The way the refs called it was fine. Obviously they had to check there because the Heat would have to know if they needed to foul or not, unless the Spurs just wanted to concede the three points. The Spurs definitely benefited from the break more than the Heat because in that case you want to draw up a set. The chance of them scoring would have been miniscule either way since the refs weren't going to call a foul there no matter what.
I disagree with the Spurs benefiting more in that situation. Tony Parker is possibly the best player in the league to have with the ball in a situation where it's a straight run to the basket with a few seconds left. I'd bet Pop would have much rather had Parker make that sprint to the basket without the Heat's defense being set.
The "set" defense was just LeBron shading TP in that situation and forcing him into the corner, which is what he would have done on a broken play anyway. The Heat could get away with contact in that situation which is a huge advantage and would have made it basically impossible for TP to score since his game is so reliant on getting to the rim (difficult with physicality).
If they did benefit then what? It would have been a big mess. Pop knew it was illegal and did it anyway.
How do we know they didn't tell LeBron to shadow him and force him into a corner because they thought that was the best choice in that situation? I don't think it was a call that likely changed the outcome but I do think it was better for the Heat than the Spurs.
fixing a typo earlier: The last 5 finals game 7's have been won by the home team. Overall the road team is 3-12 in finals game 7's. Overall the road team is 23-88 in game 7's, played in any round. Both are ~20%
Really aside from the stoppage to check to see if Allen's shot was indeed a 3...I had no other issues with the game and how it was ref'd down the stretch...Pop was irate that the refs stopped the Spurs from trying to go after Allen's made 3... If a ref clearly saw it was a 3, and signaled it was a 3...there is really zero reason to stop to check...period...The Heat defense was open...and Tony Parker was wide open...The Spurs deserved a chance to ice the game as soon as that bucket was made...instead that possession attempt was iced by the refs... The Replays showed a conclusive 3 point shot...which should indicate that the ref had the call correct...I dont really understand why they stopped to check anyway...That was a huge advantage for the Heat for 2 reasons...The Spurs couldnt advance the ball, and the Spurs weren't able to attack the rim without a set Miami defense... The Spurs players immediately knew it was a 3, and were trying to attack while the Heat were caught off guard...In the future, if a ref stops the game like that, the team that has the possession should have an option to advance the ball and not allow for any substitutions...unless they call a time out... And yes...Duncan was illegally substituted...
Wade's knee is worse than usual today, apparently: http://sports.yahoo.com/news/wades-knee-swollen-stiff-game-204757996--nba.html
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>20,636,000 people watched Game 6 between the Heat and Spurs last night. It was the fourth-largest audience for an NBA game in ABC’s history.</p>— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/statuses/347482383144083456">June 19, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
My son noticed the illegal substitution, I agreed with him and then forgot about it. I guess the league is glad the Heat won for another reason.
Yes... Now this is WILD- If Parker had made the shot at the end of regulation, winning the title for the Spurs, the Heat likely would have protested the game today, and likely would have won the protest, causing the last 5.2 seconds of the game to be re-played at a later date (tonight?). The reason? Tim Duncan was inserted into the game, an illegal substitution. Unlike in college, though, there is no automatic technical foul for this, but it is something that that officials are supposed to catch on the spot. If they miss it, then there is basis for appealing the result. During the 2007-08 season such a successful game appeal happened: the Heat and Hawks had to replay the final 51.9 seconds of a December overtime game after the Hawks' official scorer inaccurately ruled that Shaquille O'Neal had fouled out of the game. Imagine the huge can of worms we'd have opened if that had happened last night, even though Duncan's role on that last play was just as the inbounds passer! Imagine the conspiracy theorists! http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/k...n-in-game-6-duncan-was-on-the-floor-illegally
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Shane Battier on what he’ll do tonight: “I’ll have a few Bud Lites tonight, talk to the wife and wake up (Thursday) keep the routine.’’</p>— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) <a href="https://twitter.com/christomasson/statuses/347486674604929024">June 19, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
They could have a called a technical. So Miami would get 1 FT for the lead and they would have to defend the ensuing play. That would be crazy to be a champion for a day and then maybe lose it the next.
No shoe, no headband, no problem <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Just posted a photo <a href="http://t.co/TngAYKfq7X">http://t.co/TngAYKfq7X</a></p>— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) <a href="https://twitter.com/MickyArison/statuses/347511621947633665">June 20, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Just posted a photo <a href="http://t.co/dF37AC8xna">http://t.co/dF37AC8xna</a></p>— Micky Arison (@MickyArison) <a href="https://twitter.com/MickyArison/statuses/347511825438474240">June 20, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
That's the rule in college but not in the NBA. The NBA rulebook (cited earlier) does not mention the punishment as being a technical. It doesn't mention any punishment.
