Van Gundy Challenges Officials and Says an Owner Is to Blame

That's true that those aren't exactly unbiased sources. Everyone is some biased, coz nobody can be said is exactly objective, certainly not me. You don't need a motive to be biased, and bias is not formed by motive, rather from your view, percpective, background, knowledge. Basically different group of people might have different bias. In my opinion, those NBA refs formed a common biad towards Yao, based on their experience, knowledge (or lacking of), or own perspectives. Yes, Yao has his own problem, lots of them. However, that doesn't justify the bias towards him. You can't say one player is not playing a perfect game, that's why consistant unfair calls are granted.

What am I going to do about it? I can't do anything about it to change that. However, the Rockets as an organization and JVG as a coach, they can do something. And JVG just did something I think very smart and right on time and on target. You can say I am whinning about the refs, but I think I was just discussing the fact that some of the calls are unfair at very critical times. You can say that both teams got some bad calls, but that doesn't make those calls right. Call me shallow, I am a Rockets fan, if I believe those calls costed or partially costed Rockets the game, I want to talk about it, or whine about it. I think that's what GARM is here for, for the fans to discuss about matters related to Rockets, not to change the world, the whole system, the team, but to talk about it.

On a side not, so many posters are talking about the refs in this series, and JVG came out with the statement about bias, many here agreed. Don't think it would be odd, if JVG talked about it, after noone here mentioned refs at all? Why it's not that case? Because lots of people see the same thing, throw Rockets colored glasses or not.

Speaking of usefulness of the discussion in GARM, it's not like JVG or any Rockets player take advise here. What did we really change? Nothing.

 

I am sick of the"Yao deserves this" argument. Did you watch the heat-net game right before game 3? There was a exactly same "Shaq-standup, RJ drive in, body contact" play, no call. Bear in mind that RJ is also a star. Talk about different treatment.

If refs want to whistle tightly on defensive play of YAo, fine, please do it consistently on his offensive play. How can you imagin that whenever 310 Yao posts up 230 Dirk, it is Yao's turn to make a foul te get the position?!

Jeff is making his effort for a fair play environment for OUR PLAYERS. If you are a rox fan, you are shamed to say it is not a right move. Period.

 

I think it could be argued that the refs are afraid of Cuban. He is one of the owners of the company and therefore does have a lot of power. He already tried to get the head of the officials fired a couple seasons ago. They know he's watching them and they know that when they're screw-ups go against Dallas, their bosses will hear about it -- whereas when they screw-up in Dallas' favor, they're less likely to get called on it. Cuban has taken a Machiavellian approach to the refs: while it would be better that they loved and feared him, he'll take fear over love if he can have only one.

Cuban probably prepped the refs before Game 1 with plenty of tape from the regular season. It worked for Game 1, but then subsided for Game 2. So, they sent more footage for Games 3 and 4.

I'm disappointed that Van Gundy quit bugging the refs about Yao early in the season. I can understand that it is a distraction for him and Yao to be thinking about the refs when they should be thinking about the game. But, he could have the video coordinator -- or hire someone new to do it -- just put together a tape after every game and send it in. He and Yao wouldn't even need to think about or look at it. That's what Cuban is doing, so why not the Rockets?

 

There's probably a ton of reasons, but anyone who has followed Phil Jackson's coaching career understands that in the NBA, when "important" people complain, something subconsciously changes.

Which, obviously, is why JVG made the statement.

Sure, none of the refs say Cuban thinks we suck, we better call more fouls on Yao...but you know it happens anyway.

Who knows what will happen tonight, but I'd be seriously surprised if Yao wasn't refereed "better", from our perspective.

 

People are still talking about non-bias. That's bias right there! What's wrong with a 7'6 Yao taking charges? Where does it say in the rule book that above 7 feet you are not allowed to take charge? You mean he just has to block every shots? How? A 6'5 player running at him with full speed, if he jumps with arms straight up, the opponent can just lay it up under your arms. If you try to block that, hey, your arms aren't straight. If he doesn't jump, hey you are 7'6, so pathetic trying to draw charges, play like a man.

When Yao gets it rolling, he doesn't get called? You must have missed game 3 and 4.

 

Keep grasping Sam. Only do it with someone else here. I've already given up on you!

 

You are way off on this one. Score a ton of points...what do you call what he is doing? He is the most effective scoring "big man" in the post-season, and that's without barely breaking a sweat.

What came first, the chicken or the egg? Are zebras white with black stripes or black with white stripes?

Yao is scoring as many points per minute as McGrady. He is significantly outrebounding him on a per minute basis.

Arguing that the reason Yao has fouls called on him so frequently is because he doesn't score enough, as oppossed to Yao doesn't score enough because he is constantly having fouls called on him, is illogical in this case, considering just how effective and aggressive Yao has been playing when on the court.

The fact of the matter is, it doesn't matter if Yao is a superstar or not. If it was freaking Vin Baker in the game the other day, some of those calls would still be pathetic.

Certainly refereeing in the NBA is very hard, and Dallas has had some calls not go their way as well, but that is no excuse for the refereeing to be bad.

What's clear is that if both sides are complaining so loudly and publicly, something isn't right.

 

My feelings are hurt. I was hoping you were going to compare my posts to the valence of strontium.

 

Dude those illegal screens havent been called all season league wide. Its partly responsible for all the high scoring ths year.

