Oh god, Dick Bavetta is doing the game..

[SBR Lou]

Not sure who this helps but I hate seeing him out there.

[babaoriley]

I haven't posted in awhile, but seeing Bavetta reffing this game just got me riled up enough to post. No way the Lakers lose if this is close down the stretch. None.

[Tsoprano]

Yup, hes another donaghy

[babaoriley]

As I posted in the "tonight's zebras" thread, courtesy of The Sports Guy:

THE KEITH HERNANDEZ AWARD
To David Stern for sending Dick Bavetta to Game 5. That might have been the first-ever "Eff-You!" officiating assignment. Classic. It's worth mentioning that our Game 6 referees are Joey Crawford, Eddie Rush ... and Mr. Bennett Salvatore. Before the game, I am dousing myself in gasoline and bringing a Zippo just to be properly prepared.

[TeamPlayer]

As I posted in the "tonight's zebras" thread, courtesy of The Sports Guy:

THE KEITH HERNANDEZ AWARD
To David Stern for sending Dick Bavetta to Game 5. That might have been the first-ever "Eff-You!" officiating assignment. Classic. It's worth mentioning that our Game 6 referees are Joey Crawford, Eddie Rush ... and Mr. Bennett Salvatore. Before the game, I am dousing myself in gasoline and bringing a Zippo just to be properly prepared.

Joey Crawford is one of the "company men." Remember that he challenged Tim Duncan to a fight and ejected him from a game for "laughing." So what did Stern do? He assigned Crawford to the most important game in the Lakers/Spurs series!

And what did Company Man Crawford do in the playoff game? He refused to call a foul with 2 seconds left in the game when Derek Fisher almost broke the neck of the Spurs' Brent Barry who was rising to shoot and tie the game!

BUT folks, now the FBI and the world is watching David Stern and his referees very closely. I believe the FIX is off as a result. I expect Company Man Crawford do be fair tonight.

[SBR Lou]

BUT folks, now the FBI and the world is watching David Stern and his referees very closely. I believe the FIX is off as a result. I expect Company Man Crawford do be fair tonight.

They'll just be smarter about it, making sure each team shoots a relatively equal amount of free throws, since they realize inquiring minds simply look at those disparities and make inferences. Ideally, Stern wants the team he wants to lose to have like 6-7 more free throws when the 4th Q rolls around, so Crawford can angle a close game in crunch time without it being so obvious.

[Doc JS]

All the conspiracy theory guys can take the aluminum foil off their heads and come out of the basement now...

[SBR Lou]

All the conspiracy theory guys can take the aluminum foil off their heads and come out of the basement now...

Go watch the 4th Q of the Lakers/Kings playoff series game 6.

[Thor4140]

BUT folks, now the FBI and the world is watching David Stern and his referees very closely. I believe the FIX is off as a result. I expect Company Man Crawford do be fair tonight.

I think the public won every game in this series. Imagine that. They usually get drilled during the finals.

[Doc JS]

Go watch the 4th Q of the Lakers/Kings playoff series game 6.

Seen it. Bad officiating does not a conspiracy make.

[SBR Lou]

Seen it. Bad officiating does not a conspiracy make.

Doc I think you're usually on point, but if you don't think somethings fishy about NBA playoffs, then I'm not sure we've been watching the same games..