More shocking was this:
Before the statement by the NBA late Wednesday, league spokesman Brian McIntyre said referees Joey Crawford, Joe Forte and Mark Wunderlich may have been following a league guideline in failing to make a call.
"There is an explanation in the rule book," said McIntyre, "that there are times during games when the degree of certainty necessary to determine a foul involving physical contact is higher. That comes during impact time when the intensity has risen, especially at the end of a game. In other words, if you're going to call something then, be certain."
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Huh? The officials are instructed -- and there may even be something in the rule book or some other official policy -- that the game should be called differently in certain situations? I mean, I think we all know this crap goes on. I just didn't expect a league spokesman to be stupid enough to admit it.
When will the NBA admit that it gives calls to its superstars? Maybe somebody should get a statement from McIntyre.
