told, Les/Morey/McHale have something to prove to Houston fans, too.

 

Wh did the Heat get like 12 of them when Lebron went there?

 

Maybe you should read my post before asking a question that's been answered.

 

Who said the NBA hates the Rockets???

 

The Rockets did come out physical against the Grizzlies, and you have to, the Grizzlies are a very big and physical veteran team. Part of the Rockets struggles against the Grizzlies last season was having soft players in Parsons and Lin getting heavy rotation minutes.

Having said that, no I don't think that the refs just decided to "let them play" because they Rockets were aggressive. The Grizzlies still shot 19 free throws to the Rockets half dozen. There is one referee that has covered the Rockets a number of times and does not call fouls.... same ref was in the Bulls game that sent the Rockets to the line a half dozen times... half of those free throws were after the game was decided.

The refs missed an important call at the end of a game and Zach got away with it.... that is it. Nothing more to it. Ultimately, if the Rockets and Grizzlies meet in the playoff, the non call could haunt the Grizzlies as the refs will be likely to over correct.

I am also not sure the Rockets "played into the Grizzlies hands", they lost by 2to a very good Grizzlies team without Howard.

It was just a tough loss, and nothing more..... you don't win every close game and the lack of a creator other than Harden hurts. If Howard plays the Rockets win.... but injuries are part of the game.