being a ref is hard, we understand that, but some calls are just so obvious you dont miss, why a ref should miss those.
Stern + Crawford + Superstar players = $$$Money$$$ If LeBron, Kobe, (even Nash in this case) et. al. can go deep into the playoffs, the NBA gets more $$$. Look at the whole Donaghy thing, then you have Craword, Bavetta, Javie. It is darn near impossible to believe that these games are all called fairly. I still watch the game because it's exciting and the athletes are so amazing. Plus, when the team the refs wanted to lose wins anyways, its extra sick. Spoiler
Oh, and Mr. Stern, the whole "stop criticizing the refs or you will be severely punished" thing just makes it all the more obvious.