So a lot of buzz and talk about the officiating in the first few games of the playoffs. Houston fans were claiming they were robbed when Kirilenko "flopped" on a Scola push off siting a foul that negated a Rocket 3 point basket. Was this a foul? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe it was retribution. Overall it seems that the officials are letting the players play. If a penalty didn't negatively impact a play, ie: contact while running an out of bounds play, if the ball has not been thrown in, a foul will not be called. The officials have been great with allowing the players to express their distain for the no call without being quick to whistle a "T". But I believe the officials take note. The boobing and belly aching is not falling on deaf ears. Scola is a victum of countless push offs, take downs, hard fouls that he was not called for, but noted, and then made up for later. Many of these "fouls" that were not called you can bet were discussed. Do you think the teams are the only ones discussing the game at breaks or time outs? I am certain that the officials get together and review calls, missed calls, etc. "Hey Jim, I think we let Mcgrady get away with a few push off's." or "We missed Boozer push Hayes in the back. Let's keep our eyes on it." So Scola gets called for AK's flop. Darren Williams gets plowed and no call. This was right in front of the official. Frustrating as that one call or miss call was, these things have a way of evening out over the course of the game.
My over all opinion is that the # of flops that are called have decreased. The refs are letting the players play. For the most part the "Stars" aren't getting special treatment and the game, at the end of the game, is being called even for both teams. I think the teams that will do the best in the first round are the ones that adjust the quickest to how the officials are going to allow the game to be played. It isn't ONE call that is changing the momentum or outcome of a game, but the teams or players response to that call that particular call or collection of calls or no calls that is dictating a swing in momentum or final outcome of the game.
Posted by Adam
1 comment:
I agree. I haven't seen a playoff game this year be determined as a result of ticky-tacky fouls sending both teams to the free throw line for the last two minutes of the game. The teams that will rise will be the teams that will impose their will upon their opponent physically.
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