http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...slug=ap-heat-oneal-referees&prov=ap&type=lgns Shaq lashes out at refs, Jackson after loss April 3, 2006 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Shaquille O'Neal didn't mince words about the five personal fouls he got in Miami's loss to the New Jersey Nets, taking aim at referees and NBA senior vice president of basketball operations Stu Jackson. "That was the most ridiculous game I've ever been part of," he said Sunday after the 90-78 loss. "When you got a guy like Stu Jackson at the top, it shows why referees are the way they are. It starts at the top. ADVERTISEMENT click here "There was a lot of flopping today and they just fell for it. They make these rules up and they don't follow them. We all know there's a double standard. I just wish they wouldn't make it so obvious." O'Neal picked up two offensive fouls in the first half, one for elbowing New Jersey's Jason Collins in the jaw in the lane. He picked up three more fouls in the third quarter when the Nets outscored Miami 32-19, including two fouls in a span of 11 seconds. Heat coach Pat Riley added his voice to the complaints. "There is a huge double standard here," he said. "They got the double forearm on him, they say it's a hand. Shaq's a pretty strong guy, but Collins does a good job on him. He turns in, it's a foul on him. They're pushing and shoving at him all the time." He said if a team complains too much about it, the league issues a fine. "We're caught between a rock and a hard place," Riley said. The NBA on Monday said it was reviewing the comments. O'Neal is tied for the league lead in personal fouls this season with Atlanta's Al Harrington at four per game.
People say Shaq gets away with a lot offensive fouls, but I just think he's hard to call. Sure he bowls people over, but he also gets hacked by two guys every time he gets the ball down low. Shaq is too strong for any defender, but is expected to just dunk with guys all over him. There's gonna be some tough calls, especially against a flopper like Collins.
Yao Ming should do the same. Its funny how when small guards like Iverson get a finger on them a foul is called, but when ming gets HACKED, it seems like they think he should be able to take it. This is one thing i don't like about the NBA. The ref's don't call a fair game, it makes the game hard to watch. There should be no double standard.
I think Shaq and Riley have a point about the double forearm defense that Collins uses. I've said it for years: If Shaq and Yao can't back Jason Collins down, then it has to be a foul. Kwame Brown does the same thing, two forearms in the player's back, helping him maintain position. It's a foul, but a couple guys get away with it.
I hate double standards. However, this is a world motivated by money. The League want the games to be close. They modified the rules once a super player threatened this balance. So I'll be surprised to see Shaq and Yao being sent to the line for 30 times per game...
Shaq is right. The refs have been absolutely horrific and we all know it too. Dont call him names when he's speaking the exact thing you see in front of your faces.
Dick Bevetta is going to take serious offense to these comments by Shaq. He wants Shaq to hand him back the 3rd championship ring.
I read this story on Sunday and I was like ... "Shaq and Riley have turned into Yao and JVG of last year!"
OT: Shaquille O'Neal Open Fires at NBA Officiating !!! BRAVO !!! This is WHY sometimes I like Shaq too for his outspokenness !!! Hopefully the NBA committee would either change their rules, or at least ensure the referees be fair to officiate the games for the big men in this league. This will also be beneficial to Yao Ming.
Shaq's Hipocracy is mind boggoling. he got away with murder against the likes of sabonis and robinson during his prime. he would commit so many offensive fouls, it was purly comical.. he would bully his elbow, chest and so on into his defensive opponent constantly. he should have fouled out of so many games it's not funny. sorry shaq, but you're the last person who should be biting about bad refing..
