I recently intercepted this email from Kennedy to a fellow ref. "Man, I love Sacramento. Here's a tip for the next time you are there. Toss the other team's star player for no reason, and you get a piece of Rick Adelman's sexy butt. Man, he was tasty." ------------------ The next time I have meat and mashed potatoes, I think I'll put a very large blob of potatoes on my plate with just a little piece of meat. And if someone asks me why i didn't get more meat, ill just say, "Oh, you mean this?" and pull out a big piece of meat from inside the blob of potatoes, where ive hidden it. Good magic trick, huh?
I knew it. ------------------ "There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another which states that this has already happened." Douglas Adams
Here's mine to add to the pile: If you are looking for a way to diminish fan interest in your league, one way to start would be to allow poor refereeing to remain unaddressed. I'm specifically referring to the second technical foul given to Steve Francis of the Houston Rockets during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 20th, which was given by referee Bill Kennedy. It's interesting that the NBA has taken steps to improve the appeal of the game by encouraging offense and making the game more exciting to watch, but yet we get calls like this against a player who was doing nothing more than throwing down a dunk and showing some enthusiasm. This is the kind of play that makes highlight reels and generates fan interest, and Steve's reward was to get ejected from the game. Now, I'll admit that I'm a little biased as a Rockets fan, but as someone who is also a fan of the game and enjoys watching other teams as well, I can tell you that these sorts of calls by refs hurt the game, not help it. If you want fans to get excited about your league (and tune in to watch, and buy the merchandise and tickets), then by all means do not allow poor refereeing to overshadow the play of someone who is one of the most exciting players in your league. This is like Jake O'Donnell vs. Clyde Drexler all over again. I don't follow the game because of your referees, and I don't ever want to have a reason to know their names. ------------------
To whom it may concern, Vince Carter doesn't get a T for flexing/ screaming/ gesticulating after he makes a "dunk shot" and and Kevin Garnett doesn't get a Technical for screaming at ANY point - are these players in a different category to Steve Francis? Are there different rules for them? Surely there must be because neither Vince Carter nor Kevin Garnett have been tossed from a game for screaming as Steve Francis was in the 4th Rockets vs Kings matchup of this season. Do something about the favouritism and prejudice that is exhibited by your referees or continue to lose fans of this great "game". Yours sincerely, Yao Ming ------------------
Great point! Hit 'Em where it hurts. These will help get something done. ------------------ Never Underestimate the Heart of a Champion
If you guys haven't gotten a good response and still want to pursue this, you might also want to email David Stern directly at dstern@nba.com. A few people on the Mavs board emailed him earlier in the year concerning officiating and Mark Cuban, and he actually responded. BTW, I didn't see the play, but it sounds horrible. The NBA refs definitely favor certain players like KG, Vince, Malone (the list goes on) and it is very enfuriating for teams/fans like the Rockets and Mavs that do not have a player that gets special treatment. Hope you guys get some response, and action is taken because of your emails. ------------------ [This message has been edited by DunkingDeutschman (edited March 23, 2001).] [This message has been edited by DunkingDeutschman (edited March 23, 2001).]
Nope, but I emailed the NBA about *seriously* 250 times! (no, not in one sitting...) ------------------ Chris Webber at the July 28, 2001 3:00 PM news conference when he announces where he will go: "It seemed tough, but with guidance from Steve Francis, I learned my true destiny. That destiny is to play for the Houston Rockets, to bring them back to championship glory. One big man is all they need, and I believe I can fill that void. Thanks to the loyal fans in Sacramento, but Houston, Texas is where I belong."
Thought I would move this back up, since I am not over it yet!!! Did anyone email Stern???? ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Did anyone ever get a reply from this stuff? I think I saw Kennedy working some playoff games so apparently he's considered among the best by the league. ------------------ The ox is slow but the Earth is patient.
Or, at least he's considered the most likely to rule in favor of the team the NBA Brass wants to win ;-) ------------------ Founding Father of the Refs Suck Club
Bringing this old thread back to the top... looks like its time for a new campaign. Anyone care to make a new form letter?
reading this really irritated me again. I forgot how bad the sacramento incident was. and I wish i remembered what I had sent them. it was a good letter i think. thank for having me relive the pain and FYI, the sacramento incident was way worse than tonights incident
how could it be worse??? not only was tech #2 complete and utter BS but tech #1 was almost equally as horrible. lets see about a billion guys in the history of the league have throw the ball off an opponent when they are trapped on the sideline, but somehow only steve gets a technical. damn this sux.
In Sacto, Steve yelled NO! when he was called for travelling for tech #1 and he jumped in the air and spun around after a monster dunk for tech #2. There could not have possibly been the slightest chance that he was throwing an elbow at Peja. IMO, the Sacto techs were even worse calls, although these were certainly bad as well. I wish Steve hadn't gotten all of those stupid penalties for slapping the backboard. Once you get a reputation as a troublemaker like Steve and Sheed you are just going to get a lot more BS techs.