Is Yao setting illegal screens? Yes, But he's benn doing it all year and so has everyone else.

 

And I agree with that to an extent. I bet the fouls are called more evenly.

But I think that the way Yao plays, and the way JVG uses him, lends to Yao picking up alot of cheap fouls. He's out on the perimeter on defense a fair amount, putting him out of position and in unfamiliar territory, he's often caught in between going for the block and wanting to take the charge, and he tends to contest shots that he's not going to stop anyway (he's got to learn when contesting the dunk/layup is futile, and leads to bucket+FT). He also needs to stop setting illegal screens now that the refs are calling them.

You know what, Yao is a cerebral guy. I think he'll figure it out. I'm glad JVG said what he said, and I hope it helps, but I think the whole team needs to play smarter on defense, and that include Yao Ming. I know I'm treading on dangerous ground by saying something other than the party line.

 

It shouldn't. The Mavs are consistently attacking the hoop while the Rockets are settling for jumpshots. The refs reward the team that is the aggressor on offense - that has always been so but to watch the Rockets play, you'd think they never heard of the concept. Example from game 4; The Rockets players Sura, James, Barry & Wesley played 116 minutes. Combined, they scored 25 points on 30 attempts. It took these 4 players 30 shots to make 25 points. Why? Because they reverted to settling for jumpshots instead of slashing to the lane and drawing the foul. The blatantly open shots that they were hitting in games 1 & 2 have not been there in games 3 & 4 and consequently, their effectiveness has diminished greatly.

Yes, I agree that Yao is not getting officiated correctly but you can't blame it all on referee bias. You also have to look at the adjustments that Avery has made to negate the Rockets' advantage in the paint by playing the smaller faster lineups and how the Rockets have yet to adapt to this strategy.

 

I agree with this.

What he needs to do is turn his body and avoid body contact when he goes up for a block.

So rather than having someone drive into him, Yao should angle his body to a profile view so he can use his arms and not draw contact.

Also, one of the biggest problems is when Sura and Wesley continually gets beat which forces Yao to cover both the guard and rotate to cover Dampier. Not gonna happen.

They should have Yao only set picks for McGrady rather than every play. They should also have Yao face the basket rather than always fighting for position down low.

 

David Stern will be at the game tonight

 

I have to say, the refs were a key player in the 4th quarter of Game 4.

Now i hate using the ref's has an excuse, there were plenty of other things the Rockets did wrong in the last 4 minutes. But I do think the league doesn't want the refs to decide the game by calling meaningless moving picks and silly positional fouls.

I expect that stuff to be gone in Game 5 - so don't sweat it folks.

 

I see it very differently. I think the Rockets points in the paint are better than the Mavs. The only time I have seen the Mavs attack the basket is when Yao and Deke are both on the bench. I think both players have been good at protecting the middle and shutting down the Mavs inside game.

The Rockets may be settling for too many jump shots. I won't necessarily argue there. I will say that outside of Tmac and Yao most of our players are jump shooters, and that is part of the reason.

 

Here's how I'll remember it:

Game 3: we couldn't score in the 4th quarter.
Game 4: we couldn't score in the 4th quarter.

In the 4th, Yao, get in the post. Guards, feed the damned post. Yao take a high % shot or go to the line.

It's playoff ball and it's the 4th quarter. It's all about half court sets and high % shots. That's why we have a talented big guy. GEEZ!

 

Contrary to all the political spin in the world the truth is (especially when teams are fairly evenly matched) that most times the difference in winning and losing can be a few critical calls by the refs.

Reality is when a call goes against you it can hurt you more than a good play by the other team because...

1. It can effect momentum big time
2. It can affect the player(s) shafted (can disrupt what they are doing, rythmn, get in their head)
3. It can dictate to one team's strengths or weaknesses
4. It can push a team out of what they are trying to do.
5. It can cause players to back off of something they should be doing
6. It has residual effect on later possessions
7. Player foul trouble
8. Team fouls
9. Substitution patterns, combinations on the court
10. It can cause players to press and force things to compensate.

This is a short list.

Karl Malone is a prime example of a physical flopper who could play the refs and get to the free throw line and yet play dirty and physical and get away with it. (The biggest crier whenever he was called for anything)

Michael Jordan- went from great player to god when he started getting the Jordan rule. If he drives to the rim he will score or it is a foul. Then the rule was expanded to if he misses the shot he must have been fouled.

These guys were a nightmare to guard because the refs could take them away from you.

Now I am not saying that the Rockets have the refs to blame for the last two losses, but it is true that the refs have alot of control over who wins.

The fact that we must overcome the Mavs and the Refs cannot be overlooked.

The fouls being called are not about the Mavs driving the lane. TMac has been fouled repeatedly driving the lane and he isn't even getting the calls.

The biggest problem is with Yao,

Why is Mark Cuban all over this?? Answer that.

Because he doesn't believe the Mavs can stop the Rockets if Yao isn't called for those moving screens. He thinks they were shafted in the first two games.

If there is anything to argue here it should be were the Mavs beaten the first two games because of Yao's moving screens. Cause that is the reason Cuban is ranting to the league.

 

Nope. That sounds about right to me.

 

Now YAO need step up and control the game tonight!! and he needs talk to REFES for every foul he gets, ask them why and explain why he is doing that. it's long term work, once he got it, he will be another TD. Fight for honor! go TMAC AND YAO!