You are right in that they basically bump hips at the exact same time, as such, it's either a block or a no-call. But instead of just letting it go, Harden then doubles down on the contact and bulls his shoulder into the defender, shoving him off aggressively, thus drawing the charge. Harden had a call coming his way, or at worst, a no-call, but then he dun goofed.
The thing that's most frustrating on that is the officials having their hands tied on the review (or lack thereof). Either you need to have replay available for virtually anything, or nothing. It should be that simple. Contrast the McCollum 3 situation to Dwight's basket at the end of the third quarter that eventually was waived off. In the latter case, not only could they review, but they had so much latitude that they could make an interpretative ruling -- i.e. we think the 0.8 would've run off if the clock properly started when it was tipped (and the tip itself wasn't clear to me), etc. Meanwhile, in another situation, you have video evidence that CLEAR AS DAY shows a shot was late, and officials aren't allowed to check and take those points away at the next timeout? It's absolute nonsense. If you're going to have replay, which I agree with, you should use it to the fullest extent possible to get more calls right. To selectively use it here and there based on loopholes is asking for trouble. If they're going to be that unfair, I'd rather they not use it at all and just speed the game up.
Tim Donaghey (sp?) would've been proud of last night's game lol... Seriously, I try to give the refs a break because they've got a tough job but last night's attempt at officiating a professional sport was shameful. I've never heard the fans at TC chant anything, much less directed at the refs, much less at full volume. I mean it was bad. However... Them boys got they-self together and pulled off the win. THAT'S a championship caliber effort. Not many teams can do it playing 5 on 8.
Hadn't seen this posted yet, but here are the guys we are hoping to avoid come playoff time: Officials: Zach Zarba, Scott Wall, Karl Lane
Another missed call in OT was the Dwight smack of Lillard's face on Lillard's drive and score (POR's 2nd FG in OT). Either that's an "and-1" for Lillard (benefiting POR) or it's no bucket, foul on the floor, out of bounds to POR (benefiting HOU). I can't recall if Lillard had picked up his dribble when he got smacked. Either way, another critical missed call by the refs, who should be disciplined by the league for that terrible performance last night.
This thread is pretty useless... there's no way you're going to have an unbiased eye on any call even close to 50/50. Just be happy with the win. The reffing in the NBA isn't great. It's not going to change, because anyone new they bring in will probably be even worse, at least in the near future. There's certainly no agenda or conspiracy against either team.
Yea I could see why they would have beef with some of the foul calls late but considering all the early calls (and 50/50 calls) that went their way all game blaming the refs is the easy way out for them.
You're talking to us or to the refs last night? Something is obvious and apparently wrong but don't change it because that won't help. What?
