In some professions like being a judge, mediator and referee you are supposed to be the cooler head. To not get emotionally involved. Crawford lost it, and it wasn't the 1st time. That overshadows whether he gets the technical calls correct. BTW, does anyone remember who tossed Gene Peterson? I remember the Rockets having problems with Javie.
I hated when Jordan was still around because Bavetta would be Jordan's main helper on the court. Of course every ref gave Jordan a pass, but Bavetta IMO did it the most. But aside from that, Bavetta does call it like he sees it. I've actually seen him overturn more of his calls after checking with other refs than anyone else in the NBA...Crawford and Javie included. Sure it might seem he's making a lot of mistakes, but he's also owning up to it and not just standing there confident in his ineptitude (i.e. Crawford) or standing there with an "oh ****, I just blew that call" (i.e. Javie)
so Crawford is basically saying Bavetta is too old, i can see that, he definately has missed some calls, but he does a good job, i wouldn't mind having Bavetta in round one.
Darrel Garetson tossed Gene. I thought I remember the Rockets having problems with Javie, am I making it up?
didn't bavetta give the lakers that series against sacramento a few years back or was that someone else?
I'd like to get new refs that call the game according to the rule book, instead of making up rules for each individual player.
It was Bavetta and the main reason why I voted that I didn't like his officiating. I still remember The Cat going apesh!t over his calls.
Why do you say that? He was not laughing because the mascot did something funny. He complained about a call earlier (to get his first tech), and than laughed derisively about another call, to suggest that Crawford was calling the game unfairly. It's a bit passive aggressive, but he's challenging the ref's integrity. That's worth a tech, imo. He could have ignored it, but I think it's his call. He did step way over the line asking for a fight. It shows he lost his composure. Why do you think it matters it was Duncan and not Iverson or Wallace? Isn't disrespect and derision the same regardless of where it comes from? If anything, isn't it worse coming from a guy who supposedly never does that sort of thing -- because it probably indicates he really means it?
I thought it was time to replace both Crawford and Bevetta. Both were great officials during their time but their age was going to catch up sooner or later, I've noticed a lot of bad calls from both refs as of late.
It was either a foul or travel on Bibby, while the next play no traveling call was given to Kobe. I remember in the 90s that he gave some calls to the Knicks. One was Larry Johnson's infamous 4 point play. I think everyone agrees that the playoffs is a different demon to call. If there were capable replacements, Stern probably would've done something sooner.
The ref situation in the NBA is an annoying subject for me. I blast the refs in front of the TV as much as anyone. But the reality is that the game simply moves too fast, with too many people, in too small a space for refs to see everything correctly. Increasing the number of refs doesn't help, because there's only so much space available. Instant replay doesn't help, as the "whistles" would come too late. General upgrade in technology doesn't help as no rule violation can be picked up by a machine. So basically, it really comes down to how good the refs are. And NBA refs, despite being brushed off by fans, are incredibly important to the welfare of the NBA. They might be more replacable than NBA players, but still difficult to replace. So it's easy to see very good refs getting a big ego. Unfortunately, Crawford and O'Donnell made the mistake in thinking that they're more important NBA superstars, which is simply laughable. Stern sent the message that if he has to choose, the likes of Tim Duncan and Clyde Drexler beats all-star quality refs any time.
That is fine in situations where the ref makes the wrong call because they didn't see something. When the refs give star treatment to certain players or when they do something stupid like Crawford did, the speed of the game has nothing to do with it.
Bavetta is awesome. Anybody that would run a foot race vs. Chuckles during all-star weekend at age 67 is a great person. Crawford would eject someone for mentioning the idea of him doing it, citing "disrespect" as his only reasoning for doing so.
Sorry, but I don't have much to add to the discussion. I only came to this thread because it read "Joey Crawford blasts Dick" on the forum index.
I watched a 20/20 show on Monday night in my country and they did a report of a survey on today's kids in USA. The survey asked what they want most and surprisingly most of the kids chose "FAME". The problem of these NBA referees could be the same. Some of them are too obsessed to become "famous". You can tell from their exaggerated body language when calling a foul. Who don't like to be famous honestly but they have come to an extent that they forgot their ultimate role.
