Yeah he's been horrible as usual during these playoffs. I saw the magic game and he was there and the commentator said... "They are calling this game very tight, calling touch fouls in the playoffs." I feel like he just tries to control the game and flex his power. As long as we don't get him, we should be fine.
Yup Joey Crawford is the guy I fear most. Game 2 was basically unwatchable. Nothing kills our defense more than ticky-tack foul calls.
What is this, the YMCA ?? Stop worrying about the officials. This Rockets team is supposed to be tough, warrior like and does not back down from any challenge. The refs are a great challenge indeed so why would you care about who officiates the game ? If they call it unfair, the Rockets just have to take it upon themselves. Do you think the 94 or 95 Rockets teams were worried about it ?? No, because they were ready to fight, do whatever it takes; they would get in the faces of the refs, scream at them, receive technicals etc. This team does not challenge the refs except for Battier in Game 5 on a terrible call but they need to do it more and more excessive. Just complain, curse, beat your chest, throw elbows, foul real hard just to make a statement you're not going to put up with them calling touch fouls.
For the conspiracy theorists, this link might interest you. It shows the statistics for each official, on a per season basis, against the spread. Last I checked, the Rockets were favored by 4.5 Referee Statistics If you click to view the "Homer" list, you'll find Violet Palmer right up near the top, so while she's widely regarded as a horrible official, she may be just the "man" for the job tonight. Also, despite the hatred, Joe Crawford is the #8 "homer" official out of 61. I can't stand him, but he may not be a terrible draw either...I mean, if you ask me, he definitely made some questionable calls in Portland's favor (the home team) in Game 2.
I'm starting to think that what we want are the bad officials more influenced by the home team crowd.
Im okay with B. Salvatore, M. Callahan....i dont know who caspers is....and for salvatore and callahan, i haven't seen anything bad from them yet...or am i wrong?
I'd love to see Yao's stats versus who's officiating, or even the rockets stats by official. I still think the refs are clever about how they influence games, going more by shifting momentum and helping or hurting runs than anything. That way final scores, total fouls, results against the spread, won't indicate any bias.
Jeez, man, back down off of the ledge. It's a decent crew. We're at home. We're up. They haven't taken one from us in our house. Two games to play and only have to win one. Buck up, young lad.
During the regular season when Salvatore was an official the Rockets went 4-1 including 3-0 at home. When Callahan was an official the Rockets went 3-2 including 1-1 at home. When Capers was an official the Rockets went 5-0 including 3-0 at home. Note: Salvatore was one of the officials when Roy hit the game-winner at the buzzer back in November. I prefer to blame Palmer for that loss, though. Note: Salvatore and Capers worked a Rockets game together on 12/16 against Denver.
