I think Stern sent a message, mafia style.
Check out the timeline:
Right before game 3, in OKC, Stern warned coaches and Jackson in particular to stop complaining publicly about bad reffing:
The Thunder proceeded to get a 34-12 free throw advantage in game 3
The Thunder then got a 48-28 free throw advantage in game 4.
I watched a lot of game 4 and it was a total joke. the refs called every foul they could on the Lakers. As soon as the free throw parade started for the Thunder you could see the air go out of the Lakers, they were mentally defeated at that point. They never got back in the game mentally because they knew they couldn't win 5 on 8.
I think Stern sent a message to the whole NBA in these last two Laker-Thunder games: "The refs do whatever we say, fair or not, and if you say anything about it you're in big trouble."
Watching the Lakers play completely flat and lethargic was no surprise when you saw how the game was being called. The Lakers are pro athletes but they're human too.
Game 4 was such a joke there were several times when Thunder players were driving that I knew there were gonna get foul shots before they even attempted a shot. It was shades of Wade v. The Mavericks except the entire Thunder team was being treated like Wade.
The NBA is organized crime. It robs everyone of a fair match far too often.
Check out the timeline:
Right before game 3, in OKC, Stern warned coaches and Jackson in particular to stop complaining publicly about bad reffing:
The Thunder proceeded to get a 34-12 free throw advantage in game 3
The Thunder then got a 48-28 free throw advantage in game 4.
I watched a lot of game 4 and it was a total joke. the refs called every foul they could on the Lakers. As soon as the free throw parade started for the Thunder you could see the air go out of the Lakers, they were mentally defeated at that point. They never got back in the game mentally because they knew they couldn't win 5 on 8.
I think Stern sent a message to the whole NBA in these last two Laker-Thunder games: "The refs do whatever we say, fair or not, and if you say anything about it you're in big trouble."
Watching the Lakers play completely flat and lethargic was no surprise when you saw how the game was being called. The Lakers are pro athletes but they're human too.
Game 4 was such a joke there were several times when Thunder players were driving that I knew there were gonna get foul shots before they even attempted a shot. It was shades of Wade v. The Mavericks except the entire Thunder team was being treated like Wade.
The NBA is organized crime. It robs everyone of a fair match far too often.
