"Ed Rush might have been a gret ref, but I wouldn't hire him to manage a Dairy Queen," Cuban told the Dallas Morning News. "His interest is not in the integrity of the game or improving the officiating." Classic...
Sit down CUBAN!!!!!You spoiled billionaire!! There was some special on him last nite showing how he acts in the stands and yelling and spitting and getting all red in the face. This guy says its because hes a "fan", any fan that made that much noise and screaming at the refs would be kicked out of a game! I hope they ban his ass from watching his team on the floor! What do you think the other billionaire owners think of this guy?!
I personally would not be a fan of any team that kicks their fans out of games for screaming, and hollering. You do realize that basketball is a sporting event don't you?
Timing, Completely agree that is classic comment. On a sidenote, the referees here in Australia in the National league are also terrible this season (well worse than normal). There is a basketball program here downunder which is a weekly wrap up pf games played and preview program that ususally has a couple of players on each week as guests. Next week they are going to have the Referees boss and the top referee on as guests, aswell as a couple of Coaches in the NBL and will also be fielding written questions from coaches. Sounds rather boring however the league has said the show will be "FINE FREE" which really adds some spice to the show. here's a couple of links, inlcuding Andrew Gazes criticism of it http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3549547%5E5929%5E%5Enbv,00.html http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3552422%5E5929%5E%5Enbv,00.html http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3554410%5E5929%5E%5Enbv,00.html
Smeg- you beat me! I was just about to post that same article. I might actually stay up until 11:30 to watch it.
As long as he's willing to pay the fine, I guess it's ok. Personally, I think the NBA should consider how ludicrous it appears when you fine someone $500,000 for a few critical remarks. That's just absurd. Ban the guy from some games, but to fine someone that much money is just beyond reason. Mark Cuban or not, it's just not logical, it's ridiculous.
Have followed Mark Cuban closely since he bought the Mavs. Yes, he is crazy, but he is also crazy like a fox. As mentioned above, the money is going to charity and he loves the publicity for himself and the Mavs. He has actually hired a retired NBA ref to work with the players full time to show them the ropes: what they can get away with, what the refs look for, and how rookies have to earn respect of the refs to "get the calls." Michael didn't really push off on his famous shot a few years ago, it just looked like he did. No call of course. He has also hired a statistician to analyze calls. For instance home vs. visiting team, or superstar vs rookie using regression analyses etc. He has stated that the most powerful person in the NBA is not David Stern, but the Director of Officials (How to Win Friends and Influence the Commissioner ). This humongous fine is no surprise! He's actually right on target with a lot of his ideas but is a true rebel and loves to fight the establishment. He feels there's a better way to train the refs and hold them accountable...and he's probably right. And this is his "mission" now. I think he is fun and good for the game, and he has definitely been a big plus for the Mavs. Whatever he is, he ain't boring.
It would be damn interesting to see the results of his analysis. I wonder if Cuban is going to go public with the numbers....
Cuban is right on! If more owners were like him this would be a much more competitive league and games would have much better officiating. Cuban is absolutely right...the NBA is more about power than putting the best product on the floor as possible. Every person that visits this board has at one time or another complained because Jordan or Magic or the Dr were allowed to travel while other less significant players were not. We have all been pissed at the style of play that the Jazz or the bad boy Pistons or even some of the Knicks teams were allowed to play while the rest of the league was not allowed to play that way. I hope Cuban wins this fight eventually though I don't expect him to.
Not unless he wants to get a fine that will boggle the mind. I think Cuban has some good ideas about improving refereeing, but I think he would be more succesful implementing if he wasn't so confrontational.
I would <b>kill</b> to get Cuban to own the Nugs. Must be nice to have an owner that actually cares for the team.
I think Stern is showing some weakness here. Would anyone else get a $500,000 fine for complaining about the refs? Even if it was a recurring problem? Where does this fine money go? Are fines considered league revenue? Is Stern trying to avoid the luxury tax for the league by fining Cuban? IMHO, I think Cuban should sue Stern/NBA on principal alone for these outrageous fines. Where are the standards? Stern is proving Cubans point by fining him 50-500 times the normal amount for this fine. Cuban says the refs play favorites and make lopsided calls, and now Stern is playing favorites and making a very lopsided call. Anyway, I'm just pissed off at Stern and I hope Cuban keeps up the good work. I really like the idea of Cuban publishing the results of the research he is doing. B
