In general, I gauge exactly how bad calls were by how reporters not named Coro react to the game (although Coro often agrees with his fellow press; we're lucky to have him). TrueHoop is epecially good about this. A few things about the Denver game were mentioned around the press:
TrueHoop on the Nuggets game:
This one was also high-scoring like the game the night before, but it wasn't as fun. Lots of referee intervention including an apparent ejection for laughing, phantom fouls on both teams, missed calls, and some sad missed Shaquille O'Neal free throws
On Dan D'Antoni's first-ever technical (from Coro):
When Suns assistant Dan D'Antoni got his first technical foul in three NBA seasons Monday, official Joey Crawford told the scorer, "Technical foul on (Mike) D'Antoni's brother, whatever his name is." He already has more than assistant Phil Weber, who has yet to get one in nine years on the bench.
I don't like the idea of whining about refereeing in general, but it's to the point where I think even the relatively neutral national media is starting to wonder what is going on. I'm ardently anti-conspiracy; I am pretty sure this is a problem of perception that the Suns are a 'soft' team.
Isn't it about time Dwayne Wade got the same leniency that Pat Burke would?
Finally, it should be noted that I'm a bit amazed and pleased that Amare suddenly is in the referee's "OK" book. You don't shoot 20 free throws if the ref hates you. The other shoe should drop around the first round, I bet.[/quote]
When a known Suns hater thinks the officiating is bad against the Suns, then you know the officiating last night was really REALLY bad.
