I hate the way this series has been played, it is ugly ball to the extreme. I can not stand all the grabbing, holding, pushing, and basically fouling that is going on, it is just not fun basketball to watch. I thought the NBA had stopped allowing touching on the perimeter? I thought the NBA had stopped allowing 2 hands on the post players? What happened? Yes, I know this is the playoffs, but I watch other series, and they are not having near the same issues of mucked up games as the Houston vs Utah series does. So, whose style is this? Is it Utah's grabbing hands style, or Houston's slow it down half court style? Or maybe it is just a combination of the two worst styles getting together to create one UberUgly style. Either way, I hate it, the games are flat out ugly, I want the NBA to call it like it is written, no more pushing, grabbing, flopping, etc....just basketball...... I hope the NBA cleans it up, because this is just like watching Greco Roman wrestling with a ball and basket. And can someone please explain how this is a foul on Scola? DD
And people still think I'm delusional when I say refs made game winning calls. Such as game 2, nearly game 3 and game 4 (the out of bounds play from korver). I'm glad some posters here actually think about the way the officials ref the game instead of dropping cuss bombs on t-mac and cuss threads all night long. There is no doubt that Jazz have a rigged arena. They aren't the MJ chicago bulls. It makes absolutely no sense for a team to be nearly undefeatable at home but play horribliy on road. Sure a team can have a great homecourt (like Golden State warriors), but that doesn't mean they can play like a completely different team. Homecourt allows the momentum advantage, thats it. Losing 4 games in the entire season at home? But play like crap on road? Doesn't make any sense at all to me.
The ref gave up every game, including the one the Rockets won. Bad officiating is deciding this series, not how well a team plays, because neither team is playing well.
I think the refs are calling it evenly......and whichever team hits their FTs is the one that wins. But, I think the refs could call a LOT MORE FOULS.....clean it up, make the players adjust..... This is not basketball it is wrestling....and UGLY to watch.... That is the reason they are moving the games to the NBA TV.......they want the fewest fans possible to see this ugly series. DD
There is an easy way for NBA to fix this issue up. Hire 2 more referees. The referees should pick 1 player from the home team (or the road team), and be responsible for watching that player and his defender. That way, each referee will be keeping track of at least 2 players each time, and fouls calls will be more accurate. Also the league should allow replays. Especially when a player takes a charge. Call for the foul, but allow a replay. The league has so much money already, how hard is it to hire a few more refs just to make the game more fair?
The Jazz have been playing ugly for 20 years. Efficiently, but still ugly. Their strategy on defense is simple. Foul as much as possible and eventually the refs will swallow their whistle(or blow it in the case of the flops). Does David Stern want the NBA game to be as clean and entertaining as possible? Of course. But at the same time, he doesn't want games that last 3 1/2 hours. If the refs called every legit foul on Utah, that's how long it would take to get through 48 minutes of basketball. At least we can take solace in the fact that this sort of style doesn't really translate into NBA titles. Pat Riley's Knicks and Heat of the 90's played the same way and didn't win any championships despite coming close.
The league should have a new rule where both coaches from opposing teams can contest a call by a referee through a "replay power" which they can use once in a game.
Would the NBA do something if someone got in a fight? You have to wonder that if Rick really wants the league to call it more closely, then why not take Mike Harris aside and have him go out there and pick a fight? The refs would have no choice but to clean up the fouls..... Rick Adelman "Mike, get your gloves on, you are going in"........ It doesn't have to be a knock down brawl, but just a good hard take down like Barkley on Shaq......make the officials worry about another Indiana type of deal to where they call the game correctly. Hey, it is desperation time... DD
I like that idea. But it's unfair to ask a rookie making a minimum salary to go out there and risk suspension and heavy fines just to send a message to Utah and the refs. You know how the Rockets get the refs to start calling fouls? Take it to the hole every time. Jump into the Jazz defenders. Initiate contact on every possession. Will the refs blow the whistle every time down? No, but the Rockets will suddenly find themselves getting much more favorable treatment. Every fade away jumper or desperation 3-pointer the Rockets take just bails out the Jazz defenders.
I agree. The only way to combat these dirty tactics is to give Sloanists a taste of their own medicine. If utah is going to move on to the next round, send them ailing. NO LAYUPS ALLOWED! So far,battier is the only one doing this.
I think that is what the Rockets are already doing...they are fouling too.....I think that is bad for the Rockets, as they are not as deep and not good at FT shooting. I like that Adelman is trying to focus the officials and the league on what is wrong......that the refs are not calling it correctly. He should have been doing this all along.....and why he hasn't gotten a "T" for protesting the calls is beyond me. This is the playoffs, you have to use everything you have to get an advantage.......and if arguing with the Refs, or pointing out each and every foul gets you that advantage, then by golly do it. DD
One thing that RA can do before this series is over. Give the green light to Landry and lets see what this kid can do.
I love defense, I love slow methodical offense, I love hard fouls. I don't love flopping and non-calls. Remember the Pacers/Pistons low scoring affair, i really liked those games because it showed how much defense can affect a game. The fact that the rockets can even keep these games close makes me smile.
honestly. . . as long as the weak kid gives in . .and there is no fight you can 'talk' to them about doing the right thign but once a kid goes home with a bloody nose and let's everyone knows. . if that MFer comes at me again we will fight everyday!! All of a sudden . . .they will have to step in and address the issue as of now the Rockets . . in playing the 'right way' are losing If they play 'wrong' and come out swinging . . just ONCE things will change Forget the Squeeky wheel . . .the wheel that BLOWS OUT gets the immediate attention Rocket River
