Amazing Deadspin takes our side on this, they are typically openly anti-Rocket Link [foul language used in title]
Good write up. It matches what I was seeing. Bizarre no calls on legit fouls in first half, and in the second we got some soft foul calls that are atypical for the playoffs and we also started foul hunting on the threes more deliberately. The last possession, Harden was more focused on drawing a foul then hitting the shot — and unsurprising he shot a brick. We also had a timeout that went unused after corralling the loose ball. Just really bad execution off that steal.
This could have ended in disaster for the Rockets if one of them got hurt.....wow....smh...we are lucky.
As someone who spent a couple years reading Deadspin a while back, the title of this thread speaks volumes.
That paragraph is leaning towards the Rockets favor, but the whole article is typical anti-Rocket/ Harden garbage.
Ok, I read it. Still plenty of subtle and not-so-subtle jabs at Harden and the Rockets. However, it does seem like the sort of article that wouldn't exist if there wasn't something this egregious. And that's a pretty high threshold to overcome in sports media when the Rockets are concerned. As usual the top comments are a cesspool.
I was surprised to see this too. Though, they throw in their usual jabs, they make the point pretty clearly. Don't go reading the comment thread.
One way to probably put a wrench in the whole system... which is all based on gambling, is for the rockets to completely throw the series. I mean, just do it blatantly. Not even compete. If we/they don’t take a different action, this will go on indefinitely like it already Jazz. We’ll just be waiting for our turn, maybe in 15 years when we have 5 legit all stars.
ya that last shot by harden was pure foul-hunting and he does that FAR too often in clutch situations. instead of working to get off a good shot he settled for a really bad one in the hopes that the refs would call a foul that they refused to call all damn game. really frustrating decision making from someone who is plenty capable of creating his own shot.
He didn’t have a better shot and probably wouldn’t have gotten something better against Draymond sagging off abit. Needed a timeout to get a better shot.
When Deadspin takes your side, they follow it up by posting two hit pieces later that day not on your side Ray Ratto is otherwise a good writer, I give him a pass since he's a longtime Oakland sports beat reporter/columnist and an affable curmudgeon. Lauren Theisen's piece is steaming trash. basically saying the Rockets are whiners trying to work the refs- read the L2M report or go to any of Steve Kerr's last 2 press appearances and say that again, girl.
Theisen’s whole career is as an Arts writer (no joke). If you look her up, her whole mantra is to be loud, obnoxious and in your face. Deadspin must be hard up for writers so she contributes pieces for them from time to time and they all aren’t worth the bandwidth that it takes to read.
Do yourself a favor and don't read any of the comments on anything Bleacher Report related about this issue. Especially on Facebook. Now we know where all of the people who just buy jerseys and don't watch games go for fun. Clutchfans::Rockets, SpursTalk:: Spurs, Bleacher Report::Subhumans
No, the Rockets had Sam Amick release that story less than 12 hours after Game 1. You don't think Amick was sitting on that story for awhile because of special access he had to the Rockets. If the Rockets did that and went to all of that trouble and spoke about "experienced referees" I am quite sure the Rockets analytics department went MUCH FURTHER. I believe the Rockets have full reports for all games and have done more extensive side investigations about the individual refs themselves. Remember, Morey was very clear to reference working on this since 2006. There is nothing these guys don't know but cannot say until now. I think the Rockets know gambling dirt on the refs and I think now we are in scorched earth territory. Think of this from the Rockets perspective. We crucified them for not complaining more vigorously last year. In private they did and knew far more than we did and were pissed and brought this to the league to save everyone money. How did the league respond. F*** you, we'll do what we want. I am sure at halftime during that game this was all set in motion. How did the league respond to this? Scott Foster. I don't believe for one second that Morey and Co decided to take this step without committing to going all the way with it. I think other teams will be involved in complaining as well. You have already seen approval from Cuban. The NBA owners don't like the Lakers AND the Warriors. When another team is gifted 93 points in a series you have no chance. If they are gifted over 20 points in the first game here you have no chance. Why bother pretending anymore at this point, its all out war.
